What is Hypnosis?
Simply put, hypnosis is a very natural state in which a person's mind is heightened to receiving suggestions. During this state the mind is able to concentrate more intensely on a specific purpose. Hypnotic trances naturally occur many times a day. We just don't call it that. Do you ever daydream or become so engrossed in a movie or book that you lose track of time? How about the last time you arrived safely at your destination but don't remember the drive? These are forms of hypnotic trances. During this state, our conscious mind is distracted and will allow thoughts to enter our subconscious mind without over-analyzing them.

What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the process of guiding a person into a very natural trance-like state with the intent to solve an issue and/or reach a goal.

Why does hypnosis work?
To answer this we look at the characteristics of three parts of our mind: the conscious, the subconscious and the critical factor.

The conscious mind holds our short term thoughts and things we are currently focusing on at the moment. It is rational and logical.

Our subconscious mind contains our beliefs, values, instincts, and habits based on the experiences we have had in our life. Everything we know or ever experienced in our lifetime is filed in our subconscious. It receives and retains this information without judgement. Our emotions rule our subconsious. It also holds our imagination -a very powerful key to making changes in our life.

As humans our emotion-ruled subconscious mind is stronger than our logical conscious mind and will always win. For example: our conscious mind knows that smoking and over-eating causes harm and maybe even death. Our subconscious mind finds an emotional fulfillment from these actions, so we continue to do them.

Between these two parts of our mind is what is referred to as the critical factor. It acts as sort of a protective filter. Any suggestions or information received is analyzed and accepted or rejected based on what is already programmed into your subconscious. This protects you from accepting every input you recieve as automatically being true. A simple example: I could show you a ball and tell you it is shaped like a square. The thought enters your conscious mind, but your critical factor immediately rejects it as true based on your programming that told you it is really a circle.

In hypnosis, your critical factor is easier to bypass because your mind is relaxed and distracted allowing you to more readily accept suggestions. Hypnotists use learned techniques to get you into a state of relaxation and then work with your subconscious mind and its imagination and emotions to help you accomplish the goals you seek. You are what you imagine yourself to be.

Is hypnosis mind control?
No. You are in complete control in hypnosis and cannot be hypnotized against your will. Although your critical factor is easier to bypass at this time, it is still alert enough to reject any suggestions that do not agree with your core values. You cannot be hypnotized to steal, murder or do anything you would not be willing to do out of hypnosis.

Am I hypnotizable?
Those who are more willing to relax and use their imagination tend to do better, but almost everyone of average or above average intelligence can experience hypnosis if they are willing to be hypnotized and are able to follow directions.

Will I tell secrets in hypnosis?
You will not say anything in hypnosis that you do not wish to say. You are the one in control. Although it may interfere with the hypnotist helping you reach your goals, you can even lie when you are in hypnosis.

Can I get stuck in hypnosis?
No. Have you ever gotten stuck while daydreaming, watching a movie, reading a book? Hypnosis is a natural state and you will be able to emerge from hypnosis at any time you choose.

Is hypnosis like sleep?
Hypnosis is not sleep. To further explain this we look at the four levels of brain activity.

The first level is Beta. This is being fully awake and active. Your brainwaves function at its highest frequency in Beta.

The second level is Alpha - this is a light stage of hypnosis, similar to daydreaming. Your brainwaves are slower than that of Beta. Most people who enter this stage in hypnosis sessions, do not feel like they were hypnotized because it is so familiar to them and although they may be relaxed, they hear everything that is going on around them. Although, this is a lighter stage of hypnosis, it is very effective for making changes and most of the time is all that is needed.

Theta is the third level of brain activity. The brainwaves are slower than Beta and Alpha in this state. It is similar to that feeling you have right before you fall asleep or before you fully awaken. This is more effective in hypnosis for doing sessions that require accessing past memories. It is also the level at which our dreams occur.

The fourth level of brain activity, and the one with the slowest brain frequency is Delta. This is deep, dreamless sleep.

What does hypnosis feel like?
Depending on which level of brain activity you reach (see previous question) you will experienc different sensations. Each person will also experience hypnosis differently. Some experience a heaviness, some a lightness. Some see colors. Some people consciously hear everything the hypnotist says while others won't. It is a unique experience for each and every person. For most everyone, it is a very pleasurable, relaxing experience.

How will I know I was hypnotized?
Some will know from the sensations they experience. Some may feel as though they were not hypnotized. This may be because their perception of hypnosis differs with their experience. The best way to tell if you were hypnotized is by seeing the results you wanted to accomplish!

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