Many people have questions about hypnosis.  A hypnotic state is difficult to define.  However, the Americal Society of Clinical Hypnosis describes it as "a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention. It is like using a magnifying glass to focus the rays of the sun and make them more powerful. Similarly, when our minds are concentrated and focused, we are able to use our minds more powerfully."

There are many myths and misconceptions about hypnotherapy.  The most common one is that when people are hypnotized, they are unconscious.  This is just not so.  Even in the deepest hypnotic trance, people are aware of their whereabouts and what is happening around them.  If, in a trance state, people are totally absorbed in memories of another time, they may for a short time tune out the present environment to some extent, just as they do when daydreaming.  It is more likely, however, that they'll feel as though they're in two places at once.  For instance, if in trance they're experiencing a childhood scene, another part of them is likely to be aware that they are seated in the therapy office, engaged in hypnotherapy.

Another prevalent misconception is that people who are in a hypnotic state will do anything during or after hypnosis that is suggested to them.  This is not true either.  People who are hypnotized will only do that which they find normally acceptable when not in trance.  The hypnotherapist does not have special power over them.  Any reputable, properly trained hypnotherapist (a licensed mental health, medical or dental professional who is certified to practice Clinical Hypnosis) works in partnership with clients and only offers suggestions they agree upon, such as about increasing self-esteem, developing healthy eating habits, becoming a nonsmoker, or about decreasing anxiety, overcoming phobias, or alleviating medical symptoms.  The hypnotherapist offers suggestions that are acceptable and desirable to both the conscious and unconscious parts of clients' minds. 

All hypnosis is, in a way, self-hypnosis.  I say that because the hypnotherapist is just a guide.  YOU are allowing yourself to experience the trance state the therapist guides you into and to accept suggestions you have requested.  Anyone who allows hypnosis to happens will go into trance.   As long as you and your therapist have good rapport, as long as you feel safe and comfortable in the therapist's presence, you will have good results.

Some people mistakenly believe that only weak-willed people are highly hypnotizable and suggestible.  Quite the opposite is true.  It is the case that more intelligent people are more capable of utilizing and benefitting from hypnosis.  However, everyone is capable of going into trance.  Everyone is in trance for part of every day -- when they are in the process of awakening and falling asleep; when driving automatically, deep in thought about something other than the familiar route they're taking; and when daydreaming.  Trance is a much more natural state than most people realize.

Trance is also a very pleasant state, just like any time when you're very relaxed.  In trance you will probably feel even more deeply relaxed than, for instance, when you're lying in a hammock looking up at a beautiful sky, with a soft, warm breeze cooling your skin.  It is powerful because it allows you to access the subconscious mind, the innermost part of the mind.  This part of the mind controls many processes, such as your breathing and the beating of your heart.  This part of the mind also transforms anxiety into psychological symptoms.  We use hypnotherapy to learn the origin of a symptom or problem, understand the attitudes and ideas from which the problem stems, and suggest replacement ideas and attitudes to the subconscious mind in order that people have the opportunity to live more healthy and fulfilled lives.