COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HYPNOSIS
What does Somatic Behaviorism (Hypnotherapy) feel like?
Since hypnosis is a very natural state that we access every day, some people may feel as if nothing has happened in the session while others notice various physiological changes in their body. Your breathing will get deeper and you may even feel warm, cool, or a tingling sensation. You will have an overall feeling of well-being at the end of the session and the process is usually very comfortable. All senses are heightened while under hypnosis.
I went to a hypnotherapist once before and it didn’t work. Does this mean I cannot be hypnotized?
Hypnosis is a natural state that we have access to all day long. When you drive down the road and miss a turn or get lost in a movie or your favorite song, those are all states of hypnosis. The most common reason for failure to induce trance is lack of rapport and explanation of the state, or a Hypnotherapist without proper training who is using incomplete methods. Always check with the education and background of a new Hypnotherapist before committing to a session.
Will I lose all control of my mind and body and do silly things?
No, you won’t say or do anything that you don’t want to. You will not start clucking like a chicken or break out in a Michael Jackson dance. If you were given suggestions that you don’t morally agree with, you would come out of hypnosis and your mind will mentally block those suggestions. Hypnosis is not a control state, it is an agreeable state for the mind and body to shift its perspective in life.
When I am ‘under’ will I be asleep?
The word Hypnosis comes from Greek origin meaning a “sleep-like state,” however you will not be asleep, nor will you be unconscious. You will be aware of everything that is happening and what is being said the whole time, however, you will be so deeply relaxed that you may find yourself drifting into different levels of dreamy awareness.
Will I remember everything afterward?
Most people do remember either everything or certain parts of the experience depending on how deep your mind goes. You will find that suggestions that have been given to you in hypnosis will resurface in your conscious, thinking mind after your session and these will be the thoughts that produce changes in your behavior or way of thinking and feeling.
Are you going to regress me to remember trauma from my past?
Unlike what you see in the movies, a well-trained Hypnotherapist rarely uses a “regression technique” to uncover subconscious memories. It is not necessary to go digging around in the mind to find out the how, why, and what has made you who you are today. Hypnosis is a tool, that when properly used, allows for suggestions, visualization, and metaphors to release the associations of the past that are affecting you in the present time. This enables us to work on a brighter future in your personal and professional life.
Can I be hypnotized against my will?
No, since you are still consciously aware of the process, you cannot be put under hypnosis against your will. At the same time, you also cannot be hypnotized to do something that you really don’t want to do for yourself. For example, if your partner wants you to quit smoking but you are not ready to, your mind will block the suggestion with your own resistance and you will remain a smoker after the session.
How many sessions will it take to reach my goal?
The length of Hypnotherapy will be determined by your conscious willpower, desire to change behavior and how you handle your subconscious mind’s need for resistance. Some clients seek relief in as little as a couple of sessions, while others feel it is a benefit for ongoing therapy for as long as they desire. Typically, a hypnosis client will be in counseling less time than with a psychologist or MFT. It is recommended that a new client works with a Hypnotherapist for a minimum of 12 sessions that are one week apart.
Are Hypnotherapists licensed doctors?
No. Hypnotherapists are “certified counselors” that specialize in general self-improvement with behavior modification. There is no licensing in this profession, nor can a Hypnotherapist call themselves a Doctor or PhD without legitimate medical training from a college program and have completed state licensing exams.
What are the benefits of using hypnosis?
If you are ready to make a change in your life and have tried other methods for achieving your goals without satisfaction, then Hypnotherapy may be right for you. While hypnosis does work quickly, it is not magic and results will not occur overnight in most cases. Furthermore, only you can ultimately give the permission needed for the change to occur.
They say that it takes 21 days to change a habit in the subconscious mind. The benefits of hypnosis create Lifestyle “Trance-Formations.” Use hypnosis to overcome self-defeating behaviors, negative habits, and learn to manage all aspects of your life effectively and holistically.