What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a natural and commonly occurring state of mind. It is a state of mind that we humans have experienced often, most of us go into this state many times during the day, even those who think they can't be hypnotized, experience the hypnotic trance state at east three times a day. In this common state of mind known as hypnosis, our minds can become more powerfully focused. While in this state we can condition our minds to respond in a specific way. This can be extremely beneficial as it allows us to regain control over our seemingly uncontrollable responses. And since hypnosis also enables us to use more of our abilities, learning self-hypnosis is the preeminent act of self-control. We have all experienced trance many times, but we just haven't identified it as hypnosis yet Examples of trance in everyday experiences is when we become so involved in a story, either reading a book, or wathing a movie, that we don't recognize the things happening around us. We get lost in our ouwn thoughts, sometimes not knowng what people are saying to us. While in this altered state, we were able to have extreme focus, and we might have responded in a physical or emotional way. Like welling up with feeling during a particularly sad part in a move, or jumping out of our seat during a scary passage. Now none of those things we were reading about or watching on TV or in the theatre were actually happening to us, but our body and mind responded as if they actually were happening to us. That is the hypnotic trance state.

Can I Be Controlled?

No. You are always in control while you experience hypnosis. The true power of hypnosis is in the power of your mind. You become more in touch with your own senses. Your 5 senses become heightened. When you are in hypnosis you are fully awake and aware and have the abilty to choose to accept or reject suggestions given to you by anyone, including the hypnotist. That is why it is important that you use hypnosis for the things that you personally want to accomplish and not for what someone else wants for you to accomplish. If there was something that you would not want to follow when you were in your waking state, you will not follow just because you are hypnotized. Now with that said, a well trained and experienced hypnotist can help you to accomplish things that you thought you had no desire to do before, as long as you are willing to make the change.

Does a Person Become Unconscious or Lose Control During Hypnosis?

No, you are not unconscious. Hypnosis is a state of altered consciousness, not altered unconsciousness. You are not losing control but gaining control over that part of your mind that has seemed to be out of your conscious control for far too long. A common myth is that hypnosis will force you to reveal secrets that you want to keep to yourself. This is totally not true. You will never reveal anything that you feel will be counter to your best interests. You will also be awake and aware during the whole process. You will hear everything that the hypnotist says and what is going on around you. You will also remember most if not all that you experienced while in trance. And similar to a conference or meeting that you attended, you might only rmember those thngs that you felt were the most important to you. Ultimately you are always in control.

How Does Hypnosis Help People?

One of the abilities that we humans have is the abiltiy to change our emotional attitudes and reactions. You probably have already experienced this type of thing for yourself. Some of these changes might have been dramatic as a result to some unpleasant or scary experience. Like if you ever got stuck in an elevator and got very nervous or scared, either because you thought something very bad was going to happen to you, or because the people around you were responding in a fearfull way. As a result you might have changed your response to the thoughts of riding in an elevator. And in a positive way, you might have had a particular food that you thought you didn't like, and then you tried it for the first time, or retried it as an adult, and discovered that you did enjoy eating it. Well now, when you see, or think about that food, it no longer has any unpleasant connotations as it did before. Using hypnosis changes in emotions and attitudes can rapidly and easily be influenced and changed for good. There's no longer a need to have to hold onto life limiting emotions, attitudes, or beliefs any longer. You can also change habits and behaviors. When you create healthier and more productive habits you allow changes to happen methodically, consistently and continuously without any conscious effort, once the new habits are established. This puts a healthier lifestyle on automatic pilot. Making consistancy easy and effortless, once this happens.

How Does the Subconscious Accept Hypnotic Suggestions?

Hypnotic suggestion when done properly, bypasses the critical mind, known as the "conscious," and focuses in on the subconscious. When a new suggestion is given that is within the framework of a person's belief system and moral understanding, the subconscious mind will accept the suggestion and it then becomes your new viewpoint, or reality.

How Effective Is Hypnosis Consultations?

A survey of mind/body literature by noted researcher Alfred A. Barrios, Ph.D. revealed the following recovery rates: Psychoanalysis: 38% recovery after 600 sessions. Behavior Therapy: 72% recovery after 22 sessions. Hypnotism: 93% recovery after 6 sessions. Source: American Health Magazine

In What Areas Is Hypnosis Helpful?

Some areas where hypnosis is helpful include: Fear, panic, phobias, unwanted habits and addictions, sleep difficulties, lack of confidence and low self-esteem, fear of examinations and public speaking, allergies and skin disorders, migraine and irritable bowel syndrome. Hypnosis has also proved of tremendous value for surgical procedures, with anesthesia, quick recovery, and faster healing. Also in the area of pain management. Effective uses also include sports performance enhancement as well as artistic performance enhancement.

Is Hypnosis Dangerous?

No. Hypnosis is never dangerous. You can never be made to do anything against your will or against your belief system. Your protective mind is always at work to make sure you are always safe. Before you get started with hypnosis, choose a hypnotist that you feel comfortable with. Someone who has shown that he knows what hypnosis is, and can explain to your satisfaction how the techniques they will use will work for you in your own personal situation.

I went to a hypnotist before and it didn't work. Does this mean I'm not able to be hypnotized?

The most common reasons for failure in using a hypnotist are * The inexperience of the hypnotist, their inability to recognize trance, or to induce hypnosis in the client. * Lack of rapport with the hypnotist. Find a hypnotist that you feel comfortable with * The client was not ready at the time to make the change * Not enough ongoing support until new behaviors become habitual. It helps when you know and believe you can change.

Will I give away any secrets while under hypnosis?

No, Hypnosis is not a truth serum. You will not feel or be compelled to divulge any information that you don't want to. Anything that you would feel like withholding while you were in a fully awake state you will be able to keep to yourself while you were in hypnosis.

Will I remember everything afterwards?

Hypnosis will not cause you to forget what you experienced just because you were hypnotized. Most people remember everything that they experienced while they were hypnotized. There are times when a particularly gifted and skilled hypnotic participant will enter into a state where they think that they do not remember what went on during the session. This experience can be heightened by the hypnotist as well. In all cases this type of experience is only temporary and the memory of what happened comes back a short time later. It is similar to you attending a meeting or being in a social situation where things are being said and you remember some of the things, and forget some of the things. These memories are ther for you when you want and need them.

Are there any side effects from hypnosis?

There are side benefits to experiencing hyposis. Most people feel more relaxed and have a greater sense of purpose and control. Since hypnosis is a natural state that we've experienced often, we are used to the positive effects of being in hypnosis, and return to our waking state without difficulty.

How does it feel to be hypnotized?

Hypnosis itself doesn't feel any different than what it feels like for you to be in your awake natural state. If the hypnotist uses a relaxation technique for getting you into the trance state, then you might feel more relaxed than normal. But relaxation is not hypnosis, and even some poorly trained hypnotists, don't realize this very important point. This is an important point for hypnotists to know because if a person is only relaxed and not hypnotized, suggestions will not be readily accepted and the person will not have experienced a real hypnosis session. And when they leave the office and find that there is no difference for them, they will think that hypnosis was not effective, when in reality it was the effectiveness of the hypnotist that was the problem. So while hypnosis doesn't feel any different than a natural awake state, there are phenomenon that exist for you while in hypnosis. A well trained hypnotist will highlight these phenonmenen for you so that you will know that you are indeed hypnotized.

Can I be hypnotized against my will?

No. It is said that you cannot be hypnotized against your will. If you do not want to go into trance while sitting in the hypnotist's office, then you can easily be able to avoid going into hypnotic trance. But a well trained hypnotist can indeed hypnotize you without your knowledge. So it doesn't beome a matter of fighting your will. And why would you go see a hypnotist and then fight against being hypnotized? That just doesn't make sense. This type of thing might occur when a client is forced to see a hypnotist by a well meaning friend, relative, or doctor. But never happens when a client is there willing to participate in the process. Now with that said, a particularly fearful client might take a number of sessions until they feel as comfortable as is necessary for them to fully experience the trance effect, but this is extremely rare. Telling a client that they can't be hypnotized or that they are un-hypnotizable is just the poorly trained and inexperienced hypnotist's excuse for not being able to help a client who came to them seeking their assistance. Your best defense against this happening is to start with a well trained and very experienced hypnotist.

How do I know I will wake up from hypnosis?

No-one has ever gotten 'stuck" in hypnosis. Contrary to some of the funny stories I've seen in the movies, no-one has ever gotten 'stuck" in hypnosis. If something was to happen to the hypnotist during the process, the worst that would happen to you is that you might fall asleep for a little while, and then come out of trance on your own. It's just silly to think otherwise. Since hypnosis is a natural state that we have experienced often, you would be the best person to know whether you have gotten stuck in trance. Well have you? If you have, the best place to go would be to a hypnotist to get you unstuck!


No, you do not have to remember anything. If it is important for you to recall past events, a skilled hypnotist will be able to use your subconscious mind to access whatever information is stored there. Once that takes place, working with your hypnotist you will be able to then remove any difficulties from the past that are influencing you still today. These are advanced techniques and strategies that are used by only the most experienced and best trained hypnotists. If you want to know what it feels like to be relaxed, you probably will be ok seeing an inexperienced hypnotist. It is never advisable to visit a poorly trained one, even if they are well trained in other specialties, like Phd, or M.D.

When I am "under" will I be asleep?

You are always awake and aware when you are in hypnosis. Your conscious mind might feel comfortable enough to take some brief mental vacations, so you might find yourself daydreaming about some pleasant experiences. Perhaps a pleasant vacation that you had, or one that you're planning. But even while this is happening, you subconscious mind will be listening intently to everything that the hypnotist is saying. The most important job of your subconscious is to protect you. And to do this, it monitors everything going on around you. So what your subconscious mind will be monitoring will be what the hypnotist is saying. So even while in profound trance you will receive the suggestions accepted by the subconscious.

If you have any further questions about hypnosis, how you can benefit from the use of this tool, and how your life can be what you always dreamed it could be, give me a call at my direct phone: 516 747-7699. You will also get a response if you email me with your questions.