Q: Are there people who should not be hypnotized?

Medical doctors and mental health professionals may indicate that hypnosis is contraindicated for a number of conditions, including: Although hypnosis has seen some amazing results over a wide spectrum of conditions, hypnotherapy is generally an adjunct therapy and is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care.

Question 1

Can you diagnose my mental health or conduct psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

No. Washington prohibits diagnosis and psychotherapy by hypnotherapists.

As a hypnotherapist, I am NOT credentialed to diagnose mental disorders or to conduct psychotherapy as defined in WAC 246-810-010.

"Psychotherapy" means the practice of counseling using diagnosis of mental disorders according to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), and the development of treatment plans for counseling based on diagnosis of mental disorders in accordance with established practice standards."

I can refer you out if needed, but these things are not particularly useful in the practice of Subconscious Behaviorism or Hypnotherapy anyway.

Question 2

Will I give away all my secrets?

Accepted Answer

In many sessions, the client doesn't even speak. In those where the client speaks, they won't tell me anything they wouldn't have told me before the session.

The military actually invested a ton of money to see if hypnosis could be used in interrogation. As it turns out, it's useless for that application. The "client" can come out of it any time they want and they won't reveal anything. Not a single thing.

You family secrets, the skeletons in the closet and the access code for your debit card will remain in your head, safely out of reach.

Question 3

Will I be under the "control" of the hypnotist?

Accepted Answer

Never!

This is one of the most common misconceptions about hypnosis and it's not too surprising, considering the way hypnosis is presented in movies and on stage.

Maybe you have seen a stage show where one person just didn't respond to a particular skit. In many cases, that is because that skit wasn't "congruent" with who they are. That is, they didn't like the idea, couldn't visualize it, or even found that it conflicted with some value they hold. When you are hypnotized, every word the hypnotist says still gets analyzed. If it sets off any alarm bells, you will either disregard it like that person on stage or even come out of "state" and "awaken".

You might choose to imagine yourself as an ex-smoker, because you don't object to that, but with certainty, you are not going to tell me the P.I.N. for your debit card or do anything you would object to.

Question 4

What if I want the hypnosis to be over?

Accepted Answer

At any time, you can simply open your eyes and be done. Simply tell me that you don't think hypnosis is for you and I will count you out of it to make sure you are fully awake. That is your call and I won't be offended.

You can also say to yourself, out loud or in your head "One, Two, Three, Four, Five! Eyes Open! Wide Awake!" and you will end the session. I can do very little to keep you hypnotized if you don't want to be and I wouldn't anyway. If you are done, I will help you wake up.

Question 5

Am I going to cluck like a chicken or bark like a dog?

Accepted Answer

Ah... you have seen those shows too?

No, not unless you want to. In general, acting like an animal is not part of a hypnotherapy session, unless you have specifically asked for that as part of your goals.

It's funny to see imagination run amok on stage, but most hypnotherapy clients would not find it the least bit amusing.

Question 6

Is hypnosis "mind control"?

Accepted Answer

This misconception comes from what people see happening during hypnosis stage shows. It looks for all the world like the subjects are doing whatever the hypnotist tells them, no matter how ridiculous. If you look closely, however, you might notice that with almost every skit, there's at least one person who ignores the hypnotist and just sits there. That person has chosen not to participate for some reason. Usually, it's because they can't picture or imagine what the hypnotist is describing, they think it's too silly or it conflicts with something they believeÂ so they just choose to sit that one out.

The rest of the people are having a great time using their imaginations in the world the hypnotist is describing for them. They are having a great time playing along because, let's face it, playing is fun and using your imagination feels good, especially as an adult when you have practically forgotten what it's like.

In hypnosis, you are hyper-focused. There are no "hypnozombies". If you are given a suggestion you don't like, you will ignore it or even bring yourself fully awake. As hypnotists, we have to tread very lightly to avoid that by keeping our words congruent with what the subject expects otherwise they come right out of trance. That makes "mind control" impossible."

Question 7

What and when is "World Hypnotism Day"?

Accepted Answer

"World Hypnotism Day is celebrated on January 4th of every year and a day designated by the hypnosis community for demystifying hypnosis and celebrating the possible positive effects.

Hypnotechs celebrates this day each year by booking free ""Introduction to Hypnosis"" sessions all day.

You can read more here: Hypnotechs World Hypnotism Day

Question 8

Can hypnosis help me remember something?

Accepted Answer

Memories are funny things. Sometimes they stick around forever, and other times they are gossamer and fade away quickly, seemingly without reason as to why one or the other happens. It's further complicated by the fact that every time you open a memory and examine it, then put it away, you get your "fingerprints" all over it, changing it slightly. Studies have shown that the more you revisit a memory, the more it drifts from the original.

Hypnosis can help you remember the password for your Bitcoin wallet or find your lost car keys if the conditions are right and it often works great! But if the memory has been corrupted, it's possible that it's gone forever.

If the information is still there and it's just buried, hypnosis is often your best bet for retrieving it.

Question 9

Is it okay for a Christian to be Hypnotized?

Accepted Answer

I hear this question frequently and I cannot answer for you. It depends on your own beliefs and the teachings of the church you belong to. My best advice is for you to talk it over with your spiritual advisor.

I know of no prohibition against hypnosis in the Bible. Deuteronomy is commonly cited, but it refers to sorcery, witchcraft, and spells, none of which have anything to do with hypnosis. I do know that there are many examples of trances being described in the Bible and they always seem to involve greater spiritual awareness.

Here's a version of the Deuteronomy passage:

Deuteronomy 18:9-13 ESV

When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.

I will state with no ambiguity that there are no dark forces at work in anything I do. Hypnosis is a force for good. Hypnosis has no burnt offerings, is not divination, fortune telling, interpretation of omens, sorcery or charming. Hypnotists are not psychic and don't commune with or raise the dead.

This passage seems to encourage exploring your mind:

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The best summary I have found, by someone far, far, more qualified to speak on this subject is from Dr. Roger Barrier of ""Preach It, Teach It"" fame. It is quoted below and you can find the article in its entirety: HERE

***Is it Okay for a Christian to be Hypnotized? by Dr. Roger Barrier - Preach It, Teach It

Is there any passage in the Bible that forbids hypnosis?

Opponents focus on the Hebrew term cast spells as being the same as hypnosis. Their interpretation is really a stretch.

What Christian groups approve the use of hypnosis? Are there any Christians groups that expressly forbid it?

What are the benefits of hypnosis?

Let me recommend to you the book "Experiencing The Depths Of Jesus Christ", by a 15th century, fourteen-year-old French girl named Madam Guyon. Catholic Leaders of her time demanded that she recant the teachings of the book because her basic premise was that anyone, at any time, could come into contact with the living God, without having to go through a Catholic priest. She teaches us how to quiet our minds and move into deep meditation focusing on a Bible story, event, person, verse or phrase. What she's really doing is teaching us how we can experience Christ through the art of deep meditation, or what might be described as self-hypnosis.

Can hypnosis open the door of my mind to a satanic attack?

On the other hand, Satan desires to take control of our minds. That's why Paul warns us to take every thought captive: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Paul says that we must be careful to guard what goes into our minds lest we open up an unprotected area where Satan can gain control.

So the question is, Can hypnosis open my mind in any way that might allow Satan to get control of my thinking?

Unexpectedly for many of us, the truth is that during hypnosis, we often have more control over our minds than ever before. Just because we may be more susceptible to suggestions in no way means that we lose control of our minds and do things that we never intended to do.

-- Dr. Roger Barrier, A retired as senior teaching pastor from Casas Church in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to being an author and sought-after conference speaker, Roger has mentored or taught thousands of pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders worldwide. Casas Church, where Roger served throughout his thirty-five-year career, is a megachurch known for a well-integrated, multi-generational ministry. The value of including new generations is deeply ingrained throughout Casas to help the church move strongly right through the twenty-first century and beyond. Dr. Barrier holds degrees from Baylor University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Golden Gate Seminary in Greek, religion, theology, and pastoral care.

Additionally,

In 1847, the Roman Catholic Church recognized hypnosis as a natural part of our own ability, and NOT the work of the devil! The decree from the Sacred Congregation of The Holy Office states;

Having removed all misconceptions, foretelling of the future, explicit or implicit invocation of the devil, the use hypnosis is indeed merely an act of making use of physical media that are otherwise licit and hence it is not morally forbidden provided it does not tend toward an illicit end or toward anything depraved.

Question 10

Are there people who should not be hypnotized?

Accepted Answer

Medical doctors and mental health professionals may indicate that hypnosis is contraindicated for a number of conditions, including:

Although hypnosis has seen some amazing results over a wide spectrum of conditions, hypnotherapy is generally an adjunct therapy and is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care.