Hypnotherapy Facts and Hypnosis Myths
Myths and misconceptions abound about hypnosis, largely due to its portrayal in films, television, and as stage entertainment. Growing up in the 1970s, I’ll never forget the excitement of watching Uri Geller (on a three channel television!), bending forks and bringing watches back to life, as if by magic. I rushed to raid the kitchen drawer, but sadly couldn’t get my spoons to bend.
Forty-five years later, I’m now unpicking the mystique of mind control as I cover some of the most common misconceptions and questions people often have about hypnosis with hypnotherapy facts.
Hypnosis and its history is fascinating—in fact it is the original psychotherapy and the very first form of talking therapy.
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a straightforward and practical form of talking therapy. It’s a collaborative process and not something that is ‘done’ to you. Through relaxation, you become more receptive to my suggestions e.g. ‘you’re feeling calm, confident and in control’. When you imagine along with me, your mind and your body also respond, as if the suggestions are true and happening now.
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy harnesses the power of hypnosis for therapeutic change. During hypnosis you will be relaxed and more receptive to suggestions —allowing your imagination to do the work and become super-concentrated on achieving your goal.
During hypnosis you will be totally focussed on the changes you’d like to make in your life, and will imagine what that looks like and feels like as if it is really happening.
We can rehearse real-life situations safely and easily and try out changes in your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Combining hypnosis and suggestions in this way makes therapeutic change faster, more powerful, and more easily accessible to you.
Will I be asleep or unconscious?
You will not be asleep or unconscious and you will be able to remember everything that happens. Being ‘in hypnosis’ is similar to daydreaming, or the level of concentration you might feel when you’re fully absorbed by a good book or film.
Can I get ‘stuck’ in hypnosis?
You cannot get ‘stuck’ in hypnosis—you will be aware of what is happening at all times and can choose to stop or open your eyes whenever you like, if you so wish.
Can you control me and my actions?
You cannot be made to do anything against your will. Hypnosis is absolutely not a state of mind control. Indeed, you are an active participant and have to want to take part in the experience.
I will only suggest things that are based on your goals and that are positive and beneficial to you. ‘All hypnosis is self-hypnosis’ which means that while the therapist provides the suggestions, it is the client who is ‘doing the work’ in their mind as they imagine.
Can anyone be hypnotised?
Yes. If you are motivated, open-minded and think positively, allowing yourself to relax and ‘go along with’ the suggestions, hypnosis will work for you. And like anything, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. I can teach you self-hypnosis, which is a skill you can use and apply to any area of your life, once therapy has ended—and beyond.
What does hypnosis feel like?
Hypnosis can be deeply relaxing and enjoyable in itself, and in many ways is similar to what you might feel during a daydream, meditation, or just before you fall asleep.
The great benefit of hypnosis however is that we can actually create and increase positive thoughts and feelings e.g. feeling calm, confident, or relaxed.
Read more about the differences between meditation, mindfulness and hypnosis here.
What issues can hypnosis treat successfully?
Hypnosis can help with a wide range of issues and problems. Research tends to provide most support for its use in:
- Anxiety management
- Pain management
- Overcoming sleep disorders
- Treating certain psychosomatic or stress-related illnesses
Hypnosis can also conquer habits and addictions, overcome fears and phobias, improve self-confidence, self-esteem or personal performance.
Hypnosis in the NHS
Fortunately, mainstream medicine is rediscovering the power of hypnosis. NHS clinicians in the UK are now using hypnotherapy in areas such as Oncology and Palliative Care, Anaesthetics, and Gastroenterology, to treat a wide range of issues including anxiety and pain management, IBS, and even in day to day procedures.
In addition, hypnotherapy can be used pre and post-surgery to alleviate nerves, manage pain, and improve recovery times.
Is there research to support the use of hypnosis?
I practise an evidence-based approach to hypnosis and hypnotherapy and use it as an adjunct to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Thousands of positive clinical research studies and meta-analyses have been published about hypnosis; it was recognised as an effective treatment by the British Medical Association (BMA), the American Medical Association (AMA) in the 1950s and, more recently, by the American Psychological Association (for obesity) and NICE guidance (for IBS) used by the NHS.
Hypnosis as an empirically supported clinical intervention has documented the effectiveness or promise of hypnosis in treating a wide variety of psychological and medical conditions ranging from acute and chronic pain to obesity.Essentials of Clinical Hypnosis, Steven Jay Lynn and Irving Kirsch
A recent meta-analysis concluded:
Our findings underline the potential of hypnosis to positively impact various mental and somatic treatment outcomes, with the largest effects found in patients experiencing pain, patients undergoing medical procedures, and in populations of children/adolescents.Meta-analytic evidence on the efficacy of hypnosis for mental and somatic health issues: a 20-year perspective (2024) Rosendahl et al
References
Rosendahl et al (2024). Meta-analytic evidence on the efficacy of hypnosis for mental and somatic health issues: a 20-year perspective
AMA (1958). ‘Council on Mental Health: Medical use of Hypnosis’, JAMA, Sep 13, 1958: 186-189.
BMA (1955). ‘Medical use of Hypnotism: Report of a Subcommittee appointed by the Psychological Medicine Group Committee of the British Medical Association’,
Supplement to the BMJ April 23, 1955: 190-193, Appendix X.
BPS. (2001). The Nature of Hypnosis. Leicester: BPS.
APA (1997), Update on Empirically Validated Treatments, The Clinical Psychologist, 1997
