• Misconception 1: The person being hypnotized will be under the control of the hypnotist, and can be made to do or say anything the hypnotist wants.
• Fact: No matter how deeply hypnotized you become you will remain in control throughout the session. You cannot be made to do anything you do not want to do, or anything that you are uncomfortable doing. You can bring yourself out of a hypnotic trance anytime you want to.
• Misconception 2: Hypnosis is something that is done to people, rather than something that they can do for themselves.
• Fact: Hypnosis is a skill you can learn. It is a tool you can use to help yourself feel better.  A goal of hypnosis in therapy is often to learn self-hypnosis so that you can use it anytime you need to, at home, yourself.
• Misconception 3: People become trapped in hypnosis and cannot “come out” of it when they want to.
• Fact: People can end hypnosis whenever they want.  As stated above, you can bring yourself back to full alertness whenever you wish, simply by making a conscious decision to do so.
• Misconception 4: People have to be very “hypnotizable” or “suggestible” or “gullible” for hypnosis to work.
• Fact: Research has indicated that the vast majority of people can benefit from hypnosis. Furthermore, being hypnotizable or choosing to be responsive to suggestions means only that you have the ability to use hypnosis effectively. It is not at all related to being gullible or weak-willed.  
• Misconception 5: During hypnosis, people are unconscious.
• Fact:  During hypnosis, people are not asleep or unconscious. Although they may feel very relaxed, they are active participants in the hypnosis session. During a hypnosis session, the hypnotized person is usually aware of what is going on around them in the room – they hear movements, feel the air conditioner turning on and off, are aware of changes in the light, etc. and participate by talking and answering questions.

Hypnosis is not a type of psychotherapy. Instead, it is a technique that can be used, and that can be taught to you, in the context of psychotherapy.

Who should perform hypnosis?

Clinical hypnosis should be conducted only by properly trained and credentialed health care professionals (e.g., licensed psychotherapists) who have been specifically trained in the use of hypnosis, and who are working within the limits of their professional expertise. They should belong to professional organizations that provide and promote education for professionals and the public about hypnosis, such as the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. While there are many people who are trained in hypnosis who are not mental health professionals or medical professionals, many of them are quite good – at hypnosis.  However, they do not necessarily have the skills or training to handle something that may come up during a hypnosis session if it involves something traumatic or anxiety-provoking. It is always best, when seeking hypnosis, to seek out a mental health or medical professional.

What kind of results can I expect from hypnosis?

Hypnosis has been demonstrated to have a wide range of benefits, from simply improving symptoms or difficulties, to completely eliminating them. The results can vary widely, from person to person and expectations can have an effect on the results.  For some people, having expectations that are too high can have a negative effect, because they have a preconceived notion of what should happen.  For others, going into their first session with no expectation works better, because they don’t know what to expect, and they are therefore happy with whatever progress is made.  Of course, this can work both ways.  Some people can have high expectations, and those expectations are met.  It is best that you consult with the professional you choose about your expectations, concerns, questions, etc. prior to your hypnosis session.

How can I expect to feel during hypnosis?

Most people describe hypnosis as a pleasant experience, during which they feel focused and absorbed in the hypnotic experience. Depending on how you and your therapist agree to structure your hypnosis sessions, they may help you to feel more alert, more relaxed, more comfortable, or more peaceful.  You may not feel anything until after the session, if your therapist gives you post-hypnotic suggestions.  You may alert after the session feeling pleasantly alert and energized.  The experience, again, is different for each individual.
 Hypnosis involves learning how to use your mind and thoughts in order to manage emotional distress (e.g., anxiety, stress), unpleasant physical symptoms (e.g., pain, nausea), or to help you change certain habits or behaviors (e.g., smoking, overeating). Although hypnosis sessions may differ depending on a particular client’s needs, sessions typically have two basic phases:

The first phase is called an induction. During this phase, your therapist may help you to relax, may ask you to imagine a peaceful scene and will help you to become more focused and concentrated on what you need to accomplish during your hypnosis session.

The second phase is called an application phase. During this phase, your therapist will make suggestions to you. For example, if you are experiencing anxiety, your therapist may suggest that during and/or following hypnosis, you will be calmer or less bothered by feelings of anxiety. If you are experiencing pain, your therapist may suggest that following hypnosis, you will no longer experience pain, or that you will be better able to manage any pain you do experience. The suggestions are the key ingredients of hypnosis because they are targeted to treat your specific symptoms or difficulties.
 Hypnosis has been shown to be effective in helping people with a wide variety of conditions including (but not limited to): Pain, Dental and Medical Procedures, Pre-Surgical Preparation, Post-Surgical Recovery, Nausea and Vomiting, Anxiety and Phobias, Depression, Stress, Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms, Dissociative Disorders, Smoking Cessation, Habit Disorders, Gastrointestinal Disorders (e.g., IBS), Skin Conditions (e.g., eczema), Childbirth