Popular Misconceptions about Hypnotherapy
Misconception: It is a power the hypnotist has that he wields over his subject.
The truth: The hypnotherapist simply acts as a guide who is experienced in helping subjects access their own ability to go into a trance state.
Misconception: The subject surrenders their will to the hypnotist.
The truth: The subject retains full control even in hypnotic trance and can wake from it if they so wish. Nobody can be hypnotised if they do not want to be, the subject has to be willing to go along with the process.
Misconception: A subject might disclose deep secrets that they do not wish to reveal.
The truth: People can still lie even under hypnosis and likewise they can choose not to reveal anything they would not wish to.
Misconception: The subject could be forced to do something they would not normally do.
The truth: Nobody can be made to do anything under hypnosis that they would not normally do. This is one of those myths that has been exploited so often in movies and TV shows that it has become a cliche. A common example is a character committing a murder and then having no recollection of it, while under the evil hypnotist’s spell. It is of course untrue. If it was suggested to a subject to do something against their moral code, values, beliefs etc then they would reject the suggestion even in trance and they would more than likely come out of the trance state and question why this was being suggested.
Misconception: The subject could get stuck in hypnotic trance and not be able to come out of it.
The truth: This is impossible. Just as we naturally awaken from sleep, or come out of a daydream, we also come out of trance. Although being in trance can be so very pleasant and relaxing that a subject may not want to come out of it when the hypnotherapist tells them to, but they are not actually trapped in this state. In such an instance the hypnotist may resort to clapping his hands loudly and insistently commanding they come out of trance.
Misconception: Only the weak willed can be hypnotised.
The truth: Again this goes back to the idea of being hypnotised against ones will. This as mentioned cannot be done. Being a voluntary process the subject willingly complies with the hypnotherapist to achieve this state of trance.
It is true that people do vary in their susceptibility to hypnosis, which is why stage hypnotists go through a testing stage to find which volunteers show the greatest levels of susceptibility making his job quicker for the purposes of the show.
However some 95% of people can be hypnotised to one degree or another, and the method of inducing trance needs to vary according to the subject, as one method is not going to suit everyone equally well. However for many therapeutic uses only a light trance is required.
So that is some of the most common misconceptions answered. The reason this matters is that many who could benefit greatly from this natural and gentle form of therapy are hesitant because of these persistent well oiled myths.
Hypnotherapy has been shown to be highly effective for a range of issues, from smoking cessation to curing phobias and treating anxiety and stress. Best of all hypnotherapy is without the unwanted side effects of many other forms of treatment.
To learn more about how Hypnotherapy can help you please contact me by email, phone or use my contact form at the top right of the page and choose a time and date to suit you.