F.A.Q.
What is hypnosis?
Under hypnosis there is a feeling of relaxation and concentration, but the subject (the person being hypnotised) is still aware of what is happening. There is usually an altered sense of time (it may appear afterwards that a long time has elapsed where only a few minutes have passed, or that it was brief whereas, in fact, it took a long time), a lowering of blood pressure and a change of brain rhythm from the usual beta state of consciousness to alpha, or theta. These are slower brain brain rhythms than are experienced in the usual conscious state.
If you have ever watched a movie, you have been hypnotised. Whilst you are watching the movie you stay conscious enough that your body sits upright on the chair and continues to breath. At the same time your mind is on something completely different. What’s more, whist watching the movie you accept, without question, events that you would probably be extremely skeptical about in real life.
Hypnosis can be more real than any movie!
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What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is therapy performed with the client, at least some of time, under hypnosis. It is therapy and hypnosis is a tool for a job: the job is to resolve an issue that the client has presented with. Hypnotherapy often incorporates other therapies along with hypnosis.
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Can I do something I don't want to do under hypnosis?
The short answer to this is no. You are aware under hypnosis and I sometimes tell my clients that if I say anything they don't like they will be able to ignore it or even simply get up. Often the point of hypnotherapy is to get clients to do something they feel they are incapable or reluctant to do. For instance to take more exercise, and suggestions are given to this effect. However, in this case it is something that they really want to do.
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Will I tell secrets?
No. See above. If the hypnotherapist asks you something you don't want to answer than you don't need to answer it. As with any therapy, secrets may come out but they will be by you own volition.
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What if I don't wake up?
For some reason this seems to an issue with people who have never been hypnotised. You will wake up. Even if the worst should happen and the hypnotist passes out in the middle of the session, you will wake up because you are not asleep. You are under hypnosis and are aware of what is happening.
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Will I be able to be hypnotised?
Almost certainly. Some people are able to be hypnotised to a greater degree than others, and practice makes perfect. If you do meditation or relaxation exercises than this helps, but anyone can be hypnotised to soem depth eventually.
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If I say something to the hypnotherapist will it be kept confidential?
Absolutely. The hypnotherapist is bound by the same protocols as any other therapist and unless there are exceptional circumstances everything said will be kept within the confines of the therapy room.
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Will I remember what happened?
Most probably. Occasionally the subconscious mind will blank out some memories that may have been uncovered during hypnotherapy in order to protect you until you are ready to assimilate the memory, but this is rare. usually you will remember everything.
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