Three myths about hypnosis and understanding hypnotherapy

Three myths about hypnosis and a clearer understanding of the phenomenon:

1. Only a particular group of people, the so-called suggestible, can be hypnotised.

   In fact, the effect on a person depends on their willingness and readiness to change, their trust in the hypnotherapist, their ability to let go of control and relax, feel their body, and shift attention from external sensations to internal ones.

2. Hypnosis creates dependence on the hypnotherapist.

   Hypnosis is communication between two people who cooperate towards an agreed aim, without a guarantee of achieving it. If progress towards the aim slows, the client can decline both further work and particular suggestions.

3. Hypnosis can be dangerous to health.

   Hypnosis does not suit everyone and cannot be considered unconditionally safe. A trance state, the state induced by hypnosis, is a natural human state. People experience it while falling asleep or waking up, listening to music, admiring a painting, reading an absorbing story, or simply becoming lost in thought.

To sum up: willingness and cooperation matter, but do not guarantee a result. The client and hypnotherapist create a cooperative situation; hypnosis is a useful and natural state.