Ask The Hypnotherapist

After a hypnotherapy session should I remember what went on during that time?

The hypnotic experience is very much a personal thing. Some people are more inclined to remember what is said during a session than others. Personally I find that sometimes I remember what was said during a session, and others times I have no idea. (I am of course speaking from a perspective of when I am receiving hypnotherapy rather than delivering it!) I seem to observe the same in my patients, sometimes they remember what has been said, other times they do not. There does not appear to be any correlation between this and to the amount of success the patient enjoys from the session, so there is no right and wrong for this.

Is there any way to test if I’m hypnotizable before trying it?

The best way to test this is to try a session! We currently offer 2 free sessions in our HypnoBusters Yahoo Group, so this is a good place to start. Pretty much everyone is capable of going into a hypnotic trance if they are willing to. It is a very normal and natural state, which most of us slip into several times throughout the day. Regular readers of this site will probably know what I am going to say next. We slip into trances when we are deeply engrossed in music, a good book, or a film. We have slipped into a trance when we have driven a journey in the car, only to realise that we cannot remember hardly any of it! So if you have ever had any of these experiences, then you are definitely hypnotisable.

I would like to add that there is nothing mystical and magical about a hypnotic trance. I remember the first time I was hypnotized. I actually thought to myself “Is this it?! Is this what all the fuss is about!?” I think I was expected some extraordinarily magical thing to happen to me!

So in conclusion I would say that it is almost a given that you are ‘hypnotizable’, but try our free sessions if you wish to test this before you buy the hypnosis downloads. Most people find that the more times they experience hypnosis, the more enjoyable the experience, and the deeper they managed to relax. So you should find that over time you become better and better at achieving a deeper level of trance.

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Should I use hypnotherapy as an alternative to prescribed medication?

Not usually no. Hypnotherapy works well alongside traditional medicine, but it would be wise for you to discuss this with your doctor. If you wish to try and use it as an alternative to prescribed medication, then I would definitely urge you to discuss this with your doctor. I have had some good success in my private practice where a patient has been able to significantly reduce their need for painkillers because of the hypnotherapy sessions I had given them. To be sure though, you should always consult your doctor.

I’ve noticed that you have started to add hypnosis downloads to HypnoBusters that deal with more physical issues such as Breast Enhancement and Erectile Dysfunction. I can understand how hypnotherapy works with mental and emotion issues but could you please explain how hypnosis works towards aiding physical problems?

Put simply, the brain controls all of the body’s functions. It controls our rate of breathing, heart beat, blood pressure, growth and repair of damage. The brain does this without any need for conscious intervention. Of course we can use our conscious minds to control breathing. If I direct your conscious awareness to you breathing, you may now find it a little more difficult now that it is not being done automatically by unconscious parts of your brain. You may start thinking about how deep you need to breath in, how long you should hold in the breath, and how much you need to breath out before breathing back in again. This can be annoying! The unconscious part is very powerful, and can direct many of the body’s functions at the same time, without the need for conscious thought.

The brain can also control the allocation of resources, which is how the body knows to utilise proteins to repair damaged skin for example. An erection is an example of the brain allocating more blood to the penis when aroused. This is done unconsciously by the brain, but is nevertheless controlled by the brain.

Hypnotherapy is a means of communicating to the unconscious mind where you want it to place its energy – where you want it to allocate its resources. Arnold Swartzenegger famously used visualisation to make his muscles bigger. He regularly visualised them growing bigger and bigger, until they ‘filled the room’ as a way of telling his unconscious mind what he wants it to do. ‘Arnie’ went on to become arguably the most successful bodybuilder of all time. We use similar techniques as this to achieve physical changes.

Mental and emotional issues can also affect us physically. For example erectile problems are usually mental rather than physical. They can be caused by a lack of confidence for example. By treating this mental side, we can then indirectly treat the physical problem.

How long do the effects of hypnosis typically last?

The answer to this is that it varies quite a bit. Sometimes a person can listen to a session once, and benefit from immediate and permanent change. Usually a person needs to listen to a session a few times to deeply embed the suggestions into the unconscious mind, for permanent change. Occasionally a person may need to listen to a session in order to ‘top up’ the suggestions. This shouldn’t be needed more than once every few weeks once the suggestions have been deeply embedded after several listens. This is one of the main advantages of using hypnosis downloads. You can listen to the session whenever you wish, without having to pay another fee!

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Are there any risks associated with hypnosis?

There are very few risks associated with clinical hypnotherapy. As long as you choose a suitably qualified practitioner, then you are in good hands. There is a small potential for damage if you use the services of a poorly or non qualified practitioner.

I will give you an example. A patient may ask a hypnotherapist to help them deal with their fear of traffic when crossing the road. A poorly trained hypnotherapist may attempt to remove ALL fear of roads. This is not a good thing! We need some fear when crossing a road or else we could be careless or even reckless when doing so. A properly qualified hypnotherapist will ALWAYS remove all UNNECESSARY fear, rather than ALL fear. This is a small, yet potentially important distinction for safety reasons.

I have said before that the unconscious mind will only accept the suggestions it wants to, so even in these circumstances it is likely that the unconscious mind will interpret a removal of ALL fear as a removal of all UNNECESARY fear, but it is best to be sure and work on removing just the unnecessary fear.

In itself a hypnotic state is very safe as it is a normal and natural state that we all enter into at many points of the day. It is very similar to a daydream or a meditative state, and these are not associated with danger in any way. Hypnosis has simply been tarnished by its portrayal in the movies and in the media.

What is the difference between sleep and a “hypnotic sleep”?

A lot! A hypnotic trance is a completely different state of mind to sleep. Many years ago hypnotists often used the word ‘sleep’ to suggest going into a trance. Very few do this now, even though it is still commonly portrayed. This is because it was realised that it might cause confusion. A patient might be expected to go into a sleep state and be confused as to what state of mind they are actually seeking, thinking they are not in a trance because they are not ‘asleep’.

When in a hypnotic trance you are aware of your surroundings and what the hypnotist is saying. If a fire broke out for example, you would be able to ‘wake’ immediately and evacuate the room without any extra problems. In fact many hypnotherapists argue that you are likely to be even more aware, and react quicker to what is going on around you.

Some hypnotherapists do ‘hypnotic sleep’ sessions that are actually relaxation sessions. The patient is very deeply relaxed and can benefit greatly from the rest, almost like they have been asleep for several hours.

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If hypnosis works on the unconscious mind does this mean I have to be unconscious during a session?

Not in the sleep or knocked out sense! The waking mind basically consists of the conscious and unconscious parts. The conscious is that logical deliberate thinking part, whereas the unconscious is that more automatic part that flows effortlessly.

I’ll give you an example to clarify. When you first learn a skill, such as driving, you perform it primarily with the conscious part of the mind. You are slower to react, more ‘mechanical’, and it is very draining on the mind. When you have developed the skills enough, you can start to use the unconscious part to think about driving. A skilled driver can drive ‘without thinking’. Of course they are still thinking, just not thinking consciously. The more powerful part of the mind, the unconscious part, is doing the thinking. This is the effortless flow, the non conscious thinking, which feels automatic and easy.

A hypnotherapist attempts to talk to this unconscious part of the mind as this is the powerful part of our minds that contains our habits and drives. This is the deep part of us that needs convincing to change. You are still very much awake when in a hypnotic trance, but your conscious mind is often quietened to allow the hypnotist to make suggestions to the unconscious part.

I’m interested in becoming a hypnotherapist, how did you go about finding a course or teacher when you were training?

Before I started training to become a clinical hypnotherapist I did not know any hypnotherapists to ask for their advice. Instead I checked out the internet on all the courses that were available to me in my area. I asked many hypnotherapists online, and read a lot of information on all the main courses before finally choosing on the London College Of Clinical Hypnotherapy (LCCH). I chose them because they were a large reputable organisation, came highly recommended, and were situated at a convenient location for me to be able to reach them.

I would recommend you also chose a large and well established training school, and avoid those online courses like the plague. You cannot possibly learn enough from them. You need to meet people, watch them practice, and practice on them. In a real classroom situation you can be observed and evaluated so you know where you are going wrong, and what you are doing right. So I would advise you to join a hypnosis forum or social network and ask around for recommendations in your area. A good hypnosis social network is HypnoThoughts.com.

Have you ever found a patient that is just unable to be hypnotized?

I occasionally have difficulty with some patients. It’s usually for one of two reasons. They are either scared to let go and allow themselves to go into a trance or they are not accustomed to relaxing very much.

For the former I simply reassure them that it is perfectly safe and guide them into a light trance for a few minutes before guiding them back out. They usually see what an enjoyable and peaceful experience it is, and consequently have no problem continuing for the rest of the session.

For the later I use a similar strategy of giving them some short sessions, and build up their ability to relax and let go. A patient quickly becomes accustomed to the deeply relaxing nature of hypnosis, and usually wants more!

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Do the effects of hypnotherapy last a lifetime, or do they run out after a certain length of time?

Throughout our lives we are constantly changing and evolving. In some aspects of ourselves we may grow and mature. In others we may gain bad habits. Hypnotherapy can achieve powerful results very quickly by communication directly to your unconscious mind. However this question is a bit like asking ‘how long is a piece of string’.

A person may have a fear of dogs due to an incident 10 or even 20 years ago. A clinical hypnotherapist may be able to facilitate the removal of this phobia in one or two sessions. This may lead to a permanent removal of the phobia. However the patient may experience another traumatic incident in the future which may again trigger a fear of dogs, or indeed a fear of something else entirely.

Similarly a person may quit smoking after just one or two hypnosis sessions. This can lead to permanent results. However it is possible that they may be triggered back into smoking by some event, or perhaps lapse if they do not remain committed for some reason.

Hypnotherapy cannot make these changes for you, but it can significantly help you to make these changes. In a similar way it cannot make you remain loyal to these changes, but can help towards this significantly. However it is up to you to remain committed to your goals. If you feel that your commitment and enthusiasm is on the slide, then a top up session may be the order of the day. The beauty of recorded sessions such as those on HypnoBusters is that you can simply listen to the session every now and then for no extra cost, rather than going though the expense of hiring a clinical hypnotherapist. This will help ensure that you stick to your goals by re-affirming them every now and then.

What questions should I ask a hypnotherapist to make sure they are right for me?

Are you evil? Do you wear a wig? And how much do you charge! The questions you should ask are individual if you wish to assess if they are right for you personally. However I have a few suggestions.

In all seriousness asking the price is a sensible option for most people. Money is not unlimited for most, and a fee of $500 per hour may be out of your price range – and you do sometimes see such prices charged.

An important question for you may involve asking about their style of hypnosis. Are they quick and snappy, slow and relaxed, authoritative, or permissive. Choosing the right style for you may improve results, although a good hypnotherapist will be able to sense what will work best for you, and adapt their style accordingly. Sometimes what you prefer and what is most effective to you are not the same thing.

You may wish to ask them where they trained to make sure that they know what they are doing. You can then check whether they were educated by a reputable training organization by checking out their websites and going on to hypnosis networks and asking around. Perhaps you may also want to know why they became a hypnotherapist in order to assess their commitment.

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Have you ever performed stage hypnosis?

No. I have done many therapeutic group sessions where I will perform a clinical hypnotherapy session on a group of people at the same time. I occasionally perform some small entertaining demonstrations, such as making a coin feel hot on a hand; feeling drunk; or numbing an area on the body.

I am not trained as a stage hypnotherapist, and because it is so different from clinical hypnotherapy, I would have a lot to learn if I wished to diversify. Stage hypnosis is not really an interest of mine, although I have nothing against stage hypnosis if done with sensitivity and care.

How does hypnosis work in terms of weight loss?

I would like to state from the outset that hypnosis doesn’t magically remove weight overnight. I firmly believe in the principal that only if you consume less calories than you burn, will you lose weight.

This implies either/or reducing calorie intake, and increasing exercise. Hypnosis can help change the habits of the mind, helping you to do one or both of these things. A good clinical hypnotherapist will talk to you and identify the areas where you need to make changes, and will help re-programme your unconscious mind in order to make these changes as easy as possible.

However the changes still need to be made, and no amount of hypnotherapy will totally remove the need for you to apply yourself and remain disciplined. It must also be remembered that hypnotherapy cannot remove the weight for you (sorry!), but it can help you change your lifestyle, which can have a significant effect on your weight in the long term.

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Does a sports psychologist use hypnosis as part of their profession?

Yes, some appear to do so. For instance many encourage the use of visualisation where the athlete imagines performing their sport very successfully. This technique is very commonly used in hypnotherapy for any type of performance, particularly sports. They also typically use some similar principals as hypnotherapists’ use in order to increase confidence, motivation, and attentional focus.

When I listen to one of your hypnosis download I try to lie down so I can completely relax. At the moment though I’m suffering through a prolonged virus which has made this position uncomfortable. Is it okay to sit up in a chair or even stand up while undergoing hypnosis?

Yes, it is perfectly fine to sit up, or even stand up during hypnosis. Each of us has our personal preferences as to what position is most comfortable for us. Go with what you prefer, not what everyone else prefers. That said, most people prefer to be led down, and some prefer to be sat up. Few people prefer being stood up, but if it works for you then go with it! One word of caution – make sure you are in a safe place should you lose your balance. If you feel in any doubt about your safety, then it’s probably best that you use a chair.

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Is hypnosis a new age practice akin to crystal healing or aromatherapy?

Crystal healing is an alternative healing technique for strengthening the mind and body using various forms of natural crystals. The theory is that gemstones carry vibrational pulses, which when placed within the aura, change the speed of the vibrations in your aura. Hypnotherapy does not normally work with treating the aura in order to heal. However hypnotherapists’ do occasionally refer to auras in their therapy, but usually more as a metaphor for the unconscious mind, rather than directly attempting to change an aura.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and other aromatic compounds from plants, in order to change a persons’ mood or health. The oils are often applied with massage. This is very different to hypnotherapy as it is very rare that any form of touching is necessary. That aside, it is probably likely that a person will benefit from going into a form of trance if sufficiently relaxed by the massage and the smell of the oil.

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If there was one common misconception about hypnosis that you could dispel, what would it be?

I can only pick one?! Hmm…I suppose it would have to be the classic chicken misconception. You know, the one where a person starts acting like a chicken every time the doorbell rings! This has been depicted in many comedy programmes and films, and somehow people have got this confused with reality. I do not try to turn anyone into a chicken!

What is the best way to go about learning self hypnosis?

There is an article I wrote about self hypnosis in the articles section on this site. Check it out. It is advisable to experience a few guided hypnosis sessions before learning self hypnosis. This can be in the form of live sessions, or recorded sessions.

There are two reasons for this. Going into a hypnotic trance is a skill on the part of the subject. The more they do it, the easier and deeper they can allow their minds to go. Several sessions with an experienced hypnotherapist will help give you the experience and skill, which you can build on when you explore self hypnosis. Also you are likely to be unsure as to what state of mind you are seeking if you have never experienced it before. Sometimes people drift into a trance and don’t know because they have no reference point as to what to expect. That’s why I would advise at least one session with a clinical hypnotherapist in order for you to know the state of mind you are aiming to achieve.

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I love the relaxation hypnosis videos you have been posting on Youtube. You’ve said that you have four in total, do you have any plans to do more in the future?

I have no concrete plans to make any more hypnosis videos at the moment, but I’m sure I will in the not too distant future. We have made a lot of videos that are essentially audio sessions, so I hope to do something a little different next time. Not sure what yet, but I’m thinking about it. If anyone has any suggestions for something a little different, then please let me know.

When you’re not working how do you like to relax?

Some of you that follow my work closely may know that I currently live in Casablanca in Morocco. When I am not working I often go to the beach in a nice little town called Mohammeder with my family and a few friends. We swim, play beach tennis, beach football, and laze around! It is good here because the weather is so good that the beach is accessible eight or nine months of the year – unlike England which may be eight or nine days of the year!

I also go to the gym 4 times a week with my good friend Abdul Rahem Touri, who is the brother of Mohamed Touri, who is the number one professional body builder in Morocco. Abdul trains with the intensity of a professional, and is not far off the standard. It certainly pushes me and makes me train harder training with someone who is so serious about health and nutrition. It inspired me to create the ‘Muscle Enhancement’ audio session where I could combine my three passions of hypnosis, music, and bodybuilding.

Being a former professional musician, I like to play the guitar. I currently only have an acoustic classical guitar, as my guitar collection is still in England! I couldn’t fit my piano in the hand luggage space on the plane coming here, so I am a frustrated pianist!

I sometimes juggle and do plate spinning as well. I also like to cook and go for meals out. I try to do positive things as much as possible, although I do occasionally watch TV and drink a few sangrias!

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