Firstly, it is essential to know that everyone has experienced the state of hypnosis. For example, when you are absorbed in reading a book and are oblivious to your surroundings, or when you are driving home and realise that you are on automatic, that you are thinking about something else while driving. This daydream state is very much like the state of hypnosis that a therapist helps you achieve.
Just before you fall asleep, (that state between sleep and being awake) and again in the morning when you first wake up, you are in that daydream state. This is the state when your critical faculty steps aside and your subconscious mind comes forward. It is the subconscious that holds the key to change of habits and reinforcement of positive enhancements.By listening to the hypnotherapist’s voice,and his directions the client enters a state of relaxed awareness.
Secondly, all hypnosis is self hypnosis.Contrary to the myths that surround the subject, nobody can make us do anything we don’t want to do. If we refuse to cooperate, then no one can guide us to the state of hypnosis. The hypnotherapist will talk with you prior to the session, about your goal and reason for coming to see him. Together you will decide on precisely what you are looking to achieve or heal. The Hypnotherapist is merely a kind of facilitator between yourself and your subconscious.The client is always in control. If for any reason he decides not to cooperate by opening his eyes or not following the suggestions of the hypnotherapist, the session will simply not be effective.
Thirdly, hypnotherapy is NOT to be confused with stage hypnosis.Hypnotherapy is hypnosis with therapy. Many people have seen stage shows or TV hynosis programmes that have participants doing crazy things. What the public do not see is how the hypnotist, qualifies people before allowing them on the stage. Whilst everyone can be hypnotised apart from the mentally subnormal, young children and epileptics, there is a tiny percentage of the population who are very highly suggestible to hypnosis. Before the show, the hypnotist watches potential participants carefully and runs them through a series of exercises to ascertain which ones are more suggestible. You can be assured that those participants who ‘dance like Michael Jackson’ or cluck like hens, are perfectly aware of what they are doing.
The work of a hypnotherapist is a far cry from the entertainment value of the hypnotist. All genuine hypnotherapists belong to an association that has a strict code of practice. Should the hypnotherapist break this code, he is likely to face dismissal. His work has everything to do with healing and helping the client reach her/his goals.