Frequently Asked Questions about Hypnosis
Does hypnosis work?
Yes.
Will I be asleep?
No. Although your mind may wander, you are always slightly awake and will hear everything spoken. A person in hypnosis is not asleep. If they were to fall asleep they would not be able to hear the suggestions.
Can I be hypnotized?
Yes. Everyone hypnotizes. People do hypnotize themselves as they fall asleep each night. People pass into light trance states everyday. Have you ever lost yourself in an exciting movie or a good book? Have you ever focused so hard on a math problem or a computer game that you fell into a trance? Hypnosis is very natural and normal. Some people associate becoming hypnotized with a lack of intelligence will power, but the reality is that hypnosis lets you take in information very quickly and allows you to boost your will power. People who are comfortable with drifting into a trance usually are more intelligent and powerful than those who are not.
Can the hypnotist control my mind or make me do things I’d rather not? Will I lose control?
No. You are always in control. Even in hypnosis, part of your critical mind is still active. Before hypnosis the hypnotist will discuss with the clients the nature of the suggestions he will give. During hypnosis the therapist watches the client for reactions to see which suggestions the subject accepts or rejects. If the therapist gives a suggestion that the client does not agree with, the client comes out of trance.
Can you get stuck in hypnosis? What happens is something happens to the hypnotist or we get disconnected?
No, you can’t get “stuck.” Despite what you may have learned from popular culture you can’t get stuck in a state of hypnosis. You usually either fall asleep or come out of it on your own. If we are working via phone or Skype and the line disconnects you will usually just drift out of it on your own.
There are people who walk around believing everything they hear, but that’s different.
What is the difference between a psychotherapist and a hypnotist? Are you a licensed healing arts practitioner?
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind. People that complete an advanced graduate education program in psychology are psychologists. Psychologists that go through a rigorous state licensing program including many hours of clinical supervised practice earn the right to be called psychotherapists. Psychologists that continue to become medical doctors are psychiatrists. The practice of psychology is strictly regulated and controlled in many countries and states to maintain a quality standard of medical care. Only licensed people like doctors and psychotherapists can diagnose and treat people with psychological disorders.
A hypnotist is not a licensed healing arts practitioner. Hypnotists are not licensed or regulated in most places. I work in California, so I follow the laws of that state. The scope of practice of a hypnotist is “vocational and avocational self-improvement.” This means that a hypnotist tends to work with smaller problems like motivation, weight-loss, smoking cessation, getting over a small fear, confidence—ones a person wouldn’t go see a typical psychotherapist for. A hypnotist is only allowed to work on medical problems and psychological disorders a long as the client is already seeing a licensed healthcare professional and that licensed professional says hypnosis will not interfere. A written document by a licensed healthcare professional stating that hypnosis will not interfere with medical treatment in this case is called a “referral.” These laws are outlined in California Business and Professions Code 2908.
Hypnosis is complimentary to medicine, not an alternative medicine.
What are your experience, education and credentials?
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. While I do not practice psychology it has given me an appreciation of the human mind and a better sense of the scope of my practice. After college I attended a year-long vocational program in the first accredited college of hypnosis the United States, The Hypnosis Motivation Institute. I am a union certified master hypnotist and attend continuing education classes through the American Hypnosis Association of which I am a member in good standing. Through the AHA I am certified in past-life regression and guided affective imagery.
I think I may have a medical condition or psychiatric disorder? Can you help me?
If you think you may have a medical condition or psychiatric disorder, then you need to see a licensed healthcare professional. Hypnosis is not a replacement to modern medicine. If I sense your self-improvement goals stem from an underlying possible medical condition or psychological disorder we will not be able to continue hypnosis sessions until you get a referral from the proper licensed healthcare professional.
Is hypnosis safe? What about that one guy…?
Hypnosis is safe. There is story in our community about a guy that gave himself a panic attack through self-hypnosis in the community. He came out of it. They always do. They don’t always remember it, but they always come out of it.
Do you do age regression? Can you help me recover memories?
No. There is no way of knowing if memories that come up are on real events or merely subconscious associations.
Can you teach me self- hypnosis?
Yes, over the course of a few sessions you can learn to go in and focus your mind.
Do you do hypnosis for weight loss?
Yes, I will work with your doctor to formulate a weight loss strategy and will give you power to follow it.
Do you do hypnosis for pain management?
Yes, with your doctor’s referral.
Do you do hypnosis for sleep/sleeplessness?
Yes, with your doctor’s referral.
Do you do hypnosis for fear?
Yes, hypnosis can help you overcome your fears.
Do you do hypnosis to quit smoking?
Yes, hypnosis can help you quit smoking.
Do you do NLP or guided imagery?
Yes, I combine NLP with guided imagery to deliver a meaningful and enjoyable hypnotic experience.
Do you do erotic hypnosis?
No. I’m a professional.
