FAQs

1. What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural state of heightened awareness of the mind. It is associated with deep relaxation and focused inner attention. Hypnosis is a natural state we experience everyday. We are not aware of this because we generally call it something else. Examples of the state of hypnosis are:

• being really absorbed in watching a movie or reading or doing an activity or hobby
• in sports, people use the term ‘being in the zone’, or in music or the arts they talk about the ‘muse’
• that place between being awake and asleep

In some ways hypnosis is similar to meditation, because both involve an heightened state of consciousness and a degree of relaxation. However, the main difference between the two is, in meditation you generally rise above your problems and drift and float and experience a sense of peace, whereas in hypnosis you generally narrow down your field of concentration to accomplish a specific purpose.

2. What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis, with forms of psychotherapy, for a therapeutic purpose.

3. Is hypnosis safe?
Yes. Hypnosis and hypnotherapy in a therapeutic setting are perfectly safe. In the state of hypnosis, nobody can suggest you do anything you do not want to do. You are in control at all times. You will only accept suggestions made during hypnosis that you want to accept and that are right for you.

4. How does hypnosis work?
There are two parts to our minds, the conscious and the unconscious mind (also known as the subconscious mind). Often a problem or an issue or a difficulty in changing something like a habit (eg smoking or over eating) is because of a conflict between the conscious and unconscious mind.  If there is a conflict between the conscious and unconscious mind, the unconscious mind almost always wins. The unconscious mind is the storehouse of our memories, habits, behaviours, values, beliefs, emotions, and self-image. In hypnosis we can communicate directly with the unconscious mind, without our logical, intellectual conscious thoughts getting in the way. By influencing the unconscious mind during hypnosis we can bring about a change which is natural and eventually becomes automatic and requires very little conscious effort.

5. What is the conscious and unconscious mind?
The conscious mind is the part of our mind we are consciously aware of. The conscious mind is our interface with the outside world. The conscious mind is critical, judgmental, goal directed, goal perceiving, solves problems, protects us from unwanted consequences by weighing up information and deciding on a course of action.

The unconscious mind is a collective term which covers all the mental processes that are operating outside of our immediate conscious awareness. The unconscious mind is larger than the conscious mind, and is thought to account for about 95% of mental processing. The unconscious mind is the repository for our memories, beliefs, habits, values, self image, emotions, and controls bodily functions (via the autonomic nervous system) eg heart beating, temperature regulation, breathing, and bodily movements required for everyday activities. The unconscious mind can be said to be everything that we are, but are not aware of.

6. What does being in hypnosis feel like?
Hypnosis is a pleasant feeling of relaxation and increased mental focus. Some people, unfortunately, expect they will go through something different, new or spectacular in hypnosis. They think hypnosis is being asleep or being unconscious or being anaesthetised. This is simply not the case. Do not expect to go to sleep or lose touch with reality. Hypnosis is simply a heightened focused mental alertness and deep relaxation. Your mind becomes clear and you can pay close attention to one thing at a time. It is a very pleasant experience.

7. Will I know what is happening?
Yes. Since hypnosis is a heightened state of focused awareness, you may be more aware of what is happening.

8. Can anyone be hypnotised?
Yes. Anyone can be hypnotised as long as they agree to be. A hypnotherapist cannot force anyone into hypnosis against their will.

9. Will I be asleep?
Hypnosis is from the Greek word ‘hypnos’ meaning sleep. This is an unfortunate term, because hypnosis is not sleep. However, sometimes, because of the deep relaxation brought about during hypnosis, some people do drift in and out of sleep. This is generally not a problem, as the unconscious mind is still listening to the words and suggestions the hypnotherapist is making.

10. Will I remember what happened?
You will remember as much as you would normally remember following a normal conversation. You will remember most things, but not necessary all things that were said. This is just the way our memories work. For example, when you listen to someone talking, you may remember some things that were said, but not normally every single word that was said.

11. Is it a form of mind control?
No. You are in control at all times. You will not accept any suggestions that you do not want to accept. Nobody can suggest you do anything during or after hypnosis that you do not want to do.

12. Will all my secrets come out?
No. You have control at all times. If there is something you do not wish to share with your hypnotherapist, then you do not have to. During hypnosis you have the control to say whatever you wish and it is perfectly fine to say you do not wish to discuss something.

Whatever you discuss with your hypnotherapist, whether in or out of hypnosis, is strictly confidential between you and the hypnotherapist.

13. Will I lose control?
You are fully aware of everything during hypnosis, so you are in just as much control as you normally would be.

14. Can a person be hypnotised against their will?
No. No one can be hypnotised against their will. You are in control at all times. You cannot accept or do anything you do not want to do.

15. Will I wake up from hypnosis?
Yes. You can come out of hypnosis anytime you choose, with or without a hypnotherapist being present.

16. Will hypnosis compromise my religious beliefs?
No. There is no reason for hypnosis to compromise your religious beliefs. Hypnosis helps you make the change you want. Many people with various backgrounds and beliefs have benefited from hypnosis.

17. Why do some people have doubts about hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a much misunderstood process. There is a lot of mis-information and fear about hypnosis. For example, some people like to portray the image that hypnosis is a form of mind control, and that they can get you to do things against your will, or you are unconscious or anaesthetised during hypnosis and it will weaken your mind. This is ALL false. However, because of the unfounded myths about hypnosis from its history and the perpetuation by popular entertainment and stage hypnotists, some people, understandably are afraid of hypnosis. This is very unfortunate, as it is a very natural and effective way to bring about a lasting and beneficial change in someone’s life.

18. Important - Before You Consider Hypnotherapy.
Before seeking hypnotherapy for symptom relief or a medical condition, you should always make sure you have been properly assessed and diagnosed by your own GP or specialist before seeking help from a hypnotherapist. This is to make sure other important conditions have been excluded.

19. Why see a hypnotherapist?
Hypnotherapy, performed well, can be a very useful treatment modality for many specific conditions. It is an effective way to change our habits (eg for weight loss, quit smoking etc), change the way we feel about ourselves (eg confidence, motivation, public speaking etc), change the way we respond to our environment (stress, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, phobias etc), or change the way we experience conditions such as chronic pain, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome etc.

Seeking therapy from a hypnotherapist can be a very effective and pleasant way to achieve your desired outcome. Hypnotherapy does not have the side effects that tablet medication does.

Hypnotherapy is a natural and safe treatment modality.