Hypnosis FAQ

Have you ever “zoned out” while watching tv, during exercise, or during another activity? You were aware of what was happening around you, but you were in a different state of mind. That is a hypnotic state. Our minds are in another state while still remaining perfectly conscious and aware of everything else going on around us. Hypnosis is a method to achieve this state of mind, and utilize it for health benefits.

Yes. It is beyond the scope of this article to present the growing body of evidence. It has been shown effectiveness across a variety of clinical populations in treating anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa, pain, habit control, irritable bowel syndrome, headache and migraine, asthma, sleep disorders, cancer, psychosomatic disorders, and other medical and psychological conditions. A list of references can be sent to you if requested.

No. Hypnosis works on the premise of suggestibility, and you have to agree to the suggestion. You will only quack like a duck if you agree to. Stage performers use hypnosis to the least amount of it’s potential to make money. They mystify people and maintain a scary idea that they use hypnosis to control people’s minds. However, they misrepresent the benefits of hypnosis.

No. If some random person said to you “hey, come with me,” would you go? Probably not. Hypnosis is no different. I ask if you want to come with me on a journey, and you can agree or not to come with. For example, in a hypnotic state, if I suggest looking at a blue flower, you may not want to look at that and instead go look at some trees. You are in control the entire time even while I present suggestions to you.

Hypnosis involves focused attention and control by the patient, not the hypnotist. Therefore, it is impossible for someone to be stuck in a hypnotic state. Sorry to burst your bubble about hypnosis in the movies (i.e., Office Space, Shallow Hal, Get Out).

I don’t know how to feel about hypnosis. Is it true what I’ve seen in the movies or on tv?
Many professionals and people have mixed reactions about hypnosis, including skepticism and misapprehension. This comes from how hypnosis is misrepresented in media, and a misunderstanding of hypnosis by the public and other professionals. It is not some magical or mystical process that we have witnessed in media or by stage performers.

Many professionals and people have mixed reactions about hypnosis, including skepticism and misapprehension. This comes from how hypnosis is misrepresented in media, and a misunderstanding of hypnosis by the public and other professionals. It is not some magical or mystical process that we have witnessed in media or by stage performers.

People differ in their ability to achieve a hypnotic state. Hypnosis is a tool that someone can learn, and practice can improve their ability to utilize this tool. However, if someone says they cannot be hypnotized, then they are correct, since hypnosis works on the individual accepting the suggestions.

It is not the hypnosis itself that can be harmful, but the person practicing hypnosis. An inexperienced or uneducated hypnotist may inadvertently cause harm. Ineffective and inappropriate use of hypnosis can cause harm. Therefore, it is important to find a trained professional who uses hypnosis.

I have found hypnosis to be an effective tool for patients to learn to help manage their anxiety, panic, and pain. Hypnosis works on the premise that we can use our mind to create different sensations, perceptions, and emotions. For example, if I start talking about how I can feel a bug slowly crawl up my spine as it tickles and wiggles with each step trying to look for freedom from the cloth holding it close to my skin; you may begin to feel the same sensation. The more I talk about the bug and what it feels like, the more likely you may feel this sensation as well. This is how hypnosis works, except I am looking to create more positive sensations and emotions to easy anxiety, panic, and pain.

Yes! All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. I can only provide the suggestions. It is up to the individual to accept them and use them, and as such they are engaging in self-hypnosis. What the individual can learn is how to get into a hypnotic state by themselves, tell themselves the suggestions, and bring themselves out of the hypnotic state. That is the most important part of the hypnosis tool, because it allows the benefits to continue past the therapy session.