It delights me that so many people have questions about hypnosis and what it can do for them. In this quick article you’ll get answers to the three top questions we received this week.
Questions and Answers about Hypnosis:
Question: # 1. My friends think that I can’t be hypnotized because I’m too strong willed, is there anything I can do to make me more hypnotizable?
Answers by Audrey Sussman PhD, LCSW, LMHC, NBCCH
The first part of my answer is that I work with strong willed people every day and they are wonderful at using hypnosis. As a matter of fact the higher intelligence and more creative people are the better they will be at using hypnosis.
That being said when I first was studying hypnosis because I had a very logical, scientific bent at times it was not totally easy to trust the process. The good thing is that because of my experiences, I don’t want others to have to struggle so I put the things I learned that work for me into the program I use for those with the logical type of mind. And, so far in my 30 years all of my clients have been able to use hypnotic techniques to get free from the issues them come to see me for. Anxiety, worry, blocks, fear, guilt, depression and even migraines and IBS. And a light hypnotic state of mind is all that is needed to do this work. I’ve use my own experiences to take the hard work out of the learning process.
The reason to use hypnosis is because in the hypnotic or trance state it is possible to get to the root of where anxiety comes from, and then to re-wire the brain for more enhancing reactions.
In actuality, trance states occurs naturally in our lives, whether we are aware of it consciously or not. Some examples of naturally occurring trance states: reading a book and being so engrossed that you don’t hear people talking to you. Watching TV and crying because the character was suffering. At the movies people go into trance states all the time when your heart is pounding in an intense action scene. And if you have ever been daydreaming then you have actually experienced a trance state.
So the answer is yes – even if you are strong willed, if you want to learn to use hypnosis to get to the root of patterns that aren’t working – hypnosis can work for you. And like any skill we learn, some people may learn with more ease.
Question #2. The next question is about fear of what might come up during hypnosis. This question has many forms: What if some terrible memory comes up that I didn’t know about? What if I freak out if something comes up? Will I have more trauma after finding out what happened in my past? Will the hypnotherapist know what to do if an old traumatic memory is uprooted ?
Audrey answers:
The reason I suggest going to someone who is a hypnotherapist is that in addition to the hypnotic training we have a license in one of the healing fields. As a hypnotherapist before using hypnosis to get to the root of the problems people come in with we set things up to learn in a fun and easy way. In other articles I discuss how we set up the goals so we can measure success, in this article we are just focusing on hypnotic part of the therapeutic session.
I actually understand the fear of uncovering something scary. I have two answers to this fear. First I teach a distancing technique so are not going to re-traumatize by being in the old memory. And, before doing any hypnosis I show my clients how easy it is to use hypnosis to feel at ease and comfortable. This way you already know what to expect and have found it not only easy to do but also a powerful tool.
Once you know how to use hypnosis only then do we start to get to the root of the problem and to heal it.
And, as to the fear of finding out something that you didn’t know. Every memory that comes up will be something you will already know. When a long forgotten memory comes up my clients usually say: wow, I haven’t thought about that for a really long time. And sometimes they are very surprises that there is still some emotion connected to the forgotten memory. That is the emotion we clear and that creates the “magic” that people feel.
Another thing to remember is that we use a type of hypnosis where you are aware and in control, although usually your eyes will be closed. You are aware of what the hypnotherapist is saying and what you are saying.
Question #3: If I can’t be hypnotized during the first session, does that mean I’m not a good candidate for hypnosis?
Audrey answers:
I love helping people who think they can’t be hypnotized. We start in a fun and easy way to set up the mind for success.
I actually understand the fear of uncovering something scary. So we take it step-by-step so you are comfortable and enjoying the process.
a. The first step we create a hypnotic distancing state of mind. This way even if something traumatic comes up you see it from a safe, calm perspective.
It’s easy to learn to use the distancing technique and as a bonus it comes in handy in many present day situations once you know how to do it.
b. Before getting to the root of reactions we also want to create success with hypnosis. Just as you would be any new sport, you learn each step and then move to the next more advanced one. It’s easy and fun to use hypnosis and to feel at ease and comfortable when done in this step-by-step way. In this way you already know what to expect and have found it not only easy to do but also feel the power that comes from tapping into innate creativity and potential.
Once you know how to use hypnosis only then do we start to get to the root of the problem to release emotions and old beliefs that are holding you back.
And, as to the fear of finding out something that you didn’t know. Every memory that comes up will be something you will already know. When a long forgotten memory comes up my clients usually say: wow, I haven’t thought about that for a really long time. And sometimes they are very surprises that there is still some emotion connected to the forgotten memory. That is the emotion we clear and that creates the “magic” that people feel.
Another thing to remember is that for anxiety and panic we can use a type of hypnosis where you are aware and in control. You are aware of what the hypnotherapist is saying and what you are saying although usually your eyes will be closed.
c. There are differences between a hypnotist and a Hypno-therapist. In addition to the hypnotic training a hypno-therapist also has a license in one of the healing professions. I also feel it’s of vital importance to make sure that the hypno-therapist specializes in anxiety and panic.
If someone with anxiety or panic goes sees a hypnotist who uses only one type of hypnosis and they can’t get into a trance state, it doesn’t mean they aren’t hypnotizable. Yes, it is true that you do need to be of at least average (or higher) in intelligence to use hypnosis but the reason most people are told they are not hypnotizable is likely because in an anxious state suggestions of calm create more anxiety.
That is the benefit of working with a hypnotherapist who has experience using hypnosis with all types of anxiety, trauma and panic – there is an actual protocol I use that works every time for anxiety issues, it even works for people who have been told by others that they are not hypnotizable.
Hypnosis is like any skill that we learn, with each use it becomes easier to learn to use the next more advanced hypnotic technique.
Types of hypnosis:
When people think about hypnosis, they are typically thinking about they way they have seen it portrayed in the movies or on TV. The client sitting in a chair with eyes closed, appearing to be asleep while the hypnotist tells them what to do. This type of hypnosis is not what I recommend for anxiety and panic. For a person who has anxiety, it is not always easy to sit still or to relax so other hypnotic methods are better for these issues.
With the hypnotic techniques I recommend relaxation is needed. Yet the funny thing that happens is that after a session clients describe feeling calm, relaxed and like a weight has been lifted off of them. Many email me weeks after a session to let me know that they are the most deeply relaxed that have been in years.
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Audrey Sussman PhD is a Board Certified Hypnotherapist who specializes getting people free of panic, anxiety, worry, fear, IBS and migraines. She has written numerous articles for various publications. And as a therapist, teacher and parent her skills have helped her to create a warm and peaceful environment for those around her.