What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural,  psychological state experienced as trance.  Hypnosis can be induced through the interaction of one individual speaking to another, or an entire group  as in group hypnosis; and we can learn to self-induce as in (self-hypnosis).

Hypnosis and it's myriad of uses is rapidly emerging as a highly effective science in solving  problems.  It's a valuable adjunct to standard medical care, psychotherapy and psychiatry when referred by a licensed practitioner.  Yet it is probably the lowest risk procedure available from the standpoint of contraindications.  Among other things, hypnosis is a valuable tool in stress management. It can help develop emotional strength, and can be a powerful aid in behavior modification. Using hypnosis, your therapist can make suggestions designed to help you formulate specific internal processes (feelings, memories, images and internal self-talk) that will lead to worthwhile outcomes you mutually agree upon prior to induction.

Yet few procedures are less understood, or more plagued by misconceptions and misunderstandings.   Hypnosis has long been associated with the strange and mysterious.  But hypnosis isn't the least bit mysterious or supernatural. The truth is.. you have been in a hypnotic state many thousands of times while driving, reading, watching television, listening to a speaker or to music and while daydreaming.  You didn't notice it because it seemed such a natural state of mind.  And hypnosis is a natural state of mind for all human beings.  Many people have the mistaken notion that hypnosis is strictly a form of entertainment or magic.

Is hypnosis in your office like stage hypnosis?
Hypnosis in an office setting is used as a tool for well-being or investigative process. The client's welfare is the sole focus of the procedure and the work is geared towards helping the client. Stage hypnosis is a show where people perform acts that are used to entertain an audience. Since the purpose is usually to hold the audience’s interest and to entertain them, the subjects are carefully selected and screened before the stage demonstration begins to ensure the success of the show.

What is a trance?
A trance is a natural state that can occur whenever your attention is narrowly focused and relatively free of distractions. Your attention may be focused either internally (on internal self-talk, visual images, or both) or externally (on a task, a book, a movie, etc.). The focus of attention is so narrow that other stimuli in the environment are ignored or blocked out of conscious awareness for a time. During trance, habitual behaviors may be performed without conscious awareness (i.e., behavior performed without mental effort). Examples of common trance states are daydreaming, meditation, or being involved in a really good book or movie.

Will I remember anything after the session is over?
You will remember everything unless the hypnotist valid reasons to delay the recall until he/she feels it is safe and beneficial to the client. (This would be particularly true of uncovered early memories of abuse or other traumas.) Usually, you will remember only what you are ready to remember. You may be asked to describe images or sensations or sounds as they come to you.

What happens after the session is over?
Very often, after the session is over and in the days to come, images or memories will surface spontaneously to your awareness. Make a note of these and be sure to share them with your hypnotist.

Can I be stuck in hypnosis?
Everyone comes out of hypnosis. Remember that you went into hypnosis willingly. So, just as you decided to go into hypnosis, by the same token, you will decide to come out of it. Occasionally, a client enjoys the experience so much that they resist coming out. It is the continuous dialog of the of the hypnotist that keeps the person in hypnosis.  With the realization that the hypnotist’s voice is no longer heard, the client emerges.

How will I feel when I'm  hypnotized?  Will I be sleeping or unconscious?
The word hypnosis is derived from the Greek word for sleep. While hypnosis is very relaxing, you never lose awareness during hypnosis.  You certainly will not be asleep or unconscious. If you were asleep, you would not be able to have a dialogue with your hypnotist. In. fact, during hypnosis you are even more aware of what is going on around you than you would ordinarily be but you can be selective about it (which you can't do in the waking state). While in hypnosis, you are in a very relaxed and pleasant state. normal awareness or simply drift off into a natural sleep and reawaken.  During hypnosis, you will be relaxed, but mentally alert; retaining at all times a level of awareness to the direct environment.

Can everyone be hypnotized?
Everyone can be hypnotized provided that they want to be. Anyone who wishes to be hypnotized can be.
Hypnosis is not something one person "does" to another.  We are all born with the ability to enter and utilize trance. The depth of its use, deliberate or unwittingly, varies from person to person.  Your development of this skill can be enhanced with the guidance of an experienced hypnotist.

Are there circumstances under which a person should not be hypnotized?
There are some individuals who may run some risks if hypnotized. This is where the evaluative skills and clinical training of the hypnotist are essential.

I'm very intelligent, can I be hypnotized?
The ability to concentrate or focus is essential for hypnosis. People with a wide range of intellectual giftedness or limitations can be hypnotized. Almost anyone can be hypnotized, even children as young as three to the very elderly.  The ability to enter hypnosis frequently depends on the training and expertise of the hypnotist.

Does everyone enter hypnosis easily?
If you have had positive experiences with hypnosis, it will naturally facilitate your re-experiencing it.  The level of hypnosis that you are able to enter can be discovered by depth testing.

What if I can not go deeply enough?
Of the six levels of trance measured by the Aarons Depth test, most typical goals can be accomplished in the lightest three stages.  Most people can achieve a trance deep enough to allow for the process. Practicing self hypnosis can help you achieve greater depths of trance.

Can experiences be fabricated while under hypnosis?
Hypnosis is not a truth serum. There is no guarantee that all information obtained under hypnosis is accurate. Some people under hypnosis have been known to fabricate and lie. As a matter of fact, one can even lie after an injection of truth serum. The serum is a chemical administered to reduce inhibitions so that the subject reveals freely solicited information. However, if there is some deep information that the person chooses not to divulge or if it is information that is not consciously known, frequently, the subject will not reveal it. Hypnosis can bring back information that has been repressed or forgotten.

Can I be sure that the memories I reveal are real?
There is no totally reliable way (including hypnosis) to accurately recall disturbing memories.

Is it possible to make me do or think negative things?
People can be manipulated into doing things against their will and even against their systems of value and belief with or without hypnosis. Although techniques of brainwashing exist, they are not in the realm of clinical hypnosis and the ethics as practiced in professional situations.

What is "False Memory Syndrome"?
It is the concept of  being coaxed or fooled into "remembering" events that never happened which has become the platform for some groups to diminish claims of childhood sexual abuse or that of abduction phenomena. 

Can memories I've read, heard about or seen others go through be recalled as mine in hypnosis?
Hypnosis cannot guarantee the factual revelation of the experiences of hypnotized subjects.  All of the above may influence hypnotic recall.

How is hypnosis different from sleep, meditation or guided imagery?
Hypnosis is best described as an altered state of consciousness, a changed or focused state of awareness, concentration and perception. During the experience of hypnosis, the person remains in complete control and should they ever feel uncomfortable because of the experience, they can always reopen their eyes and terminate the experience.  Everyone at some point or another naturally experiences the hypnotic state.

Although some hypnotists use the word sleep as a suggestion to enter deep relaxation, hypnosis is not sleep. Sleep is defined as a "natural periodic suspension of consciousness during which the powers of the body are restored." During sleep, the individual is not aware of what is happening.

What is meditation?
Meditation involves focusing one’s thoughts, engaging oneself in inner contemplation or reflection. Meditation techniques vary, but what most of them have in common is the relief of suffering and the promotion of healing.

There are four kinds of meditation. One is based on body control in order to unite body and mind as in Yoga.  Another is based on control of the mind and requires concentration, contemplation and visualization. Concentration is accomplished by focusing on an object. Contemplation is achieved through continuous repetition of a word or a syllable, as in (mantra).  A third approach is based on letting go of the body, using techniques to achieve relaxation of muscle tensions. The fourth focuses on letting go of the mind. The mind remains open to whatever enters it thus obtaining insight.

There is a fine line between meditation and hypnosis. Meditation and self-hypnosis can be induced in similar ways. Both techniques may begin by the person being asked to stare at a certain point, breathe in a prescribed way or listen to chants or rhythms.

What is guided imagery?
Guided imagery is the use of mental images to help bring about changes.

Meditation, guided imagery, and hypnosis share relaxation as part of the procedure, but that is where the similarities end.

Can I bring someone with me to my session?
Yes, you can bring anyone with you if you need the reassurance and if that makes you comfortable.  However, I might suggest that it is best for your companion to wait for you in the waiting room once we get started to avoid distraction.

Is hypnosis safe?
Yes, hypnosis is safe when a competent and qualified and certified hypnotist practices it.
 

 

CAROL DENICKER, MEMBER BOARD CERTIFIED HYPNOTIST NGH INSTRUCTOR ADJUNCT FACULTY MEMBER PRESIDENT, LI-NGH HYPNOBIRTHING PRACTITIONER

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