Frequently Asked Questions

I’m very interested in hypnosis and would like to be hypnotized, but I don’t know what I would use it for. I’m in a time in my life where I feel free of problems. What could hypnosis do for me?

A problem isn’t necessary in order to benefit from hypnosis. Hypnosis can assist in creating physical comfort and deep relaxation, which are things everyone can use. We’re not born with the ability to relax. Our ability to relax may disappear the moment of our birth. We go from an environment of safety, darkness, silence and warmth to an environment that’s frightening, blinding, cold and noisy. If you’ve ever witnessed a birth, you’ve witnessed how stressful the entry into the world can be.

Hypnosis is a way to return to relaxation at will. With practice you’ll be able to relax whenever you feel the need or desire. Chances are right now, if you felt you had to relax or something catastrophic would happen, you would be so caught up in the stress that you would find it nearly impossible to stop thinking about it. With practice, hypnosis puts you in control of your mind and your life.

I don’t think I can be hypnotized. Is it possible for you to tell beforehand?
Three things are necessary in order to be hypnotized: (1) You must want to be hypnotized, (2) you must be willing to use your imagination, and (3) you must be willing to focus on whatever comes up in the imagination. Initially, I will be guiding you to use your imagination in specific ways. You can choose to follow that guidance or you can follow whatever else might be occurring for you – always toward the positive. This happens naturally. Because no therapist can want to be hypnotized for you, cannot use your imagination or focus for you, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis.
I’ve seen people hypnotized in the past and I want to stay clear of any situation where I might do or say something that would embarrass me. I’m afraid of losing control of myself.
In stage hypnosis, the agenda of the hypnotist is served. The hypnotist is there to amuse and entertain his audience. He will never select subjects from the audience without asking for volunteers. Some people will volunteer because they’d like to have the experience, because they’d like to be part of the entertainment. Some people will volunteer to prove that they can’t be hypnotized. In any event, the motivation is clear to the hypnotist. If you want to be hypnotized or prove the impossibility of hypnosis to yourself, you can. You are always in control at all times!

Hypnosis Cannot Cause You To Say, Do Or Believe
Anything In Conflict With Your Inner Values.

Therapeutic Hypnosis serves the agenda of the client. No one knows better about your desires and frustrations than you. No one knows better than you how to actualize your dreams and annihilate your frustrations, even if you don’t consciously know. The Therapeutic Hypnosis practitioner is the facilitator who shows you how to uncover your own power for success.
Will I remember what you do, or will I have no memory at all?
In most cases, you will remember everything that goes on in the session. You will probably be aware of everything that is going on around you. You will continue to hear the noise on the street, a phone ringing. or the sound of footsteps – whatever is usual in the environment you’re in at the time of hypnosis. Your focus, however, will be on what is going on in the imagination, whether it’s spontaneous or guided by the therapist.

There are some people who are so strongly motivated to achieve their goal(s) that they’re eager and willing to “let go.” These people may have less post-hypnotic memory, but moment by moment, during the hypnosis, they will probably remember everything as it happens.

If I am one of those who has little or no post-hypnotic memory, how can I know what I’ve done while I was “out”?
If you are one of those lucky few who drops deeply into hypnosis, you won’t bother with that sort of apprehension. Apprehension keeps you from descending deeply into relaxation. You will not be “doing” anything that is apparent to anyone in the room – the hypnotherapist or anyone else who may be there. Everything from the beginning to the end happens in your imagination, and the deeper you go into hypnosis, the faster you can accomplish your goal(s).
I have some pretty difficult things happening in my life right now. I feel as if I have many secrets I must keep, but I’m afraid I’ll divulge them if I’m hypnotized.
You are in complete control of the entire process of hypnosis. You can and will keep all secrets you want to keep. Equally as important is the fact that everything that goes on in session is held in strictest confidence by an ethical practitioner. Sometimes it’s better for you to unburden yourself of secrets. Often, when you give voice to things deeply troubling, you realize that they are actually less significant than you felt.
You talk about “trance” and “hypnosis.” I’m a little confused about that. What do those terms mean?
Trance refers to a deeply relaxed body where it is easy to focus your thinking on what you choose, instead of on how stressed out, worried, frightened or anxious you are. Hypnosis is a method of achieving that trance state. Also, “in hypnosis” is used synonymously with “trance.”
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I am absoluely happy with the outcome of our sessions. At my age, it is quite difficult to find a working method for pain relief, and it worked well.

Maria Doe