Does hypnosis or hypnotherapy seem strange to you? Is it maybe a little scary? You are not alone. But the fact is that there is absolutely nothing strange, scary or even mystical about it. Many people are surprised to learn that hypnosis is one of the most natural and common states of mind. Furthermore, many people are shocked to discover that they have most likely been hypnotized on some level in some way or another. At M&FH&H, we believe that there is something both very simple and extremely powerful about hypnotherapy to help in many areas of our challenging lives. The only thing that stands in the way is the pervasive myths that only television and movies have supported over the years.
Myth #1: Hypnosis is magic.
There is nothing magical about it. Although it has been cast away into the realm of witchcraft and voodoo, it is not at all the dark and evil thing the movies illustrate it to be. You’ll never be in a situation to feel afraid with our therapists. So it is actually best to cast away any images of swinging pocket watches or anything taken from television.
Myth #2: Hypnosis is mind-control.
And thank goodness it’s not! You will never do anything against your will. And while all those silly stage shows are fun to laugh at, there is only one reason all those volunteers do those things: because they simply wanted to do so. When you volunteer for a stage presentation of hypnosis, you agree to the terms that you might do something silly. But hypnosis is wildly unsuccessful in controlling everyday, average and law-abiding citizens to commit awful crimes like murder or robbery. So unless you’re willing to do something so awful, then fear not, because you’re in complete control.
Myth #3: Hypnosis only works on the “weak-minded.”
What a terrible business we’d be in if this was true. While some people will be more likely to go into hypnosis for others, the opposite is true. Hypnosis is much more likely to be effective with people who function on a high level. It works wonderfully with people who have strong imaginations and spend a lot of time in deep thought. In fact, the only people group known to be truly unable to benefit from hypnosis are those who suffer from an Intellectual Disability of any kind.
Whatever a person’s fear is of hypnotherapy, we are eager to talk and dissolve any fear or myth that may exist. We have learned that most fears are built on simple misinformation. And at the end of the day, no one has to receive hypnotherapy treatment at all, since at Marriage and Family Healing and Hypnosis we offer much more than hypnotherapy. We still offer all of our couple and family therapy.