What does a Consulting Hypnotist Do?
A Consulting Hypnotist guides people into hypnosis to help instill positive thinking and to help them access inner resources to address their problems.
What is hypnosis?
As defined by the US government (in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles), hypnosis is the bypass of the critical factor and the establishment of acceptable selective thinking. In other words, the bypass of the conscious mind and the introduction of positive suggestions into the subconscious.
What does hypnosis feel like?
A hypnotized person has an extremely focused concentration which, in some ways, it is similar to being absorbed in a good book, movie, or video game. Some describe their experience as an altered state of consciousness. Others describe hypnosis as a normal state of focused attention in which they feel very calm and relaxed. Regardless of how and to what degree they respond, most people describe the experience as extremely pleasant.
Who can be hypnotized?
Any person of at least normal intelligence can be hypnotized (unless inhibited by fear). The best hypnotic subject is a person with a vivid imagination who has a strong ability to focus his/her concentration.
What do I get for my money?
You get a private, one-on-one session that runs for about an hour. The initial consultation includes a detailed conversation about your situation and concerns. If it is determined that hypnosis is an appropriate course of action, we may proceed with the session. Preliminary exercises will be conducted and hypnosis will be induced through an appropriate technique. Appropriate suggestions will be introduced. You will emerge from hypnosis and receive training in self-hypnosis. You will also receive a hypnotic reinforcement recording for use at home. In some cases, you may be given “homework” designed to help measure your progress between sessions.
How many sessions does it take?
Generally speaking, hypnotism is an intervention of a brief duration. Results are usually seen after just one visit and clients typically reach their desired goal in three or four sessions. Of course, the number of visits varies according to the situation. For example, smoking cessation typically requires only one session. Because weight management involves more complex issues, that program consists of six visits stretched out over four months.
Are your services guaranteed?
No one can guarantee human behavior. Responsiveness to hypnotic suggestion varies from person to person. A person’s ability to respond to hypnotic suggestions can be inhibited by fears and concerns arising from common misconceptions (see below). What I do guarantee is that I will bring all my hypnotic skills to bear on clients’ issues. One key factor that clients contribute to the likelihood of success is their level of motivation. For example, a person who genuinely desires to quit smoking is more likely to succeed than someone who reluctantly books an appointment only because a family member has nagged them to do so.
CONCERNS/MISCONCEPTIONS
Will you make me imitate a chicken or quack like a duck, as a stage hypnotist might do?
A hypnotized person can resist suggestions as well as follow them. The suggestions described above would be inappropriate in an office setting (not to mention bad for business!). The job of a stage hypnotist is to entertain. People who volunteer to participate in a show know they will be asked to do silly things. Therefore, in that situation, the hypnotists’ suggestions are generally accepted. In an office setting, where a client is seeking help, such suggestions would generally be rejected.