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By Mayo Clinic staffThere are a variety of techniques for hypnosis. The approach you choose depends on what you want to accomplish and your personal preferences. Your hypnotherapist may make a recommendation about the best technique for your situation.
In general, a hypnotherapist explains the process of hypnosis and reviews what you both hope to accomplish. The hypnotherapist typically induces you into hypnosis by talking in a gentle, soothing tone and describing images that create a sense of relaxation, security and well-being.
When you're in a deep trance-like state, the hypnotherapist suggests ways for you to achieve specific goals, such as reducing pain or eliminating cravings to smoke. The hypnotherapist also may help you visualize vivid, meaningful mental images in which you picture yourself accomplishing your goals, such as shooting baskets accurately. When the session is over, either you are able to bring yourself out of hypnosis or your hypnotherapist helps you end your trance-like state.
A typical hypnosis session lasts about 30 to 60 minutes. You may benefit from just one session or several sessions of hypnosis. You can usually resume normal activities immediately.
Contrary to how hypnosis is sometimes portrayed in movies, on television or on stage, you don't lose control over your behavior while under hypnosis. Although hypnosis makes you more open to suggestions, you can't be forced to engage in behavior involuntarily. Also, you generally remain aware of who you are and where you are, and you typically remember what happened when you were under hypnosis.
You may eventually be able to practice self-hypnosis, in which you induce a state of hypnosis in yourself. You can use this skill as needed — for instance, after a chemotherapy session.
- Information for the general public. American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. http://asch.net/genpubinfo.htm. Accessed Oct. 15, 2009.
- Stewart JH. Hypnosis in contemporary medicine. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2005;80:511.
- Surman OS, et al. Hypnosis. In: Stern TA, et al. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby/Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/165034062-3/0/1657/142.html?tocnode=5754. Accessed Oct. 15, 2009.
- Hypnosis today — Looking beyond the media portrayal. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/releases/hypnosis.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- New definition: Hypnosis. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/divisions/div30/define_hypnosis.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Hypnosis. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Hypnosis.asp. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Schnur JB, et al. Hypnosis to manage distress related to medical procedures: A meta-analysis. Contemporary Hypnosis. 2008;25:114.
- Martin DP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 1, 2009.
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