T O P I C S

Can I be hypnotized? This is one of the most frequently asked questions I get from my clients. Clients will say "I'm too strong willed" or "I'm too intelligent to have someone control my mind" or "I went one time to someone and they could not hypnotize me". Part of the problem stems from the myths and misconceptions that surround Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis. If you are alive and breathing you can be hypnotized!

Unfortunately for most people their only perception or exposure to Hypnosis has been thru attending a stage hypnosis show or have seen one of those funky movies where someone waves a watch around and now the person begins moving around like a zombie.  Both of those venues give the impression of 3 things.  First, that when you are in hypnosis you are being controlled by another person; Secondly, that when you are in hypnosis you are out of control; and Thirdly, you have to be PUT into hypnosis by someone.

Let's address all three misconceptions.  Keep in mind that stage hypnosis and movies are meant for entertainment and it's their job to be dramatic and humorous.  Clinical Hypnotherapy in a professional office atmosphere is a whole different animal.  Clinical Hypnotherapy is about putting you back in control and to give you the tools you need to bring about the changes you desire.  The Hypnotherapist is not controlling you.  There is never the sense of being out of control in a clinical setting.  Remember, this is about reinforcing your confidence and self esteem and that sense that you are back in control of your thoughts, actions, and emotions. Hypnotherapy is about putting you back in control of 100% of your mind and hypnosis provides a fast, effective, and drug free method to do this.

Let's talk about the third misconception of that you have to be PUT in hypnosis by someone. This is one of the biggest misconceptions that people have.  The fact is that people move in and out of hypnosis all by themselves many times a day. It is a natural behavior and it is that shift in conscioiusness from conscious to subconscious and most of the time you are completely unaware of this shifting back and forth.  Let me give you some examples of this natural shifting back and forth.  Do you enjoy going to the movies? Most people do. It is a time to take yourself away from the daily issues and zone out or relax.  But have you ever noticed that your body may begin to react to the movie (which is fiction) as though it were real? Your heart may beat faster, your breathing gets shallow, your palms might get moist, and you scream or laugh at the projection up on the screen.  Now keep in mind that your conscious mind has the ability to decide if something is fact or fiction, however, the subconscious does not make that decision and is now responding to fiction as though it were fact.  We've all left the movies after an action movie or a dramatic production and felt exhausted. This is because when you made the shift from conscious to subconscious the subconscious responds to fiction as though it were real.  Alot of people drive up and down the 15 freeway, or any route they take every day, and lose track of time or don't remember actually driving to their destination or may even miss their exists.  This is another example of that shift from conscious to subconscious and the fact that the subconscious has no perception of time.  Perhaps you have been involved in a trauma or car accident and the event seemed like it was moving in slow motion.  This is because your body made the shift from conscious to subconscious and the subconscious has no perception of time.

Whenever we lose track of time; whenever our physical body begins to react to fiction as thought it were fact it is a sure sign that we have slipped into a light form of hypnosis. This is why people sometimes don't think they have actually been hypnotized.  The shift is very subtle and unlike a stage show where the more dramatic the better for the benefit of an audience, clinical hypnotherapy is done simply to allow you to make those changes in your habits and behavior that you've been wanting to achieve. When you are in hypnosis your senses are actually heightened and all five of your senses are more alive. You will hear the Hypnotherapist. You are not asleep nor in a coma like state.  Hypnosis just feels extremely relaxing and it's a little different for everyone. Some people may have a sense of lightness or heavy relaxation. Some people feel warmer and some feel cooler. You will find each time you are hypnotized that you are able to relax even further and begin to accept the Hypnotherapist's suggestions more readily which allows you to implement those changes you want.

Remember this is not a battle of wills with your Hypnotherapist but a way for you to pursue and accomplish YOUR goals and modify behavior and habits. Hypnotherapy puts you back in control and directed toward those goals rather than becoming distracted or allowing sabotage to get in your way.

So if you are a strong willed or very intelligent person GREAT! You will be able to use those qualities thru hypnosis.