Q? Can anyone be hypnotised?
A. Yes, anyone can be hypnotised provided they want to be. No one can be hypnotised against their will.
Q? Will I be asleep?
A. No, contrary to popular opinion, you are not asleep during hypnosis. You are fully aware of what is happening and what is being said to you. You give the impression of being asleep because your body is totally relaxed, but "hypnotic sleep" bears no resemblance to normal sleep.
Q? Will you be able to control my mind?
A. No, this is a common misconception. Hypnotherapy is all about you having more control of your own mind, so the client is the one who has control. Nothing will be said to you under hypnosis that is not for your benefit, but if you didn't agree with anything your mind would just reject it.
Q? Surely a stage hypnotist could control my mind?
A. No, if someone volunteers to be hypnotised by a stage hypnotist they know what they are letting themselves in for. They know they are going to be made an object of fun for entertainment purposes, but they are game for a laugh and happy to go along with it. If someone was dragged out of the audience against their will, then whatever the stage hypnotist tried would not work.
Q? Are there any side effects?
A. No, there are absolutely no negative side effects from being hypnotised. It is a perfectly safe and natural way of using your own inner resources to reorganise your thoughts and behaviours to bring about beneficial change. After the session you will feel very relaxed, but it's completely safe to drive, operate machinery or anything else.
Q? Can I get stuck in a trance?
A. No, it's impossible to get stuck in a trance. You can open your eyes at any time during the session, ending the hypnotic state immediately. Sometimes clients feel so relaxed that they feel a little reluctant to end the sensation, but they never stay in a trance.
Q? Will I tell you something I don't want you to know?
A.No, you remain in control the whole time. If there is something that you prefer to keep private, then that is your choice.