Many people fear losing control in hypnosis, when in fact hypnosis helps individuals to gain more control over their thoughts and perceptions.

Hypnotherapy is client-centered, accessing and utilizing the power of one's inner resources. In hypnosis, the subconscious mind cannot be forced to do or say anything it doesn't want. You are in control.

Stage hypnosis has very little to do with therapeutic hypnosis, yet many people still conflate the two.

Stage hypnosis is a form of entertainment, whereby a hypnotist appears to put someone to sleep and then has them cluck like a chicken or bark like a dog in order to get a laugh from the audience.

Conversely, hypnotherapy is an accepted therapeutic modality conducted by a professionally trained and certified therapist. Through a process of "induction" and strategic "suggestion," the conscious mind is bypassed to work directly with the subconscious mind to help individuals overcome various issues, conditions, and ailments to reach specific goals and desires.

Good rapport is essential to having a positive hypnosis experience, but that's not the only requirement. Finding a certified hypnotherapist who has graduated from a state accredited school and is an active member of the A.C.H.E. is equally important. 

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Avoid anyone who has only completed a weekend, week-long, or online class. It takes just 50 hours to become a "hypnotist."  Many of those hours are accumulated from reading assignments outside of class rather than the critical one-on-one practical learning that can only be achieved in person, over a much longer period of time.

These fast track "schools" are not only doing a major disservice to their students by limiting their education, but they are turning out hypnotists sorely lacking the necessary skills to effectively help others. This educational deficiency only serves to further erode the credibility of therapeutic hypnotherapy. 

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A properly trained certified hypnotherapist will have a minimum of 200 hours from a state accredited school. They will have completed a regulated curriculum, in person, with supervised practice from teachers who are highly respected and recognized as an integral part of the hypnotherapy community.

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Your hypnotherapist should also be a member of the A.C.H.E., which is the primary organization that has been responsible for the recognition and regulation of hypnotherapy training in the USA.

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For examination and certification by A.C.H.E., a hypnotherapist must be trained in a school approved by the A.C.H.E. The A.C.H.E. only approves schools that have programs of at least 200 hours of training in hypnotherapy that is almost entirely in the classroom.

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Your standards for choosing a hypnotherapist should be as high as the standards set by your hypnotherapist. Education, training, and certification are all key.

Hypnosis is similar to meditation in that they both can produce peace of mind and relaxation. The major difference between hypnosis and meditation is purpose and intent.

The intent of most forms of meditation is to clear the mind of all thoughts and become One with Self. Any thoughts you have are sent away to create a void, whereby nothingness fills the space inside of you.  

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Guided meditation is useful for general topics, such as relaxation, but it cannot address potential underlying issues or possibly secondary issues. Getting to the "root cause" is essential for genuine transformation.

The purpose of therapeutic hypnosis is to work with a skilled hypnotherapist who will assist you in bypassing the conscious mind to work directly with the subconscious mind.

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While in hypnosis, you are in a heightened state of focus. During this time you will will be guided with suggestions designed to help you resolve unwanted negative emotions that may be causing issues.

Hypnosis works to address or counteract unhelpful behaviors and emotions unique to your challenges in a healthy way to control fears and negative behaviors. This helps clear the way for deeper processing, resolve, and acceptance.

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Your therapist will create a structured plan to help you achieve your individual goals.

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You cannot be hypnotized against your will and, despite popular misconceptions, there is no evidence that hypnosis could be used to make you commit immoral acts. Rest assured you will not be made to share your deepest darkest secrets or any information you are not comfortable sharing, nor will you be sent on a crime spree while hypnotized.

Smartphone apps and internet videos promoting self-hypnosis may be good for relaxation, but they are not recommended to use for working on more challenging and perhaps deeply rooted issues. 

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Researchers have found that many of these online tools have not been created by certified hypnotherapists or hypnosis organizations and are likely ineffective.

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A skilled hypnotherapist will gather an abundance of pertinent, historical information from you in order to tailor their session and create a structured plan to help you reach your individual goals.

Scientists have proven over and over again that individuals remain awake while under hypnosis and remain in control of their actions.

Even though you may look like you’re sleeping, you’re simply in a deeply relaxed state. Your muscles will become limp, your breathing rate will slow, and you may become drowsy.

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When someone believes they have fallen asleep during a session, they have actually entered one of the deepest stages of hypnosis known as Somnambulism.

Somnambulism is what sleepwalkers experience. Generally, after coming out of somnambulism the person has no recollection of parts or sometimes all of their session. This does not mean they haven't reaped the benefits. In fact, the opposite is quite true.

You don't have to remember the positive suggestions to have them take. You may not be aware of the session when it's happening, but your subconscious will.

People may experience different feelings during hypnosis. Some report feeling heavy as if they are sinking into the couch or melting into the earth, while others describe it similar to falling asleep with the television on. Others use words such as “light”, "free" or “floating.”

We all internalize experiences differently, and therefore we will each have our own response to hypnosis. There is no right or wrong way to be under.

Children respond very well to hypnosis simply because they are more in touch with their imaginations and have fewer life experiences.

Suggestions are more readily accepted because we are unlikely going against any of the child’s core beliefs. 

This is a common misconception. Hypnosis is a powerful tool that can be used as an adjunct to therapy with a licensed therapist, most notably when a clinical diagnosis has been given by a doctor.