What is hypnosis after all?

Hypnosis is a technique that bypasses the critical factor of the mind in order to establish a focus and sustain attention with the intent of achieving a detached mental state. That state is characterized by a deep somatic and noetic relaxation, whereas:

* our consciousness is enlarged, broadened and able to perceive other dimensions of reality.

* A deeper communication with the subconscious mind and its endless resources is facilitated.

* powerful, beneficial changes in behavior can be achieved through suggestions, in case they do not clash with our ethical code.

* Most of the time we perceive reality and retain control.

Usually, a process is triggered by the hypnotist, in order to locate the source of our problems. According to the encyclopedia Brittanica: "Hypnosis is the term applied to a unique, complex form of unusual but normal behavior which can be induced in all normal persons under suitable conditions and also in many persons suffering from various types of abnormality. It is primarily a special psychological state with certain physiological attributes, resembling sleep only superficially and marked by a functioning of the individual at a level of awareness other than the ordinary conscious state"...

Why is hypnosis still eliciting public awe?

I think that this strange insistence on this bizzare sensation most people have when they hear the word hypnosis should be attributed to Hollywood, which perpetuates the stereotypes. The truth is that after the ostracizing of hypnosis by the scientific community in the '20s those who kept the flame alive were the stage hypnotists who kept their audience mesmerized by their sensational feats both believers and skeptics. Of course real scientists never lost interest on the research of such phenomena but they had to hush up when they faced the possibility of being labeled charlatans. We had to reach at the end of the fifties in order to have a relative acceptance by the medical establishment. It was then recognized that hypnosis has a relative complementary scientific value. But in order to do so they had to strip hypnosis from any "metaphysical" or "paranormal" connotations giving it a dimension that seemed more decent and acceptable. They identified hypnosis with relaxation reaching the other end and thus they ignored phenomena such as reversible amnesia, partial or total anesthesia to pain, extended muscle catalepsy, or acting out of particular post-hypnotic suggestions precisely at the time set. They also turn their backs to the phenomena of extra sensory perception and past life recalls.

Could somebody have a past life recall?

Even though some people still stubbornly reject such a possibility simply because their limited paradigm does not accept it, that does not necessarily mean that it does not happen. As it was put by an American psychiatrist Brian Weiss when he unexpectedly ran into a spontaneous past life recall " nothing in my background had prepared me for this. I was absolutely amazed when these events unfolded".

Can anyone be hypnotized?

Yes most people can. There is a consensus though not to hypnotize people that have been characterized by physicians as psychotic or epileptic. From clinical observations and evaluations about ninety percent of the population can be hypnotized and only one in in five people can go in deep hypnosis.

Are there different levels and depth of hypnosis?

Yes even though there are some disagreements on the nature of the borders that are set. But generally it is accepted that we have three levels of hypnosis with two stages each.So we have light, medium and deep hypnosis.

a. Light Hypnosis

1. Eye catalepsy and inability to move small groups of muscles.

2. Catalepsy of bigger groups of muscles and a sense of floating or being heavy.

b. Medium Hypnosis

3. Catalepsy of a larger area of the body and alteration of the sense of smell and taste. 4. Occurrence of amnesia, analgesia and partial anesthesia in some parts of the body.

c. Deep Hypnosis

5. Positive hallucinations(we see something that does not exist)

6. Achievement of extensive anesthesia, somnambulism and negative hallucinations(not seeing something that exists).

The first three stages we call mnemic because we retain the ability to control and remember everything while the three last we call amnesic because we lose the ability to recall.

Is there a chance that I will not wake up?

Of course not. This is usually said because people confuse hypnosis with chemical anesthesia. Hypnosis though, is a natural procedure. It is a capability of the brain where there is no need for chemicals or drugs to achieve it. Actually, all of us during the course of the day enter into a very light state of hypnosis even though we are not aware of it.

If I enter hypnotic trance am I in any kind of danger?

No you are not. It is probably the safest therapeutic method around. From the time of its renaissance with Mesmer in the 18th century till today no serious side effect has ever been reported.

"Physicians often worry that hypnosis involves significant risks to patients. Actually the phenomenon is not dangerous and has fewer side effects than even the most benign medications."

Professor David Spiegel

"The so-called dangers from hypnosis are imaginary. Although I have hypnotized many hundreds of patients, I have never seen any ill effects from its use."

Dr. Julius Grinker.

"The only danger of hypnotism is that it is not dangerous enough"

Professor Pierre Janet.

"Hypnotism is a natural phenomenon and there are no deleterious effects from its use."

Professor Louie Thorpe.

To my mind the greatest danger you may face is to fall asleep.

Is there a chance that I will reveal thoughts and information that I do not want to disclose?

Hypnosis is not the truth serum. No hypnotist can force us to disclose information without our consent. Even in the cases that hypnosis is used in courts as in the United States the use of it is primarily for reasons of recalling minor details that are stored deeper in the memory banks and that would probably help the jury to reach a just decision.

How is an average session done?

At the first session I have with my clients, we always have a long talk on what brought them to me to clarify, if possible, any aspects of their problem. At the same time I make an effort to discern if the person is hypnotizable and to what extent and try to figure out the main sense modality which would be more appropriate to use in order to achieve the best rapport. I also try the most on building their confidence on me since I find this absolutely essential.

Then I explain, thoroughly, to my clients the procedure of hypnosis, how I employ it, what it means for me or for most of my clients. I try to alleviate all fear associated with hypnosis and the myths that surround its procedure and I try to answer all the possible questions which my clients may have on the subject of hypnotherapy and altered state reality. Then I explicitly make them understand that what I do is that I make their subconscious activate an open-end “search engine” for the reach of the root of their problem.

Symptoms may not be problems. I make them realize that when in trance windows open for the better understanding of the layers of the inner self. I explain to them that “hottest potatoes come out of the fire first”…When this is done I read out the Bill of Rights by the National Guild of Hypnotists, I explain to them that everything is videotaped and I have the client sign the intake form.

After they visit the restroom I proceed to the formal induction of hypnosis. Here I should note that I do not always employ hypnosis. We may arrive at the root of the problem through discussion. Having not arrived at the root of the problem by other means it is then that I employ hypnosis.

I use whatever method I find helpful in order to produce trance. Excessive breathing, along with stretching along with eye focusing and hemispheric synchronization sounds. Then I have them sit on my zero gravity chair and ask them to close their eyelids. I use imagery to produce even deeper trance and check to evaluate how deep is the body relaxation. As soon as I find the degree of somatic relaxation satisfactory I try to deepen the level of mental relaxation and then I activate the chair in order to produce the zero-gravity feeling which to my experience deepens the trance. If at this point no spontaneous abreaction is elicited, I continue with imagery (if the clients are visual) to the point where I suggest that they now cross a bridge and find themselves in an experience which is suitable and meaningful for them today. This experience will be useful for a deeper understanding of their problem. My main concern is to find the root of my client’s problem.

When this happens I suggest to them that all their senses become alert, that information, images and feelings should flow freely with no censorship on their part. Then I let them come in touch with this new reality and I simply stay on their side following them instead of leading them.

We all know how delicate and sensitive people are when in hypnosis so we are extremely cautious with our words. This is where usually the abreaction drops in. I let it express itself so that “repressed” emotions are relieved. This emotional explosion usually bares with it a lot of crying and vivid physical reactions. Here is where the reflection upon the experience may illuminate aspects of one’s personality and offer useful, often transcendent insights… I give them quite some time for this and then proceed to get them out of trance along with the suggestion to keep with them any memory they find safe or useful and let all else move away to the stream of consciousness. The last phase of the session is to evaluate the whole experience and talk with my client and figure out how she views the case, how she interprets the experience and what it means for her.

How long does a session last?

An average session may last from one hour and a half to two hours. There are exceptions though the first session always lasts longer. Also in some cases there is a need to last more than two hours.

How much does a session cost?

The cost varies from 60 euros to 90 euros depending on the quality of the service, the time spent and the agreement made between client and myself.

How often do I have to go into sessions?

There is no valid rule for that. If someone is satisfied he or she may continue. If not they may stop. There is a need for patience though, because results do not come up rapidly. Every human is unique, thus, reactions vary from person to person. I suggest that results come to us if we are patient and persistent.