Hypnotherapy: What Is It Actually Like?

I’ve been in practice as a hypnotherapist since 2004. Over the years, I’ve lost count of the number of articles I’ve read on the subject, written by journalists who all seem compelled, somehow, to kick-start said article by saying, “You’d be forgiven for thinking that hypnosis is all about swinging pocket watches and pendulums, but it isn’t.”

And, by doing so, they perpetuate the idea that, somehow, hypnotherapy is, or was at some point, all about swinging pocket watches and pendulums.

Again and again, I’ve read the same stereotype being perpetuated for over thirteen years.

Enough already!

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

You’re thinking, “Hang on a minute, but isn’t he starting his article off that way too? The hypocrite!”

Well, yes. Yes, I am.

But the point really needs to be made, finally and for the last time, so that it need never be mentioned again: hypnotherapy is not about being hypnotised by a hypnotherapist with either a swinging pocket watch or a pendulum.

Except.

Except.

Except, it can be.

I have a pocket watch. A friend bought it for me as a present when I graduated from hypnotherapy college. I have hypnotised someone with it once, but only because they asked me to.

I’ve also hypnotised someone with a sonic screwdriver. Not a real one, mind, but one of those £10 plastic replicas. But that was only because A: I had one in my possession at the time and B: the person concerned was a Doctor Who fan and was absolutely over the moon when I waggled it in front of him.

The point of swinging pocket watches, pendulums, sonic screwdrivers, or anything else waved rhythmically in front of someone’s eyes is to encourage them to focus their attention. Eye fixation can be used as one way of inducing hypnosis.

You can also induce hypnosis by having someone focus on the palm of your hand, the back of their hand, a spot on the wall, or even by holding their arm in the air. You can use the sound of your voice, or a specific sound around them. There are many ways to achieve the same thing: helping someone focus their attention and begin to relax.

This process is often known as inducing trance. Once someone enters a hypnotic state, the experience can be deepened if appropriate. The therapeutic work can then take place.

So, to journalists everywhere, I say this: you’ll be forgiven for thinking that hypnotherapy is all about swinging pocket watches and pendulums because it can be.

And now that you know that, you need never kick off an article about hypnotherapy that way again.

Much to the relief of actual hypnotherapists everywhere.

Now, do not get me started on that old, “Look into my eyes, not around the eyes, in the eyes, you’re under” malarkey.