1) Hypnosis is a daily event: It’s is a state of mind that we all experience everytime we daydream, zone out and get lost in our thoughts.
These are moments when the subconscious mind is a bit more open and active than it typically is. This is also when it is more receptive to helpful guidance and support.
2) Pick the right practitioner: In my state of MA hypnosis is not a regulated profession like chiropractic or acupuncture so anyone can take a weekend seminar, get a certificate and go into business.
Do your research, look at websites, it’s not hard to identify the professionals from the posers. Also look at reviews and try to get potential practitioners on the phone.
You have likely struggled for a while with whatever problem you want to fix, so why not take the time to pick the right person to help you get relief?
3) Be ready for change: Open-minded clients with a genuine desire to establish healthy changes typically do really well. You need to be a willing participant of the process.
Clients who come in expecting hypnosis to magically transform them into a different person without any motivation or positive desire to be part of the process generally fall short of the success they are looking for.
4) Teamwork: You and your practitioner form a goal-specific collaboration of trust and cooperation.
If you trust that the practitioner will help you succeed with your goal then you are more likely to experience the type of deep meaningful sessions that support the changes you want to make.
Work with the hypnotherapist by sharing all of the pertinent helpful information that will make it easier to come up with the best hypnotic approach to success.
5) How to listen: The best way to listen to a hypnosis session is to not really listen at all.
By allowing your thoughts to float, drift and shift, even to the point of not necessarily paying attention to any or all of what is being said during the session actually sets the stage for a deeper, more meaningful experience.
6) You’re in control: You can’t be made to do something that conflicts with your values.
You are in control of the experience; how deeply relaxed into hypnosis you go and whether or not you choose to accept the suggestions of the practitioner.
A hypnotherapist works with you to offer suggestions supporting your specific goals.
7) No guarantees: The hypnotherapist has no control over how open and accepting an individual might be to enter into hypnosis; how motivated he or she is to accomplish their goal and how committed they are to routinely listen to reinforcement sessions at home.
Sustained success is client driven. The practitioner offers the tool and it is up to the client to use it.
8) Enjoy the ride: Hypnotherapy is an enjoyably relaxing process. It’s easy to do, it feels really good, and with consistency healthy change usually follows.
