5 myths that have stopped you getting help to reach your goals

You may be thinking about turning to hypnotherapy to achieve your goals this year, whatever they may be. At the same time, you’re unsure about the whole thing, because you’ve heard all sorts of rumours about hypnotherapy and wonder if they may be true. Let me be clear - hypnotherapy is not a cure-all for everything and everybody, but it can help a wide variety of people overcome a wide variety of issues.

Five widespread myths and what’s actually true

1. You can be hypnotised to do things against your will

During a hypnotherapy session, your mind is fully engaged, and you have full control over your mind and body. If any suggestions the hypnotherapist provides are against your will, you can reject them. You will not reveal any personal details unless you want to.

Therefore it is important to stand behind your goals 100%. They must be your goals - nobody else’s.

2. You won’t remember anything the hypnotherapist says

Many people are worried that they’re asleep or in a deep trance during hypnotherapy so that they won’t remember anything the hypnotherapist says to them. It is not necessary to remember every word that is said in your session. Your unconscious mind is always aware, even if you can’t consciously remember yourself.

Hypnosis is an altered state of awareness, where the function of the Default Mode Network (DMN) is reduced, causing a state of attentional absorption rather than losing consciousness - thus, sparking creativity and insight. This will help you to reach your goals more easily.

If you fall asleep, you’re not under hypnosis; so, if you show signs of being asleep, the hypnotherapist will stop and wait for you to wake up.

3. Intelligent people can’t be hypnotised

As it happens, the opposite is true. It is very difficult to hypnotise people with a very low IQ, as they find it difficult to follow the instructions. An imaginative and creative mind makes for a good subject, as you have to be able to concentrate and create vivid images in your mind.

If you have set some goals, hypnotherapy can help you stay focused and motivated, and make it easier for you to achieve them.

4. It’s a mystical practice

Hypnotherapy has nothing to do with magic or voodoo, nor is it associated with any particular religion. As it happens, it is acknowledged and accepted by almost all major religions as an ethical tool to help people. There are only a small number of sects that disagree with hypnotherapy.

You might want to change some habits. Hypnotherapy can help you overcome limiting beliefs that have kept you stuck until now.

5. Hypnotherapy can cure anything in one session

This myth from the opposite end of the spectrum is often spread by overzealous hypnotherapists who fail to follow-up with their clients after one session. They often blame the clients as 'not being ready for change'.

Even though some issues can be resolved in one session, most issues will require a few sittings. It depends on how deep-seated the problem is and how quickly the environment of the client can be changed. Sometimes it is also useful to have a top-up session once in a while to stay on track.