The first question people seem to ask is “Is hypnosis effective?” What they really mean is “Does hypnosis work?”  This question actually has a rather complicated answer.  The question should more accurately be “Can I do the work necessary to make changes with the aid of hypnosis?”

Both the American Psychiatiric Association and the American Psychological Association believe that hypnosis can help people achieve their goals.

There are many misconceptions about hypnosis and I think the most prevelent is that the hypnotist is going to do someithing to the client that would cause them to instantly obey the suggestions offered to them.  The hypnotists explains that they will have to take responsibiliy for their behavior change and they agree that this makes sense and that they understand and are willing to do this.  Too many of these clients still secretly think they are going to be magically enabled to do whatever it is that they have paid to achieve.

Many people will try to avoid taking anymore responsibility for their lives than is absolutely required.  Have you ever gone to work late and said “My alarm clock didn’t go off.”  Well, I would guess that once, maybe twice in your life your alarm clock might break in the middle of the night.”  Of course, there might be a power failure but most of the time an alarm clock doesn’t go off in the morning is because it wasn’t set properly.  Somehow, we think it sounds better to the boss if we blame the clock.

The same goes for other behaviors.  It is easier to say “The hypnosis didn’t work.” than it is to say I didn’t do the things I needed to do to make best use of the hypnosis.”  So, does hypnosis work? Is it effective?  The answer is that it is as effective as the client’s desire to make the change.

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