What you see on the stage will not happen in the therapy room.
Some clients come for hypnotherapy with some expectations based on their favourite hypnosis show and feel disappointed that I haven’t got a power pendulum or a swinging pocket watch.
In this article, I take a brief look at the similarities and differences between hypnotists using stage hypnosis and hypnotherapists or hypno-psychotherapists using hypnotherapy for mental health issues.
There are some similarities, but there are also fundamental differences between stage hypnosis and hypnotherapy.
Although some hypnotherapists try to distance themselves entirely from stage hypnosis, some techniques they use are similar to stage hypnotists.
For example, a stage hypnotist often uses ‘rapid induction’ methods to help a participant enter a hypnotic state quickly. Some hypnotherapists use similar rapid methods, although many use a more extended induction protocol.
A stage hypnotist can get a person on stage to do something they wouldn’t otherwise do. The participant consents to it and cooperates, so they are willing.
The participants often dissociate from the experience, as if someone else is doing those things. Dissociation is used extensively in hypnotherapy to help clients get closer to difficult situations and to help desensitise them from phobias or uncomfortable feelings.
Despite some similarities in techniques, stage hypnosis and hypnotherapy are very different.
First of all, stage hypnosis has no therapeutic aim but the purpose of entertainment. The focus is on creating dramatic or show effects. It is typically a process that takes a few minutes.
A hypnotherapist is concerned with mental health and well-being and works in the client’s best interest. They support people in making positive life changes using hypnosis and other methods. Hypnosis often involves creating a hypnotic state in a client to access their subconscious mind, facilitate positive changes, and address various psychological or behavioural issues. The sessions are tailored to the client’s individual needs and may involve deep relaxation techniques, guided imagery, and suggestions to help them achieve their goals.
The sessions are private and confidential. The goal is to achieve long-term positive changes in the client’s thoughts, feelings, or behaviour.
In summary, they both involve the use of hypnosis, but they differ in purpose, variety of techniques, and settings. The picture above proves that despite being a hypnotherapist, I enjoy a good stage hypnosis show.
