Most people’s questions about hypnosis come from the confusion caused by technical and Hollywood style explanations of the subject. Questions often reflect people’s worries about control or danger or people’s lack of understanding about the process which, frankly, could be taught in far simpler ways than it generally is. Here are some of the more common questions that people ask me:
Can I Be Hypnotized?
Some people find it easier to relax than others. By the same token, some people are able to go into hypnosis more quickly and more deeply than others. Most people can go into at least a light trance and with most hypnotherapeutic goals that is enough so therefore everyone can benefit from hypnotherapy to some extent.
Will I lose control When Under Hypnosis?
No. This is a common misconception about hypnosis. Nobody can be hypnotized against their will. Hypnosis is not about control by the hypnotist. It is about working together so that the client can be empowered to create change in his or her life. Nobody can be forced to do anything against their will. The ‘control’ misconception appears to originate from stage hypnosis which funnily enough also involves people doing exactly what they want to be doing.
Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are about empowerment and people’s incredible capacity for change. If hypnosis was about control or making people do things there would be no money left in the banks and I wouldn’t be writing this.
Will I Be Asleep When Hypnotized?
You will not be asleep when hypnotized. The word hypnosis comes from the ancient Greek word ‘hypnos’ meaning sleep. It is a misnomer. Hypnosis is generally a very relaxed state but it is not sleep.
Will I Get Stuck In Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is not about control. If you want to come out of hypnosis you simply choose to do that. If the hypnotherapist disappeared or fell over and knocked themselves out you would simply come back to full consciousness in your own time. We go in and out of hypnosis and other altered states of consciousness (e.g. daydreaming) many times a day but we always come back out of them easily and naturally.
Will I Tell My Secrets Under Hypnosis?
No. You cannot be forced to say or do anything under hypnosis that you don’t want to. Remember that you are completely in control and empowered. Again, if this was not the case, don’t you think the police would just hypnotize their suspects and get them to ‘tell the truth’?
