Let me begin by explaining the common denominator here, which is the hypnotic trance state itself. Many people are under the impression that a trance state is some mystical or magical condition of unconsciousness in which they can be influenced to do weird things, possibly against their will. This is the unfortunate side effect of the popularity of stage hypnotist shows in our culture. The truth is that the trance state is a normal aspect of consciousness which we all experience to one degree or another several times every day, and it actually is a state of heightened awareness or consciousness rather than a state of unconsciousness.

States of consciousness can be graphically portrayed by measuring brain waves. On the accompanying diagram, you will see that the figure labeled B is the Beta brain wave. This is the state of awareness which characterizes most of our conscious activity throughout the day. When we converse, analyze, calculate, plan, organize and so forth we are in our Beta minds. Diagram C characterizes the Theta brain wave state, and D is the Delta state. Delta is deep unconscious sleep, and Theta is a lighter stage of sleep which includes the dream state. Diagram A is the Alpha state, and this is the transitional state between conscious awareness and sleep. We usually pass through this Alpha state when we are going to sleep and again when we are waking up [unless we are abruptly awoken by the alarm clock!]. Other examples of being in the Alpha state would include that moment on the highway when we miss our exit because we have drifted into automatic pilot for a moment, day dreaming, reverie, or becoming so involved with something we are doing that we lose all awareness of the passage of time and events going on around us.

Alpha consciousness is the brain wave state that we utilize most often in hypnotherapy. The difference between randomly drifting in and out of Alpha on our own and using this state in a hypnotic trance is one of focus and intention. When we use the trance state with guidance and purpose we can access information from our subconscious minds and use it to restructure behavioral habit patterns and beliefs that no longer serve our best interests.

Many people mistakenly believe that hypnosis will give someone else power over their minds, when the truth is that hypnosis as employed by a competent Hypnotherapist empowers the individual to be in more control of his or her own mind and behavior. It is to be remembered that stage hypnotists select from volunteers who know the type of thing they will be expected to do. Those who are not willing to bark like a dog or cluck like a chicken in front of the audience will not volunteer or be among those selected as subjects. Hypnosis only works when there is willing agreement between the subject and the hypnotist, not just prior to the trance induction, but throughout the process. In the therapeutic setting, no suggestions are ever given which are not in line with the stated goals of the client during the intake interview. If any inappropriate suggestions were to be given, the client would reject them and most likely come out of the trance state altogether.

The difference between a hypnotist and a Hypnotherapist is a matter of length and purpose of training. Hypnotists are minimally trained to induce the trance state in their subjects, as in the aforementioned stage shows. A Certified Hypnotherapist ( C.H.T.) has a great deal more training in using this modality in a therapeutic setting to help clients achieve real and lasting positive changes in their lives. A Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (C.C.H.T.) has even more training and experience in using these techniques across a wide spectrum of issues ranging from habit retraining, stress reduction, pain management, phobias, regression, setting and achieving goals, athletic performance, promoting physical healing, and many other applications.

It is important to feel comfortable with the Hypnotherapist that you choose to work with. The intake interview should thoroughly explain the procedures and what to expect in the trance state, and should provide for both the client and the Hypnotherapist to be in complete agreement as to the aims and goals that the client wants to achieve. Time should be allotted at the end of the session for the client to talk about their experience and ask any other questions. Unlike the stage hypnotist experience, the client should retain complete recall of all that transpired in the session.