People are often confused about hypnosis. They think it is a form of entertainment and do not realize that, when used appropriately by a person who is skilled as both, a hypnotherapist and a psychotherapist, it can be very effective in helping with counselling and psychotherapy.

Stage hypnotists (not hypnotherapists) use the fact that people, who are willing, can be put into a trance-like state, in order to make them do things that will be funny and entertaining to the audience. These people are not randomly picked from the audience, but rather, they are people who volunteer. They are already prepared to do the things that they know will be asked of them. From the initial group, the stage hypnotist will further select, by asking questions and by use of light trances, to see who is more receptive to going into deeper trances and who is more willing to do the increasingly unusual stunts. These are frequently the same people who do funny things or who loosen up a lot when they have had a minimal amount to drink in a bar or at a party.

While I do use the same trance state to accomplish the behavioural changes that the client desires, I do it in the context of counselling and psychotherapy. This trance state can be deepened as necessary. Deepening the trance enables me to use hypnosis for pain management such as chronic pain or in birthing, stress relief, to quit smoking or for weight loss. Hypnosis can also be used for relieving fears or phobias such as fear of flying, snakes, or public speaking. The range of uses for hypnosis is unlimited and varied.

The client is always in control and can choose to come out of trance at any time. Being under hypnosis is much like the state you go into naturally when lost in thought or just about to fall asleep. I have used hypnosis widely and invariably, the client enjoys the experience and is surprised at how comfortable a state it is. Some issues require a number of hypnosis sessions but many people find that they are relieved of their problem in just one or two sessions. Sessions are generally one and a half to two hours long. Even skeptics, as long as they are willing to try the process, enjoy the same positive results.