What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis refers to a state or condition in which the subject becomes highly responsive to suggestions. The hypnotized individual seems to follow instructions in an uncritical, automatic fashion and attends closely only to those aspects of the environment made relevant by the hypnotist.

If the client is responsive, he or she hears, sees, feels, smells, and tastes in accordance with the suggestions given, even though these may be in direct contradition to the actual stimuli that impinge upon the subject. Furthermore, memory and awareness of self can be altered by suggestions.

It is as if suggestions given during hypnosis come to define the individual's perception of the real world. In this sense the phenomenon has been describes as a "believed-in fantasy."

There are many theories about what hypnosis is or is not.

Hypnosis as a Permissive State:

This is an older, more traditional perspective. Here the emphasis is on passive nature of the client, and the stronger, authoritarian position of the therapist.

Hypnosis as an Altered State of Consciousness:

Here the trance is considered to be a unique and separate state of consciousness, relative to one's normal state of consciousness. In this concept, the trance is a state that is artificially created by the trance induction process. This alters the person's consciousness through the narrowing of attention to the offered suggestions.

What is Hypnotizability?

Hypnotists typically treat the words suggestibility and hypnotizability as closely related terms. This treatment is not strictly correct, since suggestibility is a generic term that encompasses at least two components, namely primary suggestibility and secondary suggestibility.

Primary suggestibility, one who is highly suggestible will carry out suggestions to a greater or lesser degree.

Secondary suggestibility, refers to self-suggestions for self improvement to a greater or lesser degree.

Hypnoidal States

The hypnoidal state refers to a state with some qualities of sleep and similar to light hypnosis.

Where and when does hypnosis end? At what point does someone go into hypnosis?

We really don't know the answers to these questions. There is some confusion related to the word hypnosis, which means sleep in Greek. However, sleep and hypnosis are not the same, but they can both be characterized by some detachment as well as by physical and mental relaxation.

Hypnosis does not start or end anyplace! It is really the ability of a person to accept uncritically their own beliefs. It is a voluntary thing, and is really just another form of one's own ability.

Examples of hypnoidal states are as follows:

Waking Hypnosis

Common form of this are tv, billboards, etc..

Daydreaming and Reveries

In reverie, the person actually feels like he/she is in the daydream. It is quite common to experience many of the 5 senses in this hypnoidal state.

Hypnopompic and Hypnagogic States:

The Hypnagogic state is the state entered into just before falling asleep.

Hypnopompic state is the state just before waking up.

These states are emulated by hypnotists when doing trancework.

How We Use Hypnosis

This course is designed to teach you to use hypnosis to assist clients with a range of issues that are for the most part, causing them a problem in their life. Hypnosis can also be used to maximize skills and of course can be used as entertainment.

Typically clients will either want to be able to do something they cannot do, or stop doing something they currently do.

It is important to recognize that hypnosis is a tool which will enable us to work with our clients; it is not an end in itself.

Misconceptions

As a Certified Hypnotist, you will find that the general public has some very interesting ideas about hypnosis.

Loss of Consciousness:

This is probably the most common misconception surrounding hypnosis. Many believe that people who are hypnotized are unconscious. Let clients know that they are far from unconscious and are actually more awake during hypnosis.

Surrender of Will:

It is important to stress that the client is always capable of making decisions.

Weak Mindedness:

Some believe that only fools can be hypnotized. The truth is, because hypnosis requires concentration, the best subjects are actually the more intelligent of the population.

Revelation of Secrets:

Some believe they reveal secrets under hypnosis. Truth, people can talk if necessary and can lie just as easily.

Fear of Not Being Revived:

There are some who are afraid of hypnosis as they believe they may never come out of it. Truth, clients can easily bring themselves out of hypnosis when necessary.

American Psychology Code of Ethics