Valleywide Hypnosis Frequently asked Questions
What is Hypnosis
How Many sessions should I book?
When should I schedule my second session?
Is Control lost during Hypnosis?
What does Hypnosis feel Like?
How do we induce hypnosis?
Is Hypnosis Safe
What if I get stuck in Hypnosis
Can I bring a Friend in with me?
What If I can go deep enough?
Is Hypnosis Effective and is there a guarantee?
Can anyone be Hypnotized?
Is Hypnosis covered by Insurance?
What is self hypnosis and how can I learn it?
What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?
Can Hypnosis Help me?
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness where your critical mind is overloaded and your subconscious is accessed. Hypnosis puts you in a dissociated state of mind where you have an increased degree of suggestibility (hyper-suggestibility). There are three distinct categories or degrees of Hypnosis which are:
- Hypnoidal —a light stage of hypnosis, characterized by fluttering eye movements
- Cataleptic —a deeper state, characterized by side-to-side eye movements
- Somnambulistic —the deepest state, characterized by the eyes rolling up
Hypnoidal with is the lightest degree of Hypnosis is considered sufficient in adding suggestions, although the deeper levels of Hypnosis a client can achieve the more suggestible.
How Many Sessions should I book?
Hypnosis is an extremely effective modality in working through a wide range of issues, emotions, and circumstances. And as often discovered can even assists find the root cause of a situation you weren't even sure was related, but had a significant subconscious impact.
Many of my clients have been dealing with, or working through their problems for years or even decades, and have finally come to the point of frustration where they need something to change. This frustration usually happens about the same time they realize “I have to change” which allows them to start taking control of their life.
It would be unrealistic of me to say that with one session of Hypnosis, all of your problems will magically go away, or even more unrealistic for me to say that with Hypnosis you will not have to make any effort to change.
What you will notice is that Hypnosis will help you learn about, access, and change the way you have developed thoughts, ideas and Habits. It will assist you with understanding the “whys” of your current situation, and how events, people and circumstances effectively assisted in creating the person you are today. You will potentially dive deeper, learn more, and change quicker than you thought possible, because you are accessing, learning about, and stimulating change in the “real mind”.
So although a single session can assist in a great positive way, and may be sufficient form some people for some things, it is up to you to decide if this modality of personal change is right for you on an ongoing basis.
This being said it will be extremely important to create a game plan with your hypnotherapist to determine what your gameplan is, number of sessions you both feel are needed, and desired outcome.
When should I schedule my second session?
Depending on what you are working on, and what part of the therapy we are in, I will typically like to see you within one week. If this is intensive I may ask to see you in as little as 2-3 days after the initial session. If you are maintaining I may ask you to come every two weeks or once a month.
Is Control lost during Hypnosis?
This is one of the most misunderstood misconceptions about hypnosis based on stage performances by Hypnotists or movies. Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness similar to the feeling you get when you are watching a really good movie, or just before you fall asleep. Just like the other two instances where you are in a hypnotic or suggestible state of altered consciousness, you are still very aware of what is going on and have critical control over your decision. Hypnosis works in a similar fashion where you will be in control and aware the entire session, although you may find that your mind wanders when it no longer feels the need to concentrate on what the Hypnotherapist is saying.
Once the critical mind is bypassed and the suggestion of Hypnosis is accepted there is a state of accepted consciousness where your critical mind will wander or (take a vacation) allowing the subconscious mind to interpret and be guided toward positive suggestion. Your
*Also it is very important to note that your moral code and ethics cannot be bypassed during Hypnosis, meaning you will not accept any suggestion that you do not completely agree with. This is also the reason why some suggestion such as quite smoking can be denied if the person really does not want to quit smoking, or attended a session just because friends or family pushed them into it.
What does Hypnosis feel Like?
Many of my clients have described Hypnosis as feeling like a brain massage, or a relaxing deep sleep that they fully awake from feeling extremely refreshed and renewed. Unless one enters the medium (Cataleptic) or Deep (Somnambulistic) states of Hypnosis, you may be surprised that you heard every word. Some folks come out of Hypnosis questioning or asking if it is normal to “hear every word”, or asking if it was ok that their mind wandered. This is completely normal. Hypnosis is a hyper suggestible state, even at the lightest stage called Hypnoidal, where a suggestion is accepted into the subconscious mind. Think of the coach that stands in front of his team and recites a winning speech, focusing on each player to improve their game, one by one, and then sees his players respond by winning or achieving a greater performance than they thought possible, and you have found the suggestibility of Hypnosis suggestion.
It is ok to feel anxious or nervous before your Hypnosis session; it's a new experience that has not had time to become familiar and therefore brings on the automatic response of anxious energy. Once you do let go and allow yourself to become hypnotized you will feel the weight of anxiousness lift, and a curtain of relaxation and peaceful serenity come over your body and mind. Physical reactions vary, but typically a client can expect to feel one or many of the following.
- Either a heaviness or lightness of their physical body
- Wandering Mind
- The need to swallow or lick your lips
- Deep relaxation
- Vivid imagery, sounds and or smells
- Slower breathing
- Tingling feeling in hands or feet
- Temporary amnesia (forgetting what the Hypnotherapist says)
- Euphoria
How do we induce hypnosis?
Your Inductions may vary. Inductions strongly depend on the individual, if they are emotional or physical suggestible, if they are auditory or kinetic, and how well your respond to initial testing. Hypnosis inductions may involve light touching on the forearm or head, which allows you to achieve greater hypnotic depth. If you are uncomfortable with ANY touching please tell your Hypnotherapist.
Some inductions commonly used and accepted include:
- Eye Fascination
- Arm Raising
- Progressive Relaxation with guided imagery
- Neuro Linguistic Programming
- Confusion techniques
- Shock Induction (not used in Therapy)
- Imagine Induction (Great for analytical or control conscious)
For more about your first session and the entire process click here
Is Hypnosis Safe
Hypnosis is an extremely safe and effective method to produce positive lasting changes. Hypnosis is a natural state of mind that allows for hyper suggestibility. The only concern with Hypnosis is to make sure you are seeing a qualified Hypnotherapist that knows how to induce Hypnosis and understands how people interpret suggestible responses.
What if I get stuck in Hypnosis
Nobody has ever got stuck in Hypnosis. Even if the Hypnotherapist walked out while you were in your deepest state you would just naturally (wake up) to full consciousness
Can I bring a Friend in with me?
While friends, family and loved ones are invited to accompany you to the office they are asked to remain in the waiting room. This Hypnosis session is for you, and we would want the most concentration possible with as little outside distracters to reach a state of relaxation. Often if a loved one or friend is in the room your concentration can drift to them.
What If I can go deep enough?
Although many people believe they have to reach levels of Hypnosis where they cannot hear what the Hypnotherapist is saying for effective change that is untrue. Light levels of Hypnosis called (Hypnoidal) states are sufficient to achieve hyper suggestibility.
Is Hypnosis Effective and is there a guarantee?
Hypnosis is extremely effective in individuals that want to change. Hypnosis is not something that someone does to you but a state in which you allow yourself to accept positive suggestions focused on change. Hypnosis does not come with a guarantee as we cannot guarantee that the changes you want or are focused on are wanted to carry out. For instance you may want to be a professional athlete, and under Hypnosis you may improve your game play, but there is not guarantee that you can reach that level of professional advancement. Also Hypnosis as mentioned before is a self motivated technique with the Hypnotherapist acting as a guide, some people believe the Hypnotherapist is taking control and can program anything they want into the subconscious which is untrue.
Also your Hypnosis is affected by several factors such as:
- Your comfort level with the Hypnotherapist
- Your ability to want change and accept change
- The skill level of the Hypnotherapist to (say the correct things)
- Your acceptance that Hypnosis will work
You will find if you stay relaxed, maintain a positive mindset, and truly believe Hypnosis will help you change, then it will. Your mind is an extremely powerful tool that will accept suggestions both positive and negative.
Can anyone be Hypnotized?
Yes! A general thought is that some people cannot be hypnotized which is false. Hypnosis uses the power of your imagination to induce the suggestible state, so the more ability you have to visualize, imagine and concentrate the more likely you will be Hypnotized.
Is Hypnosis covered by Insurance?
Unfortunately Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy are not currently covered under medical insurance, although it may be covered under alternative services under your flexible spending account. Also there are several IRS refund programs that reimburse Hypnosis for Weight loss and Smoking Programs.
What is self hypnosis and how can I learn it?
Self Hypnosis is technique of using the Hypnosis suggestion model on your-self, while using multiple techniques to achieve depth and maintain a Hyper Suggestible state. Self Hypnosis is best learned by a qualified Hypnotherapist that will teach you the techniques and self guidance needed to achieve the affirmation of suggestions to achieve desired changes. To learn more about Self Hypnosis click here.
What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?
Hypnosis or Hyper suggestibility is a state of mind that accepts suggestion, whereas a Hypnotherapist is a person that understands all aspects of how Hypnosis works to guide you toward positive change. Not all Hypnotists (think stage) are Hypnotherapist or qualified to use suggestibility and Hypnosis in an effective manner. Hypnotherapist train in and understand the process in which Hypnosis and suggestibility is to be used for each client to achieve the maximum results. Also Hypnotherapists are qualified to work through abreactions (or negative physical or mental reactions) that may occur in a small percentage of individuals.
Can Hypnosis Help me?
Yes
Quit Smoking
Lose Weight
Improve Sleep
Public Speaking
Pain Management
Boost Athletic Performance
Increase Study Habits
Motivate Success
Stop Bed Wetting
Relieve Fears
Relieve Stress
And Many more
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