Hypnosis Questions & Answers

No.  Hypnosis is a natural conscious state in which you are fully aware of your surroundings and can hear everything that is being said to you by the therapist. Every day examples of a light hypnotic state includes the experience of becoming fully absorbed in a good book or movie so that you can tune out other things for a while. In hypnotherapy, attention is similarly focused, clients become absorbed in the experience of resolving the issue you come for hypnotherapy with, but yet you are still aware, just like when you watch that great movie or read that very interesting book - you are still aware, just focused in a special way, it is totally natural.

No, absolutely not. A person entering hypnosis for hypnotherapy does so through their own will and in collaboration with the hypnotherapist. Hypnotherapists are just like guides or helpers and hypnotherapy happens with two people working together, you and your hypnotherapist. If your therapist is not doing a great job and you don't like what you hear you simply would reject the ideas. But we work hard to understand your goals so you can rest assured that the relationship you have with a well trained hypnotherapist will be one that is positive for you and where rather than have less control you will experience a feeling of greater control in your life.

Hypnosis and meditation are very similar in what is happening at a brain level. The main difference between hypnosis and meditation is the intention a person has for using either hypnosis or meditation.

For example, when entering hypnosis a person generally does so with a very specific intention of achieving a certain aim, hypnotherapy is directed towards resolving a specific issue or affecting change in a particular area of a persons life experience.

Meditation on the other hand is a spiritual practice that is not specifically directed at any one particular issue, rather a holistic aim of increased spirituality, awareness and well-being.

People can use both hypnosis and meditation to help in life in different ways.

People who use meditation often seek hypnotherapy for help with specific personal goals.

If you can relate to becoming really absorbed in a good book or movie, or travelling on a routine journey and once you get to your destination realise that you have forgotten passing certain places, then you can go into hypnosis. These everyday experiences are a form of light hypnosis where you are doing one thing automatically and easily such as driving, but not having to think about it so your mind can think of other things. Light hypnosis is entirely sufficient for most therapy to be carried out and as you see here, it is easy to reach this state.

People who have severe mental illness such as psychosis, or with intellectual disabilities may not be able to follow the guidance of the therapist.

Otherwise, anyone can enter hypnosis with the depth of hypnosis experienced varying from person to person.

The main difference between hypnotherapy and other therapies such as psychotherapy and counselling is that hypnotherapy uses hypnosis as an important tool to help bring the therapy about. Hypnosis acts like an arrow or a lens that zones in specifically and directly to the important information, ideas, feelings, memories or ideas that are needed to help a person make the change they want to make. By zoning in directly to the inner self - which we call the subconscious or unconscious, therapy is much shorter than when navigating change using only the conscious level of awareness. Hypnotherapy usually requires just a few weekly sessions - typically 3-6 for a person to move on with life beyond the issue

Additionally, just going into hypnosis without ever carrying out therapy at all, is a very relaxing, beneficial and healthful experience

The subconscious and unconscious mind are terms used in hypnotherapy to describe brain activity that occurs outside of conscious awareness. They do not relate to any one specific area of brain activity in the same way that the conscious mind does not relate to any one area of brain activity. The subconscious generally refers to information that is stored outside of conscious awareness, but can be accessed through special kinds of focus, in particular through hypnosis. The unconscious refers to brain actvity that is associated with biological experiences such as the beating of the heart, and breathing and dreaming while asleep at night. Hypnosis can influence activity occuring at both the subconscious and the unconscious level, therefore hypnotherapists frequently refer to both the subconscious and the unconscious mind.

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Yes. Hypnosis is widely supported by research in a number of areas. Much of the current 21st century hypnotherapy research so far, is in medical hypnosis and pain management, the treatment of anxiety, trauma and PTSD, and hypnotherapy to modify habit behaviour.

However, hypnosis has actually been researched for over two centuries, since the 1700's when hypnotic suggestions were first used formally to help bring about positive change. Interest in hypnosis has dipped and peaked over the years, with interest frequently waning on the arrival of the latest pharmacological treatments and then rising again some time later.

The current high level of interest in hypnosis by major research institutions is providing large study evidence to support earlier smaller hypnosis studies and hypnotherapy case studies.

Additionally, modern research methods are providing neuroscientific evidence of differences in brain activity in the hypnotic state, associated with benefits to individuals in hypnosis.

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Apart from considering recommendations of family, friends, your doctor and reviews of the therapist, consider the following questions

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Does the hypnotherapist seem interested in genuinely helping me?

Do I feel welcome, accepted and respected?

Does the hypnotherapist appear optimistic about change?

Does they seem knowledgeable?

Do they have experience with my particular issue?

Do I feel that the therapy is specific to me? For example, personalised therapy as at Source hypnosis requires a detailed consultation to understand your specific circumstance.

How many sessions will be needed?

How much will it cost? Consider the cost of hypnotherapy as an investment in yourself. Taking cost into account along with all the other considerations mentioned here will help you choose the hypnotherapist who is the right one to help you.

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