Hypnosis is still a mystery to many, mainly because they are misinformed. Many people believe they cannot be hypnotized; this is because they don’t truly understand what it is.

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. Hypnosis is not something that is done to you; it’s a skill that is developed with practice. And the good news is it is a skill that can be developed in a day. This is because being in a state of hypnosis is actually a natural state of mind. Every person slips in and out of hypnosis, an altered state, several times throughout the day. For example, if you are so deeply involved in a daydream that it becomes very real to you, you have moved into an altered state. If you drive home from work and upon arriving realize you don’t remember driving home, as though you were on autopilot, you were driving in an altered state. Taking a nap, zoning out in front of the TV or absorbed into music are other times that people naturally go into an altered state.

The clearest explanation of hypnosis that I have found is from the book “Medical Hypnotherapy” by Tim Simmerman. “Hypnosis is a natural yet altered state of mind, in which the critical faculty is relaxed and selective thinking is established.” “The critical faculty, which begins to develop around age seven, serves as a gatekeeper to the subconscious mind. It compares new information or stimuli with ideas and beliefs already held in the subconscious. It then determines if the current situation matches a pattern that already has a programmed response in the subconscious mind, or if it calls for further analysis by the conscious mind. During hypnosis, relaxation of the critical faculty facilitates communication between conscious and subconscious levels of awareness. This communication allows beneficial suggestions such as, “Your immune system works more powerfully today than ever before, Mr. Jones,” to be accepted and acted upon without having to pass through the processing of the conscious mind.” “Selective thinking is an increased mental involvement with ideas being presented. Selective thinking is different from concentration. Concentration is more of a focus upon an idea, while selective thinking tends to be effortless participation in an idea. Paradoxically, selective thinking is both a way into, and an effect of, being in hypnosis. This is because the increased ability to hold an exclusive focus makes it easier to communicate accurately with the subconscious mind.”

The subconscious mind houses our core beliefs and thought patterns, which then control our behavior. The subconscious also has the ability to influence every function of the autonomic nervous system. Communicating accurately with the subconscious through hypnosis gives us the ability to change beliefs or thought patterns that create unhealthy behavior or that inhibit the body’s ability to heal illness and disease.

The four main concerns that are expressed to me are: What if I can’t be hypnotized? Will I be unconscious? I don’t want to be out of control. I don’t want to be controlled by someone else.

What if I can’t be hypnotized?

Because hypnosis is a natural state of mind then it is logical that everyone can hypnotize himself or herself. Again, hypnosis is a skill that is developed with practice. Even if it takes a few tries eventually everyone can attain and sustain that state. All of my clients have been able to go into hypnosis, even the most skeptical.

Will I be unconscious?

A person can go into a very deep state of hypnosis and can lose conscious awareness, but the subconscious remains completely aware and able to follow instructions and accept suggestions. Most of the hypnotherapy work that I do is done in a lighter state of hypnosis and there is continuous dialogue between the client and myself throughout the session.

I don’t want to be out of control.

Ironically being able to use hypnosis in our lives gives us more control over ourselves, our emotions, our health, than ever before. A person who won’t let go of control is actually the most out of control, because they are controlled by the belief that they can’t let go of control. A person who is the most in control is someone who knows what they can control and who easily lets go of what they can’t control. Using hypnosis helps to give us this kind of inner flexibility.

I don’t want to be controlled by someone else.

Years of scientific research shows that even in a state of deep hypnosis a person will only accept suggestions that are pleasant to her and fit within her morals. Because a person can’t be hypnotized and can only hypnotize himself the hypnotherapist cannot control him.