Q: What do you mean by "Presentations & Training"?

As I described in the "Stage Hypnosis" FAQ , there are three types of stage hypnosis. I have done all three, but for the purposes of this site, I am referring to the final two mentioned there: Another type of stage hypnosis is the hypnosis demonstration. In this type of performance, the purpose is to educate, rather than to entertain. Hypnotic phenomenon takes front stage and the comedy takes a back seat. In this type of show, the purpose is for you to walk out with a better understanding of what hypnosis is and more importantly, what it is not. The final category is the seminar presentation. The purpose of this type of performance is once again educational, but in this case, hypnosis is only used to prove a point about some other topic. A classic example is a performance given before a group of salespeople, where hypnosis is used to show illustrate how a mindset can have a large impact on the success or failure of a sale. I enjoy working on stage, so if you have something in mind, let's talk. I bet we can come up with something that suits your audience and fits your budget." Presentations & Training

Question 1

What if the hypnotherapist makes a suggestion I don't like?

Accepted Answer

As a rule, the content of a session has been discussed in advance, but it can happen where the hypnotherapist is using imagery you aren't seeing or don't like.

In most cases, if the hypnotherapist keeps saying "green" and you are seeing "blue", you will simply see blue and go on. For most things, the exactness of the image is not the point. If you find it jarring or the hypnotherapist is using an image you can't deal with, you will simply open your eyes and correct what is being said.

I had one client who didn't reveal a phobia to me. With her in a trance, I was using a flock of birds moving in formation in the sky as an image. She opened her eyes and asked if could skip the birds because birds are "too pecky". I changed images and she was back under, more deeply than before.

Question 2

What percentage of people respond to hypnotherapy?

Accepted Answer

71% of patients initially responded to therapy. Of these, 81% maintained their improvement over time while the majority of the remaining 19% claimed that deterioration of symptoms had only been slight. With respect to symptom scores, all items at follow up were significantly improved on pre-hypnotherapy levels (p

Question 3

How do I know you are qualified to help me?

Accepted Answer

That is a great question and probably the most important one in this FAQ.

There are a lot of people out there claiming to be "hypnotherapists". In Washington, the Department of Health has some very specific rules about who can use that title, but in most states, it's completely unregulated.

I recommend you view two pages on this site:

Choosing a Hypnotherapist and Education and Credentials while you are researching this subject.

Question 4

What do you mean by "Presentations & Training"?

Accepted Answer

As I described in the "Stage Hypnosis" FAQ, there are three types of stage hypnosis. I have done all three, but for the purposes of this site, I am referring to the final two mentioned there:

Another type of stage hypnosis is the hypnosis demonstration. In this type of performance, the purpose is to educate, rather than to entertain. Hypnotic phenomenon takes front stage and the comedy takes a back seat. In this type of show, the purpose is for you to walk out with a better understanding of what hypnosis is and more importantly, what it is not.

The final category is the seminar presentation. The purpose of this type of performance is once again educational, but in this case, hypnosis is only used to prove a point about some other topic. A classic example is a performance given before a group of salespeople, where hypnosis is used to show illustrate how a mindset can have a large impact on the success or failure of a sale.

I enjoy working on stage, so if you have something in mind, let's talk. I bet we can come up with something that suits your audience and fits your budget." Presentations & Training

Question 5

Can I adjust my position or scratch an itch while I am hypnotized?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Please do!

Get comfortable, clear your throat, scratch, sneeze, do what you need to do to get it out of your system and relax completely.

Each thing you do to be more comfortable will let you go deeper and there's a rule of thumb in hypnosis:

"The deeper you go, the better you feel. The better you feel, the deeper you go."

Question 6

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 7

Altoids, what's with them? Why do you keep offering me one?

Accepted Answer

"Do I need one? Is my breath bad? Are you trying to tell me something subtly or not so subtly?"

Sorry... No, I don't mean anything by it. I like Altoids and almost always have a tin of them around my office. Usually, when I want one, I will offer one to whoever is with me in the office as well.

Please don't read anything more into it. When I offer, take one, don't take one, no matter to me. If you see them sitting out, you may have one, you don't even have to ask.

Question 8

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 9

Does everyone respond to hypnotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Anyone with even average intelligence and a bit of imagination can be hypnotized to one degree or another. Once hypnotized, if the therapist knows what they are doing, therapy can be conducted in a way that works best for the client.

There is a range of susceptibility to both hypnosis and hypnotherapy, but in general, "yes", virtually everyone will respond. In some cases, a person may be only capable of only light levels of hypnotic trance, but the good news is that most therapies can be conducted at even Stage 1 on Arons Scale of Hypnotic Depth.

Hypnosis almost always requires a willing participant. If you actively resist or work to prevent trance, then you would be the exception to this. You can actively resist being hypnotized and there is virtually nothing I could do about it.

Question 10

Is "deep" hypnosis required for therapy to work?

Accepted Answer

No. Most change work can be done at even the preliminary levels of hypnosis.

As long as the subconscious is open to suggestion, work can proceed and that happens in even the lightest trances.

You can see one system for measuring trance depth on my "Arons Scale" page.