There are a lot of common misconceptions and myths about hypnotherapy that people have confused with the old fashioned view of hypnotists with the magicians hat and pendulum that they may see on stage or read from fiction books. e.g. hypnotist having control over someone and getting them to dance on stage! Clinical, therapeutic hypnotherapy is very different and is used to treat a variety of emotional and physical issues. Clinical hypnotherapy should never be confused with stage hypnotists which are solely used for entertainment purposes. Remember, that no one, even the most gifted hypnoticist-can make you do anything against your will. The stage hypnotists are nothing more than entertainers, trying to entertain and amuse an audience.
Its important to highlight these common misconceptions about hypnotherapy so that people’s fears and ignorance about hypnotherapy can be enlightened and the therapeutic values of hypnotherapy used more efficiently as a result. If a person has any deep hidden fears about hypnotherapy, this may prevent them from experiencing the full therapeutic benefits of hypnotherapy. If you ever go to have a hypnotherapy session with either myself or with another hypnotherapist, its important that you let the hypnotherapist know of any concerns you may have, regarding hypnotherapy so that they this can be explored further. Read below, to find out more..
Myth of loss of control
‘Hypnotherapy? Never! I don’t want anyone controlling my mind.’
This is a very common misconception of hypnotherapy. A hypnotised person is in full control of themselves. They are conscious and are fully aware of their environment. If the hypnotised person is given a suggestion that they don’t agree with, they can refuse or object and this will probably cause the person to come out of hypnosis all together. Therefore, hypnosis cannot MAKE anyone do anything they don’t want to do. It only helps the client to focus on goals that they wish to accomplish. YOU are always in control.
Fear of ‘going under’
A lot of people fear that they will ‘go under’ whilst in deep hypnosis and will not be able to come ‘out of it’. Again- this is NOT THE CASE. The hypnotised person has compleate control and is able to come out of hypnosis whenever they wish. There may be occasions where the person under hypnosis is so relaxed they may fall asleep, but despite this a person in a deep trance can always come out of hypnosis.
Fear of revealing your secrets
Some people think that if they are hypnotised they may ‘reveal’ there hidden most secrets . Again, it is upto to the hypnotised party what information they may wish to reveal. The hypnotherapist can’t ‘make you’ reveal any information you don’t want to give.
Fear of amnesia or memory loss
Whilst you may find that you drift off at times during hypnosis and therefore may not recall everything about the hypnosis- any information that you currently have in your memory cannot be ‘lost’.
Myth of having a weak mind
Strangely, there appears to be a common myth that only those who are gullible or weak minded can be hypnotised using hypnotherapy. Actually, quite the contrary is true. People who tend to be intelligent and are better at concentrating actually make the best hypnotic ‘subjects’ as they are actually better at controlling their minds and using visulisation techniques.
Fear of humiliation
Many people have the misconception that hypnotherapy is similar to stage hypnotism. e.g. a hypnotist instructing someone to cluck like a chicken. People who volunteer for these type of stage shows are aware that they will be ‘clowning’ around in order to entertain the audience. A person under hypnosis will only do what they want to do. It is their choice. If a hypnotist asks a man to cluck like chicken, the person may do so – knowing that he or she is standing in front of numerous audience members who want to be entertained. The client has total control over their actions.
If you have any concerns or worries about hypnosis please speak to the hypnotist during your consultation or before the start of your session.
Sidra Khan: MBPsS, MNCH (Reg), D. Hyp, C.Hyp, PNLP
Fully qualified and registered Clinical Hypnotherapist
Contact: 07526 000360
