There is a lot confusion about the terms Hypnosis, Stagehypnosis, Streethypnosis, Hypnotherapy and Mind Coaching. Although they are all closely related and often used synonymously there are important differences.
So, here are my attempts in clearing up, why Hypnotherapy is not Hypnosis, or is it?
For over 200 years science tried to understand and explain Hypnosis, but at best they came only close to it. Even today science cannot fully explain how and why Hypnosis works and what actually happens in Hypnosis.
But knowing that Hypnosis is just a small aspect of the human mind can give us some assurance that in the full picture one day science will have the answer.
Until that day we have to go with the understanding of psychiatrists and neuroscientists and the observations of us practising Hypnotherapists.
The above-mentioned experts understand the general characteristics of Hypnosis and even created a model of how it works.
In general terms, Hypnosis is a trance state in which the hypnotised subject (in our case the client) is
- extremely suggestible
- deeply relaxed (to the level of the client’s ability to do so) and
- has heightened imagination
- while being somewhat single-focused (monoideism)
Hypnosis is not sleeping, although for an onlooker it can look like that. Unlike the state of sleep, hypnosis allows the client to be alert all the time. That means, the client hears and usually remembers everything that is said, the client can reject thoughts that are contrary to the client’s believes and morals and is in general fully conscious.
However, the client is also very focused, which means that out-of-focus stimuli may not fully or even not at all be realised or processed.
In short, I would say that trance is an altered, very focused state of the conscious mind. In this state, one is aware of the surroundings but may not really care about it or realise what is happening. At the same time, one will be very focused and clear on whatever is brought to the attention of the conscious mind.
A simple exercise of what it is and how it feels for you is the following:
- Close your eyes and relax as much as you can.
- Perhaps it is helpful to you to concentrate on your breathing?
- Take a deep breath in and on slowly breathing out
- Realise how your chest sinks in,
- How your shoulders become less tense and hang down,
- How your head slowly nods forward.
- Repeat these steps two or three times.
- Ask yourself: “What do I feel?” or “how does it feel?”
- Once you have the answer, simply
- Take a deep breath in,
- Open your eyes on the top of the breath.
- Stretch your arms and legs.
- Breath normally.
What you just experienced is a light, self-induced trance. And as you may have realised, it feels “normal”. You were conscious and in control all the time. And for that reason, some people claim that they can’t be hypnotised or can’t experience trance.
But actually, they can be hypnotised easily.
Had you done the above exercise while a Computer Tomography or an electroencephalogram (EEG) had been taken, a clear difference in your “awake” state could have been observed. This would also apply to those people who did the exercise and stated, “This did not work on me.”
But let’s have a look at the different definitions used in common dictionaries, which sometimes seem to be a bit biased:
On Google
On Google, you will find the following statement contributed to the Oxford dictionary when searching for “What is Trance”:
“a half-conscious state characterized by an absence of response to external stimuli, typically as induced by hypnosis or entered by a medium.”
“Half-conscious state” might be a cross-word clue, but it definitely is not a medical, psychological or therapeutic term in any of the books I read or learned from.
Yes, under hypnosis, the hypnotist could have suggested that certain responses do not happen, but the absence “of responses to external stimuli” is not common or natural or automatic. It may be more comfortable or too challenging to react to these stimuli at the given time, but they are still there and if they are required for an unharmed and safe future they will be there in an instance, just as they would be in a conscious state.
Yes, trance can either be induced or one can enter into it. But why limit it to hypnosis and a medium? The same applies to group meditations, yoga classes, mindfulness sessions, prayer and individual meditations, daydreaming and many more.
Oxford dictionary
Although the above was attributed to the Oxford Dictionary, I only found the following, much better definitions on the Oxford website:
“a state in which somebody seems to be asleep but is aware of what is said to them, for example if they are hypnotized”
“a state in which you are thinking so much about something that you do not notice what is happening around you”
There is nothing wrong with these definitions, and especially the second definition is worthwhile to think about. Have you ever stopped at a red traffic light and only realised it turned green when your passenger told you or the car behind you sounded its horn?
Or perhaps you can relate to my favourite pastime experience: reading a book and not hearing the other half telling me something?
Collins dictionary
Collins defines the countable noun of trance as:
“A trance is a state of mind in which someone seems to be asleep and to have no conscious control over their thoughts or actions, but in which they can see and hear things and respond to commands given by other people.”
“Have no conscious” control over their thoughts”, really? If that was only true, it would make my work so much easier! The hypnotised person is always in control! Just imagine there was a fire and the Hypnotist would have to tell the hypnotised to get up and out of danger.
Also, no matter how experienced the Hypnotist is, he can not make anyone do something against their moral code, beliefs or convictions. Unless the hypnotised is willing to rob a bank, not even the Best of the Best could make him do it.
Merriam-Webster
The first entry for the noun trance is just a couple of synonyms. Merriam-Webster then continues with:
“a sleeplike state (as of deep hypnosis) usually characterized by partly suspended animation with diminished or absent sensory and motor activity”
and
“a state of profound abstraction or absorption”
The word “usually” feels a bit too strong here, because each person is unique, and so is their experience of hypnosis, as well as the physical signs observed. Often (not usually), I see narrowed or widened pupils, a slower or faster heartbeat, and changes in breathing, either more relaxed or quicker. It all depends on the person and the technique used. If the hypnotist uses a recall or fantasy technique and asks the person to imagine a calm or relaxing scene, slower breathing is often what you’ll notice.
If an activity technique was used and something challenging or frightening was invoked in the imagination I would be worried to observe the same coolness in the hypnotised person. (Not to mention that I would be surprised to see that happen “usually” in any clinic. Of course, there might be therapeutic value in invoking such imagery, but this is rare and far from standard!)
Cambridge
And again in Cambridge, we come across the usual unfounded bias:
“a temporary mental condition in which someone is not completely conscious of and/or not in control of himself or herself:
First she goes/falls into a deep trance, and then the spirit voices start to speak through her.
When a hypnotist puts you in(to) a trance, you no longer have conscious control of yourself.
And
“a mental state between sleeping and waking in which a person does not move but can hear and understand what is being said:
There is no incomplete conscious state, either one is conscious or not, but you can not be half-conscious, the same as you are pregnant or not – there is no in-between
Hypnotised people are always in control, they just choose to let go or hand over part of it to work on something that has a much higher priority to them.
As a result, the first two examples are simply questionable and the third one is factually wrong, “staring out of the window” is actually a trance and not “as if”.
The second definition and example are more precise and factual though
Conclusion
Most dictionaries have quite narrow definitions and sometimes even populate misconceptions.
Trances are natural states of the mind and are even required for the healthy functioning of the brain.
Trances can also be experienced in any form of meditation and even in everyday situations.
Who has not experienced the situation that one got into the car, started the engine and drove a distance not realising the number of green lights one passed through? Or maybe missed the exit on the motorway?
This is a so-called Highway Hypnosis or Highway trance.
Another everyday trance is even more important to us human beings: Daydreaming. In this trance our brain processes and stores information or situations we experienced recently.
The term therapy signifies a treatment that is intended to relieve or heal a mental, physiological or psychological disorder by psychological or physiological means. Please forgive me that I, as a Hypnotherapist, only focus on the mental and psychological aspects, although these can, and most likely will, have positive effects on the physical aspects as well.
Therapy takes time!
It is a process where the client meets with the therapist to resolve obstructive behaviours, beliefs and feelings.
The goal of therapy is to help people develop healthier and more effective habits. To reach this goal psychotherapists, as well as Hypnotherapists, use scientifically validated procedures such as
- Psychoanalysis,
- Psychodynamic Therapies,
- Behaviour Therapy,
- Cognitive Therapy,
- Humanistic Therapy,
- Integrative Therapy
- Holistic Therapy
This way Therapists help their clients work through the client’s problems and issues. Therapy encourages the client to learn ways and skills to cope with feelings and change hindering behaviour patterns and limiting beliefs.
Often the term therapy is used interchangeably with the term counselling. But there is a difference. Psychological Counselling is usually more short-term than Psychotherapy and focuses on a much narrower range of issues.
Talk Therapy (Psychotherapy) is very helpful in the treatment of depression, bipolar disorder or other mood disorders.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for anxiety disorders.
Scientific studies show that therapy works. It works as well, if not better, than medication when it comes to treating depression and anxiety.
Therapy is beneficial in many ways:
- It makes you feel less alone with your problems, issues and beliefs.
- It helps you see your beliefs, feelings, thoughts and behaviour from a different perspective.
- It allows you to set aside time to confront your feelings and to share the burden of your emotional chaos.
All this makes it easier for you to cope in everyday life and can even improve your physical well-being, as our physical and emotional health are interlinked.
If you struggle with relationship problems, therapy provides all sides involved with the benefit of a neutral party.
Scientific research shows that even brief therapy is highly effective in dealing with common mental health problems and brings about happier and healthier people.
Hypnotherapy facilitates these different techniques and brings them directly to the emotional centre, thus often shortening the process even further!
Hypnotherapy is a complementary medical service. In hypnotherapy, therapy is conducted in a natural trance state called hypnosis.
The word “hypnosis” derives from the Greek god of sleep: Hypnos.
People “under hypnosis” may appear to others as to be asleep, but they are aware of their surroundings and can hear everything that is going on around them. They can think and talk and open their eyes.
Hypnosis creates a state of focused attention and often deep relaxation of mind and body.
In hypnotherapy, the therapist creates a state of increased suggestibility. Then the therapist uses positive suggestions and guided imagery to help the client find a healthy way to deal with a variety of issues. Hypnosis is like a natural trance state, just like daydreaming.
As body and mind do not work in isolation, being in a hypnotic state triggers the client’s mental and physical self-healing process that lies in the subconscious.
Anybody can be put into this hypnotic state as anybody is capable of natural trance experiences like daydreaming. However, some people can be hypnotised easier than others.
Psychotic patients, people suffering from
- schizophrenia,
- bipolar conditions,
- manic depression,
- suicidal tendencies,
- people with extremely subnormal intelligence, and
- young children are not advised to undergo hypnotherapy.
Hypnotherapy is also contraindicated in some forms of epilepsy.
During hypnosis, the client is conscious and aware but open to suggestions. The client cannot be induced to do anything against his will though. He responds to suggestions freely.
The therapist has many different techniques to induce hypnosis. Often he speaks in a soothing voice and gets the client to visualise relaxing and monotonous situations. When the client is in a state of very deep relaxation the hypnotherapist may deepen the trance. Then he begins to make positive suggestions. This is a kind of “bug fixing the program” of the client’s mind to help the client deal with certain feelings differently and more healthily.
Hypnotherapy is particularly useful for overcoming phobias, addictions and unhealthy behaviours like smoking, nail-biting, snoring, teeth grinding, stammering or even sleepwalking. It reduces stress, it can alleviate pain and hypnosis can even be used instead of anaesthetics. Hypnotherapy can alleviate some of the symptoms of allergies, travel sickness and insomnia. Hypnotherapy can increase and support the healing processes of our body.
Professionally conducted hypnotherapy claims a success rate of around 90% in less than 10 sessions and guarantees an improvement after the first session already.
Most people attending a hypnotherapy session would recommend hypnotherapy to others.
Apart from therapy, there is no serious application for Hypnosis. However, some people are using hypnosis for entertainment.
When people think of hypnosis they will either think of
- a hypnotherapist helping his client to eradicate unwanted behaviour or
- they will think of a stage hypnotist turning participants into chickens.
Stage hypnosis is literally hypnosis – not hypnotherapy – on a stage. It is hypnosis performed in front of an audience for entertainment purposes. It typically is a rather comedic show aimed to impress the audience and facilitate the desire of some members of the audience to actively participate in this entertainment.
In addition, participants might feel social pressure on them, which might lead to them pretending to be in a trance even if they are not.
The main difference between hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis is the desired outcome.
A stage hypnotist puts on a show. He aims for the volunteers and the audience to have an entertaining time and some fun. His suggestions are only meant to last for the duration of the show. They are removed before the participants are awakened at the end.
A hypnotherapist, on the other hand, wants to help clients reach their personal goals like
- losing weight,
- sleeping better,
- giving up smoking or overcoming other addictions
- being more confident
- overcome fears
- changing habits, etc.
Therefore the hypnotherapist’s suggestions are intended to remain beyond the end of the session. The suggestions are meant to help the client experience a long-term change in their behaviour.
Despite the differences between hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis, there are some similarities too.
The outcomes of stage hypnosis and hypnotherapy are drastically different but the techniques used are identical or at least similar. The state of hypnosis is the same no matter what the desired outcome.
Both, the hypnotist and the hypnotherapist use hypnotic inductions (rapid or progressive ones), and suggestibility testing/depth testing.
With other words, a Hypnotherapist can do stage hypnosis but only a few stage hypnotists are qualified and experienced enough to do Hypnotherapy.
| The stage hypnotist | The hypnotherapist |
| uses suggestibility testing to determine the most receptive people in the audience when he chooses his volunteers. | uses the same tests to figure out what kind of suggestions the client is most receptive to. |
| might suggest to the volunteer “Imagine you forgot the number three” or “Imagine you are glued to the chair”. | might suggest to his client “Imagine you look in a mirror and see your new self. All the bad habits lie in the past.” |
| uses suggestions aimed at getting a more physical, external response from the participants for the audience to watch. | intends to get a more internal/psychological response from his client to achieve a change of habit. |
Again, different to Hypnotherapy but similar to Stage Hypnosis, is the entertainment form of Hypnosis performed in shopping centres, in public places or simply on the street: street hypnosis.
Normally it is performed on random people; pedestrians, shoppers, and small groups outside or inside a pub. It is for entertainment purposes of spectators and bystanders but without any therapeutical intent.
Different to the entertainment form of Hypnosis called Stage Hypnosis, this form does not rely on volunteers on a stage and in some very extreme cases not even on volunteering bypassers. Not only for that reason proper precautions have to be taken since the unique challenges are normally strange to the hypnotist and the reaction can be unpredictable.
For the victim or volunteer in this setting, the hypnosis practitioner has to ensure safety and a secure environment.
Someone performing this form of hypnosis has to take some time to establish rapport with the subject. Also, a catchy and convincing opener is usually used to draw attention and get permission for the performance.
The performer should make sure to give his subject a brief explanation about street hypnosis, and the safety precautions that help him gain their trust, and usually he will make the volunteer feel comfortable.
In street hypnosis, the inductions are generally more rapid compared to traditional stage hypnosis. These special techniques are also taken from traditional Hypnotherapy and a Hypnotherapist may utilise them in his therapy sessions, but usually not during the first couple of sessions.
The most common and popular technique used in street hypnosis is the Handshake interrupt, where the performer starts by shaking the hand of the subject and interrupts it at a certain point starting the suggestion of the routine.
When confused, the mind of any person is more vulnerable to suggestions, and interrupting a routine task, such as a handshake, can create a moment of confusion and hesitation. This can cause, when done well, a trance state that can be changed into a state of hypnosis.
It is necessary to deepen and reinforce the trance so that the volunteer does not emerge from the routine before the performer is ready for it.
However, the performer needs lucidity and a lot of self-confidence when trying to get the subject to respond to the instructions.
All suggestions for Street or Stage hypnosis must be entertaining and simple and must be in a non-embarrassing way. The subject must not be endangered in any way.
The only valid point for stage and street hypnosis is to be able to demonstrate the power of the mind. The aspect of entertaining spectators at the same time is vital only for performers, not for proper hypnotists or even Hypnotherapists. In some countries, Hypnotherapists are not permitted to participate in Street or Stage shows, at least if they are members of a recognised and trustworthy accreditation body. In other countries, however, one must have a certificate or diploma as a Hypnotherapist before being allowed to do public performances.
However, proper Infotainment without the show effect or demonstrations during a talk can have a similar effect and is not in breach of the proper code of conduct of any serious and trustworthy accreditation body.
Typical suggestions in a street performance are
- to ask to give away possessions
- convincing that someone is fixed on the spot
- that someone is not able to move.
Stagehypnosis and Streethypnosis are performed for entertainment reasons only. Therefore, the suggestions made by the hypnotist are only meant to last for the duration of the show.
Hypnotherapy, on the other hand, is a tool to heal a person. It is a complimentary medical service as well as a life improvement method.
A Hypnotherapist’s suggestions are intended to remain beyond the end of a session. The goal of Hypnotherapy is to help clients reach their personal goals and to experience a long-term change in their behaviour or emotional responses. as well as to build mental resilience.
Hypnotherapy has very little to do with entertainment, although it may be very entertaining for the client, depending on the issue at hand!
A mind coach has the same goal as a hypnotherapist. Both want to help their clients achieve long-term behavioural change, reach their goals and become better versions of themselves.
Mind Coaches, sometimes called Mindset coaches, are dedicated to helping their clients become the best versions of themselves. Together with their clients they “rewire” their client’s mindset to unlock their full potential. Normally these coaches refrain from directly giving advice or solving problems.
A mind coach will show you techniques of concentration and where to place your focus at the right time. And a Mind Coach will help you stay on track. He will teach you the importance of being accountable to yourself and your goals.
By using principles of psychology and neuroscience, the mind coach will guide you in getting rid of mental blocks for good. He will provide you with an understanding of the psychological and physiological processes going on in your mind and body, some of which you cannot control consciously. It is all about self-awareness. Without self-awareness, no conscious change can happen.
A mind coach understands the brain and its effects on your body and your performance. He teaches you to understand your reactions. He will work with you on how to positively manage them. You need to take control of your reactions to become more successful overall.
A hypnotherapist will induce a state of trance in which you are completely relaxed and focused but fully aware of your surroundings. He then will make suggestions that your subconscious mind can take on, a change of perspective, a kind of reprogramming to achieve a long-term change of undesired and hindering behaviour.
This sub-conscious work in combination with the conscious work of a Mind Coach enables change and improvements on all levels and in all areas of life.
- A caring, non-judgemental, well-trained and fully insured hypnotherapist with a professional attitude.
- An inviting, quiet room with, in our case, a comfortable chair (or sofa in other clinics) to help you relax.
- An initial session for getting to know each other, assessing and goal setting, suitability assessment, experiencing hypnotic trance and relaxation, and planning the next steps.
- A safe environment for complete relaxation.
- Getting in touch with your subconscious.
- New perspectives on pressing and lingering problems.
- Long-term change of hindering behaviour.
- Professional support in achieving your goals.
Hypnotherapy doesn’t rely on the hypnotherapist being in the room with you. It is sufficient that you can see and hear the hypnotherapist and you’ll have the same beneficial experience as you would in a face-to-face session.
In fact, some clients find online hypnotherapy via Zoom less stressful than a face-to-face session. This is because they can remain in familiar surroundings throughout the session. And they do not have the stress of driving to an appointment and meeting someone unknown at first in this person’s environment.
Online hypnotherapy has proven to work and is a viable and effective way to help clients achieve their goals from the comfort of their favourite place or even while on vacation.
It has got many advantages too:
- Other than communicating with e-mail or messages using video calls, the hypnotherapist can interact with the client in the here and now. Just like in a face-to-face session. He can build rapport and discuss all important issues on the spot.
- Some people may be too embarrassed to visit a local hypnotherapist and won’t want other people to know about their business. Doing hypnotherapy online eliminates that problem. The clients have total privacy.
- Opting for online therapy gives you the advantage of being able to choose any hypnotherapist you feel most comfortable with, even if his office is far away from where you live.
No time-consuming and expensive travelling will be necessary. Even from the other side of the world, you can visit your hypnotherapist from the comfort of your own home. - Online hypnotherapy is easily accessible for anyone with mobility issues. Therefore, it might be the best option for a client who is disabled, housebound or suffering from other physical or mental illnesses. However, for someone suffering from agoraphobia, it might be a great idea to get the first one or two sessions online and the follow-up sessions in person. At least this is the recommended approach at My Hypnotherapist.
- And as we all have experienced on numerous occasions, whether doing our weekly shopping or planning a holiday, doing certain things online simply is convenient.
- And because so many hypnotherapists are offering their services online, and are searching for new clients online as well, their offers have become competitively priced. That allows the potential client to find the right service at the best price effortlessly and conveniently.
Just as in a face-to-face session, in an online session, My Hypnotherapist will start by getting to know you and the issues you are faced with. My hypnotherapist will talk to you and he will listen closely to find out about
- your lifestyle,
- what you have already tried, and
- what worked for you and what did not.
The first and most important task in any therapy session is for the therapist to build rapport with the clients. This is for him to be able to communicate effectively, help the client to relax, and look for possible solutions. He does that by using his voice.
The voice is all we at My Hypnotherapist need to help you relax, to get you to close your eyes and enter a hypnotic state. Using just our words and our special tone of voice we can bypass what is called the critical factor, or critical conscious mind, and access your subconscious.
Doing so online via video is just another format.
In a traditional face-to-face setting, some preparation is required. The hypnotherapist needs a quiet room where both the client and the hypnotherapist feel comfortable. Ideally, this room is painted in neutral or flat colours so there are no distractions.
A cosy chair or sofa to help the clients relax is also commonplace, but not necessary.
The same applies to controllable lighting to create the right atmosphere.
And, the therapist might want a desk and chair, a notebook computer and printer, and a telephone; how else could an online session happen?
To make an online hypnotherapy session work, the hypnotherapist has to ensure that some important things are in place in advance:
- Both, the hypnotherapist and the client need to be in a quiet location because any noise can be distracting. However, I also saw and did) hypnosis happen in loud environments, but it is so much easier when it is quiet.
- A reliable internet connection has to be in place. This also goes for both the therapist and the client.
- The therapist needs to discuss the payment method with the client in advance. This also applies to regular online bookings with My Hypnotherapist. But alternative arrangements are possible as well.
- We at My Hypnotherapist strive to make it as easy as possible for the client, for example pay-by-credit-card or by PayPal. It goes without saying that a secure payment facility is in place to minimize any risk to our client’s financial details.
- The hypnotherapist will need a confirmed invitation from the client or will provide a link to Zoom himself.
- And both need to agree on a session time that is convenient for both. At My Hypnotherapist, we use two consecutive 30-minute sessions on Zoom.
At the beginning of the session, the therapist will explain how things will work and reassure the client, that online hypnotherapy is equally as effective as a face-to-face session.
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