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Common Questions and Answers

There are many, many misconceptions about hypnosis, its uses, what it can do, and even how it relates to your religion. Below, many of the most common questions are answered in straightforward talk. Take a moment to look them over. But, if you still have some questions, please feel free to ask your Dr. Gale at a first session or an initial consultation.

Q. Is hypnosis recognized by Medical community??A. Yes. Hypnotism was recognized by Medical and Dental communities for use by medical professionals and responsibly qualified individuals who were trained and certified by official professional organizations since 1958.

Q: What is resistance??A. Resistance is the unwillingness of a subject to accept the hypnotic process; usually due to an inhibition, fear of hypnosis or fear of another nature existing in the client.

Q. What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy??A. Hypnosis has been around for thousands of years. Hypnotherapy is simply a therapy which uses hypnosis as powerful tool to enhance your natural inner resources for a more positive outcome and also, hypnotherapy uses techniques like advanced parts therapy, direct suggestions, age regression, self-hypnosis, guided imagery, inner child dialogue. It is used world wide for many decades successfully.

Q. Who can be hypnotized??A. Anyone with reasonable intelligence can be hypnotized. The only ones who may not be able to be hypnotized are people with severe mental disability and children under the age of five, in both cases it’s because they may not understand the words you are saying or be able to follow your instructions. If you are able to read a book and follow simple instructions you are hypnotizable, but only if you want to be. The only requirement is the desire to be hypnotized (or at least allow it to happen) plus an understanding of what they need to do in order to achieve the hypnotic state. The degree, however, varies from person to person.

Q. Can I get stuck in hypnosis??A. No, the hypnotic state can be terminated at any time you chose. It is your choice to enter the state and you can always choose to leave it. If you were left in a hypnotic state by your Hypnotherapist or by a hypnotic tape, you would either return to full consciousness on your own or enter a natural sleep and awaken after a short pleasant nap. In any case professional therapists are trained to awaken clients reluctant to leave the trance state. There is no "trance" or "being under anyone's power". That is merely HOLLYWOOD. There has never been a terminal case of hypnosis in the emergency room

Q. Will I tell you any deep . . . dark . . . secrets??A. Not, unless you want to. It is not a truth serum! If you have a bag of money hidden in your backyard, the secret will still be safe after your session. In fact, there are many that say that you can even pass a lie detector test under hypnosis.

Q. What Does Hypnosis Feel Like??A. During hypnosis you feel like a daydream or maybe a heaviness, lightness, sensation of floating... It is a sensation of deep enjoyable relaxation and heightened focus, attention. Sounds are crisp and clear. You may notice your breathing and heart rate slowing down. Hypnosis feels really good all over your body and mind. There is a look of centeredness, peace and contentment on the face of a client coming out of hypnosis

Q. Are audio CD's as effective as individual sessions??A. Normally with tapes as well as in group sessions we can do a session only one specific way. So as a rule, audio CD's and group sessions have a much lower success ratio than that of live sessions since everyone is hypnotized a little different and can not be tested and individualized when not in person.

Q. Are drugs or tablets used? Is it safe? Are there any unwanted side effects??A. No, only the natural power of your own mind is used to relieve symptoms and alter unwanted behavior patterns. Hypnotherapy is safe with no unwanted or unpleasant side effects.

Q. Is hypnosis dangerous??A. No, it is no more dangerous than sitting in a recliner, watching television. The only side effect will be that you will be very relaxed afterwards. Every 15 minutes of deep hypnosis are equal about four hours of a deep sound sleep at night. Think about it! This is the beauty of hypnosis!

Q. Am I sleeping during session??A. Actually, it is just the opposite! You are wide awake. You are very aware in this hypnotic state. You are actually in a state of what is called hypersensitivity. All of your senses are enhanced, your sight, hearing, imagination, taste, smell, emotions and feelings. It is closer to a state of day dreaming or deep relaxing. Most of hypnotists use word “SLEEP”, but this is just a short hand for NOW GO INTO DEEP STATE OF RELAXATION WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED AS IF YOU ARE FALLING INTO DEEP SOUND SLEEP RAPIDLY. 

Q. Is self-hypnosis as effective as having a hypnotherapist present??A. Self-hypnosis refers to an application of hypnotherapy in which the client can help him/her self. Once learned and practiced, it is a powerful tool that can produce innumerable benefits and last a lifetime. There are numerous books, tapes and videos advocating or explaining self-hypnosis. There are special techniques and reinforcement strategies that can substantially increase and accelerate effectiveness. Uses of self-hypnosis include self-anesthesia (such as controlling pain), reducing insomnia, control of several organic functions (such as blood flow and pressure) and stress, increased abilities in concentration, learning and memory, and dealing with self-esteem, fears or frustrations with your own abilities to relax and receive the helpful thoughts, images, feelings or emotions which can greatly improve the quality of your life.

Q. Will I do anything against my will??A. No, you will not do anything that you think this is unacceptable or against your nature. You cannot be ‘made’ to violate your own values or accepted patterns of behavior. You would either reject the suggestion or come out of the hypnosis. You will hear everything and you are in complete self-control.

Q. Will I be in control and aware of what is happening??A. Yes, all the time. You do not go ‘out’, ‘under’ or ‘to sleep’. You are not unconscious. You are in an alternative state of consciousness with a very narrow focus of attention. You can hear everything that is being said. Nothing happens without your consent. You have a full control. However, you are extremely relaxed in the same time.

Q. Will I remember what happens during the sessions??A. Yes, people remember everything they or the counselor said during the session. In rare instances the Dr. Gale might need to remind them of one or two points that were talked about in order to trigger off the rest of the memory. It is possible for the therapist to give a posthypnotic suggestion to forget your unpleasant experience or feeling for your good.

Q. Will the therapist have to touch me??A. Most hypnotists will touch your arm, shoulder, neck or forehead to test whether you are properly relaxed or to assist you go into a deeper state of hypnosis, but they will seek your permission first. Other than this form of contact, a hypnotist will not be touching you. The vast majority of hypnotists follow the Code of Ethics and they are respectful to you.

Q. How many sessions will I need??A. Some simple problems like stress reduction or dental anxiety may only require as little as three sessions. Usually, each session will take around 60 - 90 minutes. More deeply rooted problems may require more sessions for reinforcement. Dr. Gale generally offer an initial assessment consultation in which to meet you, assess your problem, determine your needs, the likely number of sessions for positive outcome and agree an affordable fee per session/program.