About Hypnotherapy

What is hypnotherapy

Hypnosis is a state of human consciousness, involving focused attention and an enhanced capacity to respond to suggestions and enhanced or reduced peripheral awareness. When this concept is applied as a therapy to address wellness issues, then it is termed hypnotherapy. Mechanisms such as guided relaxation, intense concentration, and focused attention are used to achieve a heightened state of awareness that is also called a state of trance.

In a state of complete relaxation, a person feels calmer and more relaxed and is more open to positive suggestions and affirmations. Once the person becomes more relaxed and calmer, the therapist communicates with the subconscious part of the brain and gives positive suggestions relevant to specific issues like stress, anxiety, addiction and so on.

History and background

Its scientific history began in the latter part of the 18th century with Franz Mesmer, a German physician who used hypnosis in the treatment of patients in Vienna and Paris. In the middle of the 19th century, an English physician, James Braid, studied the phenomenon and coined the terms hypnotism and hypnosis, after the Greek god of sleep, Hypnos.

Hypnosis attracted widespread scientific interest in the 1880s. Ambroise-Auguste Liébeault, a French country physician, with the support of Hippolyte Bernheim, a professor of medicine at Strasbourg, believed that hypnosis is a combination of psychologically mediated responses to suggestions. During a visit to France at about the same time, Austrian physician Sigmund Freud was impressed by the therapeutic potential of hypnosis for neurotic disorders, and on his return to Vienna he used hypnosis widely. Hypnosis subsequently acquired other limited uses in medicine.

The most prominent figure in modern hypnosis is American psychiatrist Milton Erickson, who was a master of using language creatively to communicate with patients' unconscious. What was unique in his approach was that he was not interested in identifying the cause of the symptoms, like many other clinicians back then; instead his focus was on helping patients release their symptoms by stopping the defence functions. He had outstanding clinical successes, and his methods, called Ericksonian hypnosis, are strongly embedded in other contemporary approaches such as neuro-linguistic programming (NLP).

In the late 20th century, the American Psychological Association established Division 30, the Society of Psychological Hypnosis. Since then, the science of hypnosis has been developed rigorously.

Common questions

Who can be hypnotised?

Anyone with reasonable intelligence can be hypnotised.
The only ones who may not be able to be hypnotised are people with severe mental disability and children under the age of five; in both cases it's because they may not understand the words you are saying or be able to follow your instructions.
If you are able to read a book and follow simple instructions you are hypnotisable, but only if you want to be.
The only requirement is the desire to be hypnotised (or at least allow it to happen) plus an understanding of what you need to do to achieve the hypnotic state. The degree, however, varies from person to person.
Occasionally a different induction method or a different therapist may be necessary.
Most therapy sessions do not require more than a light trance state, which everyone can easily achieve with training.

Am I sleeping during the process of hypnosis?

Actually, it is just the opposite! You are wide awake.
You are very aware under hypnosis. You are actually in a state of what is called hypersensitivity.
All of your senses are enhanced: your sight, hearing, taste, smell and emotions.
It is closer to a state of daydreaming or relaxing.
You will be focused on the words of the hypnotherapist and outside sounds will seem to fade away.

Can I get stuck in hypnosis?

No, the hypnotic state can be ended at any time you choose. It is your choice to enter the state and you can always choose to leave it.
If you were left in a hypnotic state by your hypnotherapist or by a hypnotic recording, you would either return to full consciousness on your own or enter a natural sleep and awaken after a short, pleasant nap.
In any case, professional hypnotherapists are trained to awaken clients reluctant to leave the trance state, in their own interests. After all, there may be another client waiting for their session!
There is no “trance” in the sense of being under anyone's power.
There has never been a terminal case of hypnosis in the emergency room.

Will I tell you any deep dark secrets?

Not unless you want to. It is not a truth serum!
If you have a bag of money hidden in your backyard, the secret will still be safe after your session.
In fact, many say that you can even pass a lie detector test under hypnosis.

What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis has been around for thousands of years.
Hypnotherapy is simply therapy which uses hypnosis as a powerful tool to facilitate change. It is used worldwide.

Will I be in control and aware of what is happening?

Yes, all the time.
You do not go ‘out’, ‘under’ or ‘to sleep’. You are not unconscious.
You are in an alternative state of consciousness with a very narrow focus of attention.
You can hear everything that is being said.
Nothing happens without your consent. You have absolute control.
However, you are extremely relaxed. It will feel as if you are just sitting there with your eyes closed, relaxing.

Will I remember what happens during the sessions?

Yes, people remember everything they or the therapist said during the session.
In rare instances the therapist might need to remind them of one or two points that were talked about in order to trigger the rest of the memory.
It is possible for the hypnotherapist to give a post-hypnotic suggestion to forget what was said, but this is rarely used in therapy.

Is hypnosis suitable for children?

Yes, usually from about the age of six, provided they can understand what is being said and are intelligent and imaginative.
Younger children can benefit from the relaxation.
In 1981 self-hypnosis was introduced into the national curriculum in Sweden.
For children under the age of six, sleep hypnosis can be conducted with great success.
It is also important to realise that children are primarily in the Alpha brainwave state from age 6 to 12, the Theta state from ages 2 to 4 and the Delta state from 0 to 2, which is already the hypnotic state, and are already open to suggestion, so a preparatory induction or deepeners are not even needed.

Will the therapist have to touch me?

Some therapists will touch you on the wrist, shoulder, neck or forehead to test whether you are properly relaxed or to assist you into a deeper state of hypnosis.
They will seek your permission first.
Other than this form of contact, a therapist has no business touching you.
The vast majority of therapists are ethical, and transgressions are rare.

Isn't it in some way anti-religion or the work of the devil?

Hypnotherapy is just a tool, albeit a very powerful one, which can help people enlist the power of their own unconscious mind to solve their own problems.
In many respects the effect is similar to prayer or meditation.

How many sessions will I need?

Simple problems like smoking might require as few as four sessions of approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
More deeply rooted problems may require more sessions.
Many hypnotherapists offer a free initial assessment consultation in which to meet you, assess your problem, determine your needs and the likely number of sessions, and agree an affordable fee per session.

Will I do anything against my will?

No, you will not do anything that you do not think is acceptable or against your nature.
You cannot be ‘made’ to violate your own values or accepted patterns of behaviour.
You would either reject the suggestion or come out of the hypnosis.
You will hear everything that is said.
You are in complete control at all times.

Hypnosis: some mesmerising facts

An average person experiences hypnosis at least twice a day. Common examples include arriving at your destination without memory of driving there, zoning out while reading the page of a book, or becoming so engrossed in a television show that you barely realise half a day has passed.
Stage hypnosis and clinical hypnosis are very different.
You can hypnotise yourself. This is termed self-hypnosis.
Hypnosis often complements mainstream medicine effectively.
A person cannot be hypnotised against their will. Some people have higher hypnotic suggestibility or susceptibility to hypnosis than others.
Because hypnosis helps the brain change how it perceives information, it can help patients overcome fears and phobias.
In movies, hypnotists are often shown using pendulums or pocket watches to induce hypnosis. In reality, most inductions are verbal, not visual.
In 1958, the American Medical Association approved the medical use of hypnosis.
Several studies have shown that hypnosis has helped people stop smoking.
Many research studies have shown that hypnosis helps patients change their behaviour, eliminate bad habits and boost behavioural changes.

Applications of hypnotherapy

Hypnosis has been used for a very long time as an effective therapeutic tool, and its use in medicine has widely increased and is gaining popularity. Clinical hypnotherapy is very commonly practised, and there are several studies to show that hypnotherapy can be effectively applied to issues related to:

Addiction: smoking, drugs, alcoholism
Weight management and obesity
Healing of wounds and ulcers
Hypertension
Headaches
Stress and anxiety
Fears and phobias
Depression
Allergies
Insomnia
Pain management
Migraine
Mood swings, mental unrest, anger, tantrums
Self-confidence
Performance anxiety
Bereavement
Building strong relationships
Elimination of negative thoughts and emotions
Childhood traumas

For students

Stage fear
Exam fear and tension
Improving memory and concentration
Speaking in front of a group
Self-confidence
Motivation
Handling stress
Relationship issues
Allergies

In sports

Hypnotherapy is being used in sports as well. When coupled with training, hypnotherapy has been shown to improve the performance of sportspeople. Self-hypnosis is being used to enhance the focus of athletes, reduce muscle tension, and increase self-confidence and motivation.

Legal validity in India

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, in its letter no. R.14015/25/96-U&H(R) (Pt.) dated 25 November 2003, has categorically stated that hypnotherapy is a recommended mode of therapy in India, to be practised only by appropriately trained personnel.