FAQ About Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy,
and Hypno-Coaching

What are hypnosis and trance?

Hypnosis is a method of communication that induces a trance. Trance is a naturally occurring state in which your attention is narrowly focused and relatively free of distractions. People go in and out trance spontaneously throughout the day, mostly when concentrating. Day-dreaming, meditating, or being deeply engrossed in movie, book, or video-game, are examples of trance.

What is the difference between hypnosis, hypnotherapy, and hypno-coaching?

Hypnosis is the process that induces trance. Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis in counseling, medicine or psychotherapy. Hypno-coaching is the use of hypnosis in personal coaching.

How will hypnosis help me?

The theory is that deep concentration helps you shut out the usual “chatter” of the mind and “bypass conscious analysis” so your suggestibility is enhanced. Moreover, hypnosis can enhance your ability to visualize, access your intuition, relax, and focus your thoughts, all of which are extremely helpful in solving almost any problem, or accomplishing any objective.

What is the difference between someone who has training in hypnosis and a licensed professional who is also a hypnotherapist?

Anyone can be trained in hypnosis and call themselves a “hypnotist.” A hypnotherapist is a licensed or certified mental health or medical professional who has post-graduate training in clinical hypnosis, and uses it as an adjunct to counseling, therapy, coaching or medical specialty. Moreover, a licensed professional is required by law to abide by established guidelines regarding ethical conduct, public safety, and confidentiality.

What if I can’t be hypnotized?

Most people can be hypnotized if they feel comfortable with the practitioner and cooperate with simple instructions. A hypnotherapist can give you some quick tests to assess your hypnotizability. Hypnosis works best when you are relaxed, motivated to get good results, and maintain a positive attitude.

What makes hypnosis different from just talking?

A hypnotherapist uses "hypnotic language patterns” that include: visualization, stories, guided memories, analogies, ambiguous words or phrases, repetition, and statements about association, meaning, and cause-effect. These patterns are selected to help you make associations and to increase your ability for inner reflection and concentration.

Will hypnosis cause me to do something against my will?

Absolutely not! Hypnosis is a method of influence, and is no more powerful than any other kind method of persuasion, manipulation, or motivation (such as advertising or propaganda). A hypnotherapist uses the same methods as salespeople, teachers, politicians, lawyers, entertainers, parents, and ministers use. The difference is that a qualified clinical hypnotherapist is guided by legal and ethical requirements in working with you toward YOUR objectives, in ways that are suitable for YOU! Your trust is essential for the success of hypnotherapy.

I will work with you to ensure that your hypnosis session is comfortable and enriching for you, with respect for your values, personality, comfort, and safety.

Isn’t hypnosis giving up my own control?

No! In fact, hypnotherapy helps YOU get control over unruly emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Dr. Pearson will work carefully with you to develop hypnosis sessions that are tailored to your specific needs and personality. She uses specific hypnotic methods to make sure you remain in control of your thoughts, so that she becomes a facilitator or your inner experience. Remember: Hypnosis provides you with an opportunity and a method to use the power of your mind in highly effective ways.

What happens during hypnosis?

During light trance, you simply feel relaxed and it’s easier to concentrate. You remain aware of your surroundings. You can move, open your eyes, and even talk. In fact, at this level of trance, some people think they are not even hypnotized at all. At deeper levels of trance, you may have more relaxation, lose track of time, and feel as though you are in a dream-like state. You may or may not remember exactly every word that is said to you.

What if I fall asleep during hypnosis?

It does happen occasionally! More often, after coming out of a deep trance, people think they have fallen asleep, because they don’t remember what the hypnotherapist said to them. In either case, studies show that some part of the mind continues to listen to the voice of the hypnotherapist. Under hypnosis, sleeping subjects still follow instructions such as moving a finger, taking a deep breath, or awakening themselves when they are told to do so.

Will hypnosis solve all my problems?

Hypnosis cannot solve every problem. Even with hypnosis, it is still necessary for you to do some conscientious planning and research about the outcome you want. You still have to take action to get results. Hypnosis is not a cure-all and it is not magic. (I wish it were!)

Do you offer a guarantee?

I do not offer a money-back guarantee, because I challenge YOU to guarantee your own success and take charge of your choices. Hypnosis, like all other psychological methods, is an inexact science. Hypnosis can be effective in most cases, but there are no guarantees that it will work for everyone. While I promise to render my very best services to you, I have no power over you, and the person who is still ultimately responsible for you results is YOU! The changes you make are up to you, and hypnosis is a tool that should increase your probability of success. For more about increasing your probability of success, click here.

Are there any risks to hypnosis?

When your practitioner is a licensed professional, hypnosis carries minimal risks. It may be contraindicated for people with certain medical problems, or who are actively abusing drugs or alcohol, or who are delusional or hallucinatory. Hypnosis should not be used for physical problems, such as pain or weight control, unless the client has first consulted a physician for underlying physical causes.

Does hypnosis work for children?

Hypnosis is not recommended for small children, because they lack the necessary attention span. It can be used for school-aged children, if the therapist combines it with visualization, imagination, and storytelling. Teenagers respond well to hypnosis, if they are motivated and willing to cooperate with the process.

Can I use hypnosis to recover memories of my past?

Hypnosis may or may not be effective in recovering memories of the past. Human memory is subjective, illusive, sometimes distorted, and degrades over time. There is no reliable way to "make" someone remember what they have forgotten, although hypnosis can sometimes help. When memories do surface, there is no guarantee that such memories are accurate or real. False memories can occur, not just under hypnosis, but in other circumstances as well.

How will I feel after a hypnosis session?

Most people feel wonderfully relaxed and refreshed! In extremely rare cases, a client may experience mildly disturbing thoughts or feelings. If this happens, the client should call the therapist immediately for a follow-up session.

What is Ericksonian Hypnosis?

The hypnosis most often practiced today is "Ericksonian Hypnosis," named after the late Milton H. Erickson, M.D. From the 1930's to the 1980's Dr. Erickson was influential in integrating clinical hypnosis with medicine and psychotherapy. Dr. Pearson uses a combination of hypnotic methods, including Ericksonian Hypnosis.

What is the difference between the subconscious mind and conscious mind?

Terms such as “conscious mind,” and “subconscious mind” are theoretical constructs. One way to think about the difference is this. Your conscious mind is your thinking, analyzing, logical mind. The subconscious mind has been characterized as the creative mind, the intuitive mind, the healing mind, and the “higher consciousness.” Whatever definition you prefer is fine. When a hypnotherapist speaks to or about your “subconscious” mind, she is referring to the aspect of the mind that can bypass conscious resistance and respond to hypnotic suggestions.

How does hypnosis relate to Neuro-Linguistic Psychology (NLP)?

NLP emerged in the 1970s as a study of the linguistic structure of hypnosis, Gestalt psychotherapy, and other therapeutic methods. NLP combines the best of many therapeutic approaches for a structured approach to counseling and coaching that is highly effective and efficient.

Can hypnosis be combined with other therapeutic approaches?

Yes! In fact, at Motivational Strategies, I combine hypnosis and NLP with cognitive restructuring, relaxation methods, eye-movement therapies, and client-centered therapy.

How can I contact you for an appointment or for more information?  

My phone number is 703-764-0753, or email me at judy@engagethepower.com.