Question 1

Can someone hypnotize you without you knowing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, no, maybe. I am sorry to start out that way, but it's really tue. Give ma chance to explain.

The problem really lies with the definition of hypnosis.

There's what I do in my office, where there's a recognized "induction" to create an environment where hypnosis can happen. Then using my training, I use certain techniques to advance that state until you enter into and remain in the state that we call "trance", which is the working space of hypnosis. Think of it as kind of like "the construct" that Morpheus teaches Neo to use in The Matrix. It's big, infinite really, and we can fill it with pretty much anything we can imagine. I think we can all agree that is "hypnosis".

However, imagine that you are tired, after a long day of holiday shopping and you are looking for that one last, perfect, gift. You are running out of time, the mall is closing soon when you encounter the nicest salesperson you have ever met. She seems super knowledgeable and she really relates to your dilemma. She's got some great suggestions and she gets you to imagine the scene when you give the gift she has to offer. She describes the joy in face of the person you are giving it to and she tells you a story about how she once got something just as special and how she still cherishes it and thinks goo things about he person who gave it to her. You fine yourself buying what she has to offer, though it's not something you had even thought of before you encountered her.

Were you hypnotized by her? I've had sales training. Heck, I have conducted sales training and I have to say that many of the techniques are mighty close to some of the training I have in hypnosis. Some people call this "waking hypnosis" or "covert hypnosis".

With that in mind, yes, if you consider influencing you to be part of the definition of "hypnosis", the you are influenced or "hypnotized" by advertisements, media, friends and even salespeople all the time.

Question 2

What Does It Feel Like To Be Hypnotized?

Accepted Answer

Focus

Probably the most common element of hypnosis an intense level of focus. When James Braid coined the term "hypnosis" in 1841 he quickly realized that wasn't quite the right name, since hypnosis has very little to do with "hypno", or sleep. He tried to rename the state "monoideaism" or "single focus", but it was too late, "hypnosis" had caught on. People who have been hypnotized report having been able to concentate with singular effectiveness, often to the exclusion of everything else.

Open-mindedness

In the hypnotic state, we call it "trance" as a sort of shorthand, much of the critical factor of the conscious mind has been bypassed. That doesn't mean that that the hypnotized will fall for anything, they won't, but rather that a principle we call "trance logic" is in play. You won't fork over your deepest secrets, but you might be willing to connect the dots leading you down the path to beleive that going to the gym is going to be a fun adventure that you have actually been looking forward to experiencing for a long time.

Detachment

Hypnotized people have an easy time letting things go. It's easy to take a step back and watch a reply of something that got you really worked up, but do so as an observer and actually create a commentary on what might have been done differently. Imagine experiencing something very stressful. Now imagine watching that same thing on TV. That is the same sort of detachment that many people experience in hypnosis.

Sensory Changes

I LOVE this one. Synesthesia is common. Synesthesia is a mixing up of your senses. Some people can "see" sounds while in trance. Others experience smells as sounds. Synesthesia doesn't happen for everyone, but it's pretty common and even if you don't experience it, sounds are often more intens, colors brighter, light often has "halos" around it and so on.

Relaxation

Okay, hypnosis is not relaxation and relaxation is not hypnosis. Hypnosis can occur in ways that would seem to preclude relaxtion, like onstage in front of hundreds of people. But, in a therapy environment, relaxation is the number one sensation that most people report feeling. Cares and troubles fade into the distance and just don't matter anymore.

Question 3

What Is Hypnotherapy Used For?

Accepted Answer

I started keeping this list on my "General Hypnosis" page and I add to it as I wander across new uses.

Abandonment Fear of Loss of Control Moodiness Self-Control Addictions Fear of Needles Motivation Self-Criticism ADD/ADHD Fear of Success Nail-Biting Self-Defeating Behaviors Age Regression Fear of Surgery Nausea Self-Esteem Aggression Fear of Water Negativity Self-Expression Agoraphobia Forgiveness Nightmares Self-Forgiveness Anesthesia Frustration Obsessions Self-Hypnosis Anger Gagging Obsessive-Compulsive Self-Image Anxiety Gambling Overeating Self-Mastery Assertiveness Guilt Overly Critical Sexual Problems Assist Healing Hair Twisting Pain Management Shame Attitude Adjustment Headaches Panic Attacks Skin Problems Bedwetting Helplessness Passive-Aggressive Sleep Disorders Biofeedback Hopelessness Past Life Regression Smoking Breathing Hostility Perfectionism Social Phobia Career Success Hypertension Performance Anxiety Sports Change Habits Hypochondria Pessimism Stage Fright Childbirth Immune System Phobias Stress Chronic Pain Impotency Postsurgical Stubbornness Communication Improve Health Premature Ejaculation Study Habits Concentration Improve Sales Presurgical Stuttering Controlling Indecision Problem Solving Substance Abuse Cramps Inferiority Procrastination Sugar Addiction Cravings Inhibition PTSD Superiority Creativity Insecurity Public Speaking Tardiness Death or Loss Insomnia Reach Goals Temptation Discouraged Irrational Thoughts Rejection Tinnitus Dreams Irritability Relations Test Anxiety Exercise Jealousy Relationship Enhancement Thumb Sucking Fear of Animals Lack of Ambition Relaxation Tics Fear of Death Lack of Direction Resistance to Change Trauma Fear of Dentists Lack of Enthusiasm Responsibility Ulcers Fear of Doctors Lack of Initiative Restlessness Victimization Fear of Failure Lower Blood Pressure Sadness Weight Loss Fear of Flying Medication Side Effects Self-Awareness Worry Fear of Heights Memory Self-Blame Writer's Block Mistrust Self-Confidence

Question 4

Where did Rob get his education?

Accepted Answer

Rob's Diploma in Hypnotherapy came from Hypnosis Motivation Institute, but he has certifications from many places.

You can read all about Rob's credentials here: https://hypnotechs.com/about/credentials/

Question 5

What is "Kappasinian" hypnotherapy?

Accepted Answer

John Kappas attained his orientation to hypnosis from stage practice whose exponents assumed that only half the population could be hypnotized. Through practical experience, Kappas realized that direct suggestion was resisted by the half of the population that is left-brain dominant (analytical). This led Kappas into a lifetime of study of suggestibility, drawing upon personal experience treating tens of thousands of clients. Those cases covered both behavioral and psychological disorders. In recorded training seminars from the seventies, Kappas frequently stated that psychosis was due to hypersuggestibility - a chronic state of hypnosis - that makes the client unable to distinguish real and imaginary experiences.

The dominant factor in suggestibility is brain bilaterality (left/right dominance, generating respectively the "Emotional" and "Physical" patterns of behavior). Kappas saw hemispheric dominance as arising from nurturance, with natural complementarity arising between mother and infant. Preferential laterality carries through to our mature relationships, where we seek similar friends but complementary partnerships. Unfortunately, dysfunctional partnerships tend to exacerbate laterality, leading to alienation. Extending these insights to sexual behavior, Kappas was a successful marital therapist.

Kappas characterized hypnosis as a state of mind - our ideal learning state. Kappasinian therapy is built upon theories of personality development, most respectably the Ericksons' Stages of Development. The stages are extended with accessible theories of the subconscious and mind-body syndromes. These elements are introduced in dialog to increase client receptivity to suggestion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnotherapy

Question 6

What is "Ericksonian" hypnotherapy?

Accepted Answer

In the 1950s, Milton H. Erickson developed a radically different approach to hypnotism, which has subsequently become known as "Ericksonian hypnotherapy" or "Neo-Ericksonian hypnotherapy." Given that dysfunctional behaviors are defined by social tension, Erickson coopted the subject's behavior to establish rapport, a strategy he termed "utilization." Once rapport was established, he made use of an informal conversational approach to direct awareness. His methods included complex language patterns and client-specific therapeutic strategies (reflecting the nature of utilization). This divergence from tradition led some, including Andre Weitzenhoffer, to dispute whether Erickson was right to label his approach "hypnosis" at all. Erickson's foundational paper, however, considers hypnosis as a mental state in which specific types of "work" may be done, rather than a technique of induction.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnotherapy

Question 7

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 8

I can't be hypnotized!

Accepted Answer

It's a little known fact that hypnosis works with anyone who has average or better intelligence and even the tiniest bit of imagination. Period.

So, if you "can't be hypnotized", well, I will let you read between the lines...

When someone tells me "I can't be hypnotized!", I will admit to smirking a bit, (on the inside only). On the outside, I know what they really mean is "I haven't been hypnotized." And that is something I can work with and help them out with.

If you've managed to read this far, you CAN be hypnotized if the hypnotist knows what they need to do to reach you. The VAST majority of failures to hypnotize are the fault of the hypnotist, not the subject. Sure, as I describe elsewhere in this FAQ, you can resist and even prevent hypnosis, but assuming that you are willing to go along with the process, you will go into hypnosis just like the rest of us.

Question 9

What's this I hear about twins?

Accepted Answer

A few years back, I had the chance to have a pair of twins in my office who where interested in exploring their bond using hypnosis.

I was hooked.

I have had many couples in my office exploring hypnosis together, but I am fascinated by the bond shared by twins. I have now had many pairs in, "identical" and fraternal and while each person has left no doubt that they are unique, the connection between them, especially the identical twins is astounding.

Know some twins who would like to try something new? Have them reach out to me. Please! :)

And to that orginal pair, who were so brave as to come try it out the first time, I am in your debt.

Question 10

Why do you use a link shortener when posting online? (hypnotechs.me)

Accepted Answer

I was asked about why I post links that start with "hypnotechs.me" or sometimes "link.hypnotechs.com" that then redirect to the original URL. Fair enough.

Because the world works on different platforms, sometimes people need to type in a link instead of just clicking it. If you are on a small screen, the link can be hard to read, wrap lines or contain characters that require three layers of keyboard changes to get at.

For example, here is one of my short links:

***https://hypnotechs.me/2EeY

***https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201711/10-reasons-teens-have-so-much-anxiety-today

I am not trying to obscure the source or original URL, you will see that the full path is displayed and it takes you to the original source when you click my link. I also don't get anything in the way of any sort of payment when you click my links. It's just a way for my to share links more conveniently. The only data I even see in my control panel is the number of clicks the link has received and some analytics about how many people clicked on a phone, tablet or PC. I don't see anything personally identifiable.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/spfA9tNOws/resources/gV93IffefR/shortern.jpg (shortern.jpg)

If you see "hypnotechs.me" or "link.hypnotechs.com", you know it's probably a much longer URL and I have personally curated the content you are about to see because I think you might find it interesting. At least I did.