What is hypnosis? During therapeutic hypnosis, the body and conscious mind are in a relaxed, natural state, while the subconscious mind remains alert and receptive to beneficial suggestions.

There’s nothing magical about hypnosis – it is a thought process. It is displacing stress or pain with a receptive quality – a series of optimistic healing thoughts and images.

Hypnosis is about learning to exercise more control over yourself, your experience, and your behavior. Hypnosis is really about being helped to tap into your own inner strengths and resources so that you can have increased strength of mind.

Does hypnosis have other names? Other names used are guided meditation, guided prayer, relaxation exercises, guided imagery, mental retraining, cell command therapy, reprogramming exercises and so on. They all have the three elements – relaxation, mental imagery and encouraging self-talk.

Is it safe? Hypnosis calms the mind and body and replaces destructive emotions, attitudes and thoughts with helpful encouraging calming thoughts. Hypnosis has no side effects, causes no allergic reactions, and is not addictive. No therapy is safer.

Is hypnosis medically approved? Yes. In 1958 the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association approved hypnotherapy for use by professionally responsible individuals. The British Medical Association also adopted hypnosis as a viable therapeutic tool in 1958. The Canadian Medical Association accepted the therapeutic value of Hypnotherapy in 1995.

Can any person be hypnotized? Unless there is brain dysfunction, ANYONE can be hypnotized if they are receptive on the conscious level, ready for change, and eager to change. Anyone who has a definite reason or motivation for well being can easily be hypnotized.

Have I been hypnotized before? Have you ever been so engrossed in a book or a movie that when someone called your name you did not hear them? Or have you driven to your destination and then wondered how you got there? You were driving automatically while you were lost in thoughts in your inner world – that is hypnosis.

Perhaps you’ve concentrated on a project with such focus that you weren’t aware of anyone else, any noises or even the time going by that is hypnosis!

In fact, it occurs in every person just five seconds before entering or leaving the sleep state.

Is it a state of mental weakness? Hypnosis is not a state of mental weakness or gullibility, but rather a state which opens the mind to suggestion and only those suggestions which would be beneficial to you are accepted.

In hypnosis, you do not lose your decision-making capabilities. You would not do anything in a hypnotic state that you would not do while in a normal waking state.

Is it true that a person in a hypnotic state may not be easily awakened and may remain in that state for a long time? Under hypnosis, awareness is increased, you are aware of everything that is going on. While in the hypnotic state you can speak, you can hear, you can move, and you can come back to your ordinary state of being whenever you wish. It is as simple as opening one’s eyes.

A person knows nothing when they are hypnotized. The client is fully aware of what is being said. Over 90% of all people hypnotized for the first time will deny they have been hypnotized and assert as the reason being that they were entirely aware of everything said and done during the session.

Afterwards they find themselves pleasantly surprised when they notice constructive changes occurring.

Can a Hypnotherapist make you do something against your will? No, a Hypnotherapist can’t make a person say or do anything contrary to their principles. All suggestions need to be believable to the person in order for them to work.

The client can always ask questions and communicate with the Hypnotherapist during the hypnotic state – in fact if they find something funny they laugh.

Could you say something you might later regret? No, when you are in hypnosis, you cannot be compelled to say or blurt out things that you do not want to share. You retain control at all times. Actually, people are able to lie far better when hypnotized than when they are wide awake. This is because hypnotized people are more relaxed and, therefore, more creative.

What does Hypnosis feel like? What one feels is a state of total, absolute, relaxation. It is a state of well being.

It is a state of ‘letting go’ and allowing the pressures of life to fade into the distance.

At all times one is in complete control. When the session ends you will leave feeling refreshed, calm and relaxed.

It feels good to be in hypnosis.

Can Hypnosis make me slimmer, quit smoking, etc.? Hypnosis can not MAKE you do anything. Sorry you can’t eat burgers, fries and shakes and be hypnotized to make the calories not count. If you want to make life changes, Hypnosis CAN help you make those changes easier and faster.

What are the differences between Stage Hypnotists and Hypnotherapists? Hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis (used for entertainment) are as different as driving a Mini around the neighbourhood and a Ferrari in the Formula One Grand Prix.

Stage hypnosis

• Encourages extroverts
• Aimed at entertainment
• Short two hour span

Clinical Therapy

• Attracts people seeking positive change in their lives
• Aims to solve problems and change attitudes
• For a long term change

How does hypnosis help people? The ability to change emotional attitudes and reactions is a natural ability within every human.

When given a new suggestion that is within the bounds of a person's belief system and moral orientation, the subconscious mind accepts it literally and works toward it becoming a reality.

Are the results of hypnosis permanent? The effects of hypnosis are cumulative: the more the techniques are practiced and post-hypnotic suggestions are used, the more permanent the results become. The results of hypnosis have been known to last a lifetime.

Do I still see my Doctor? Absolutely, next to you your Doctor is in charge at all times. The tools I provide you with are not designed to replace medical care. Hypnotherapy is complementary to medical care to enhance healing. Put aside the idea that you have to choose between complementary and traditional healthcare – they can work together!

When you feel better you Heal