Monday 17 May 2010

Revealing Deep Dark Secrets

From Yahoo! Answers
Question
Is it possible to reveal deep, dark secrets under hypnosis?
I have the opportunity to be hypnotized by a stage hypnotist. From what I've read, a person under hypnosis is submissive to the hypnotists's suggestions but still has his or her morals and safety concerns. It sounds fun!

My concern is, under hypnosis, is one in danger of revealing his or her secrets, or are secrets still safe without the barrier of the conscious mind?

My Answer:
Hi Bob

The five answers you have had so far are all wrong. I say that, speaking as a clinical hypnotist of 16 years experience, having done nearly 20,000 hypnotic inductions for real. I work in private practice but also as a clinical hypnotist with the occupational health department of my local hospital.

The first rule of getting into hypnosis, whether for therapeutic reasons or as a volunteer for a stage show, is 'choose your hypnotist carefully'. If they are no good then it isn't going to be a very satisfactory experience for you. If they ARE good (and if you are a good hypnotee) then they can do whatever they want with you.

That's not such a big issue when you are dealing with a reputable hypnotherapist because they use their skills to make you feel better. It remains a big issue with good and reputable stage hypnotists, however, because their objective is precisely to exploit their volunteers in order to make themselves look good.

It simply is not the case that in hypnosis you are in control all the time and cannot be made to do anything against your will. That stuff is only ever said by people who have no experience of hypnotism, I'm afraid. Often they think they do know because they've studied hypnotherapy, and spent thousands of dollars on their training, but most hypno-schools teach that relaxation is hypnosis. It isn't. Relaxation is a state of relaxation and hypnosis is a state of hypnosis. When you are relaxed you are in control &c. When you are hypnotised you may not be in complete control.

My advice (if you wish to keep your secrets secret) is to not take the risk of something slipping out by volunteering as a subject for the amusement of other people. You might be all right but you might not and it probably isn't worth the gamble.

For some insight into what actually can and cannot be done with real hypnotism you might take a look at some video clips I have on You Tube. Click the link in the sources below.

Best wishes

Barry Thain
Clinical Hypnotist
Source(s):

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