About Hypnotherapy
To get things started, I want to address and debunk some of the numerous misconceptions and myths about hypnotherapy.
First of all, hypnotherapy is not a Zen-like trance in which the client, also referred to as the patient, is in some sort of metaphysical state. From time to time clients will experience this; however, the goal of hypnosis is to get the client into a very light trance, also know as “Alpha.”
When in Alpha, a client is up to 200 times more suggestible and is therefore more able to receive messages that influence positive change.
Anything deeper than Alpha (Delta or Theta) is helpful, but not necessary.
Stages of Consciousness
Hypnotherapy deals with four stages of consciousness: Beta, Alpha, Theta, and Delta.
Beta
To get things started, I want to address and debunk some of the numerous misconceptions and myths about hypnotherapy.
First of all, hypnotherapy is not a Zen-like trance in which the client, also referred to as the patient, is in some sort of metaphysical state. From time to time clients will experience this; however, the goal of hypnosis is to get the client into a very light trance, also know as “Alpha.”
When in Alpha, a client is up to 200 times more suggestible and is therefore more able to receive messages that influence positive change.
Anything deeper than Alpha (Delta or Theta) is helpful, but not necessary.
Stages of Consciousness
Hypnotherapy deals with four stages of consciousness: Beta, Alpha, Theta, and Delta.
Beta
Normal awakening consciousness is called Beta. In Beta, a person’s brain is fully
functional and in an alert state. It is paying attention to and processing stimuli from the
outside world.
Alpha
In Alpha, a person is slowed down slightly and is therefore more focused and able to dedicate his train of thought to one thing.
Alpha is a “not-really-here, not-really-out-of-it” phase. In Alpha, outside stimuli are no longer distracting the client, who is then able to receive habit-altering messages from a hypnotherapist.
It is important to note that, like driving in a trance, patients in hypnosis still can react as things happen. A common misconception about hypnotherapy is that clients under hypnosis cannot react, and therefore the hypnotherapist has ultimate control over the patient. In Alpha, the patient is always in the driver’s seat. The patient is fully capable of reacting and making decisions.
Theta & Delta
Some patients under hypnosis go deeper than Alpha into Theta or Delta, and most patients will transition between Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta during the hypnosis session.
Some patients will never attain Theta or Delta, regardless of what the hypnotherapist does. However, almost everyone will fall into Alpha on the first session.
Because patients generally toggle among the stages of consciousness in any given hypnotherapy session, most will have the experience of only remembering some of the things the hypnotist says. Patients often believe they remember everything, but actually remember very little.
Alpha
In Alpha, a person is slowed down slightly and is therefore more focused and able to dedicate his train of thought to one thing.
- Equate Alpha to the state you are in when watching TV, or when you have been driving for a lengthy period. When driving, your attention is focused on the elements of driving. Outside stimuli play a lesser role. At first, you may be aware of things around you, such as cars and pedestrians. After prolonged driving, your attention shifts to what is happening directly in front of you. This is Alpha.
Alpha is a “not-really-here, not-really-out-of-it” phase. In Alpha, outside stimuli are no longer distracting the client, who is then able to receive habit-altering messages from a hypnotherapist.
It is important to note that, like driving in a trance, patients in hypnosis still can react as things happen. A common misconception about hypnotherapy is that clients under hypnosis cannot react, and therefore the hypnotherapist has ultimate control over the patient. In Alpha, the patient is always in the driver’s seat. The patient is fully capable of reacting and making decisions.
Theta & Delta
Some patients under hypnosis go deeper than Alpha into Theta or Delta, and most patients will transition between Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta during the hypnosis session.
Some patients will never attain Theta or Delta, regardless of what the hypnotherapist does. However, almost everyone will fall into Alpha on the first session.
Because patients generally toggle among the stages of consciousness in any given hypnotherapy session, most will have the experience of only remembering some of the things the hypnotist says. Patients often believe they remember everything, but actually remember very little.
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