Commonly Asked Questions
Hypnosis is effective for installing new useful thoughts, beliefs, feelings & behaviors.
Although hypnosis is the most natural yet powerful agent for change known to man, the work of a hypnotist is currently one of the most misunderstood. There are many myths & misunderstandings about hypnosis. Here are answers to some of the more commonly asked questions:
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a way to access a person’s subconscious mind directly, where change easily takes place. In the modern world, it may also be thought of as a way to upgrade the software of our own minds, just as we do our phones or computers. Hypnosis is used to change neuro-patterns, such as beliefs or habits, to reprogram or retrain the mind for positive results.
Normally, we are only aware of the thought processes in our conscious mind. The subconscious mind is the vast part of our psyche that the hypnotist wants to get involved with. The subconscious mind acts as a store house or an infinite hard drive of information that lets you solve problems, construct sentences or remember things. It puts together plans & ideas & runs them by your conscious mind.
When in hypnosis, the conscious mind (that busy, critical, analytical part of the mind) takes a rest. This allows an optimum state for putting suggestions into the subconscious mind for the changes you want to make.
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of mind. Everyone has already experienced hypnosis, by accident or by design. We use this state of mind, unknowingly, all the time. For example, if you have ever watched T.V or a movie & become really absorbed in the program, you were in a trance. This trance is what caused you to not hear your mother calling you until she raised her voice for the third time. Advertisers understand this. They use television programs to induce a hypnotic trance & then provide you hypnotic suggestions, called commercials.
Another common example of this naturally occurring state of hypnosis is when you are driving down a road with your mind focused on some other task, a day dream perhaps. Next thing you know, you have passed your next turn. That is called ‘highway hypnosis’. You have done it literally thousands of times.
What happens during the session?
The initial part of the session is discussing your particular requirements or goals, explaining how hypnosis works and the rest is actually doing the work in hypnosis. The process is explained & any questions answered before any hypnosis takes place. Your hypnotist knows how to talk with the subconscious mind & will give you very easy instructions such as imagining or relaxing. As you follow the instructions you’ll enter into a wonderful, aware & focused state of hypnosis. Your hypnotist will be assisting as a coach or a teacher. You may be asked to describe images, sensations or sounds as they come to you.
What does hypnosis feel like?
This will differ from person to person. In the words of hypnotist Jason Linett, “You may feel a heavy feeling of relaxation, you may notice a light floating sensation, or you may discover the miraculous sensation that you are just sitting in a chair! Whatever you feel is what you’re supposed to feel. There is not one specific hypnotized feeling.”
Will I be asleep or unconscious?
Hypnosis is not sleep. If your hypnotist says sleep, it’s just a prompt to close your eyes & go as deeply relaxed as quickly as you can, but do not go to sleep. In hypnosis, your mind will be active & alert the entire time. It is a heightened state of awareness & your senses are even sharper than usual. You are aware of everything that’s happening around you. It’s much like daydreaming. If anything surprising happened, the protective part of your mind would signal you to respond immediately. People who are hypnotized often talk with the hypnotist & can answer and ask questions.
Can I be hypnotized against my will?
No. It’s a state you go into upon your approval. It requires your willingness & ability to follow a set of simple instructions given by the hypnotist. Therefore, it is your choice whether to go into hypnosis or not.
Can I be made to do something I don’t want to?
Absolutely not. You are fully aware & alert during hypnosis. You know exactly what is going on; therefore, you won’t do anything under hypnosis that conflicts with your moral principles. You are fully in control, so you could never be ‘forced’ to do something against your will. A person will only act upon suggestions that serve them in some way or reinforce an expected behavior. Anything else their subconscious will just ignore. You cannot be made to reveal anything you wish to keep private. The ‘control’ misconception appears to develop from Stage Hypnosis, which is done for entertainment purposes only. Rather than a loss of control, hypnosis is about helping you take back control of those parts of your life that don’t have to be out of control anymore.
Will I remember everything?
Some can remember everything that happens when they are in hypnosis, & others have less conscious recall of events. Normally people remember the session, but just like in everyday conversations; a few details may be forgotten. It is also quite usual for the session to feel much shorter than it actually was.
Can I get ‘stuck’ in hypnosis?
No. No one stays hypnotized indefinitely – you will always ‘snap out of it’ within a short time if you want to or need to.
Can anyone be hypnotized?
Anyone of normal intelligence with the motivation, willingness and ability to concentrate on & follow simple instructions can go into hypnosis.
Is it only weak willed people who can be hypnotized?
Not at all, often strong-willed & determined people make the best ‘subjects’ because they are generally highly motivated to improve & change their situations. The more intelligent, creative & imaginative a person is, the easier it is for them to be hypnotized. Usually, the biggest reason you cannot be hypnotized is because you simply refuse to allow yourself. Often caused by false beliefs & misconceptions about hypnosis.
Is hypnosis safe?
Yes. To date, no one has been seriously hurt with hypnosis. The hypnotic state occurs naturally for most people. When you read a book or watch a movie, you suspend your tendency to disbelieve while increasing your ability to believe. That is a form of self-hypnosis. You are making what isn’t real, real. So, it makes sense that you need to trust the individual guiding the process. Your hypnotist should be ethical & competent.
Will it work for me?
Hypnosis is the most natural, yet powerful agent for change known to man. Thousands of research studies across a wide range of different issues or challenges have shown hypnosis is highly effective. However, hypnosis is not something that is ‘done’ to you.
It is a two-way process, between the hypnotist & the client. It takes the expertise of the hypnotist combined with your full commitment to resolving your particular issue. Your ability to follow instructions & complete any ‘homework’ set during sessions are essential to the process.
How many sessions will I need?
Most issues that I work with are completed in 1 to 5 sessions, however each client is individual & this would be discussed during your strategy session. I offer a ‘Stop Smoking With Ease’ package which includes 2 sessions to support you along your way. I also offer a selection of other unique packages. Learn more.
Do you offer group or individual sessions?
Giving you the best possible service & opportunity to succeed is the priority & therefore we do not offer group work for specific problems with individual clients. Quite simply, success rates drop when working with groups because problems are not tackled at an individual level, plus group members can unintentionally sabotage others efforts. Training in 7th Path Self-Hypnosis® is the exception, as it is designed to give you the tools to practice self-hypnosis at home.
Is hypnosis expensive?
Persistent problems can cost people thousands of dollars over the years – diet products, quick fix solutions, over the counter remedies, prescriptions, junk food, cigarettes, alcohol & time off work, to name just a few. When you consider the annual & lifetime financial, emotional & time costs associated with long-standing issues, your investment in a session of advanced hypnosis is minimal.
What if I have a medical condition?
Hypnosis is completely safe for the vast majority of people. However, hypnosis involving managing pain, will need a doctors referral. This is to ensure that we do not interfere with the work that your doctor is doing with you. With hypnosis, we are able to mask pain, which may interfere with a doctor’s diagnosis.
I personally, choose not to work with people with; serious heart conditions, schizophrenia, pathological personalities, alcohol or drug psychosis, senility, epilepsy and narcolepsy, bipolar conditions and clinical depressive illness or those exhibiting suicidal tendencies.
Can children be hypnotized?
Many children make excellent hypnotic subjects, and respond well to hypnotic suggestions for a wide variety of challenges, self-esteem issues, anxiety, behavior problems. The process must be geared towards the child’s level of understanding & insight abilities. Parental support is very important. However, during the hypnosis sessions the parent is not in the office. Parents are supportive & encouraging, but really don’t play any part in the actual hypnosis session itself.
How do I book an appointment?
Quickly view my real-time availability & self-book your own appointment. You will be prompted to pay via Paypal & to fill in forms that will be helpful during your session. Click here to schedule your appointment with Jeanne Marie.
If I cancel an appointment, will I be charged?
You are required to give 48 hours notice if you want to make a cancellation without being charged. (read more)