In the next few paragraphs I have outlined some of the most frequently asked questions that I encounter in clinical practice, and a brief overview of their answers. If after reading this you have additional questions, or want more information, please feel free to email me at ceburphd@aol.com.
![]() | What is a “hypnotic trance”? |
![]() | Is “spontaneous hypnosis” a rare state? |
![]() | I’ve heard of the term “hypnotic induction.” What is it? |
![]() | Are you saying that I can learn to hypnotize myself? |
![]() | Can everyone be hypnotized? |
![]() | Will I lose control in hypnosis? |
![]() | Is hypnosis a type of therapy? |
![]() | How long will treatments with clinical hypnosis take? |
![]() | How do I select a professional who is qualified to use hypnosis to help me? |
When calling about treatment, always ask about State Licensure in the person’s particular field, for example psychology, or medicine. If they are not licensed, they probably lack the education required for licensure. Then ask about the professional organizations to which they belong. Ask about whether they have achieved, in addition to the license, a special Certification in Clinical Hypnosis. But remember, certification, alone, is not enough. Would you go to an unlicensed dentist or physician? Of course not!
Feel free to ask if the person is Licensed by the state and Certified by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, and a member of another professional society, such as the American Psychological Association. This kind of careful questioning can help to avoid entering into relationships with persons who may engage in fraudulent or unethical practices. Once you are comfortable that the person is qualified, you may wish to discuss your problem briefly, and ask if hypnosis is an appropriate treatment for it. If so, ask how would that be done. If not, ask what might be a more appropriate approach to treatment. The person should be able to make reasonable responses to this kind of inquiry. If they do, the next step may be to sit down with them face-to-face, and discuss things in more detail.
This series of questions and answers was designed to satisfy an individual’s initial curiosity about clinical hypnosis. If these questions have stirred your interest, perhaps you’ll want to browse the other pages of this site. You can turn to the Case Studies section for real-world, clinical examples demonstrating how the technique is used in my psychotherapy practice. You may also wish to look at testimonials from patients who have benefited from hypnosis in resolving their problems.