John Mondello MS, LMHC

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is an mental state of focused awareness that is actually quite natural and happens spontaneously on a regular basis.  If you have ever been absorbed in a good book or driven somewhere and do not remember the trip you were probably in a similar state.  We can systematically induce hypnosis to elicit the state and use it to achieve therapeutic goals.

What is hypnotherapy? 

Hypnosis is a tool that a therapist uses to aid psychotherapy.  While hypnosis can potentiate the process of psychotherapy, it is not a therapy in and of itself.  Therapy may sometimes move forward more quickly using hypnosis, however it is not an instant or magic cure.  Like with psychotherapy a client using hypnosis needs to take an active role, be motivated and make a commitment to change.

Is hypnosis mind control?

One myth is that hypnosis is something a "hypnotist" does to a client.  Actually the therapist is like a coach, or guide, with the client playing an active role.  Consider when a person becomes absorbed in a book or video and has a physiological response to that media.  It is not the media causing the response, but the person's interpretation of the words or pictures.  Hypnosis is very much like that.

Will I do something against my will? 

Another myth is that a person loses control or may say or do things that they would not typically do.  A person is actually very aware in hypnosis, and will not do or say anything they would not typically do or say.

Will I get stuck in hypnosis? 

Clients are aware and in control when practicing hypnosis.  If a person needed to attend to their well being or a crisis they would simply open their eyes and do so.   And a responsible therapist will bring the experience to a close in a gradual and sensitive way.

What about recalling past memories or events?

Sometimes it is helpful to recall and reframe the memory of an episode that may be related to a current symptom.   Memories may or may not be accurate and may be influenced by the therapist or by the current dynamics of the therapy.  Occasionally a person may recall a distressing experience or emotion while in hypnosis, so, it's important that this work is done in the context of a trusting therapuetic relationship with a competant therapist.

How is Hypnosis Used?

Practitioners use clinical hypnosis in three main ways. First, they encourage the use of imagination. Mental imagery is very powerful, especially in a focused state of attention. The mind seems capable of using imagery, even if it is only symbolic, to assist us in bringing about the things we are imagining.

A second basic hypnotic method is to present ideas or suggestions to the patient. In a state of concentrated attention, ideas and suggestions that are compatible with what the patient wants seem to have a more powerful impact on the mind.

Finally, hypnosis may be used for unconscious exploration, to better understand underlying motivations or identify whether past events or experiences are associated with causing a problem. Hypnosis avoids the critical censor of the conscious mind, which often defeats what we know to be in our best interests. The effectiveness of hypnosis appears to lie in the way in which it bypasses the critical observation and interference of the conscious mind, allowing the client's intentions for change to take effect.

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Selecting a Qualified Professional

As in choosing any health care professional, care should be exercised in selecting a hypnotherapist. Hypnosis and the use of hypnotic therapies are not regulated in most states, and hypnotherapists are, in most cases, not state-licensed in hypnosis. Licensed health care professionals typically have six to nine years of university coursework, plus supervised training through internship and residency programs.

On the other hand lay hypnosis training programs vary widely in their depth and length. Many lay hypnotists may have only attended a brief weekend workshop with little or no supervised learning. A major distinction between the two groups is that professionals have received specific training in medicine, psychology, dentistry, social work or counseling.

We recommend that you consider a professionally-trained practitioner. Ask if the person is licensed (not certified) in their field by the state. Find out what their degree is in. If it is in hypnosis or hypnotherapy, rather than a state-recognized health care profession, the person is a lay hypnotist. Check for membership in the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis or the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (which are the only nationally recognized organizations for licensed health care professionals using hypnosis). Contact a state or local component section of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis to see if the person is a reputable member.