Ask The Hypnotherapist

What are the maximum number of downloads you would recommend someone listen to at any one time? For example, if there were six downloads that I felt could help me would I be best served to purchase and listen to all six regularly for a few months? Or would it be better to purchase, say two, listen to them for a few months and then move onto another two?

You can listen to as many as you wish over a period like you have described. However I would advise not to listen to more than 3 different hypnosis downloads in a day as your unconscious mind may start to get a little confused about what it is supposed to be working on!

I have quite bad hay fever. This makes the summer months miserable for me. I don’t expect an outright cure, but could hypnotherapy lessen the effects of hay fever?

Absolutely. There has been a recent study that has proved that hypnosis can reduce the effects of hay fever by getting the patient to visualise cool snowy mountain landscapes, which was reported by by Roxanne Khamsi, Nature Magazine, July 5, 2005

The BBC also recently reported about a Swiss team who observed improvements in hay fever suffers because of the use of hypnosis. Read about it here – http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4485969.stm

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Can hypnosis be used to make you forgot a negative event from the past?

Yes, you can install amnesia to block specific memories. However I prefer not to do this, as you may suppress these memories in your unconscious and never deal with them. I prefer to modify these memories so that they seem less traumatic, or even amusing depending on the event. Alternatively you can get the patient to view these memories from a different view point, so that you can watch yourself in the situation. This significantly reduces the emotional response to them, and allows a more objective interpretation of the events.

Does my Doctor need to know if I am undergoing hypnotherapy sessions?

Generally no. However it is sometimes necessary in order to eliminate the possibility of more serious complaints. For example if you want pain relief for IBS, or headaches, it may be beneficial to contact your doctor in case the complaint is more serious in nature than you thought. The pain relief could prevent you from seeking the correct medical help. Also if you know you have any serious medical complaints, then it may be worth talking to your doctor just to be sure. Remember that hypnotherapy is a complimentary therapy, and if you are in any doubt you should consult a doctor.

I have been to a few stage hypnosis shows. Please could you tell me why the hypnotists use a pendulum type device to put people “under their spell”?

It is not necessary for a hypnotist to use a pendulum. However there is a stereotypical image of this, so a stage hypnotist may use this to fulfil this expectation. A clinical hypnotherapist also may or may not use this method. This is called a ‘hypnotic induction’ and there are many different techniques that can be employed.

If I have to stop listening to a hypnosis download halfway through would this have any negative effects?

No it would not. However you are likely not to receive the full benefits of the session. If you do stop listening part

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I was born in France and moved to America at the age of 8. I’m now in my mid-thirties and I’m contemplating moving back to France. When I was young, obviously I spoke French but that seems like a distant memory now. I’d like to try and re-learn the language before I make a serious decision on whether to move or not. Is hypnosis something that could help me with language recovery?

Yes, hypnosis can help with memory enhancement. Everything that you have ever known or experienced is stored in your brain. However there is so much information that retrieval is often a problem. Hypnosis can help organise your thoughts and make retrieval of information easier. Also the memory works far better when we are relaxed. Hypnosis can help keep our minds calm when attempting to retrieve information. My HypnoBusters memory session aims to help you organise your thoughts, and keep your mind calm and relaxed.

Has there ever been a case you’ve heard about of someone being stuck in a hypnotic trance?

No! There has never been a case of that ever, and I can say with absolute certainty that there never will be. Most of us experience hypnotic states every day. We are in a hypnotic state when we are engrossed in a book for example. It would be ridiculous to think that someone may never get out of being engrossed in a book!

Could hypnosis help me change my eating habits? I’m an extremely fussy eater which makes life very difficult for me. I can’t even go out to restaurants because I’m always unsure if they’ll be anything palatable for me. There’s no medical reason why I’m so picky with food.

Yes! Our habits are all formed by our unconscious mind. With hypnosis you can communicate with this part of the mind and convince it to change. You will probably struggle to find a hypnosis download that deals specifically with this issue, but you will be able to find a hypnotherapist that can deal with this. If you are struggling, then get back in touch and we will create a HypnoBusters audio session for you.

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What is your opinion on stage hypnosis? Do you think it harms the profession of medical hypnotherapists or do you see it as just another form of entertainment?

Well the problem lies in this. I see stage hypnosis as something completely different to clinical hypnotherapy. However the general public often get confused and regard them as the same thing. People have sometimes expressed a fear that I may turn them into a chicken during a therapeutic session! First I wouldn’t know how to do that, and second, why would I do that when treating someone for something like IBS?! In the right hands stage hypnosis is just harmless fun, but I suppose you can get the odd idiot who spoils things.

Do you ever place yourself under hypnosis when you feel the need to relax?

I certainly do – it saves me a fortune in hypnosis bills! Actually anyone can learn this. I may add an audio session in the future that teaches how to do self hypnosis.

I have an usual problem which has baffled any doctor I’ve been to see concerning it. No matter what the temperature is I always feel cold. People tell me I don’t feel cold to touch but I in my mind I’m always shivering cold. I’ve had a number of tests done and doctors have found no reason for this to be happening to me. This condition has plagued me for a few years now and there’s no reason or event I can remember that might have triggered it.

My question is, does this sound like a problem hypnotherapy could help me overcome? Would you recommend I make an appointment with a hypnotherapist in person?

This does sound like quite a tricky one! A clinical hypnotherapist could help you remember what triggered this problem. If the trigger is treatable, then a hypnotherapist could then help you with dealing with the trigger, solving the current problem of feeling cold. With a scenario like this, it is difficult, if not impossible to treat with hypnosis audios, so yes, if you wish to pursue hypnotherapy, I would recommend you make an appointment with a clinical hypnotherapist.

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What are your plans, looking towards the future, for HypnoBusters?

Well I want to create more sessions in order to treat a wider range of issues. I often get people contacting me about making new sessions to help them with their specific problems. I must admit that I find it a little frustrating that I cannot help everyone all the time! However I do note down these suggestions, and will get round to them. It will take time, but I will eventually have a very comprehensive library of hypnosis audios for people to choose from.

Perhaps more importantly though, I want to continue to build a relationship of trust between myself and my patients. I have regular dialogue with many people, and help them with what sessions are best for them to choose, and what lifestyle changes they can make in order to maximize the benefits that these sessions offer. I feel that this will help the HypnoBusters brand grow even more, and help to help more people, more effectively. Also I hope to make more visual therapy sessions in the future. Here is a small taste of what might be to come! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N-yes9UhFE

Do you ever see a day where hypnotherapy is widely accepted amongst the medical profession?

I do know that more and more medical doctors are recommending it to their patients, and some medical courses do now cover hypnosis. I am not sure whether it will be widely accepted. The problem with hypnosis it is difficult to conclusively prove its effectiveness. There are many studies that do prove that people undergoing hypnosis have been significantly helped in many always. However people can always argue that it is just the placebo effect, and it is very difficult to prove conclusively that it is otherwise. I sometimes wonder if the placebo effect is a form of hypnotherapy. A sugar pill may convince you that you are going to get better, and encourage the brain to make the changes necessary – just like a hypnotic suggestion.

I think that hypnotherapy is moving towards being widely accepted by the medical profession, but there is still some work yet to be done. A big problem is that hypnotherapists and hypnotherapy bodies do not have the same financial clout as major drug companies do to fund research.

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My partner and I have been unsuccessfully trying to conceive. A friend of my wife’s suggesting we try fertility hypnotherapy before we go the IVF route. I’m sceptical on whether hypnosis can aid with fertility, what are your thoughts?

Hypnotherapy can aid with fertility. It depends on what the problem is. A physical problem would be very difficult for hypnotherapy to address. However a fair amount of fertility problems are caused by the mind. A couple may for example worry that they cannot afford to support a child, and fear conceiving. Their bodies can respond to this by not allowing them to produce a baby until their perceived circumstances improve. Quite often these worries are unfounded, and they could actually support a child. Hypnosis can help put these problems into perspective, which will stop the mind from signaling to the body that it is not the time to conceive a child.

Evidence of this can be seen in baby boom rates after wars, where it is in the people’s best interest to conceive children. Their minds know that they must produce as many children as possible for their country’s stability.

So I would say that hypnotherapy is not guaranteed, but may be worth a shot if you don’t fancy going through the medical procedures of IVF unless absolutely necessary.

What do you think the values are of hypnotherapy in maintaining good mental health?

Your health can benefit simply by the relaxation created by any hypnotherapy session, no matter what the session is aimed to treat. So for example a session to treat addictions can also benefit you by the relaxation it gives. Most people do not relax enough, and that can be very detrimental for your general health. Stress weakens the immune system, which can increase your risk of suffering from almost any illness. Psychologically you can benefit from regular relaxation. It can help with many issues, such as your confidence, happiness, and your efficiency.

Then there are the suggestions that are added to these sessions. A session may suggest ways for you to be more confident, assertive, positive thinking etc. These can have a positive impact on the way you conduct your life, which in turn can have a positive impact on your mental health.

I’ve heard of great movies being described as “hypnotic” and “mesmerizing”. Can film (and television) produce an hypnotic effect in the viewer, or are the descriptions merely hyperbole?

There is definitely some truth in these descriptions. People often go into a trance when they are watching TV. The signs for when this is happening are when time seems distorted – usually time seems to go very quickly. Haven’t you ever watched a 2 hour film that seems less than half an hour long? Also you seem blinkered as to what is going on around you. Have you ever experienced a time when watching TV or a movie, when things have happened around you without you noticing? They can be quite significant, like people trying to talk to you, or things being moved around the room without you noticing. You are in a trance because you are so focused on the screen, that you do not consciously notice significant things happening around you.

Advertisers know this, which is why they spend millions on putting adverts on during TV programmes. They know that you may be in a hypnotic trance, and consequently more suggestible to their appeals for you to buy their products.

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Is it safe to drive after listening to a hypnotherapy session?

Yes, it is generally safe to drive after hypnotherapy. Most people drive in a light hypnotic state at times anyway. You may have experienced getting to your destination, only to realize that you can barely remember the journey. That’s because you were in a trance when driving. However I would recommend waiting a few minutes after a hypnosis session, and making sure you felt ‘awake enough’ to drive competently, just to be sure. I would certainly not recommend you listening to any hypnosis sessions whilst driving. It is not worth the risk, as it would probably hamper the therapy, and would increase your risk of falling asleep at the wheel.

I have a very specific problem which I’d like to see a hypnotherapist in person about. I’ve heard that most hypnotherapists start off with a consultation. What actually happens during these consultations?

Every hypnotherapist does things slightly differently, in their own way. A consultation is usually a talk with the hypnotherapist, without any trance work. They may or may not charge for this. The consultation process can have several functions. Often it helps the patient feel at ease with the hypnotherapist. They can meet the therapist, and ask any questions that might concern them. They can also discuss their specific problems. A good hypnotherapist can ask the appropriate questions, and ascertain the ‘root’ of the problem. For example a patient may put on weight due to increased eating caused by anxiety. The patient may present the problem of weight gain, but the hypnotherapist might treat their anxiety, and its link to eating, which ultimately solves the presenting problem. The hypnotherapist can then discuss with the patient a ‘treatment plan’, which may include several sessions if it is felt necessary. The patient can then discuss any thoughts on this with the hypnotherapist. You are both on the same team, so a good hypnotherapist will work with you to come up with a treatment plan that is suitable to your needs and expectations.

The patient may also wish to discuss what they expect from the therapy – what their goals and aims are. The hypnotherapists’ job is to help the patient achieve their therapeutic goals, unless it is deemed unethical to do so.

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Is it possible to be “trapped” within a hypnotic trance?

No, because a trance is a natural state that everyone enters into several times a day. It is basically like daydreaming. Whilst it’s nice to daydream, you eventually get bored, or distracted, and ‘snap out’ of it. There has never been a report of this happening.

Will I be able to remember what went on during a hypnosis session?

Usually you can remember what has been said during a session. However you sometimes find that your mind drifts off to such pleasant and calming places, that you don’t really focus on what is being said, and so it easily slips out of your memory. This is rather like when someone is talking to you when you are deeply engrossed in a film. You may sort of hear them, but really take in what they are saying, or sometimes you may not really notice that they are talking at all! If you choose to focus on the words said, then you should easily be able to remember what has been said throughout the session.

Are some people more hypnotizable than others?

Whilst we all have a capacity to go into trance, some people seem more able to go deeper and quicker into trance than others. However it does not necessarily follow that the therapy is any more effective for these type of people. You also find that going into a trance is a skill not unlike any other. Generally the more hypnotherapy you receive, the better you become able to allow yourself to go into deeper trances.

I came across a couple of news pieces recently where a hypnotherapist worked to affectively “anaesthetize” a patient while a doctor or dentist operate on them, to great success. Do you see this becoming common practice in the future?

The first book I ever read on hypnosis discussed this point at length. One of the main strengths of hypnotherapy is its ability to control pain. A patient is usually able to undergo surgery with a significant reduction in anesthetics or pain killers – sometimes without any.

The main advantage of this is that pain killing drugs and anesthetics normally have side effects, which hamper the patients’ recovery. Hypnotherapy does not have these side effects, and so can allow the patients’ body to focus on recovering from the operation, rather than on recovering from both the operation and the pain killing drugs.

Despite this major advantage, I do not envisage this being common practice in the future. Hypnotherapy is not as predictable as anesthetic drugs. An anesthetist knows with a high degree of certainty how much of a drug he should give to a particular patient, how soon it will work, and for how long. With hypnotherapy, a patient may take 10 minutes, or may take over an hour to be anesthetized sufficiently to undergo an operation. It would probably be deemed inefficient and expensive to have a surgical team waiting for such uncertain periods, before they can commence an operation.

Also, because hypnotherapy generally takes longer to administer than anesthetics, many more clinical hypnotherapists would need to be employed, further driving up costs.

So although there are significant health benefits to hypnotherapy in operations, I do not feel that it will be widespread for these reasons. It would be nice to think that in the future, patients had the option of using hypnotherapy if they chose to.

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What sort of training is involved in becoming a clinical hypnotherapist?

Unfortunately hypnotherapy is not government regulated, meaning that someone can call themselves a clinical hypnotherapist with little, and even no training. There are also some courses that offer inadequate training, especially the distant learning hypnotherapy courses.

Thankfully the profession of clinical hypnotherapy does a pretty good job of regulating itself, and most of the established reputable bodies provide good training.

I trained at the London College Of Clinical Hypnotherapy, which seems to provide one of the best training for clinical hypnotherapists. To become a clinical hypnotherapist I had to pass the certificate, then the diploma courses. Both courses involved theory and practical, and we were tested on both in exam conditions. We would learn various theories, watch demonstrations of hypnotic procedures, and were observed practicing them on each other. A distant learning course could never be so thorough! My course was also accredited by the university of Greenwich. After this you then have the option of attending further training with master classes and the like.

Are there any scientific studies which prove that hypnotherapy works?

From my personal experience, and those of my colleagues, I have helped people with a wide variety of issues, and have been left almost as amazed as my clients at times! Despite this, one can always argue that any improvements are as a result of the placebo effect.

The Wolman Dictionary of Behavioral Science defines a placebo as “A substance with no medicinal properties which causes a patient to improve because of his belief in its efficacy.” Placebos have been scientifically shown to help with almost any mental and physical health issue. Going back to the definition of placebo, they work because of a “belief in its efficacy”. This could be a belief that a sugar pill will help with weight loss for example. The belief comes from suggestion, which is exactly how hypnosis works! Therefore it could be argued that the placebo effect proves that suggestion, and therefore hypnosis works in a variety of instances.

There are also many studies which also seem to indicate that hypnosis works.

EEG studies of hypnotized patients show a change in their patterns of thoughts when in trance. These studies also suggest that hypnosis removes the emotional experience of pain while allowing the sensory sensation to remain. Therefore you may notice you were touched, but not that it hurt.

Journal of Clinical Psychology, 41 (1), 35-41 109 shows an experiment where some 17-67 year olds were given a behavioral weight loss program, and some were also given hypnosis treatment alongside this. The ones who received both showed additional weight loss, and more effectively maintained these results after 2 years.

I’ve bought a few hypnosis downloads from your site in the past and I was very impressed with the quality. However your selection is not the biggest and I have a few other issues which I’d like to use hypnosis to deal with. What other sites would you recommend?

We are increasing our number of sessions, but prefer to work on quality rather than quantity. I would rather have 50 high quality sessions on my site than 500 mediocre ones.

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Can hypnotherapy be used to control pain?

Hypnotherapy is very effective for pain control and has been shown to help in the effective management of many types of pain, including pain associated with childbirth (Weishaar, 1986), angioplasty (Weinstein & Au, 1991), leukemia (Silva, 1990), and even headaches (VanDyck, et al, 1991). However it must be used with some caution. Pain is there for a reason. It is our body’s way of telling us that something is not right. Simply removing a pain could cause us to ignore a medical problem that may get worse without intervention. Probably the biggest benefit hypnotherapy can give us is the ability to significantly reduce the need for painkillers in surgery and child birth situations. This is a real advantage, as pain killers have negative side effects, which can hamper recovery.

Is self hypnosis as effective as being hypnotized by someone else?

There is a bit of a saying amongst us hypnotherapists that ‘all hypnosis is self hypnosis’. What this means is that a clinical hypnotherapist is merely someone who is guiding us into a state of hypnosis – they are helping us to achieve that state of mind. So providing you have the skills, then theoretically the self hypnosis should be just as effective.

However some people, including experienced hypnotherapists, complain of struggling with self hypnosis as they distract themselves by thinking too much about the self therapy. Often therapists prefer to swap therapy with other hypnotherapist friends.

It’s a personal thing. Some people love it, and find it easy to do, whereas others struggle to achieve the same deep states of relaxation. I would recommend anyone new to hypnosis to experience a trance 2 or 3 times, either with a hypnotherapists, or with a recording, before attempting self hypnosis. That way you are better able to understand the state of mind you are seeking.

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