Isn’t that mind control? Nope! Why? You’re still in charge. While under hypnosis, you’re still you. You can think, hear, and know what’s going on around you. Suggestions that go against your sense of morals or ethics get rejected, and will actually bring you out of hypnosis immediately. The Svengali type saying “look into my eyes…” makes for great TV or movies, but like most of Hollywood, doesn’t exactly translate to real life. The underlying nature of who you are is embedded inside of your subconscious mind.

Clinical hypnosis starts with discussion of the client’s goals and expectations. Then we start relaxation exercises, once your body and mind are in a relaxed state you can enter the trance. During this trance period, suggestions are made to facilitate positive changes. Stories or vivid imagery are often used to reinforce these suggestions. Then the client is then brought out of trance, and we discuss their experience.

It can be different for everyone. Most people experience hypnosis similar to that moment as you drift off to sleep but aren’t quiet there. Most people find it very relaxing. You may be alert and remember hearing the whole session, or you could forget sections of it. You will often feel like you are still in control, and could end the session at any point.

No. Simply, if you are put into a hypnotic trance and then left, you will drift off to sleep and eventually wake up.

This is dependent upon the person. Often we will add suggestions that you recall the complete session, however people may or may not recall exactly what is said. Sometimes people report that it feels like a dream, and can recall bits and pieces like in a dream state. It is very dependent upon the person. The more you often you use hypnosis, the easier it is to recall the session.

Intelligent people are actually easier to hypnotize. Often, those with the higher IQs are more creative, and better able to create mental images. These are key requirements for hypnosis to be successful. It is possible for someone to resist, even if they don’t realize they are resisting. There could be a desire for control, a fear of uncovering something, or other unresolved issues that may have to be addressed before hypnosis can be effective with you.

The simple answer is no. Your sense of ethics is deeply rooted in who you are, and suggestions that violate this are often just thrown out by the mind. Often in stage hypnosis, people are set up to act goofy; but these suggestions are carefully worded as not to violate people’s morals/ethics.

Stage hypnosis and clinical hypnosis are very closely related. The results are the only difference. In stage hypnosis the goal is to have fun, and put on an entertaining show. So yes, sometimes they make people cluck like a chicken. However, in clinical hypnosis, our goal is a positive change in a client’s life and therefore we leave goofy tricks to the stage hypnotist.

In meditation, the goal is a blank mind, and a free state of exploration. Hypnosis is a state of active cognition where your mind is working to create imagery and facilitate change. These two are often very closely related, and sometimes hypnosis is used to help build that meditative state, called ‘guided meditation’. The elements of peace and relaxation people strive to receive from meditation are quickly and easily obtained through hypnosis.

If you are actively under a doctor’s care, they may need to sign off before a hypnosis session. Certain medications or mental conditions may adversely affect your hypnosis experience. It may also be important to disclose any irrational fears, such as water or heights, so your hypnotist can control what imagery they use in your session. These requirements are for your safety and well-being.

Yes. There is no spiritual component in clinical hypnosis. No major religion has objections to using hypnosis for either fun or change. If you are still concerned, please talk to your religious leaders before your session.