Hypnotist Or Hypnotherapist

Today's afternoon play on Radio 4 "The Benefit of Time" by Terri-Ann Brumby was a charming comedy about a woman whose dull life is transformed through visiting a hypnotist, with whom she "discovers" an exciting past life as Anne Boleyn.

I'm sure most people have already made up their minds about past lives, so I'm not going to argue my opinion here. Suffice to say that as a hypnotherapist I always work with present lives - not least becuase it's the only one you can do anything about!

But the play brought up a couple of common confusions that can get in the way:

1. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HYPNOTIST AND A HYPNOTHERAPIST?

Both use hypnosis (ie putting someone into a trance) however a hypnotherapist uses it for therapeutic reasons (ie sorting out problems) while a hypnotist might use it for entertainment purposes, like a stage show.

2. WILL I REMEMBER AFTERWARDS WHAT HAPPENED?

In the play, Debbie had to listen to a tape to find out what she said while under hypnosis - she apparently lost consciousness completely. In reality people are still concious when hypnotised - it's just different from normal consciousness. Some things feel more present and other things more distant. It's quite like the relaxed, slightly dislocated feeling you get when you're just waking up. You're still in control of what you say and do.

Any other questions? Drop me a line.

Its a fun play, so I won't spoil the ending for you, but all is not as it seems

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