Breaking Down The Barriers

A study done back in 2004 (Potter, 2004) found that 'public perception' is the greatest barrier to progress in the development of hypnotherapy, particularly due to the use of hypnosis in entertainment. This is confirmed by Modlin in 2004. Ten years later and it seems that that perception IS improving, but has still along way to go. I gave a talk on hypnosis recently in Ferrybank Library in Waterford. While promoting the talk I put together some posters and in the days preceding it went around to the local shops and businesses asking them to put up the posters. Now most people were great and very obliging; but I did come across this one lady who, after looking at the poster skeptically, proceeded to tell me all about her misinformed view on hypnosis. How it is 'spooky' and something to do with 'mind control'. After all she had seen that Keith Barry on the TV and he made someone do funny things .... 

Thankfully, I find that most people in this day and age are fairly aware of what hypnosis is, and what benefits hypnotherapy can offer. But at the same time if I had a penny for the amount of people that have said to me 'Don't look in my eyes' I would be a rich man. For my part, I have done everything I can to dispel the myths and misconceptions around hypnosis. The last three years I have given over thirty public information talks in the South East area on 'the truth about hypnosis' and 'the many benefits' that it offers, from removing a habit to reducing stress to helping people relax. Research from around the world continues to demonstrate all these benefits. So that is what makes the misconceptions unfortunate - because they prevent people from obtaining these benefits.

Consulting Hypnotists teach people how to be successful with their lives in so many ways. We help them to create new behaviors and empower them to transform their lives. I say it at all my talks because it is so true that 'all hypnosis is self hypnosis'. That is why I teach 'self hypnosis' to all my clients. After they leave my office, not only have they been hypnotized into that creative focused state of mind we call hypnosis; and have received the helpful and beneficial suggestions they want me to give them (as well as any other hypnotic techniques I feel might be needed such as 'regression' and I will explain that in detail in a future blog), but are walking into the future ready to program their minds every day using self hypnosis. This leads to them feeling better in every way both physically and mentally. 

Hypnosis is not a quick fix. It is a learning process. All the time when you are using hypnosis you are developing new neural pathways in your mind and building yourself up from within. So for example, coming to see me for my 'weight control' program, what you are really doing is 'learning how to live a lifestyle that leads to permanent weight loss'. I am learning the piano at the moment. I did not expect to get just one piano lesson and become proficient at it. I understand that to become really good on the piano I need to practice every day. Just like I would ask my clients to practice self hypnosis and the other techniques I teach them. To develop any new behaviour is the same. Can you see the parallels here? 

If you 'practice' great accomplishments will occur. Unfortunately if people come to see a Consulting Hypnotist and do not follow instructions or practice what they are taught their successes will be limited. They are wasting my time and their own time. But when they commit to the process they are always more than happy with the results. Of course I am also always there to support my clients once the hypnosis program is completed. Clients with a weight loss issue or confidence issue are always assured that they can come in once a month for maintenance. I find that clients love to know that they can come back if they choose and that once their program is officially completed they are not on their own. They can continue to be successful.

I believe continued research will allow hypnotherapy to become a more mainstream tool and continue to develop and change the public perception. In the meantime it is up to us Consulting Hypnotists to spread the good news. I hope by reading this blog you have a better understanding of a hypnosis program and what it entails. Remember that hypnosis is a natural process which can really bring so many positive changes to your life. What's not to like?

© Trevor Eivers 2014

 

My name if Trevor Eivers and I am based in Waterford, Ireland. I am a Certified Consulting Hypnotist (since 2010) with the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), which is the largest hypnosis body in the world with over 14,000 members in 83 different countries worldwide. I am also a Certified NLP practitioner. I love my job in which I help everyday people with everyday issues. Contact me at 086-8211677 or check me out online at waterford-hypnosis.com or Facebook at : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trevor-Eivers-Hypnosis/177881245578285

Here is a nice 8 minute video where I talk about my business:

A Meeting with Waterford Hypnosis