A Hypnotist can take control of my mind
Fact: No one can control your mind, unless you allow him or her to do so. A hypnotherapist gives you suggestions that you want to be given, based on your therapeutic goals and objectives. At no point during hypnosis will you lose control of your mind. If you hear a suggestion that you do not agree with, or do not understand, your subconscious mind will automatically reject it.
I will be made to perform embarrassing acts, such as bark like a dog, or walk like a duck
Fact: This notion is based on stage hypnosis and Hollywood fiction. The truth is that people, who volunteer to be on stage, allow themselves to participate in and respond to suggestions designed around entertainment. By contrast, hypnotherapy is a serious process of self-improvement.
Hypnosis comes from “Black Magic” or is “Supernatural.”
Fact: Hypnosis is a natural state that has been studied and authenticated scientifically. Hypnotherapists are not psychics or palm readers with “special powers.” Hypnotherapy is based on many years of clinical research by famous academics such as Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Milton Eriksson, and John Kappas.
When I am hypnotized, I may not be able to come out of the state.
Fact: Hypnosis is very safe and natural state of hyper-awareness. Any time there is an emergency, a person in hypnosis will naturally be able to come out of hypnosis to respond accordingly.
I have never been in Hypnosis before.
Fact: Every person naturally enters a state of hypnosis several times each day. These times are just before falling asleep at night, several times during sleep, and upon awaking every morning. Most people easily enter environmental hypnosis while at the movies, watching TV, driving on the highway, or while reading a good book.
Hypnosis is a “Miracle Cure.”
Fact: While hypnosis is a relatively quick method of making permanent improvements, there is no such thing as a one-time hypnosis based miracle. Each individual makes progress at his or her own pace.
Hypnosis is a great tool to get someone to “confess.”
Fact: Hypnosis is not an alternative to a lie detector tests. Hypnosis cannot force anyone to “tell the truth,” or to confess.
When Hypnotized, I will lose all sense of my surroundings, and will have no memory of being hypnotized.
Fact: Hypnosis is not an unconscious state of sleep. In fact, most people report having a heightened sense of awareness, concentration, focus, and hearing. There are a small number individuals who do not have immediate recall of everything that happened while hypnotized.
Self-Hypnosis is safer, better, or more effective than going to a trained professional.
Fact: Self-Hypnosis can be detrimental when not taught by a trained professional. This is because negative attitudes or beliefs about oneself can be reinforced in the face of improperly structured suggestions given outside the parameters of technically correct process. When taught properly, self-hypnosis is both safe and effective.
I cannot be hypnotized because my mind is too strong and or disciplined.
Fact: This is an archaic belief that has been proven untrue. People are in and out of a state of hypnosis every day, as noted above, as well as during times of environmental, physical, or emotional “overload.”