Q: Whom do you need to contact for hypnotherapy?
A: You need to contact a Psychiatrist or Psychologist who offer trained hypnotherapist services.
Q: Will hypnotherapy work always?
A: Hypnotherapy will not work if the patient is doubtful about it, if the patient does not want it or if the patient is not focused about its healing properties.
Q: Is hypnosis a type of sleep?
A: Hypnosis is not a type of sleep. Rather hypnosis is a state of awareness and increased concentration.
Q: Is the patient under the control of the therapist during hypnotherapy?
A: Contrary to popular belief the patient is not under the control of the hypnotherapist.
Q: Does the patient lose control over himself during hypnotherapy?
A: The patient does not lose any control during hypnotherapy. In fact, hypnotherapy enhances the patient’s control over himself. He cannot do anything that he does not want to during hypnotherapy. The patient can choose either to explore his subconscious mind, the visual images and the sensations or he can decide to open his eyes and return to his present environment.
Q: How can a patient put himself in deep sleep?
A: This can be achieved through self-hypnosis. An example is given below.
Sleep happens when focus is switched from external environment to internal reality. As the patient is falling asleep and crossing over from wakefulness to sleep, the mind generates images. So if the patient has difficulty in sleeping, he has to purposefully generate mental images of something pleasant or boring, for e.g. counting sheep is a classic example of self-hypnosis, he can also think about pleasant things like a day on the beach/garden, etc. The patient should avoid worrying thoughts as it will produce stress hormones and these will keep him awake.
