3. Using Hypnotherapy for Others. (Draft 1)

In this section, we will describe the role of the hypnotherapist and the subject. 

Time Required.

A hypnotherapy session typically requires at least 45 minutes to an hour. There appears to be no limit to the maximum session length. Although, in very long sessions, subjects have been known to switch from a state of hypnotic, relaxed suggestibility too true sleep.

The Environment.

Hypnotherapists can communicate directly with the patient’s unconscious mind. In fact, it is often mistakenly assume that the hypnotherapist actually induces a state of sleep in the subject. However, this is not correct. What actually happens is that the hypnotherapist induces a state of deep relaxation in the subjects conscious mind, inducing a state which is very sleep like. But, during the induction of this state, the subjects conscious mind is put to rest or quiesced, while allowing the hypnotherapist to communicate directly with the subject’s subconscious mind, which is now active and without the distraction of conscious attention.

The Room. The room where the subject will be hypnotized should be quiet, free from the distractions of loud noises and outside sounds. 

Lighting. Lighting should be a gimmick and interact. It is not necessary for the room to be darkened. In fact, a dark room may actually induce sleep rather than a suggestible hypnotic state. 

Sound. The room should be quiet. White noise, such as the sound produced by a radio tuned to an inactive radio station may be used to mask other sounds. It is also possible that soft relaxing music may be played in the background.

Position. There is no specific position in which a subject must be placed to induce a hypnotic state. However, lying down with a head and shoulders slightly elevated is typically the most effective for the largest group of individuals.

Suitability of the Subject.

Almost anyone can be hypnotized. It is very rare to find that the subject cannot be hypnotized, although a few of those people do exist. A belief in the efficacy of hypnosis does not appear to be a requirement to have a hypnotic state induced. However, adamant and willful resistance to the concept of hypnosis and an active resistance to hypnotic suggestions usually results in an unsuccessful session.

Hypnosis and Memory.

Conscious memory of the events of a hypnotic session may, in some cases, be eliminated. The subject may be induced to forget the session or any part of it. However, this is not a permanent erasure from memory, nor is it typically desirable. Where it is therapeutically beneficial for a subject to forget a particular event, and when there is agreement in advance that conscious memory of that event should be suppressed, that is usually possible through hypnotherapy. However, memory of the event is typically desirable and beneficial. 

Subject with a full recall of the event are often surprised at the state in which their body becomes hypnotized and are usually rested and refreshed at the end of the session. In fact, under hypnosis it is possible to induce a sleep like state which imitates and apparently rejuvenated identically to actual sleep. It is important to note however, that there is no clinical evidence to indicate that this long-term induction of a sleep like state is as beneficial to the body has actual sleep.

Objective of the Session.

Prior to the beginning of a session is advisable that the hypnotherapist and subject reach an explicit agreement as to the desired outcome of both this specific hypnosis session, and, if multiple sessions are involved, as is often required, the overall outcome and objective of all such sessions.

Committing this information to writing create a contract or agreement between the participants, clarifies the objectives and outcomes, reinforces the legacy of hypnosis to the subject, and to some degree, protects the hypnotherapy.