Hypnosis is used in therapy to modify a behaviour. Hypnosis is a trance-induced state and is a “do with” process – it isn’t a “do to” process. The working definition of hypnosis is simply focused attention. That means that anytime you are so focused or so involved in a given object or subject that your surroundings recede. It’s a state that can be experienced more often than not several times a day. For example: Being wrapped up in a book reading or listening to music or watching a movie. Other examples are when you have been driving along and when you have reached your destination you are left wondering how you got there so quickly or perhaps you don’t recall certain landmarks that you passed along the way. It can also be when you have been watching that movie or reading that book and someone has tried to get your attention and you have just been oblivious to what they were saying. In other words you were entrenched in a given object/subject and you were in a trance state. This is a naturally occurring state of trance and you put yourself there. Only with Hypnosis I assist you into this trance state and I become the facilitator. Trance is about learning to go into trance. Don’t expect to feel hypnotised however do expect to feel increasingly deeper levels of relaxation.
With hypnosis it is a question of your willingness to be receptive and responsive to ideas and allow these ideas to act upon you without interference. It isn’t a question of willpower as willpower is a function of the conscious mind. We do have two minds – the conscious and the subconsious. Our subconscious mind is influenced by imagination. It is the subconscious where all memories and habits are stored. Your subconscious is what you aren’t consciously aware of right now. It is your subconscious that keeps your heart beating and organs functioning. And through deep levels of relaxation and distraction of the conscious mind access to the subconscious is achievable.
And this produces the ability to experience thoughts and images as real therefore allowing the subconscious to be able to receive and accept positive suggestions. Furthermore I don’t have some kind of power or control over you as portrayed on the TV or stage shows and you are in control at all times. You will not do anything and I can’t make you do anything that you would find objectionable. The mind is like a parachute – it will only work when it’s open.