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"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Mark Twain

 People sometimes  find it surprising to learn that hypnosis  has had a scientific perspective for many years (since a Scottish surgeon called James Braid coined the word 'hypnosis' a few years after publishing a book called Neurypnology, or, the rationale of nervous sleep, considered in relation with animal magnetism. London, Churchill, 1843.).  Despite knowledge of these processes being known about and studied for this long period of time, confusion still persists  for some between  hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis shows.

Stage hypnosis is a form of entertainment in which people are encouraged to use their imagination  for the enjoyment of others. The directive approach of the hypnotist, appearing to command participants can give rise to the misleading impression that subjects are somehow 'under the control' of the hypnotist.

So what is hypnosis & what's the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

While there are several definitions of hypnosis itself, one which is generally accepted is an altered state of attention, focus or awareness.   Hippolyte Bernheim (the father of hypnosis in the late 19th Century), had a different perspective suggesting hypnosis is essentially  heightened suggestibility.  Hypnosis is  generally accessed by entering relaxation states, which may provide a gateway  to  greater use of  innate  imaginative &  motivational faculties.   

Hypnotherapy then, is a form of therapy in which hypnosis is used to  enable the client to have greater access to the internal resources of their unconscious mind to facilitate therapeutic change. Nowadays, it  is more often conceived  as a sort of partnership, or  therapeutic alliance in which the therapist acts as a guide who may facilitate hypnotic states, to assist clients in marshalling unconscious inner resources required to achieve their goals.

 In fact, although hypnotherapy is classified as a complementary therapy, it has been recognised by the British Medical Association as a relevant & valuable adjunct to  medicine since it produced a report in 1892 endorsing further research into it's use. Subsequent reports (in 1955 & again in 2000) continue to recognise the therapeutic effects  that hypnotherapy may have, and the huge volume of studies which have now been amassed over this time frame suggest hypnosis potentially has real beneficial effects as a form of therapy. This view has been endorsed worldwide by prominent organisations such as  American Medical Association, and  American Psychological Association. The British Psychological Society produced a report in 2001 'The Nature of Hypnosis' (see downloadable links in our 'Links' Section) further endorsing  the case for use of  hypnosis. "Hypnosis is a valid subject for scientific study and research and a proven therapeutic medium. (BPS, 2001)".