Hypnosis FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Hypnosis

What is hypnosis?
Can the hypnotherapist make me do something I don't want to do?
Will I reveal secrets while in hypnosis?
Could I get stuck in trance?
How does it feel to be hypnotized?
Will I remember everything that happens?
What if I don't go into a deep enough trance?
What is the difference between meditation and hypnosis?
What is regression therapy?
What is recreational past life regression?

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a natural state everyone experiences at least twice a day… when waking up and just before falling asleep. We may also enter natural hypnosis when deeply engrossed in a television show or a good book when daydreaming or during meditation or prayer.

Your subconscious can be thought of as a computer program. Your conscious mind carries out this program. Hypnosis is helpful because, when you are deeply relaxed — as you are in hypnosis — the subconscious can be reprogrammed to eliminate habits or behaviors you may have had from childhood which are destructive or unwanted.

back to top

Can the hypnotherapist make me do something I don't want to do?

No. Most of what you know about hypnosis is probably from stage shows, television or movies, and most of that is untrue or manipulated to seem as though the hypnotist has complete control of the subject. In hypnotherapy, the client and the hypnotherapist discuss what kinds of things will be suggested. During hypnosis, the clients are always in complete control of themselves, and they will not be influenced by a suggestion unless they agree with this suggestion. For instance, a person cannot force someone else to give up smoking. People must decide for themselves when they are ready to make a change. Then, through hypnosis, the change may easily be made.

Will I reveal secrets while in hypnosis?

No. When in hypnosis, one is still very aware and mentally alert. If someone doesn't want to reveal something, he won't. If he is asked a question and he doesn't want to answer, he can say, " I don't want to tell you that" . Someone could have amazing truths revealed to himself, or make sense of some behavior he has never understood before, yet still not reveal this to the hypnotherapist, or to anyone else.

Could I get stuck in trance?

No. This does not happen. All hypnotherapists include an arousal suggestion to bring the person back gently from the trance state. Experiments have been conducted to see what would happen if the hypnotherapist just left the room and never came back. These hypnotized persons in the experiment aroused themselves, and went home. No harm was done. If some emergency should arise, one would become aware of it and take care of the emergency just as they would if they were watching a TV show and someone came to the door. You are in control at all times when you are in hypnosis.

How does it feel to be hypnotized?

You will probably feel very relaxed. You can talk and answer questions about what you are experiencing. Your focus is very narrow as your attention is directed toward what you are hearing or thinking, not towards the outside environment. Most people find it very pleasurable.

Will I remember everything that happens?

You can remember everything that happens, but just like you forget dreams, some things may slip from your memory. In regression therapy, you may not remember traumatic memories that you are not ready to remember.
For quit smoking, or weight management sessions, you will probably remember everything. In past life regression, I will instruct you to remember everything that is important for you to remember.

What if I don't go into a deep enough trance?

Most changes people want to make are accomplished in light trances. The more times you are hypnotized, the easier it is to become hypnotized and it becomes easier to go deeper.

What is the difference between meditation and hypnosis?

In meditation, the trance is used to quiet the mind and allow the body to rest or heal.
In hypnosis the same trance is used to direct the mind towards the desired goal.

What is regression therapy?

With regression therapy, the hypnotist directs the client to regress (go back) to when the stated problem first occurred or first became a problem. The client may then, in hypnosis, remember a time in his childhood, or just previously in his life, which had been forgotten or wasn't seen as significant. This alone can be very healing.
Sometimes, clients report an incident from what seems to be a former or past life. The hypnotherapist helps the client see how this original incident is causing problems in the present time and helps the client view the incident with his adult intellect to eliminate the present day problem.

What is recreational past life regression?

This is where there is not a serious problem to resolve, but the client wants to explore some happy memories in past lives.