H Y P N O K A T O

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What exactly is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is not like you what see in the movies. Hypnosis is a natural state of consciousness involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness. In this relaxed and comfortable state, a person is more responsive to suggestion or direction. My hypnosis practice is for therapeutic objectives only, to help you modify your behaviour and achieve a specific goal.

2. What is a trance?

I like the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition: a trance is a state in which you are unaware of what is happening around you because you are thinking of something else. There is nothing mystical or unusual about it; in fact we all fall into a state of trance many times a day. When you are doing one thing while thinking of something else, you are in a trance! In my hypnotherapy practice, you recline in a comfortable position and listen to my voice guiding you into a peaceful, relaxed state of mind - a trance. It’s a dreamy, restful and positive experience.

3. Is it safe to be in a trance?

It is absolutely safe to be in a trance. Your subconscious mind is hardwired to protect you from harm. If you were in a trance and for some reason you needed to come out of it, you would open your eyes and ‘wake up’, even without the hypnotherapist suggesting that you do so.

Here are 3 examples that illustrate how safe and normal it is to be in a trance:

You are driving your car and your mind is elsewhere, to the point where you become unaware of your surroundings. You arrive at your destination and you don't remember much between departure and arrival. And yet you were perfectly able to follow the rules of the road, turn the steering wheel, etc., all while being lost in thought. This is a state of trance. Note that if something had happened requiring you to 'snap out of it', such as a cat darting out in front of your vehicle, your focus would have immediately shifted to the here and now, prompting you to slam on the brakes. It is the same in a hypnotherapy session: if ever you wanted or needed to come out of a trance, you have the power to do so at any time.

Your attention is absorbed in a good movie, to the point where you lose all notion of time and place. What a lovely trance!

You are in the middle of a boring class or meeting. Your mind starts to drift until you find yourself in a daydream. It's quite possible that the sound of your collegue's voice is momentarily muted while you zone out. Yes, my friends, you are in a trance.

4. Can everyone be hypnotized?

Yes...and no.

'Yes' because a trance is a normal state of mind. Since we naturally fall into a trance several times a day, everyone has the ability go into a trance. That being said, some people are easier to hypnotize than others. Often people who are precise in their habits, quick in their judgements, and don't easily trust others have more difficulty 'letting go' into a relaxed state of trance.

And 'no' because some people do not want to be hypnotized. If you do not want to be hypnotized, I won't be able to hypnotize you. Hypnosis is not a process of losing control - you are actually in control the entire time - which means you can choose to go along with the experience, or you can choose not to.

If you come to me for help, you know you want to be hypnotized. We’re on the same team, working toward the same goal. You only need to sit or lie down in a comfortable position, and listen to my voice. Generally if you are willing to use your imagination and follow intstructions, you can be hypnotized. I have worked with ‘control freak’ clients who are pleasantly surprised to see how easily their conscious mind can let go into the delightful experience that is hypnotic trance. With vigilent types of people, they often find they can relax and let go more easily during a 2nd session, because they now understand how safe and comfortable the hypnotic experience is.

5. Can a hypnotherapist make me do something I don't what to do?

You mean cluck like a chicken? That’s something you might see in stage hypnosis, where people volunteer to get on stage and act silly, and therefore have a desire to be part of the show. Any good hypnotist should be able to get you to do something you wouldn’t normally do, such as cluck like a chicken or forget your name, however a hypnotist would NOT be able to get you to do something beyond the boundaries of your moral code. For example: get you to rob a bank or slash someone’s tires. Keep in mind that the aim of hypo-therapy is to help and support people. My practice is all about helping you live a happier life.

6. Could someone stay in a trance and never wake up?

No, this is not possible. In rare cases, a person can be in a very deep trance and doesn’t hear the instruction to wake up. An experienced hypnotherapist would simply repeat the instruction in a stronger, more direct manner. (As with a normal nap, the person would eventually wake up on his own anyway.)

7. I was hypnotized once before, but I'm not sure I was really in a trance. How do I know it worked?

When you are hypnotized, you may feel that you've heard every word the hypnotist has said. This leads some people to feel that they weren't actually hypnotized, because they believe they are supposed to be "knocked out" or asleep. This is false - nobody is knocked out or asleep. Part of you may be aware that you are in my office, relaxing on a big comfortable recliner. But another part of you listens to my voice and lets itself go into what feels like a guided daydream.

8. How many hypnotherapy sessions will I need to achieve my objective?

Many people get noticeable results after the first session, but I would say that 2-3 sessions is more typical. Results can vary from one individual to the next. But some are so satisfied with the results they get for one objective, that they come back to work on something else! See the 'testimonials' page to find out what some of my clients have said about their experience.