|
 |
 |
 |
|
Who Can Be Hypnotized
Because hypnosis is a normal, natural state of mind, everyone can enter into hypnosis, and anyone can be hypnotized. However, certain people tend to resist the process of being hypnotized and don’t respond well to it. The most important conditions for a person to have a successful session of hypnosis are:
- Willingness
- Trust
- Imagination
Willingness
The best indication of whether or not a person would make a good hypnotic subject is her willingness to experience hypnosis. People who are enthusiastic about being hypnotized and open to the idea of it helping them have the best results. People who are hesitant about hypnosis often resist the process as it is happening. Therefore, subjects should always address all of their concerns with their hypnotherapist ahead of time, so that a lack of willingness will not become a barrier.
Trust
The other important factor in a person’s ability to be hypnotized is that person’s level of trust. The subject must trust the hypnotist and the process of hypnosis. If the subject feels that the hypnotist might do anything inappropriate or unsafe, the subject won’t relax enough in order to enter into a hypnotic state. Therefore, the hypnotherapist needs to make every effort to establish trust. The following are ways that hypnotherapists create feelings of trust and safety with their subjects:
- Being open and honest about the process
- Speaking in a soft, reassuring voice
- Minimizing distractions in the room (noise, clutter, smells, etc.)
- Providing comfortable seating/reclining
- Addressing all the subject’s concerns
In addition to establishing a trusting relationship, the hypnotherapist must also help the subject develop a trust for the process of hypnosis itself. There’s no way to describe to a subject ahead of time exactly what that person will experience while in the state, because each person experiences hypnosis in a different way. Therefore, during the hypnotic session, the subject must trust that things are happening as they should be happening. Questions that may arise in a subject’s mind during hypnosis include:
- Am I under yet?
- Is this working?
- Am I doing this right?
- Is the hypnotherapist doing this right?
While the hypnosis is taking place, the subject will benefit most by making an effort to maintain trust in whatever
experience is happening and by letting go of these questions. Any questions that do arise should be noted and addressed after the session. The obvious exception is any perception of serious pain or threat, in which case the subject should immediately bring himself out of the state of hypnosis and address the concern.
Imagination
Science has identified the two sides of the brain, the left and the right, as having different functions.
Side of Brain |
Focuses on . . . |
|
Left |
|
|
Right |
|
Under hypnosis, the right side of the brain becomes more active as the subject relaxes into the deeper levels of the subconscious mind. People who are used to working with the right part of their brain, therefore, generally have an easier time getting into a hypnotic state. These people include:
- Creative individuals
- Children
- People who meditate or do yoga
On the other hand, people who primarily use the left side of their brain in life may have more difficulty with the process of hypnosis. Hypnosis requires the subject to visualize experiences imaginatively, and many left-brained adults hold negative associations with imagination. These “left-brainers” resist hypnosis because it emphasizes a way of thinking that they aren’t generally comfortable with.
Almost all people, however, can change their associations of imagination and can improve their ability to visualize and to experience hypnosis. Hypnotherapists can work with left-brain-dominant individuals to help them develop their right brain via specific exercises, such as:
- Painting
- Playing music
- Writing poetry
- Keeping a dream journal
- Recalling and visualizing happy memories
Contraindications
In the vast majority of situations, hypnosis is a completely safe and viable option for treatment. In a select few number of cases, however, hypnosis is not recommended. Hypnosis should not be used by:
- People with epilepsy
- People with dementia
- People with insufficient IQs to understand suggestions
- People with severe psychosis
| Acknowledgments & Disclaimer |
