Being a hypnotherapist I often hear “Don’t look into my eyes!”. It’s a joke that comes from media portrayals of hypnosis but stems from some basic myths and fears of hypnosis, so lets clarify!
MYTH:
I can’t be hypnotised.
FACT:
Everyone who is willing can be hypnotised.
MYTH:
I’ll get stuck.
FACT:
This is impossible. You are the one who maintains your relaxation and trance and so when you want to end hypnosis all it takes is a thought and you will emerge from hypnosis.
MYTH:
I won’t have control. I’ll either cluck like a chicken or spill my deepest secrets.
FACT:
Hypnosis empowers you. You gain MORE control and will not say or do anything that you don’t want to. The hypnotherapist has no power and hypnosis is not like a magic spell.
MYTH:
I’ll be unconscious and won’t know what’s happening, being said or have any memory of it afterwards.
FACT:
You remain completely awake and aware for the whole session. Hypnosis is NOT like sleeping and you will remember the session the same way you remember a conversation you had last week.
