FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HYPNOSIS

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is simply a natural state of focused attention characterized by feelings of well-being, relaxation, increased alpha brain wave activity, and increased learning and openness to new ideas (Cheek and Le Cron,1968; Cheek, 1994; Grant, 2003). The term hypnosis is derived from the Greek word for sleep, yet even though the hypnotized person may resemble someone asleep, studies show that hypnotized persons are fully awake and alert. A hypnotized person generally becomes more open to suggestions because the critical factor of the conscious mind is bypassed/suspended. It is important to note that this bypass occurs ONLY if suggestions are in alignment with a person=s values and belief system (Cheek and Le Cron,1968; Kroger,1977; Rossi and Cheek,1988; Grant, 2003). As a result, clients can be made to do anything they do not want. Most people are interested to find that, in fact, hypnosis feels very familiar because everyone naturally experiences hypnotic states daily, several times a day. Hypnotic states, also known as trance states, occur when watching television, driving, day dreaming, and at other, similar times. Hypnotherapy is an interactive process of guided relaxation and/or imagery directed toward a specific therapeutic goal with the client or patient in hypnosis. It is a set of scientifically proven techniques to train the mind, emotions and body in order to support people to experience greater healing, comfort, relaxation and fulfillment in life.

Is Hypnosis Safe?

Yes. Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are just as safe as any other psychotherapeutic modality (Cheek and Le Cron,1968; Kroger, 1975; Rossi and Cheek, 1988; Cheek, 1994; Grant, 2003). In fact, hypnotherapy has been approved as a therapeutic tool by the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the British Medical Association since the 1950's. Further, as previously mentioned, you can not be made to do anything you do not want. Some people are concerned about this from hearing about or seeing stage hypnotists. The stage hypnotists select people who are exhibitionists, and they may not even be hypnotized when they perform outlandish things. In reality, you remain fully aware and in charge during the entire process. For the same reason, you can neither get stuck in hypnosis, just like you can not get stuck in a daydream.

Does Hypnosis Cause False Memory Syndrome?

No. False Memory Syndrome is associated with irresponsible use of psychotherapy by inadequately trained individuals (Barber,1996; Martin,1999; Rothschild, 2000; Scaer, 2001). Hypnotherapy, like any other psychotherapeutic modality, can be used unethically if practitioners are poorly trained and/or irresponsible. National certification insures that hypnotherapy training includes solid grounding in professional ethics and responsible uses of hypnosis. This is why it is important for hypnotherapists to be nationally certified.

Who Can Benefit from Hypnotherapy?

Most people can benefit from hypnotherapy. Laboratory research literature reports that 90% of the population is hypnotizable (Grant, 2003). Clinical literature reports that in clinical situations, particularly those associated with medical and health problems, nearly 100% of the population is hypnotizable (Kroger, 1975; Rossi and Cheek,1988; Cheek, 1994). Further, in clinical situations, people can be much more deeply hypnotized than research situations (Kroger, 1975; Rossi and Cheek, 1988; Cheek, 1994; Barber,1996).

Hypnotherapy is a set of scientifically proven techniques to train the mind, emotions and body in order to support people to experience greater healing, comfort, relaxation and fulfillment in life.

References

- Barber, Joseph. (1996). "Hypnosis and Suggestion in the Treatment of Pain: a clinical guide." New York: W.W. Norton.
- Cheek, David B. and Le Cron, Leslie M (1968). "Clinical Hypnotherapy." Orlando, FL: Grune and Stratton.
- Cheek, David B. (1994). "Hypnosis: The application of ideomotor techniques." Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
- Grant, Zoilita (2003). "Whole Health Hypnotherapy Workbook." Longmont, CO: Colorado School of Counseling Hypnotherapy.
- Kroger, Willam S. (1977). "Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis In Medicine, Dentistry, and Psychology, 2nd Ed." Philadelphia, PA: J.B. Lippincott Company.
- Martin, David (1999). "Counseling and Therapy Skills, 2nd Edition." New York: Waveland Press.
- Rossi, Ernest L and Cheek, David B.(1988). "Mind-Body Therapy: Methods of ideodynamic healing in hypnosis." New York: W.W. Norton.
- Rothschild, Babette (2000). "The Body Remembers: The psychophysiology of trauma and trauma treatment." New York: W.W. Norton.
- Scaer, Robert, C. (2001). "The Body Bears The Burden: Trauma, dissociation, and disease." New York: Haworth Medical Press.