Facts and Fallacies about Hypnosis
Fallacy: Hypnosis is occult or supernatural
Fact:
Hypnosis is scientific. It is not supernatural, nor of the occult, but purely a manifestation of the power of the human mind.
Fallacy: Weak willed persons make the best subjects
Fact:
The best clients are intelligent and/or wilful persons who have the ability to concentrate.
Fallacy: Only a small percentage of the people can be hypnotised
Fact:
Almost anyone can be hypnotised. It is a matter of degree. Some people do make better subjects than others. The people who cannot be hypnotized are babies, the insane or the intoxicated or persons “high” on drugs.
Fallacy: The hypnotist dominates the subject
Fact:
There is no domination or submission in hypnosis. The hypnotist actually helps the client express their own latent abilities. For example; a person unaccustomed to public speaking can confidently speak to an audience of thousands.
Fallacy: A person can be hypnotised against their will
Fact:
A person must consent to be hypnotised. A person cannot be hypnotised against their will.
Fallacy: The hypnotist has absolute control over the persons mind
Fact:
This is the most absurd of all fallacies involving hypnosis. No hypnotist can make anyone do anything that is against their principles or morals. Hypnosis is not an aesthetic that renders a person helpless; it is a means of releasing or intensifying their own personal powers and abilities.
Fallacy: Hypnotherapy requires a deep trance state
Fact:
87% of all therapeutic uses can be done in a light or medium state of hypnosis.
Fallacy: A person may not “wake up” from hypnosis
Fact:
There is not the slightest danger of this happening. The client left to him/her self will fall into a natural sleep and then “awaken”, or just awaken when the hypnotist stops talking.
Fallacy: Hypnosis is dangerous
Fact:
Hypnosis is perfectly safe when practiced by a trained and experienced practitioner. As an analogy, an automobile is not inherently dangerous unless driven by an incompetent person.
Fallacy: A person is unable to remember what happened under hypnosis
Fact:
A person in a light or medium state of hypnosis is fully aware of what happened when they “awaken”. In a deep state some clients may have amnesia.
Fallacy: Orthodox medicine condemns hypnosis
Fact:
The British, American and Canadian Medical Societies all accept the therapeutic value of hypnosis.
What hypnosis is not:
It needs to be understood that Hypnosis is a tool, not a cure itself. Just like a psychotherapist or counsellor is a tool/facilitator to empower the client to help him or herself, often by changing perceptions. Hypnotherapy can and is used for stress management, stress related disorders, dental and medical anxiety and anesthesia. It is also used for pain management, including pain associated with cancer; as an adjunct to psychotherapy and counselling, and in the management of a wide range of phobic, anxiety and other medical and psychological problems.
Are there contraindications to Hypnotherapy?
There are some areas where hypnotherapy may be contra-indicated. Included are some forms of depressive illness, epilepsy, psychosis (e.g. schizophrenia) and some breathing problems. In such cases, authority to perform hypnotherapy may, with your consent, be requested from your GP or other relevant healthcare professional.
How many sessions do I need?
The number of sessions required usually varies from person to person, however most people feel some benefit from hypnotherapy immediately. During your inital consultation your therapist can give you an indication on the number of sessions required. A lot of factors need to be considered such as the strength of your need, your willingness to be hypnotised and your trust and confidence in your therapist.
Where do I find a suitable Hypnotherapist?
Currently there is no single regulating body for Hypnotherapy. However, the "General Hypnotherapy Standards Council" is working steadily to achieve this desired outcome for all parties. Contacting a "General Hypnotherapy Register" or “Hypnotherapy Society” practitioner should give you the necessary confidence to proceed with a full consultation.
To find your local Therapist or for additional Information
General Hypnotherapy Standards Council www.ghsc.co.uk
General Hypnotherapy Register www.general-hypnotherapy-register.com
Hypnotherapy Society www.hypnotherapysociety.com
Fact:
Hypnosis is scientific. It is not supernatural, nor of the occult, but purely a manifestation of the power of the human mind.
Fallacy: Weak willed persons make the best subjects
Fact:
The best clients are intelligent and/or wilful persons who have the ability to concentrate.
Fallacy: Only a small percentage of the people can be hypnotised
Fact:
Almost anyone can be hypnotised. It is a matter of degree. Some people do make better subjects than others. The people who cannot be hypnotized are babies, the insane or the intoxicated or persons “high” on drugs.
Fallacy: The hypnotist dominates the subject
Fact:
There is no domination or submission in hypnosis. The hypnotist actually helps the client express their own latent abilities. For example; a person unaccustomed to public speaking can confidently speak to an audience of thousands.
Fallacy: A person can be hypnotised against their will
Fact:
A person must consent to be hypnotised. A person cannot be hypnotised against their will.
Fallacy: The hypnotist has absolute control over the persons mind
Fact:
This is the most absurd of all fallacies involving hypnosis. No hypnotist can make anyone do anything that is against their principles or morals. Hypnosis is not an aesthetic that renders a person helpless; it is a means of releasing or intensifying their own personal powers and abilities.
Fallacy: Hypnotherapy requires a deep trance state
Fact:
87% of all therapeutic uses can be done in a light or medium state of hypnosis.
Fallacy: A person may not “wake up” from hypnosis
Fact:
There is not the slightest danger of this happening. The client left to him/her self will fall into a natural sleep and then “awaken”, or just awaken when the hypnotist stops talking.
Fallacy: Hypnosis is dangerous
Fact:
Hypnosis is perfectly safe when practiced by a trained and experienced practitioner. As an analogy, an automobile is not inherently dangerous unless driven by an incompetent person.
Fallacy: A person is unable to remember what happened under hypnosis
Fact:
A person in a light or medium state of hypnosis is fully aware of what happened when they “awaken”. In a deep state some clients may have amnesia.
Fallacy: Orthodox medicine condemns hypnosis
Fact:
The British, American and Canadian Medical Societies all accept the therapeutic value of hypnosis.
What hypnosis is not:
- It is not a method of removing your will
- It is not a way to get you to do something you don’t want to do
- It is not sleep
- It is not like the villain in the old movies
- It has nothing to do with a swinging watch
- It is not magic
- It is not the occult
- It is not anti-religious. In fact in one sense, religion is hypnosis
- It is not a device to take over your mind
- It is in no way intended to replace or be a substitute for any
medical procedures, medical care, diagnosis or medical treatment
It needs to be understood that Hypnosis is a tool, not a cure itself. Just like a psychotherapist or counsellor is a tool/facilitator to empower the client to help him or herself, often by changing perceptions. Hypnotherapy can and is used for stress management, stress related disorders, dental and medical anxiety and anesthesia. It is also used for pain management, including pain associated with cancer; as an adjunct to psychotherapy and counselling, and in the management of a wide range of phobic, anxiety and other medical and psychological problems.
Are there contraindications to Hypnotherapy?
There are some areas where hypnotherapy may be contra-indicated. Included are some forms of depressive illness, epilepsy, psychosis (e.g. schizophrenia) and some breathing problems. In such cases, authority to perform hypnotherapy may, with your consent, be requested from your GP or other relevant healthcare professional.
How many sessions do I need?
The number of sessions required usually varies from person to person, however most people feel some benefit from hypnotherapy immediately. During your inital consultation your therapist can give you an indication on the number of sessions required. A lot of factors need to be considered such as the strength of your need, your willingness to be hypnotised and your trust and confidence in your therapist.
Where do I find a suitable Hypnotherapist?
Currently there is no single regulating body for Hypnotherapy. However, the "General Hypnotherapy Standards Council" is working steadily to achieve this desired outcome for all parties. Contacting a "General Hypnotherapy Register" or “Hypnotherapy Society” practitioner should give you the necessary confidence to proceed with a full consultation.
To find your local Therapist or for additional Information
General Hypnotherapy Standards Council www.ghsc.co.uk
General Hypnotherapy Register www.general-hypnotherapy-register.com
Hypnotherapy Society www.hypnotherapysociety.com
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