Is Hypnotherapy Risky?

Published on 8 March 2024 at 18:25

 Hypnotherapy is a totally safe, natural, and extremely effective process.  The technique has been clinically proven to provide powerful medical and therapeutic benefits. These days, hypnosis is used in dentistry, medicine, law enforcement, professional sports, education and so many other areas.  Hypnotherapy is simply a state of relaxation that allows you to access and communicate with the deeper subconscious part of the mind. This is the place where unconscious habits and patterns are stored. This makes it not only possible – it actually makes it easy - to change the unwanted habits developed over a lifetime.

 

Hypnotherapy is "the process trained professionals use to assist a person to achieve a deeper level of focus than one does automatically, or during meditation". This process is scientifically-proven and highly effective to create desired changes in beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and behaviour; to achieve mental, emotional, and physical health and well-being on the unconscious, subconscious, cellular, and core levels.

 

Is hypnosis safe?

 

Hypnosis is an extremely safe, relaxing, and enjoyable experience. It is a meditative state. You are in control the whole time. People use self-hypnosis to improve their lives and resolve issues such as anxiety, insomnia, self-esteem, confidence issues, phobias and much more.  Hypnotherapy, like many alternative forms of therapy, is often surrounded by various myths and misconceptions. Here are some common myths about hypnotherapy and my thoughts:

 

Myth 1: Hypnosis is mind control.

 

One of the most widespread misconceptions is that hypnotherapy gives the therapist complete control over the client's mind. In reality, hypnosis is a collaborative process where you and I work together, but you retain full control.

Hypnotherapy does not relinquish your free will, and you cannot be forced to do anything against your moral code or values. Before each session we will discuss in detail what will be covered in the session, and you have full control over what is included, and what should be left out.

Hypnotherapy helps you access your subconscious mind, but you remain fully aware of your actions and can reject any suggestions you find uncomfortable or inappropriate. It's my role to ensure that I am clear of your expectations so that there is no chance of anything uncomfortable or inappropriate being suggested in the hypnosis session.

Bethany, a client of Switch-Up Hypnotherapy, shares her experience, stating, "I was skeptical at first, but I quickly realised I was in charge. It's more like a guided meditation, helping you access your inner strength."

Myth 2: Only weak-minded or gullible people can be hypnotised.

 

This one I hear often, but people usually say it like:

"I am very strong-minded - I don't think I could be hypnotised".

My usual answer to that is,

"Great, then I just have to get you to use that strong mind of yours to your advantage - rather than working against your wishes, which is what it's doing now."

This myth stems from stage hypnosis performances where the focus is on entertainment rather than therapeutic benefits. In truth, the ability to be hypnotised varies from person to person, but most individuals can experience hypnosis to some degree.

Hypnotherapy is not about being weak- or strong-minded; rather, it's about being open to the therapeutic process and willing to explore the subconscious. Benefitting from hypnotherapy is a skill that can be developed with practice, and many people get better at being open-minded over time.

The misconception here suggests that only easily influenced or weak-minded individuals can be hypnotised. To dispel this notion, consider Jake's journey with Switch-Up Hypnotherapy. He says, "I always thought I was too strong-willed for this, but hypnotherapy helped me tap into my subconscious and make changes I never thought possible."

 

Myth 3: Hypnotherapy is not a legitimate form of therapy.

 

Hypnotherapy is recognised and used as a valid therapeutic technique by many reputable healthcare professionals and organisations, including many psychologists. Numerous studies have shown its effectiveness in addressing various issues such as anxiety, phobias, pain management, IBS, compulsive gambling, and smoking cessation.

What often makes hypnotherapists more successful is that we specialise in hypnotherapy, and we have a lot of experience in tailoring different approaches to client issues, rather than just trying a few basic scripts.

 

Myth 4: Hypnosis erases memories or creates false memories.

 

Unfortunately, I do not have the power to erase your memories, nor do I have any interest in creating false memories for you. Hypnotherapy is not usually used as a tool for memory retrieval or forensic purposes in my practice. Instead, I help you gain insights into your emotions and thought patterns, leading to a deeper understanding of your experiences, often a different perspective, and solutions to your issues.

 

Myth 5: Hypnosis is a magical or mystical process.

 

I don't know any magic spells.

I think that many hypnotherapists like to maintain a sense of mystique around what we do, maybe because they like the thought of people thinking they have some sort of magical power. I have even had a trainer once tell me that "You need to maintain the prestige!" 

Hypnotherapy is a natural and scientifically-supported technique that involves accessing the subconscious mind to facilitate positive changes. While it may seem mysterious to some, it is grounded in psychological principles and neuroscience.

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic process that requires active participation and commitment from the client. Progress may take time, depending on the complexity of the issue being addressed. Hypnotherapy is a tool to facilitate change, and consistent effort and practice outside of sessions may be necessary to achieve lasting results.

It's all about gaining alignment between what you want to achieve with your conscious willpower, and what your subconscious emotionally believes is right for you. If you approach hypnotherapy with an open mind you can easily realise its benefits to you in a therapeutic context.

I actually think I get more clients by explaining succinctly how hypnosis works over the phone. This is because people often have preconceived notions of what hypnotherapy is all about, and associating hypnotherapy with magic makes people suspicious that "it's all a trick".

Hypnotherapy is a natural and scientifically-supported technique that involves accessing the subconscious mind to facilitate positive changes. While it may seem mysterious to some, it is grounded in psychological principles and neuroscience. Hypnotherapy

Myth 6: People can get stuck in hypnosis and never wake up.

 

This is an unfounded fear that probably arises from tropes used in movies and TV dramas that lead to misconceptions about hypnosis. It makes for entertaining, and sometimes scary stories, but it's not really true.

 

Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state, and people naturally come out of it as they would from any relaxed state. Even if the hypnotherapist were to suddenly leave the room or lose communication, you would eventually return to full awareness on your own.

 

There are different states of consciousness that every person goes in and out of multiple times a day. When you are led into "trance", as some people call it, it just means you're brought to a state where you're extremely relaxed. Almost as if you could fall asleep. This is actually a state of mind that you go into automatically on your own, like when you're about to fall asleep at night. The only difference is that I help you relax and therefore guide you to that state. I don't do anything special or magical to get you into that state. I just help relax you enough so that you can go there.

 

And then, once you are there, the subconscious part of your mind "opens up" and I offer it suggestions. Your mind can decide if it wants to accept the suggestions or reject them. It's my goal to make it easy for you to accept the suggestions. If, for some reason, I did not bring you out of hypnosis, you would either wake up and become alert or go to sleep and then wake up naturally. I don't need to do anything to you, and nothing needs to happen, in order for you to eventually come out of trance. I can do it quickly and easily at the end of the session. You cannot get stuck in hypnosis anymore than you can be stuck staying asleep. You could set an alarm before going into hypnosis, and this alarm would wake you up, or bring you back to an alert state, the exact same way that I could.

 

The only reason some people don't emerge from trance right away is for the simple reason that it feels pretty good, and they don't want it to stop. It is absolutely impossible for you to get stuck in a hypnotic state. If you are too scared that that is going to happen, then hypnosis is probably not going to work for you because you're likely to be too afraid to relax enough to enter the required hypnotic state.

 

Myth 7: Hypnotherapy Only Works for Certain Issues

 

Some believe hypnotherapy is limited in its applications. Contrary to this, hypnotherapy can address a myriad of challenges. Emma, a satisfied client, shares, "I initially came for smoking cessation, but I found it incredibly helpful for stress management and boosting my confidence. It's like a holistic approach to self-improvement."

Contact Switch-Up Hypnotherapy if you have any of the issues below:

Myth 8: Results are Temporary

 

People often fear that the positive effects of hypnotherapy are short-lived.

Debbie, a client who successfully quit smoking with Switch-Up Hypnotherapy, dispels this myth, stating, "It's been a year, and I haven't touched a cigarette. The changes were profound and lasting, and I'm living proof that hypnotherapy can lead to permanent transformation."

 

Is Hypnotherapy Risky?

 

Hypnotherapy, like any form of therapy, carries its own set of risks and considerations. Here are the key points to understand:

 

  1. Psychological Vulnerability: Individuals with certain psychological conditions such as schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, or dissociative disorders may be more at risk of experiencing adverse effects from hypnotherapy.

  2. False Memories: Some people are concerned about a risk of creating false memories during hypnosis, particularly if the client wants to try to create  memories of sequences of events that never really occurred. This is not really advisable, as it can lead to confusion and potential emotional distress.

  3. Depersonalisation and Derealisation: Some individuals may experience temporary feelings of detachment from themselves (depersonalisation) or from their surroundings (derealisation) during or after hypnosis, particularly if the session involved a dissociation component to the treatment, in order to gain a different perspective on an issue.

  4. Repressed Memories: Hypnosis can potentially lead individuals to recall repressed memories, which may or may not be accurate. This can be both therapeutic and risky, as usually these memories have been repressed in order to help your conscious cope with returning to everyday life.

  5. Emotional Intensity: Hypnotherapy can bring up intense emotions, which may be overwhelming for some individuals. It's important for you to feel confident in my ability to handle these emotions with care.

  6. Dependency: There's a risk of developing a dependency on hypnotherapy if you rely too heavily on it for coping with issues or making decisions. I am not a guru; I am just skilled in the use of this particular tool to aligning your subconscious emotions with your conscious will to change your behaviour.

  7. Physical Risks: While rare, there are physical risks associated with hypnotherapy such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea, particularly if you attempt to cover up the true reasons for your feelings and emotions that are connected with your behavioural patterns.

  8. Ethical Concerns: There are the potential to be ethical considerations regarding the power dynamic between the hypnotherapist and the client, so I wish to ensure you that your autonomy and consent are respected throughout the process. Hypnotherapy is far more successful if you supply me with your preferred suggestions, as it makes it easier for you to choose to accept those suggestions.

  9. Unwanted Suggestion: There's a risk that suggestions made during hypnosis could be misunderstood or misinterpreted, leading to unintended consequences. I have designed the suggestions I typically use to have positive associations, and I use your terminology and preferences as much as possible so that you interpret the suggestions in a way that mean something positive for you.

  10. Ineffective Treatment: Hypnotherapy may not be effective for everyone or for all conditions. It's essential to have realistic expectations about its outcomes. I have helped hundreds of people who have tried it before with other therapists, and some even believed that they could not be hypnotised.

  11. Screening and Training: When considering from hypnotherapy, don't choose the cheapest hypnotherapist, or the one closest to you.  Ensure that any you consider are properly trained, certified, experienced and adhere to ethical standards.

  12. Post-Hypnotic Suggestions: These are suggestions made during hypnosis which may persist beyond the session, positively influencing your behaviour or perceptions without you consciously realising it. This is to convince you of the enduring nature of the treatment's result.

  13. Integration Issues: Some individuals may struggle at first to integrate the insights or changes made during hypnotherapy into their daily lives or there may be some initial resistance, leading to feelings of dissonance or confusion. This suggests a need for a backup session ASAP.

  14. Unconscious Conflicts: Hypnotherapy may uncover unconscious conflicts or traumas that the individual may not be prepared to address, leading to distress. You should be ready to discuss any of these that you suspect exist in the interview stage of the session.

 

By being aware of these variables, I want you to feel as if you can approach hypnotherapy with confidence, resting assured that you have chosen a qualified professional who behaves in an ethical and safe manner. 

Because hypnosis is so interesting, people often have ideas and opinions which are not necessarily based in fact. As a hypnotherapist I understand this, but it's essential for me to present the facts, debunk misconceptions, and emphasise the benefits of this valuable therapeutic technique. Embarking on a journey of self-improvement can be daunting, but it's essential to separate fact from fiction when considering alternative therapies. Hypnotherapy, often shrouded in misconceptions, is a powerful tool for change.

 

Hypnotherapy is a versatile and effective tool for those seeking positive change in their lives. By debunking these myths, I hope to encourage you to explore the incredible benefits that hypnotherapy, especially our flagship program "Stop Smoking and Vaping – for Life," can offer. At Switch-Up Hypnotherapy, I invite you to challenge your perceptions, embrace the possibilities, and take the first step towards a healthier, happier you. 

If you have any other questions and concerns, feel free to let me know. Don't let myths hold you back – Switch-Up your thinking now.

 

Make a booking now

 

Luke O'Dwyer

+61 407 88 45 43

SwitchUpHypnotherapy@gmail.com 

 

References: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/jul/06/healthandwellbeing.relaxation18

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