NLP Hypnosis Centre — FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Hypnosis.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of focused concentration where you use the power of your subconscious to create positive changes in your life. Can be a relaxed state and/or can occur during a conversation without the need for relaxation.
You are always in control. It is not a special power. It is a natural state. We go into similar states many times during the day, when we daydream or are totally focused in something you are doing, Like driving, reading, watching a movie.
Some define Hypnosis as an altered state of mind achieved by relaxation of the body and mind. We don’t like “altered” because it sound like a special power, which is not. It is a technique that can be learned by anyone.
We prefers to use the word “connect” … so Hypnosis is the ability to connect with your subconscious so you can make changes by suggestions at that level which are more powerful that if you only do the suggestions at the conscious level.
When you are so immersed in a TV program or listening to a song that makes you remember things from your past or create images, sounds, or feelings or imagining your future, you are in a state that is very similar to Hypnosis.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Is using Hypnosis to create positive outcomes in your life. Usually related to behaviour modification. Depending on the country you live, Hypnotherapy is normally done by a Health Care Professional with formal training and experience in Hypnosis.
What is a Hypnotist?
A person who uses Hypnosis. Now there is a lot of discussion about this term and some say that can be used as we use it here … “ A person who uses Hypnosis”, others think than this is more related Stage Hypnosis … what I call Theatrical Hypnosis, in the sense that it is Hypnosis, but for entertainment.
What is Stage Hypnosis?
Stage Hypnosis is the use of Hypnosis for entertainment. Usually the hypnosis will select a group of people that go very easily into hypnosis and within them the hypnosis will choose the ones that are highly hypnotizable. Usually people with very good imagination, willing to participate. Notice that is not that the Hypnotist “make” people do things, is that they are willing to do them. Of course there is hypnosis … the technique, but the use is only for entertainment.
What is a Consulting Hypnotist?
Is a person who has been professionally trained in Hypnosis but he/she is not a Health Care Professional. They use Consulting Hypnotist (Hypnotism) to help clients with problems that are not medical. They can work with medical problems under the supervision of a Health Care Professional.
Depending where you live, there are laws and regulations of who can call himself/herself a Hypnotherapist. In some cities, provinces or states only Health Care Professionals, like Doctors, Psychologists, or Social Workers can say that they do Hypnotherapy. In others it is ok for “Lay Hypnotist” or a “Consulting Hypnotist” … a person who is qualified to do Hypnosis but is not a Health Care Professional.
It is confusing, because it depends of the laws and regulations of a country, state or province.
Generally …
Doctors, diagnose and treat medical disorders.
Psychologists, diagnose and treat emotional and mental disorders.
Hypnotherapists, induce hypnotic state in client to increase motivation and/or alter behaviour patterns using hypnosis.
Certified Consulting Hypnotist, that replaces Certified Hypnotherapist, as defined for the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), is motivational coaching by means of hypnotism and it is not considered health care.
Hypnotists don’t diagnose or treat medical disorders.
Consulting Hypnotists do not cure or diagnose.
We at the NLP Hypnosis Centre are Certified Consulting Hypnotists, Neuro-Linguistic Practitioners, and Certified in Life Coaching. We are not a Medical Facility. We do not diagnose or cure.
We do help and guide people to be happier, healthier and more successful, using Hypnosis, NLP and Life Coaching.
The official description of Consulting Hypnotism approved by the National Guild of Hypnotists is “Consulting Hypnotists help ordinary, everyday people with ordinary, everyday problems using individual hypnotic techniques.”
The key here for you … is what is your problem? And what you are looking for?
Some Doctors, Psychologists or Psychotherapists might know Hypnosis, but could be they don’t have experience and certifications in that field. A Hypnotist, a “ConsultingHypnotist”, don’t have the degree and medical experience of a Doctor but might have a lot of experience and certifications related to Hypnosis.
It is important for you to make sure you understand what a Hypnotist can do or not. Or what he/she is allowed to do in your State, Province or Country.
A Hypnotist must not deal with Medical problems. He/she must not diagnose.
A Hypnosis Certification can be done online or in person. Nothing wrong with doing training online. Many professionals do a lot of training online. Hypnosis training and certifications are done by many different Associations of Professional Hypnosis. Some certifications can be obtained in a few days or weeks, others take more time.
Again the key is what you expect and what can be done. If you get an Hypnotist that try to diagnose without being a Doctor, take your money o look for some else.
Consulting Hypnotists are professionals and many of them are really good at what they do. Hypnosis is a powerful technique. It is safe and you always have the control. Being a Doctor, a Psychologist or Psychotherapist, does not make the person a better hypnotist or hypnotherapist.
Of course, a Doctor, a Psychologist or o Psychotherapist who uses Hypnosis a lot in his/her practice will be a better choice if your problem is medical.
Always ask a lot of questions, and make sure you understand the certifications and experience of the Hypnotist you are consulting … of course the same idea applies for Doctors or any other Health Care Professional.
In reality a Hypnotist, or Hypnotherapist, or Consulting Hypnotist, they all use “Hypnosis”, it just the way it is used, what’s use for and the formal education and experience.
Some call the Consulting Hypnotist, “Lay Hypnotist” in the sense that he/she is not a Health Care Professional. He/She may not have the extensive University training or knowledge of a Doctor for example. Although many times they do have University training but not in the Health Care field.
This being said, many Hypnotists or Consulting Hypnotists can create positive changes in their clients in a very powerful and safe way.
Our suggestion about this is that you always consult with your Doctor first. Check the credentials, experience and testimonials of the Hypnotherapist, Hypnotist, or Consulting Hypnotist.
Will Hypnosis work if I don’t believe in it?
For Hypnosis to work you need to want to make the change. Believing or not believing is not as important. Hypnosis is a technique … it works. Now if you do your part, you will get better results.
Will you be unconscious during Hypnosis?
No, not at all. The Hypnosis will take you to a very relaxed focused state, and you will be able “to connect” to your subconscious, but you will never be unconscious. Sometimes you don’t even need to be relaxed to enter in Hypnosis. For example in State Hypnosis, Street Hypnosis and Conversational Hypnosis.
Some times you might loose track of the time or forget some things the Hypnotherapist said. This is normal, is like when you are watching a great movie that you are so concentrated that loose track of the time. Or when you are day dreaming and all the sudden what you thought it was 5 minutes of day dream, was really 30 minutes.
In any of these cases if the fire alarm sounds … for sure you will react … because you were never unconscious.
Can an Hypnotherapist control my mind and make me do things?
No. Hypnosis is not about control. I know it looks like that in Stage Hypnosis, but even there there is no control. People do crazy things during Stage Hypnosis because they want and they know they can always blame it onto the Hypnotist. It is similar to when person who was drunk did something wrong and says he/she had no control.
Hypnosis is really a team work between you and the Hypnotist, if you don’t want to do what the Hypnotist ask you to do, you will not do it.
There is no control at all.
Is Hypnosis diabolical?
Many use the Bible and say that Hypnosis is diabolical, based on the presumption that during Hypnosis your mind is “blank” and it can be “possessed” by bad spirits or diabolical entities.
The key here is to understand that while you are in Hypnosis your mind is never … I repeat, your mind is never “empty.” It is the other way around, your mind is focused, relaxed and concentrated.
The fact that in Hypnosis you are totally relaxed, does not mean that you are unconscious. You are conscious and in control. You are just in a beautiful and enjoyable state of focused relaxation.
You are always in control and your mind is never blank.
Only ignorant and stupid people can be hypnotized?
Totally incorrect. To be hypnotized you need to be able to follow instructions, which means that the smarter the better. Only people when very low IQ and some mental problems cannot be hypnotized.
Besides the knowledge and ability of the Hypnotherapist, there are three keys to be hypnotized.
- First, you want to be hypnotized.
- You are willing and able to follow instructions.
- You do a team work with the Hypnotist so you can “talk” to your subconscious.
Technically everyone can be hypnotized. More than a more of intelligence, is a mater of imagination. Of course some people enter in hypnosis very easily and for other takes more time and practice. And there are situation where hypnosis is not recommendable, for example some mental problems. Always check with your Doctor if you are under medical treatment.
Can every problem be treated with Hypnosis?
No. Very important. Medical problems must be treated by a competent Health Care Professional. Notice I used “competent” … unfortunately in every profession they are incompetents.
People with Epilepsy normally should not be hypnotized. Talk to your Doctor first.
Serious mental problems must be treated by a Doctor, Psychologist or Psychotherapist.
Medical physical problems must be treated by a Health Care Professional.
Pain control for example is something that could be treated with Hypnosis. Could be by a Doctor who is certified in Hypnosis or a Doctor working in a team with a Consulting Hypnotist.
Pain control or reduction, should be treated careful as pain is a way of the body/mind to tell us that something is bad or not working properly in our body.
For example if a Hypnotist reduces the pain of a client without paying attention to the physical reason of the pain, he/she could be creating a lot of problems to his/her client.
At the NLP Hypnosis Centre we always say … “always check with your Doctor first”
Most Hypnotherapists, Hypnotists and Consulting Hypnotists work with:
- Stop Smoking or Smoking Cessation.
- Weight Management or Personal Image Management.
- Changing unhealthy habits.
- Creating positive habits.
- Motivation.
- Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence.
- Fears (Some work with phobias).
- Self Hypnosis or Self Help Hypnosis.
- Visualization.
- Personal or business goals.
Jus to name a few …
Do audios/videos or mp3s work?
Well firs it depends of the quality and the technique used.
In principle of course they can work. Now it will better if you see a Hypnotherapist or Consulting Hypnotist in person.
At NLP Hypnosis centre we do:
- NLP, Hypnosis and Life Coaching Sessions Online via Skype.
- We visit clients at their home, office or business.
- Sessions in our office.
- We sell audios, videos and PDF reports about Hypnosis, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Life Coaching.
- We are bilingual, English and Spanish. We do Hypnosis, NLP and Life Coaching sessions in Spanish. Please visit our http://www.pnlhipnosisparaexito.com/.
- We do group sessions.
- We have packages. Special prices and discounts for our newsletter members.
- Special prices for those who need our services but cannot afford them.
One of the problems with audios/videos/mp3s is the fact that every person is unique – you are unique – so when we Hypnotists create a program we do it in a general way, but because you are unique it might take more or less time “to connect” to your subconscious and create the changes.
Many people believe that we need 21 days to change a habit, but studies have shown that this is not correct, for some people might take less … some studies suggest 18 days, or more sometimes several months before you start to see changes.
The good part of going to see a Hypnotherapist, Hypnotist or Consulting Hypnotist is that she/he can see how you are reacting to the Hypnosis and make the changes needed for the Hypnosis to be effective and get the results you are looking for in less time.
How much does Hypnosis or Hypnotherapy cost?
Normally starts around $75 per session. A session can be an hour or more. So always ask “How long is the session?”
Depending how “famous” or popular the Hypnotist is, it might cost you more. A point here, this does not mean that some one who charge you $300 per session is better that some one who only charges $75. Could be he/she is better or maybe he/she is just a better business person than the other.
Another point here … Hypnosis is not a miracle cure. Yes it is powerful, yes it can do a lot of good things, yes some times it looks like a miracle, but it is not. It is just a very powerful technique that if used properly can help you create positive changes in your life.
Do not believe to those who promise miracles using Hypnosis. They just want to take your money. An honest Hypnotist, will have a talk with you, find out what you want to do and explain you what Hypnosis can do or not for you.
Some Hypnotherapists do packages or charge less if you pay for 3 or more sessions at the beginning. Always ask what happens if you decide to cancel your appointment or ask for a refund.
Others do group sessions where you pay much less. These work, but again they don’t have the “personal touch” of a one on one private and confidential session.
How about refund and guarantee policies?
Do you ask for refund and guarantee policies to your Doctor or Health Care Professional?
Of course not, correct … although note apart, I personally think that we should … if they don’t cure us then we should get our money back, correct?
Well the point here is that a Doctor’s treatment and a Hypnotherapist visit, they both also depend on you doing your part.
If the Doctor tells you to do something and you don’t do it the way the Doctor told you, is this his/her fault that you don’t get positive results?
Can Hypnosis make you do something against your moral principles?
No, a Hypnotherapist cannot make you do something against your moral principles. Hypnosis cannot make you do something against your will.
That’s why the first question we at NLP Hypnosis Centre will ask you is … Do you really want to do it or someone else wants you to do it?
If you want to do it … it will work.
If someone in your family wants you to quit smoking but you really don’t want to, well Hypnosis won’t work. No Hypnotherapist, no Hypnotist, no Consulting Hypnotist will make you quit smoking if you … and I mean you don’t want to do it.
Some people come to Hypnosis to prove that even Hypnosis cannot “make” them quit smoking or any other unhealthy habit … and they are correct, Hypnosis won’t work, because it is not about making you do something against what you really want.
Hypnosis is a team work, where you put the “yes, I want to do this.”
Is Hypnosis the same as Meditation?
No, it is not. They are similar in the sense that both can produce relaxation and both work with the subconscious, but in the case of Meditation, in general, there is no goal … well there is one … to connect with the Universe. In Hypnosis there is a goal … stop smoking, control your weight, eliminate an unhealthy habit, motivation, etc.
Will I be stuck in Hypnosis?
No. It won’t happen and has never happened. There are some stories in Internet about this, but all are false. There is no real documentation about any cases where a person was stuck in Hypnosis.
Some people enjoy so much the Hypnosis state that they might want to stay there for a few more minutes, but they are never stuck. After a few minutes they will be back to conscious level.
- You will not be unconscious.
- You will always be in control.
- You will be aware of your surroundings.
- It is not a spiritual experience, although it can be used to enhance your spiritual experiences.
What will you feel in a Hypnosis session:
- You will be deeply relaxed. Although in Conversational Hypnosis you will be like having a regular conversation.
- You will be in a focused state (in the solution of your problem).
- You might — might – loose track of the time.
- You might — might – forget a couple of things the Hypnotherapist says, but not all.
Some clients after a Hypnosis session say … “I never felt hypnotized, it was more like a talk” … and yes some times it feels that way, but the talk was not with your conscious mind but with your subconscious and you will start to see and feel results right the way.
One of the first positive results of any good hypnosis session is that you will feel relaxed and energetic at the same time.
What is NGH?
The National Guild of Hypnotists, NGH, is one of the oldest and more prestigious organizations about Hypnosis.
We are member of the National Guild of Hypnotists, NLP Global Standards and the Association Collegial of Professional Hypnosis.
Is Hypnosis safe?
Yes, Hypnosis is a safe technique. Of course like in any profession you want a Hypnotherapist, a Hypnotist, or Consulting Hypnotist that has been trained by a recognized and well known organization, like the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH) or the Association Collegial of Professional Hypnosis (ACPH) for example. There are others out there with good reports. We strongly believe in NGH.
Is Hypnosis a miracle cure?
No, not at all. Is a technique that if used properly can help you make powerful positive changes in your life, but it is not a cure and certainly it is not a miracle. Sometimes doesn’t work. It is not 100% effective. Is a powerful technique that helps you connect with your subconscious.
Is Stage Hypnosis the same as Hypnotherapy?
No. They both use Hypnosis but with different goals in mind.
Stage Hypnosis is basically an entertainment … just to have fun … people who are hypnotized in a stage hypnosis show do crazy things because they want, not because the Hypnotist make then do it.
Of course a Hypnotist that does stage hypnosis is also a good actor/actress in the sense that part of the show is to look like he/she makes people do crazy things.
How Stage Hypnosis works?
Basically a Hypnotist will do several tests with the volunteers and choose the ones who are more easy to hypnotize and the ones the hypnotist feel are willing to be part of the show.
A point here … the Hypnotist does not look for ignorant, stupid or gullible people … these are usually very difficult to hypnotize.
If you go to a stage show pay attention how the hypnotist choose between volunteers. Usually people who react very positive to the tests and people who love to participate. People who has a lot of imagination and a willingness to participate.
And if you have the opportunity and if you go to a stage hypnosis show … be a volunteer so you will see there is no control or power. Just have fun and enjoy the entertainment.
Is Hypnosis a asleep state?
No. Although some times when you see a hypnotized person he/she looks that way.
We Hypnotists are guilty of this misconception as many still use the phrase “Sleep” … “Sleep, go under Hypnosis?
You are never asleep. You are never under Hypnosis. You are guide to go into Hypnosis, into Self-Hypnosis.
Does Hypnosis work?
If you mean … Can I create positive changes using Hypnosis?
The answer is yes.
There is a lot of discussion of how Hypnosis works and there is no real scientific consensus in how Hypnosis really works, but there are many studies and testimonials that show it works.
Does it work 100%?
No. It does not. I have mention it before. It is a team work between the client and the Hypnotherapist and some times the rapport does not happen and there is no success in reaching the goal.
The key for you is to realize that there is no miracle here … it is matter of us using the technique in the proper way and you following the instructions. It is a team work.
By Olivier Hidalgo
Certified Consulting Hypnotist,
NLP Practitionerand Life Coach.
Olivier Hidalgo is member of the National Guild of Hypnotists,
and NLP Global Standards.
NLP Hypnosis Centre is a company registered in Ontario, Canada
NLP Hypnosis Centre.
151B York Street,
London, Ontario
N6A 1A8