Return to methods
Hypnotherapy - the therapeutic application of hypnosis - is long-established. In a sense it was the first essential form of psychotherapy. It has a robust record of therapeutic effectiveness in the psychological literature. Hypnotherapy is used for a wide spectrum of mental and behavioural matters.
The nature of hypnosis itself has been intensely debated for decades. I consider it a culturally-defined situation involving the administration of attention-altering procedures (the hypnosis 'induction') followed by verbal entreaties (hypnosis suggestions: ideas said to the client). The client’s changed focus eases assimilation of the suggestions; the suggestions can then better effect mental and behavioural change.
Being hypnotised is the condition of having responded to a procedure that can be called a hypnosis induction. This condition can be regarded as one of absorption, usually accompanied with deep relaxation – as directed by the therapist. It's a natural condition. It may otherwise happen by itself, or by other means; we just wouldn’t then call it ‘being hypnotised’.
Many misconceptions surround hypnosis. For example: hypnosis is dangerous and akin to mind control; the hypnotist has magical-like powers; a hypnotised person can be made to do things against his/her will. Such notions are not born-out. Any worries will anyway be discussed and allayed. Hypnotherapy is safe and pleasant, as well as effective.
Hypnosis is popularly represented with particular images that cast it as strange/mysterious (such as, for illustration, the concentric circles and tunnel-effect of this page's background). The actuality is that hypnosis and hypnotherapy are perfectly straightforward. This doesn't detract from the wonderful outcomes possible.