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Let us explore this topic because while there are no known incidents of people having been ‘hurt' by hypnosis itself, clearly some people do not respect or acknowledge their limits to the detriment of those expecting positive results. And yes, indeed, there are times when deliberately induced hypnosis should be avoided.
Children are in a state of suggestibility (hypnosis) during most of their waking hours until they are about 12 years old. This is great if they are getting positive suggestions during this waking hypnotic state. Therefore, some of what they are getting on TV and from video games is damaging to them. If you are skeptical about this, ask yourself why advertising companies would pay millions of dollars for a minute of advertising time with your kids! They know the power of hypnosis, the suggestibility of children and they use it to sell their often not-so-beneficial products.
Unfortunately many hypnotists, particularly of the entertainment and amateur/week-end variety, tend to overstate or deliberately misstate their competency and qualifications … some even promote themselves as competent to do Hypnotherapy. It is NOT true that just because a person can hypnotize someone they are automatically qualified and competent to deal with emotional issues or help change ‘habits'. In fact, without proper training, one is not even competent to make a proper determination as to whether hypnosis is appropriate for the individual in the first place. There could be issues around medication, serious mental conditions such as schizophrenia, addiction detox, seizures, epilepsy, paranoia and so on, that they are not aware of, or would not know how to manage.
Like the arm-chair psychologist who reads a book on psychology or watches Dr. Phil and then presumes that their knowledge is sufficient to do psychotherapy on unsuspecting friends and others, doing hypnosis for therapeutic reasons is unethical and immoral unless one is fully trained and accredited. [see Choosing a Hypnotherapist]
Hypnosis generally is considered a “benign process” with “few contra-indications”; however, pseudo-memories can be created if leading questions are asked during the investigative phase of hypnosis. (excerpt from Mayo Clinic Proceedings review by James H. Stewart, MD 2005;80:511-524 ) Please see Tip #8 under Choosing Your Hypnotherapist.
It is dangerous to numb pain without knowing the reason for the pain and without knowing that it has been medically addressed, therefore anyone numbing pain using hypnosis before that pain has been properly accessed is engaging in very improper behavior. A competent and ethical hypnotist and hypnotherapist will refuse to numb any pain that has not been investigated by a medical doctor. Once the pain has been investigated, the doctor will usually refer a sufferer to a hypnotherapist for pain management if the patient requests.
Hypnosis is natural and everyone can learn to induce it in a willing subject. But should they? Not if they are going to exceed the limits of their training. Over-reaching their skills, knowledge and abilities can in fact leave the person they are attempting to ‘help' feeling worse about themselves and at the least, totally disillusioned with the hypnotic process.
Hypnosis is a tool, like a hammer or shovel is a tool. If one is not trained properly in how to use a hammer or shovel, they can do unintentional damage and so too with hypnosis. Once hypnotized by a friend or someone they trust, a person can then receive post-hypnotic suggestions that they consciously want and agreed to, but that are not necessarily in their best interest or not necessarily framed in a productive way. The subconscious accepts all words literally, therefore the use of language is extremely important. Hypnotherapists are trained when, how and with whom to use their tools. If you wouldn't allow a non-mechanic to do a motor-job on your car, then why let a ‘hobbyist' practice on your mind. [see Choosing a Hypnotherapist]
In the hands of an amateur hypnotist, the lack of proper training in using hypnosis for therapy can result in the hypnotist interjecting their own beliefs and values into a session and/or inappropriately terminating a session before the client has completed their self-discovery and resolved their issues. Hypnotherapists know that this is unethical and unproductive and violates their oath to make the therapy ‘client-centered'. Note that many people also take a week-end or other short course in hypnosis, refer to themselves as Master Hypnotist, Consulting Hypnotists, etc. etc., but have no clue how to manage a proper hypnotherapy session. [see Choosing a Hypnotherapist ].
Again, common sense prevails…before you do anything ask yourself if you are comfortable with being someone's ‘experiment'. You shouldn't be…you are worth more then that!
"Hypnotherapy doesn't have to be your last resort
.... it can be your first and best."
GracePlace Wellness™
279 Columbus Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario
Tel: (613) 422-7027 - (Toll Free) 1-888-390-3553
E-Mail: info@graceplacewellness.com
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© All rights reserved Grace Joubarne, 2009