Common Misconceptions about Hypnosis
I can’t be hypnotized:
The only thing that can prevent someone from being hypnotized is fear. When someone tells me they tried hypnosis before, but it didn’t work, my response is always, “did you fully trust the hypnotist?” Hypnosis is a practice whereby trust and cooperation between the client and hypnotist is imperative. A person cannot be hypnotized against their will. Once I explain the process and dispel all the misconceptions surrounding hypnosis, my clients are open to the practice and are therefore able to experience the peaceful and enjoyable state of hypnosis.
Loss of Consciousness:
One of the major misconceptions about hypnosis is that the subject will lose consciousness, or will be otherwise “out of it.” This is absolutely not the case. While under hypnosis, the client does not lose awareness or fall asleep. The client is able to stop the session and walk out at any point they choose. They are just so relaxed, they won’t want to.
Loss of Control:
The role of the hypnotist is to develop a hypnotic state and to guide the client through it. The client is always in control. This misconception is most likely due stage shows involving a hypnotist. Please bear in mind, a stage hypnotist is first and foremost an entertainer. To put on an entertaining show the performer must solicit volunteers to participate in outrageous behavior. Hypnosis, when used for therapeutic purposes, is nothing like the stage shows. The client will NEVER be asked to engage in any of this type of behavior.
Hypnosis is a truth serum:
As stated above, the client is always in control. Because of this, hypnosis cannot be used as a truth serum, whereby the client reveals his or her darkest and deepest secrets. The client will not say anything to the hypnotist that he or she would not say to an acquaintance over a cup of coffee. The client will not spontaneously start talking. In fact, in most sessions, there is no need for the client to say anything at all.
The fear of getting "stuck" in hypnosis.
As stated previously, the client is always in control. I have been asked before, “what happens if you can't get me out of this?". Once again, the client is always in control so the hypnotic state can be terminated at any time. It has been my experience that If my client is enjoying the hypnotic state a great deal as is often the case, I sometimes need to repeat my back to awareness suggestions.