Even though hypnotherapy is a scientifically verified practice with hundreds of years of history, many people have questions about what it is and how it works. These are some of the questions we hear most often.
Our minds have two parts – the conscious mind we can access freely, and the much larger subconscious mind. They are separated by a barrier known as the “critical factor,” which acts as a gatekeeper that locks most of the subconscious out of reach. In essence, hypnosis helps soften that barrier and allow us to find the hidden parts of our subconscious mind that are holding us back from growth and change.
The critical thinking part of us is often formed at a young age without adult wisdom and maturity. Many things that we might think about ourselves could be long outdated and based on old childhood thinking – but those beliefs are strong enough to get in the way as adults. When hypnotherapy is able to soften that critical factor, together we create suggestions that guide you to focus on positive input and your desired outcome. These suggestions get past that softened critical factor and “rewire” your thinking and subsequent behavior, which becomes automatically driven by the subconscious mind after the hypnosis session is over. The old thinking patterns are updated with new information, with the wisdom and intellect of your sensible adult reasoning mind. There are many other things that can happen using hypnosis. Old habits can be addressed, issues from the past can be healed, and much, much more.
No. The patient controls each session, not the hypnotherapist. Hypnotherapy doesn’t provide the positive outcomes we’re working toward unless the person being hypnotized is fully on board with the treatment plan we’ve discussed ahead of time. Someone cannot truly be hypnotized without their consent. Even in deep hypnosis, the patient can say at any point, “I don’t want to do this anymore” and we will stop immediately.
You might. Hypnotherapy is deep relaxation, and some people do fall asleep. We will gently wake right away.
No. This is not entertainment hypnosis, and we are not here to make anyone look silly. Hypnotherapy is a very different practice that relies completely on the consent and comfort of our patients.
1. Anyone who simply does not want to be hypnotized can’t really be hypnotized.
2. While some hypnotherapists specialize in working with young children, Priya doesn’t work with clients under the age of 15 at this time.
3. Patients who suffer from certain, serious mental health disorders or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be seen for hypnotherapy.