Questions and Answers

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a state of focused attention that occurs naturally from time to time to all of us in normal life. A hypnotherapist induces it to put the client into a relaxed, suggestible state during which issues can be addressed and symptoms relieved.

Do I have to give up control?

No. contrary to popular opinion, hypnotherapy only works through mutual cooperation between therapist and client. The purpose of it is to give the client more control, through guidance given by the therapist.

Will you make me do something silly?

No. There is a big difference between clinical hypnotherapy and stage hypnotism. The object is to make people feel better by changing the way they think, not to entertain their friends by making them do silly things. In any event, you cannot be made to do anything you don't want to do.

What does it feel like?

Everyone's experience is different. Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness during which most people feel very relaxed (although this is not essential). It is like daydreaming or zoning out, where you are focusing so much on one thing you lose track of time, or of whatever you might be doing. Have you ever driven somewhere automatically, or finished the washing up without remembering it?

What's the difference between 'subconscious' and 'unconscious'?

The definitions of these terms have not yet been precisely established, and many practitioners use them interchangeably. However, they both refer to your mind working in the background without you being aware of it. In hypnotherapy I prefer to use the term 'subconscious' because the term 'unconscious' is also used to describe being 'out cold', which is definitely not what we want during a hypnotherapy session!

What has hypnotherapy to do with medicine?

Hypnotherapy is a complementary therapy and is sometimes used by medical practitioners to supplement medical treatments. Although dramatic improvements often result, no claims are made on behalf of hypnotherapy for any medical cures, and it is not intended to replace any medical procedures, medicines or medical advice (except under qualified medical supervision, e.g. pain relief in dentistry).