Hypnosis Facts

Hypnotherapy has the HIGHEST SUCCESS RATE of ANY form of therapy for smokers wishing to quit" - New Scientist - 1992

We are going to clear up some common misconceptions of hypnosis

Don't expect to feel hypnotized. Many people come to the hypnotherapist thinking that there is something about trance which is markedly different from their "normal" state of consciousness. This is certainly not the case. A light trance will likely feel no different from relaxation. Since trance is a normal, natural state, you will likely feel a feeling of familiarity, no matter how deep in trance you go. Don't expect to feel hypnotized. Trance is not about feeling "zoned out;" it is a normal natural state.

Do expect to feel relaxed. Hypnosis is a natural state where you feel increasing levels of relaxation.

Another big misconception about hypnosis is some people think they will go to sleep. Hypnosis is different to sleep. You will be totally conscious, will hear what is being said and can stop the session at any time because you are in control throughout the session.

When some people are hypnotized they think things like, "I don't know if I'm hypnotized or if I'm just relaxed." If that thought runs through your head, keep an open mind, follow along with all the suggestions, find yourself agreeing with them and when the session is over we will talk about it then consciously. All you have to do during the session is just want it to work, agree and accept the suggestions.

A common example of a hypnotic state is driving. Have you ever been driving and then all of a sudden you "wake up?" You know you were wide awake and driving safely the whole time, but you do not remember it all? That is like a state of hypnosis.

Yet another common example is watching TV. Have you ever been so involved in a show that you didn't hear someone talking to you or calling your name? This is a similar state to hypnosis.

The difference between stage shows and therapeutic hypnosis

People see stage hypnosis shows and think that people are made to do things that they don't want to do. Obviously then you can't make people do what they don't want to do. So what happens at a stage hypnotist show, because it does look like the Hypnotist is making people do what they don't want to do?

Well, first, why would anyone go see a hypnosis show? Because they want to laugh at people acting stupid. The hypnotist then calls for volunteers to go up on stage. And who would volunteer to go on stage? Exhibitionists, that is who. People who like to be seen, stand out and act differently.

Then the hypnotist does a series of tests to pick the people the hypnotist wants to work with. The hypnotist is actually not looking to see who can be hypnotized. Because everyone with an average IQ can be hypnotized. The hypnotist is looking for people who will do what they are told and are willing to do silly things.

Now that he has all the perfect people up on stage who want to act like fools, and who want to be seen and will do what they are told, the show can begin. So he is not making them do what they don't want to do. He is just giving them the freedom to do what they want to do.

And that's great because that's exactly the same as what we're doing here. We're not making you quit cigarettes against your will. You want to be here, you want to quit cigarettes. So we're helping you do what you already want to do. Hypnosis is an extremely powerful way for empowering you to do what you already want to do - quit smoking.

Hypnosis is not counselling it is a powerful tool for change approved by leading medical associations for more than 50 years.

"Hypnosis is the most effective method of giving up smoking, according to the largest ever scientific comparison of ways of breaking the habit. Willpower, it turns out, counts for very little." - New Scientist Magazine 1992