Clinical Hypnotherapy Explained: 5 Common Myths About Hypnosis That Science Has Debunked

When you hear the word "hypnosis", what comes to mind?

Do you picture a swinging pocket watch? A villain in a movie forcing someone to commit a crime? Or perhaps a stage performer making people cluck like chickens?

These Hollywood portrayals have created a "reputation problem" for one of the most effective therapeutic tools in modern medicine.

At the LSCCH, we teach Clinical Hypnotherapy. This is a scientifically validated discipline used by doctors, dentists, and therapists to treat real conditions. To understand the power of this tool, we first need to clear away the fiction.

Here are the top 5 myths about hypnosis, debunked by science.

Myth 1: "The Hypnotist Controls My Mind"

The Fear: Many people worry that they will surrender their free will to the therapist and be forced to do things they do not want to do.

The Science: All hypnosis is, effectively, self-hypnosis. The therapist is merely a guide or a "coach" for your mind. You cannot be forced to follow a suggestion that conflicts with your personal values, religion, or survival instinct.

If a therapist suggested you do something dangerous or against your moral code, your "critical faculty" would immediately kick back in. You would snap out of the trance. You are always in control.

Myth 2: "I Might Get Stuck in a Trance"

The Fear: There is a common worry that you might go so deep into hypnosis that you cannot wake up, or that you will be left in a "zombie" state.

The Science: This is biologically impossible. Trance is simply a state of focused attention, similar to daydreaming. It is not a coma.

If the therapist were to leave the room or stop talking, one of two things would happen. You would either open your eyes immediately because the guidance stopped, or you would drift into a natural sleep and wake up feeling refreshed a distinct short while later. No one in history has ever got "stuck" in hypnosis.

Myth 3: "Hypnosis Only Works on 'Weak-Minded' People"

The Fear: Some people believe that being hypnotisable is a sign of being gullible, unintelligent, or weak-willed.

The Science: The opposite is actually true. Clinical hypnosis requires focus, concentration, and imagination.

Research suggests that people with higher intelligence and creativity are often the best subjects because they have the mental agility to follow the therapist's visualisations. The only people who cannot be hypnotised are those who do not want to be, or those who cannot focus due to certain cognitive impairments.

Myth 4: "I Will Reveal My Deepest Secrets"

The Fear: "What if I accidentally tell the therapist my PIN number or talk about a secret I wanted to keep private?"

The Science: Hypnosis is not a "truth serum". You are not unconscious. You are aware of what you are saying and doing.

If the therapist asks a question you do not wish to answer, you can simply refuse to answer it, or even lie, just as you could in a normal conversation. Your protective mechanisms remain fully intact during the session.

Myth 5: "Hypnosis is the Same as Sleep"

The Fear: That you will be "knocked out" and will not remember anything from the session.

The Science: While the word "hypnosis" comes from the Greek word hypnos (sleep), EEG brain scans show that the two states are very different.

• Sleep: This is a state of rest where awareness is shut down.

• Hypnosis: This is a state of hyper-awareness. You are physically relaxed, but your mind is alert and focused.

Most clients remember everything that happens during a session. You hear the therapist's voice, you are aware of the room, and you can recall the insights you gained afterwards.

Why Do These Myths Exist?

If hypnosis is so scientific, why does Hollywood get it so wrong?

The answer lies in the history of Stage Hypnosis. For over a century, stage performers have used "trance" as a form of entertainment. They specifically select volunteers who are highly extroverted and willing to perform (often called "somnambulists").

The stage hypnotist creates an illusion of control for the audience's amusement.

However, Clinical Hypnotherapy is the exact opposite.

• Stage Hypnosis: Designed to entertain the audience. The subject is a "prop".

• Clinical Hypnotherapy: Designed to heal the client. The subject is a "partner".

By understanding this difference, we can separate the "showmanship" from the "science".

Checklist: How to Find a Safe Therapist in UK

Because of these myths, it is important to ensure you are seeing a qualified professional. In UK, the landscape is regulated to protect the public.

When looking for a Clinical Hypnotherapist, always ask these three questions:

1. "Are you registered with the CNHC?"

The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) was set up with government support to protect the public. Their register is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA), the same body that oversees regulators for doctors and nurses. The NHS generally recommends that GPs only refer patients to CNHC-registered therapists.

2.  "Are you a member of the BSCHIP?"

The British Society of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Integrative Psychotherapy (BSCHIP) is a leading professional body that ensures its members adhere to a strict Code of Conduct and hold valid insurance.

3. "What is your training background?"

Avoid therapists who have only done a "weekend crash course". Professional clinical hypnotherapy requires rigorous training, such as the Practitioner Diploma, which covers ethics, and safety protocols.

The Future is Evidence-Based

The era of regarding hypnosis as "mysticism" is over. We now have the technology to see the dampening of the Default Mode Network in the brain and the activation of the parasympathetic system in real-time.

Whether it is referencing the NICE guidelines for IBS treatment or the recognition by the PSA, the verdict is clear. Clinical Hypnotherapy is a safe, effective, and powerful medical tool.

Ready to Learn the Science?

The LSCCH offers the most comprehensive, evidence-based training in the UK. Whether you are a medical professional adding to your toolkit or seeking a new career, our diploma courses provide the pathway to CNHC registration.

The desire to help people is important, But it takes a special person to become a clinical hypnotherapist. The learning is fun and creates opportunities to discover one’s self and the way the mind works. Future therapists will also master the dedication, commitment, and safe practices that can transform someone’s life.

Clinical hypnotherapy courses are designed for adults who bring a wealth of life experiences into the classroom. The Practitioner Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy creates opportunities to share ideas with like-minded colleagues and practice with classmates and future clients.

Mental health and stress continue to be a challenge at home and in the workplace. There is a demand for good therapists and people are increasingly receptive to visiting clinical hypnotherapists. One of the legacies of the covid pandemic is that virtual therapy is widely accepted, and clinical hypnotherapists can build practices from their homes, co-share practices with colleagues or join the LSCCH Therapy Centre.