A Few Misconceptions About Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

by Lynda Pulford C.Ht. | Aug 21, 2019 | Hypnotherapy Blog | 0 comments

For most people, the word Hypnosis brings up memories of something they have seen in movies, television shows, or for entertainment in Las Vegas or on a cruise ship.

The interchangeable use of the word “Trance” for being in a hypnotic state conjures an image of a person being programmed and controlled by someone else.

From a scientific perspective, being in the state of Hypnosis is simply being in the “Alpha or Theta” (pre-sleep) brainwave state. These are different levels of consciousness that occur on a daily basis for everyone. There isn’t anything exceptional about moving from the “Beta” (conscious state) to “Alpha”, “Theta” and then “Delta” (unconscious/sleep state).

What Is Typical Hypnosis Protocol

One misconception about Hypnosis, and especially Hypnosis used for therapy, is that it can be done to you without your knowledge or consent. One cannot be hypnotized unless they want to be. In the state of Hypnosis, the person is awake and all of their senses are functioning. The hypnotic subject is completely in control and would not do or say anything that they wouldn’t in their conscious state.

Hollywood does a great job of making Hypnosis look like a mysterious magic trick which is then used to control someone and make them do things which they would normally not do. Stage hypnosis is similar in that the hypnotist appears as a magician and seems to have some strange power over the audience members who are carefully selected to participate.

It is estimated that 5% of the population are considered “highly suggestible” meaning easily influenced in that hypnotic “alpha” brainwave state and it’s generally quick and easy to help them reach that state. The other 95% lie somewhere on the scale. For the purpose of great entertainment, the very skilled hypnotist on stage does suggestibility testing with the audience that they are not aware of and then is able to easily choose their volunteers from that 5% of the population that are highly suggestible.

Stage hypnosis is very different from hypnotherapy because taking a highly suggestible person and having them “cluck like a chicken” or hop around on one foot is not a lifelong behavior change or anything emotional for the person performing. The whole event is intended for entertainment whereas hypnosis for therapeutic reasons is quite serious and helps people to change ingrained patterns, habits, and behaviors. Stage hypnosis is real, it’s just not serious.

A qualified Denver, Colorado Hypnotherapist knows that in order to use hypnosis effectively to help a person, the person has to be able to accept, believe, and surrender to the information being given to them in that suggestible “Alpha/Theta” brainwave state. In that state, the analytical filter which is usually “guarding the door” so to speak, in the “Beta” brainwave state, is quiet or not as active so that the therapists’ suggestions can get through without being watered down by the analysis that is usually in place in that highly conscious state.

Why Do People Choose Hypnotherapy

When a person chooses Hypnotherapy, it is because they want to surrender to the new information which is used to help them change an undesirable behavior or to promote a new behavior or a new way of thinking. Any suggestion given by a hypnotherapist should be in alignment with what the client is asking for but even if it wasn’t, the client could easily reject it.

It is important to know that a person cannot be hypnotized against their will or made to do things that would be against their morals, values or desires.

Three Things To Consider When Looking For A Hypnotherapist

by Lynda Pulford C.Ht. | Aug 6, 2019 | Hypnotherapy Blog | 0 comments

When a person decides to get help for a problem they are experiencing, sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin looking for that help. Traditional counseling or “talk therapy” usually comes to mind for people because they think that if they can just talk about a problem they are having, the doctor, psychologist or counselor can give them some answers or tools to help them through the problem, and there are times that that is a great direction to go. However, there are some persistent problems or behaviors that that type of therapy doesn’t help and Hypnotherapy might be the answer.

Start By Researching Your Hypnotherapist

It is important to do some research in order to first understand what type of therapy would be of most benefit to you. There are a multitude of therapies to choose from and it comes down to choosing what resonates with you. When considering Hypnotherapy, it’s important that you feel comfortable with the therapist. The first step would be to spend time on their website reading about perhaps what they specialize in so that if you are looking for something very specific, that might be the first place you find the information you are wanting. The website can give you good insight into that therapist’s methods and ideology.

What Qualifications Does Your Hypnotherapist Have?

The next thing to look at when choosing a Hypnotherapist is qualifications. The requirements vary from state to state as far as degree of education. In the state of Colorado, the first thing to look at is licensing. You can do this by entering the therapist’s name in the D.O.R.A. database. D.O.R.A. (Department of Regulatory Agencies) is the principal department of the Colorado state government responsible for professional licensing and consumer protection. They Hypnotherapist in Colorado will be found in the registry for psychotherapy. Technically, it is a registration rather than a license but for the purposes of legality in practice, it is the equivalent of a license. This is typically as far as you would need to go in looking for a qualified hypnotherapist because D.O.R.A. requires proof of education and experience in order to be licensed.

Speak With A Hypnotherapist Before Using A Hypnotherapist

The last step would be to call the therapist you are interested in and have a brief conversation about what the issue is that you would like help with and what their experience is with that. That initial contact will give you an idea about whether you feel that the therapist is a good match for you.

Many therapists don’t list their prices on their website and typically insurance does not cover Hypnotherapy. It is important to know what the cost of hypnotherapy might be before you begin the process.

It’s very important that you feel comfortable with the therapist and trust that they have your best interest in mind. Using these tips, you should be able to find a qualified Hypnotherapist and begin the process of eliminating unwanted behaviors or gaining a new way of thinking to improve your quality of life.

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