There is a lot of misinformation about hypnosis and hypnotherapy.
You have probably heard a few or even believe a few of them.
The problem with all the misinformation around is that it makes it difficult for people who may benefit from hypnotherapy to trust the process.
The most popular thing people say when talking to a hypnotherapist is, "Are you going to make me quack like a duck?" Some very inventive hypnotherapists I know will often reply, "Only if you think it will help.
" The truth is that a hypnotherapist cannot make you do anything.
We each have whatever control we have over our minds and behaviours whether we are in hypnosis or not.
If quacking like a duck or barking like a dog is in your usual repertoire of how to behave then you will probably do it while in hypnosis.
Otherwise a hypnotherapist cannot force you to do anything.
This brings me to another myth about hypnosis and hypnotherapy.
A lot of people believe that if they go into hypnosis they will automatically start telling all their secrets and that they have no control over what comes out of their mouths.
I have been hypnotised hundreds of times and I have hypnotised numerous people and I am here to tell you that I not only did not reveal any secrets but I also have not heard any.
Whatever your belief is around telling or keeping secrets, it will continue to be upheld while you are hypnotised.
Hypnosis gives you access to your subconscious mind.
Your subconscious mind's main purpose is to protect you.
That's its job.
That being said, if it is not in your best interest to reveal something, it will not be revealed.
And even if it is in your best interest, if your subconscious mind does not think it is in your best interest, it will not reveal it, period.
Another myth is that you can get stuck in hypnosis.
Well this is not true and there are so many ways to prove this that I do not have enough paper to write them all.
Firstly, if it were true that you could get stuck in hypnosis, would there not be cases of people getting stuck in hypnosis all the time? Would there not be insurance for families who were left by loved ones who are forever lost in the world of hypnosis? Hospital wards would offer specials for people stuck in hypnosis.
They would teach nurses how to treat such cases.
Okay I jest, but I really want you to know that there is no way you can get stuck in hypnosis.
The state of hypnosis is a natural state that we all go into several times a day.
There is a very deep state of hypnosis from which you may not remember everything the hypnotherapist said, but you will not stay there indefinitely.
The very worst thing that could happen is that you will go into a natural sleep.
When you go into a very deep hypnotic state your subconscious mind is still active and some hypnotherapists prefer to work in these deep states.
When you are "counted up" you return to normal consciousness.
Remember that your subconscious mind is looking after you at all times.
If you go deep into hypnosis and you don't come out when instructed to do so, a gentle reminder from the hypnotherapist to your subconscious mind that you are paying for the time you spend in that comfortable chair will usually bring you right out of hypnosis without any problems.
Some people believe that they can be made to do things against their will while in hypnosis.
This is a myth that needs to be dispelled.
The creators of this myth are the media and stage hypnotists who "make" people do strange things on stage in front of everyone.
Or in movies when the evildoer makes someone rob a bank or commit murder.
There are a number of things wrong with this idea.
The first being that when you move, while in hypnosis you bring yourself up and out of hypnosis.
The more movement the more you come up.
The stage shows that have people falling or barking or quacking are exaggerations of hypnosis.
The participants may be in a light trance when they start the performance but after so much jumping and falling and barking they are definitely much closer to waking consciousness than hypnosis.
As for the evildoer making you do his bidding, well remember that your subconscious mind is there to protect you.
If you would not do those dastardly deeds in normal conscious awareness you will not do them while hypnotised.
If your subconscious feels threatened while you are in hypnosis you will come out of hypnosis.
It is that simple.
Some myths on the other side of things are equally as damaging.
The myth that hypnotherapy is magic and can cure you in one session has people believing that if they come in at 1:00 with a life-long illness they can leave at 2:00 without it.
The truth is that hypnotherapy is very effective in helping people with many issues and has proved to be especially effective in assisting those who want to change a specific situation in their lives.
There are some issues that can be helped with one session, but this is not the norm and the client is a very important factor in this equation.
When someone is ready to stop smoking, for instance, and they have tried everything and feel almost hopeless they may get results from a hypnotherapist that they could not get elsewhere.
But if someone comes to a hypnotherapist because their spouse wants them to quit smoking, the probability is that they will not stop because they are not ready.
Similarly if someone goes to see a hypnotherapist for weight loss and only has one session and then goes out and eats a donut, chances are they are not going to get anything from it.
Although hypnotherapy has been known to help people stop smoking with one session, things like weight loss may take up to twelve sessions.
Hypnotherapy is very effective in many areas but it is not magic and it does take time.
It does not take as much time as other therapies for a lot of issues, but it does still require a commitment from you.
Although hypnotherapy is often called an alternative therapy, your hypnotherapist works in concert with your other health professionals including your medical doctor.
Hypnotherapy is a compliment to other health regimens.
Hypnotherapy is a safe and effective way to address many health issues.
Find a hypnotherapist in your area for help attaining your health goals.