Q: What is hypnosis?
A: It is a path used to get from a person’s conscious mind to their subconscious mind.
Q: What is the difference between our conscious and subconscious mind?
A: In general, our conscious mind uses logic, reason, makes judgments. Our subconscious mind does not analyze. It accepts all messages in a literal sense and stores them as memories.
Q: Is hypnosis mind control?
A: No. No one can be induced to do anything that goes against their will or that they find objectionable. As a matter of fact, if one chooses not to be hypnotized they won’t be hypnotized.
Q: Is hypnosis sleep?
A: No. People in a hypnotic state are cognizant of what is happening around them. They are capable of communication verbally or physically by giving a signal (e.g. Nodding one’s head, moving their hand, when asked.)
Q: Will I remember what happened during hypnosis?
A: Yes. You will remember everything unless you are asked or told not to remember what transpired, but even then one has a choice of accepting or rejecting that suggestion.
Q: Is hypnosis voodoo, magic or the working of evil spirits?
A: No. (YES, I have been asked this more than once)
Q: Is hypnosis an unnatural state?
A: No. It truly is a natural state. You’ve probably experienced hypnosis many times in your everyday life. For example, you may have driven from point A to point B and didn’t remember driving for several blocks. Or you may have been so engrossed in a movie or reading a novel that you’re oblivious to someone when they walked into the room.
Q: What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?
A: Hypnosis addresses the symptoms while hypnotherapy addresses not only the symptom, but, the cause of the problem as well.
Q: What is an example of unconscious hypnotism?
A: We may program ourselves constantly to fail. I can’t quit… It’s hopeless… I’m helpless… I might as well eat it, I’ll gain weight just looking at it anyway…I’ll never succeed, etc.
Q: Does one have to be motivated to change?
A: In some circumstances, people can be motivated while in hypnosis, but if you don’t want to make a change in your life you won’t take the necessary steps required to improve your situation. If we program ourselves for 28 (30) days in succession, it becomes a habit or a pattern. If we think, feel or behave in a negative manner, we’ll get negative results, conversely, if we think, behave and feel positive we will get positive results.
Q: What is your success rate?
A: If we think about this question all the way through it can be 100%. What does someone else’s successes or failures have to do with your success or failure? If I said, for instance, 65% succeed, that would automatically allow you to think well, 35% fail, I’ve always failed before so I’ll probably be in the 35% bracket. It gives people an excuse not to succeed. So success is 100% if you want it to be. Remember hypnosis is a tool, albeit a very good tool, if utilized appropriately. It is not in and of itself a miracle.
Q: What will I feel while hypnotized?
A: First, let me reassure you, you won’t feel anything out of the ordinary. You’ll feel relaxed, though one doesn’t have to be relaxed to be in a hypnotic state. (Do you recall driving from point A to point B without remembering?) Some say their arms and/or legs feel heavy. When finished you’ll feel refreshed and energized – like you’ve experienced an hour or two-hour nap.
Q: So again, what is hypnosis?
A: It is a state of intense concentration in which the mind becomes detached from everyday cares and concerns. The subconscious part of the mind is best able to respond creatively to suggestions., it can focus on issues you want to address or change without interference from other stimuli.
Q: How does the subconscious mind accept hypnotic suggestions?
A: Hypnotic suggestions bypass the intellectual mind, called the “conscious”, and zero in on the subconscious. When given a new suggestion that is within the parameters of a person’s belief system and moral orientation, the subconscious mind accepts suggestions literally, as a new reality.
Q: Is hypnosis medically approved?
A: Yes. The American Medical Association, the British Medical Association, and the America Psychiatric Association has all approved hypnosis as a viable therapeutic tool in the mid 1950’s.
Q: Are the results of hypnosis permanent?
A: Suggestions, stay with some individuals indefinitely, others need reinforcement. The effects of hypnosis are cumulative. The more the techniques are practiced and post-hypnotic suggestions are brought into play, the more permanent the results become. Self-hypnosis training and reinforcement programs for in-home use also provide additional help.