| Let me firstly briefly outline my credentials. | | | | be hypnotised. |
| I have been a practicing Hypnotherapist for 26 years | | | | 11. Those of the audience who accept the |
| and have, sometimes to my shame, done a fair | | | | invitation are in effect giving the hypnotist permission to |
| amount of demonstration hypnosis to audiences, | | | | do whatever he wants with them as they know what |
| including hallucination hypnosis and altering a subject's | | | | is to be expected. |
| memory. I am principal and founder of The | | | | However, there will always be those who pretend to |
| Robert shields College and have trained | | | | by hypnotised or who simply want to make a fool of |
| Hypnotherapists since 1986. I presently do the training | | | | the hypnotist in front of their friends. But a good |
| through the Internet. | | | | hypnotist will be well aware of this and look for signs |
| Here are brief explanations of the two types of the | | | | that will weed out those problem makers. |
| application of hypnosis I am writing about: | | | | For example, he may have a stooge in the audience |
| Stage Hypnosis: | | | | who will secretly point out to him anyone who is |
| Is a demonstration of the willingness of certain | | | | misbehaving behind his back. Or, another possible |
| individuals to use hypnosis as an excuse to be the | | | | sign is the audience laughing at something that is |
| centre of attraction to a non-criticising audience. It is | | | | happening that the hypnotist does not see. So |
| also a vehicle for a proclaimed hypnotist to stroke his | | | | following the direction of the audience's eyes, will tell |
| own ego and to give the false impression that he is all | | | | him who is going to cause him problems and steel the |
| powerful and in total control of those individuals I have | | | | limelight. Those people are quickly asked to return |
| just described. | | | | to their seats in the audience. |
| Hypnotherapy: | | | | So on with the show. The hypnotist will then carry |
| On the other hand, a Hypnotherapist is an individual | | | | out his act appearing to hypnotise at will and getting his |
| who for whatever reason, usually because of a need | | | | subjects to perform funny, but harmless acts in front |
| within his personality, to help other individuals in need of | | | | of the audience. |
| psychological help. A Hypnotherapist should be well | | | | It should be noted that NOBODY will respond to any |
| versed in both the ethical use of hypnosis and a | | | | form of SUGGESTION that is OBNOXIOUS or against |
| working knowledge of psychology, both of which are | | | | his or her MORAL CONVICTIONS! |
| used to help his client towards a better life. | | | | No stage hypnotist would risk his reputation by giving a |
| The Mechanics | | | | suggestion to anyone knowing that that person would |
| How does a stage hypnotist appear to control his | | | | object to carrying it out. For example, it would be |
| subjects? To answer that we have to become | | | | very risky to suggest to an attractive woman that she |
| aware of what is actually happening some hours | | | | should physically take her clothes off. Ok, there are |
| before and during his performance. | | | | women who would gladly do that in front of an |
| Here are the procedures that are typically applied | | | | audience, but the hypnotist would not know that and |
| before a hypnotist carries out his act: | | | | would, therefore, avoid such a suggestion. |
| 1. Before the hypnotist appears on stage, he | | | | You will also note that religion is NEVER included in a |
| would have received a great deal of 'positive and | | | | stage hypnotist's performance. |
| complimentary' publicity. There should also be an | | | | It should also be noted that in any audience, there are |
| entrance charge to his act, the higher the better. | | | | a small number of people who would be happy to go |
| Reasons being that the publicity builds up an | | | | on stage and do silly things to get a laugh. Go to |
| expectation of a powerful figure and when a fee is | | | | any holiday camp and you will see performers calling |
| paid, it is an unconscious way of saying, 'I believe the | | | | up on stage members of an audience and having |
| publicity'. In fact, those people who know themselves | | | | them do silly things. There are clowns in every |
| to be hypnotisable, are unconsciously expecting to be, | | | | audience and the stage is a perfect vehicle for them, |
| and invariably will, be hypnotised. | | | | with or WITHOUT hypnosis as an excuse. |
| 2. On the actual night, the audience will be kept | | | | Genuine Hypnosis or Not! |
| waiting to build up the 'expectancy' even more. | | | | So are those volunteers on the stage genuinely |
| Usually the proprietors of the establishment will | | | | hypnotised. The answer is a 'Yes' and a 'No'. |
| continually mention that the hypnotist will appear later in | | | | Some are in such a deep trance that they are |
| the evening. This is in a way similar to the build up | | | | genuinely hypnotised. Those people usually cannot |
| to a T.V. show when the floor manager and some | | | | remember what they have done immediately after a |
| well known comedians 'prepare' the audience minutes | | | | show, but do remember as time passes by. (Of |
| before the show. Also, it is common practice for | | | | course, some people who do remember, say they do |
| the use of alcohol to be used to 'free up the inhibitions' | | | | not because they want to 'cover up their tracks' with |
| by being available for at least a couple of hours before | | | | their friends and family). |
| the show. | | | | Others will NOT be hypnotised, but pretend they are. |
| 3. The appearance of the hypnotist will be to the | | | | I watched a show once and one woman was |
| sound of great applause - again building up the | | | | certainly under hypnosis whereas there was a man |
| expectation and causing excitement. The | | | | who was obviously not. The hypnotist got only a |
| personal attire of the hypnotist is usually black to give | | | | few laughs from the woman and made full use of the |
| that 'mystical' appearance and to create the | | | | man as he was willing to do virtually anything to raise a |
| impression of power. This is not absolutely | | | | laugh. |
| necessary if the performer is well known. | | | | It should be noted that an ethical hypnotist will always |
| 4. The hypnotist will then talk to the audience and | | | | establish normality, at the end of his act, in his subjects, |
| further convince them that he is the powerful figure | | | | regardless of whether he believes it necessary or not. |
| they were expecting who has the magical hypnotic | | | | Ok, enough about stage hypnosis and now to |
| powers expected of him. Usually the talk includes | | | | Hypnotherapy. |
| personal testimonials to his abilities. | | | | Now for the boring part of this article. |
| 5. Now to the performance. The hypnotist will | | | | What does a Hypnotherapist do? He or she helps |
| always carry out a number of 'suggestibility tests' to | | | | people to live a normal and happy life. The |
| establish who is highly suggestible within the | | | | definition of 'normal' has to be left up to you for it is |
| audience. The tests are intended to produce a | | | | how you want to live your life that is normal. |
| small number of people who respond readily to | | | | A Hypnotherapist will be educated in both the |
| suggestions and who are either able to convince | | | | application and use of hypnosis and also in the |
| themselves they can be hypnotised or, are willing to do | | | | application of psychology in the form of |
| foolish things with the excuse of having no control | | | | psychotherapy. |
| over their actions due to being hypnotised. | | | | Good Hypnotherapists have an arsenal of techniques |
| 6. The suggestibility tests are varied and | | | | and therapies at his or her disposal. The |
| numerous, an example being the 'hand clasp' test. | | | | importance of recognising every client as an individual |
| a. The audience is 'asked' to stand up (those | | | | with his or her own personal characteristics, life |
| that do are responding to an order (a suggestion) to | | | | experiences and most importantly 'a way of dealing |
| do so) and then to hold their arms out in front of | | | | with problems', cannot be emphasised enough. |
| them. They are then instructed to clasp the hands | | | | Hypnotherapists are there to help and not to make a |
| together, intertwining their fingers (the hypnotist will | | | | client feel foolish. An important requirement for any |
| demonstrate to ensure the instructions are followed | | | | Hypnotherapist is a caring, kind and understanding |
| exactly as that is very important). b. The | | | | nature. The need to help others is a bonus. |
| audience is then told that when the hypnotist counts up | | | | Also important is the training a Hypnotherapist |
| to a certain number, the hands will become stuck | | | | receives. Any course taken MUST include the |
| together (this is repeated at least three times in | | | | psychology aspect of treating clients. The reason |
| accordance with the 'laws of suggestion') and on the | | | | simply being that a Hypnotherapist treats psychological |
| final number the hypnotist will ask the audience to 'try' | | | | problems and he or she must understand human |
| (this word 'suggests' that they cannot) to unclasp their | | | | behaviour. It is not necessary to hold a degree in |
| hands. The harder they try (this is another law of | | | | psychology, but knowledge of most forms of |
| suggestion - 'the harder you try, the more difficult it | | | | psychology is important. |
| becomes') the more difficult it will become and they will | | | | A typical treatment given by a Hypnotherapist would |
| find they cannot unclasp the hands, no matter 'how | | | | be: |
| hard' they try. (Think of the 'tight ropewalker'. The | | | | 1. A consultation when an overall assessment of |
| novice will try too hard and fall, whereas the | | | | a client's problem is taken. The consultation must |
| experienced walker just takes it easy and succeeds) | | | | include questions on family background, medication, |
| 7. As it is known that approximately 25% of the | | | | past illnesses and a host of other things. Near the |
| population is highly suggestible, in any audience there | | | | end of the consultation, the Hypnotherapist may or |
| will be a number of people who will not be able to | | | | may not include a short session of hypnosis to boost |
| unclasp their hands. Sometimes a lot and sometimes | | | | the client's confidence in the therapy to be given. |
| very few. | | | | 2. On the next session the Hypnotherapist will |
| 8. Those people who cannot unclasp their hands | | | | then use an appropriate therapy. Sometimes it |
| are asked to remain standing (this is to ensure the | | | | includes hypnosis and sometimes a non-hypnosis |
| hypnotist does not lose track of them and enables him | | | | technique such as Guided Imagery. If the |
| to observe the 'exhibitionists' amongst them). | | | | Hypnotherapist considers it appropriate, he or she |
| Another suggestion is given to allow them to unclasp | | | | may just use this session to talk through the problem. |
| their hands, usually by simply telling them to relax their | | | | 3. Subsequent sessions are then conducted to |
| hands and on a given word such as 'now' they will be | | | | bring about a solution to the client's problem. |
| able to unclasp their hands. The reason their hands | | | | At no time would an ethical Hypnotherapist produce a |
| are clasped together is because they are tensing them | | | | situation where the client becomes reliant on the |
| and the simple act of relaxing enables them to unclasp, | | | | therapy of therapist. The goal of a Hypnotherapist is |
| but the audience believes it is the power of the | | | | to guide the client towards self-reliance when he or |
| hypnotist at work. | | | | she is in full control of the life he or she wants to lead. |
| 9. Sometimes, the hypnotist will then carry out | | | | Hypnotherapy can be used to treat almost, but not all, |
| another 'suggestibility test' to lower the numbers of | | | | psychological ailments. |
| possible subjects. This is done mainly with large | | | | I hope the above helps you recognise the difference |
| audiences. | | | | between what is perceived as stage hypnosis and |
| 10. The hypnotist will then 'invite' those people | | | | Hypnotherapy. One entertains and is not what it |
| standing to go on to the stage and sit on chairs | | | | appears to be and the other is used for healing. |
| already placed in a line behind the hypnotist. The | | | | Please note that in the above article I have used the |
| chairs will have already acted as a powerful | | | | male gender throughout, but this is for easy reading |
| suggestion as the audience will have seen them and | | | | and does not exclude female hypnotists, or |
| 'expected' members of the audience to sit in them and | | | | Hypnotherapists. |