Hypnosis is without a doubt the most misunderstood discipline there is. The myths and misinformation about this fascinating and valuable discipline are the products of movies, books, and in some cases, the truly ignorant. These are questions asked by real people.
1. I understand that it takes a weak mind to be hypnotized, is this true? J.B. San Diego, CA
A. Nothing is farther from the truth, in fact the more clear and strong the mind the easier it is to enter hypnosis.
2. How do you maintain control of me? S.G. Salt Lake City, UT.
A. Hynotists do not take control of you, you take it back, you make it stronger, it belongs to you and to no one else. The Hypnotist is a guide. I tell my clients that I do not want your will power, if it was worth a hoot, you would not be seeing me. I have enough trouble with mine, I do not need yours hanging around. S.R. Austin, Texas
3. How long do hypnotic suggestion last? L.K. Liverpool, England, U.K.
A. Hypnotic suggestion(s) are forever. Once planted they do not go away. They become stronger, not weaker as time goes by. Remember that you are in control, you will always make the final decision about the suggestions. You are always free to accept or reject them.
4. How long should I expect not to smoke if I use hypnosis? B.S. Pearland, Texas
A. I have found that in the sixteen years of using hypnosis, that the average person should have a booster, a reinforcement session after one year. Many do not need it, however many do. Most people stop after one two hour session with me. I strongly urge them all to do a booster session within three months.
5. I have attended some your seminars and read your material. You say that Hypnosis is not sleep. Why do you tell us to be sleepy and to sleep now? E.B. Pearland, Texas
A. Hypnosis is not sleep, not even close to it. In sleep you are in an unconscious state. In hypnosis you are in a very conscious state, aware of everything. The body will act and respond to hypnosis as if it were asleep, the mind knows that it is not. When a hypnotist uses the words "Sleep, Sleepy, Sleep Now..." he or she is having you intensify your level of relaxation and concentration.
6. I used hypnosis in a group many years ago and the suggestions worked for an hour, what happened? B.A. Clear Lake, Texas
A. Group sessions are usually good for the person conducting them, at least good for his or her pocketbook. Hypnosis is a personal experience and should be conducted in a personal manner. I will do a group, but I will not do more than six people. These are generic sessions and I have yet to meet a generic person. I always encourage anyone in a group to do individual follow-ups.
7. Do you work with person who are mentally challenged? D. F. Houston, Texas
A. Yes. The general concensus about hypnosis is that it will not work with those mentally challenged. I always ask; "Why not try?" If a person can understand the meanings of "Sit down, close your eyes, feel sleepy, I find them very easy to hypnotize and to accept and apply hypnotic suggestions.
8. I went to a hypnotist and he would not allow anyone to be with me, do you do this? L.K. Boston, Mass.
A. No, no and no! A well-trained, professional hypnotist can hypnotize anyone anywhere, under any circumstance. My clients may have anyone present they want. I personally would not want my family members to go anywhere they must be alone. The client and I enter an agreement... if it appears that the visitor by their presence is interfering with the quality of the session, he or she will simply go into another room or leave and come back later.
9. Do you touch your clients? E.V. Houston, Texas
A. No one has a right to touch you without your permission, the proper use of hypnosis does not require you to be touched. There is a technique that I use called Heavey Arm, Light Arm where I pick up the arm by the wrist and allow the client to not only hear but see how what they tell their body to do, it will do. To touch you any other place is not needed and I would not let anyone touch you any other place, if, they insist, leave.
10. I came to you years ago to stop smoking and it lasted six months. I stopped using the tape you made me after a few weeks and never did use the water technique you taught. If I went back to the tape and the water, could I, would I stop smoking? L.H. Plymouth, Mass.
A. Many people will not follow through with the physical acts to succeed. What happens, is they are afraid of success. "What will I do if I succeed?" They will sabotage their success. I would suggest that you return for a follow-up and a new tape. Remember you are in control, not me, I teach how to do, you do.
11. I want to make an appointment for my husband to stop smoking. He does not beleive in hypnosis but said if it would make me happy he would do it. Will you help him? E.S. Pearland, Texas
A. I will try. However, hypnosis is a fifty-fifty partnership between client and hypnotist. Many say it is 80% client and 20% hypnotist. I will never have that kind of agreement with any client. If your husband wants to use hypnosis and wants to be successful, he will be. You would be surprised at how many tell me they do not beleive and then amaze themselves with their success.
12. What is the hypnotist dealing with, the conscious mind or the subconscious mind? A.P. St. Louis Mo.
A. The subconscious mind. The goal is to get the conscious and the subconscious mind to agree on the same positive message and carry out the decisions made.
13. What else do you do beside hypnosis? G.G. Galveston, Texas
A. I am a professional hypnotist. Many, especially in this area seem to be massage therapists using hypnosis as a hook to get you inside their office and to offer massage. Massage therapy is a fantastic discipline, however I find that many of these have little training in Hypnosis and I would not reccomend anyone seeing a massage therapist who uses hypnosis a sideline. I only do hypnosis.
14. I once had to sign a very expensive contract for hypnotic services that I did not want to complete, still had to pay for the sessions. What kind of contract do you have? R.W. Austin, Texas
A. None. Hypnosis is a personal experience and the client must want to do it. I have a form that my clients fill out that explains what I do and what I do not do. What hypnosis is and what it is not. They sign it as do I... it sets up the professional relationship and it signifys that the client is entering into hypnosis with informed consent. There is no contract. I would not sign a contract.
15. Is what you do confidential? A.S. Alvin, Texas
A. Yes it is. I do not have a consent form to release information. I tell all my clients that if they want information discussed or released to anyone, and I mean anyone they must write it in their own words, sign and date it. Then hand deliver it to me. I am serious to a fault about protecting the privacy and the dignity of my clients.
16. I am a Christian, will hypnosis work for me? R.W. Tyler, Texas
A. I also am a Christian, I am ordained minster. My practice is founded on the awesome principle and truth that, That you area perect creation of God, entitled to be happy, healthy, successful, to acheive your goals, to be loved and to love.
17. I am a Christian and therefore know that hypnosis is evil. R.W. Pearland, Texas
A. As I said at the beginning of this page, this is the most misunderstood discipline there is. Most of the knowledge people have about hypnosis is based on myth, misinformation obtained from the movies, television, books, etc. Hypnosis is a natural act that every human being enters into and comes out of many times during their day. It is total relaxation and concentration, it is intense daydreaming. Many clients after experiencing hypnosis are disappointed that they were not in a zombie state because they fully expected to be. Hypnosis is a tool, it not evil, good, holy, unholy, it is neutral. Like any tool when used properly will assist you in acheiving "Positive" results to live, act and react to all situaions in a positive, productive manner.
18. I would like to learn to be a hypnotist, how do I do this? R.T. The Woodlands, Texas
A. Zenith Inst. offers low-cost, professional training in hypnosis. There are several good schools in Texas. There are many that are not. I do encourage correspondence courses unless you consider the one offered by the National Guild. Our classes are twelve months in length and approved by the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Assn and the National Guild.
19. Will I do anything silly or dangerous in hypnosis? E.N. Friendswood, Texas
A. No. Hypnosis is not the taking of control by the hypnotist. It is showing how to regain control and make it stronger. You cannot be made to do anything in hypnosis that you would not be willing to do in a non-hypnotic state. When you see a stage hypnotist having people cluck like chickens or whatever, it is because they WANT TO not because he or she is MAKING THEM DO IT.
20. Do hypnotists take insurance? B.B. Friendswood, Texas
A. There are insurance codes for hypnosis. I urge all clients to apply for reimbursement from their insurance companies, all they can do is tell you Yes or No.
In 2005 the Texas Legislature will be meeting again and a bill will be introduced to have hypnosis seen as a separate discipline from psychology, perhaps then, third part insurance will be accepted. Zenith keeps prices down to a reasonable level. Hypnosis is not geared to long-term therapy, the average time that a hypnotist sees a client is from three to ten sessions.
21. Have you ever used hypnosis in child-birthing? A.H. Pearland, Texas
A. Yes, I usually see a client in their third trimester, I only work with those who have consulted with their physician and he or she has approved it. Hypnosis is a medical tool. Before the invention of Ether, hypnosis was used for all surgery, major and minor. The client that I see for this type of session is taught the difference between pain and pressure. If they need to feel pain they will, if not, they will simply feel pressure and enjoy the birth of their child or children.
22. What is Forensic Hypnosis" A.T. Big Spring, Texas
A. Forensic Hypnosis is also called Investigative Hypnosis. It is used to recall information blocked for whatever reason. It is a valuable and powerful tool in Law Enforcement and in the recovery of lost items and information. The price to conduct Forensic Hypnosis at Zenith is $500.00 for the first session and $100.00 for the follow-ups if needed. The average is three sessions. If information is actually there, it can be brought up from the subconscious mind in a calm, relaxed manner so that it is not blown out of proportion. I use it regularly with clients about to appear in court, so they may answer questions in a calm and focused manner. I have recovered lost jewelry, names, dates and other information buried within the subconscious mind.
23. If I ordered your CD's would I still need to a session? V.K. New York, New York
A. It is always best to do one-on-one sessions with a hypnotist. My CD's are sold and in use throughout the United States and Europe. I have many clients that I have never met we conduct telephone sessions and some simply respond great to the CD's. I suggest that you purchase a CD or CD's and find out if they are all you need.
"If you have any other questions or comments please send them email to the email address provided within this website. Thank you and God bless.
-Lloyd L. Haymon-
Master Hypnotist
