Hypnosis is a very normal and natural state of altered consciousness/awareness, one we all experience from time to time in which the mind remains clear, alert and focused on something.

Have you ever "become really absorbed" while watching your favourite show on TV or driven to work on "auto pilot"? That's the same kind of altered state as hypnosis.

Some misconceptions about hypnosis are that it's a frightening state, or that it feels very weird, but it's actually very normal and pleasant. Some people ask if they've really been hypnotised, just because it feels like such a normal state and they were expecting something very strange. The "zombie" type states you see depicted in movies and on TV are pure fantasy.

You remain in control of yourself at all times. It is not the same as sleep and is not like an anaesthetic, you do not "pass out" and you are not unconscious

You do not lose control over your mind or your feelings

You do not weaken or surrender your will to another person

You are aware of everything the hypnotherapist says at all times

You awaken from hypnosis easily

Your mind is able to access and use its own natural healing and physical abilities

Your subconscious mind accepts positive suggestions and can release unwanted behaviour patterns

You will never forget anything, unless you agree to forget

Hypnosis itself is unlikely to assist in the relief of symptoms, it is the therapy - hypnotherapy - which is carried out within the altered state that is significant.

Hypnosis is a natural state that feels similar to that feeling you get right before you fall asleep at night. When you awaken, you feel refreshed and revitalised. You just feel as if you are relaxing in a very comfortable space with your eyes closed. You are still aware of everything going on around you (ie the hypnotherapist's voice and the sounds inside and outside the building) as well as what your unconscious is revealing to you. It is like watching TV. In one room while a radio plays in another; you can shift your awareness back and forth between the two, concentrating on one but still aware of the other.

No one under hypnosis can be induced to do anything against their will. Whatever moral, religious or ethical beliefs you hold in the normal waking state will remain in place under hypnosis. You cannot be made to do anything against your moral beliefs, you will not say anything that is embarrassing and you will not reveal more than you are comfortable with. You are in complete control at all times. Hypnotherapy is a gentle process and hypnotherapists are trained not to judge. You will heal and change in your own time.

You will remember everything the hypnotherapist says and everything you experience or need to remember. However, because most clients receive a great deal of information it may take days, weeks or months to really process everything.

Clients tend to go as "deep" as they need to and find the level they consider most appropriate for them. Generally, the more hypnosis one undergoes, the deeper and easier they drop down into the altered state, it is a skill which improves with practice.

Everyone can be hypnotised, the most important factor is that you are a willing participant. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, which means if you want to do it, you will.

The very small minority of people who have difficulty in a session are usually those who:

Don't really want to be hypnotised; or

Can't relax and let go enough to go with the experience (perhaps fearing loss of control or fearing the unknown)

Easily hypnotised people have a number of positive traits in common, including:

High creativity or artistic tendencies

A good imagination

The ability to lose oneself in a movie or book

The ability to concentrate and keep mental focus

Many of us experience a "trance-like" state while listening to some good music on the radio, reading a gripping novel, or while watching TV. Here are some personal feelings one may experience when in a hypnotic state:

Physical relaxation (body muscles feel relaxed)
Mental relaxation
General feeling of drowsiness
Eyelids heavy (extreme effort to raise them)
Euphoria (state of well-being)
Heavy feeling in any portion or entire body
Lack of desire to open eyes (relaxation feels too good)

No. Hypnosis is a very natural and normal state and cannot hold anyone against their will. If a client were to go so deep as to enter a truly unconscious state (a very rare occurrence), they would simply go into natural sleep and awaken when they were rested. It is impossible for anyone to be "lost" in hypnosis. After hypnosis, a person awakens naturally, just as they do after sleep. If the hypnotherapist were to leave before counting them awake, the subject would eventually realise that the session had ended and would wake up on their own. During the session, if there were an emergency, or the subject no longer wished to participate, they could easily awaken themselves at any time and simply stop the session.

Hypnosis can only be used in a positive way. If anyone tries to give you suggestions against your moral, religious beliefs or anything you feel strongly about, you would instantly emerge from the state of relaxation on your own.

Hypnosis can often complement traditional medical care and act as an adjunct to medical treatment. If you have any questions about whether or not hypnosis will help or conflict with a present medical condition, we recommend that you check with your GP first.

You should inform the hypnotherapist if you have a history of epilepsy, narcolepsy, clinical depression or psychiatric illness. This is to ensure that hypnotherapy is conducted in the most appropriate manner.

TBA

There are a lot of factors at work here. First, and foremost, there's your motivation level and commitment. If you're "trying" to quit smoking to please someone else rather than for yourself it may not be as effective. However, if your motivation and commitment level is high, you're likely to experience results straight away or very quickly. If it's low, you may stop going to the hypnotherapist long before you see any results. Other factors that determine your success can include your comfort-level and respect for the hypnotherapist you're working with, as well as the regularity of your hypnosis sessions.

Hypnosis is not a magic pill. You will actually have to do some work along the way, such as attending your hypnotherapy sessions or doing self-hypnosis on a daily basis. If you are expecting to be "put to sleep" and awaken "never wanting to eat chocolate again", you're probably destined for disappointment. On the other hand, many highly motivated and committed clients see results after only one or two sessions. As a rule, most people find they require somewhere between 2 to 4 treatments.