About HypnoBirthing®

Common Concerns
About Hypnosis

Couples very often bring some definite misgivings and belief in myths surrounding hypnosis.

Common Client Concerns

Client is afraid to get "stuck in hypnosis."

This just does not happen. Should the practitioner stop talking, one of two things would happen: 1) the client would simply slip into a natural sleep for a few minutes; 2) the client would naturally be aroused by the absence of the practitioner's voice.

Client fears that financial or family secrets will be revealed.

Since the client is aware throughout a hypnosis session, it is he or she who controls what will be revealed. Hypnosis is not a "truth serum."

Client fears that the hypnotist will be in control of his/her mind.

The client is totally in control, can hear everything that is said, and can respond verbally and physically. The body relaxes as if asleep, but the mind remains even more alert.

Client has doubts about his/her ability to "go into hypnosis."

Almost anyone who wants to be hypnotized can achieve the relaxed state of hypnosis. Since hypnotherapy is a therapy of consent, the client usually comes to the therapy session anticipating that hypnosis will take place.

Client may fall asleep.

It is rare that a client actually falls asleep, yet it is very common for a client to snore while deep in hypnosis. If your client has, in fact, fallen asleep, simply touch them lightly on the hand or arm and they will awaken. Upon awakening say, "That's fine. Now I'd like you to close your eyes again and go back into hypnosis again, all the way down to the edge of sleep but not asleep." Women in labor often give the impression of sleeping, when actually, they are quite alert.

Client fears that he/she will do things that will be humiliating.

Since the client is fully in control, nothing will occur unless the client wished to act in a particular (or peculiar) way. Stage hypnotism has left us with this myth.

Client fears that he/she may do something that is against moral standards and may even be convinced to do criminal acts.

This is a common misconception on the part of many religious leaders. It, too, is a myth. A person will not do anything under hypnosis that he/she would not be inclined to do normally. Since the practitioner does not control the client's mind or behavior, there is little likelihood of any betrayal of morals (unless the person is looking for an excuse).

Client is afraid that his/her mind is "too sharp" to go into hypnosis or if he does go into hypnosis, it's because he is weak minded.

The idea of someone being "too strong willed" or "too sharp" is a myth. Actually the more the person is able to use both sides of the brain, the better the subject he/she is. Creative people are usually better able to visualize and follow guided imagery.

Client has a fear that hypnosis can cause a person to enter "another realm."

Since hypnosis is simply relaxation, the usual application of hypnosis will not bring the client "into outer space" or "out of mind or body." Hypnosis can be a benefit to the laboring mother as she enters that natural amnesiac state that many are able to achieve during the latter part of the first stage of labor.