By Wendy Lapidus-Saltz, CH, NLPMP

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are all the rage these days, and there’s a reason for it. Hollywood is admitting that some stars use it for weight loss, smoking cessation, and even to prepare for a role; medicine is coming out of the closet about its helpfulness in pain control; and, of course, the world of entertainment news is embracing it as a subject for its shows.

A few years ago, we heard only about small-town stage hypnotists doing college events.  Today hip and sexy Criss Angel includes hypnosis in some of his slickly-produced and impressive shows, on national TV no less.

Now we’ve come to the point where some people think hypnosis can do just about anything.  And that’s simply not true.

Hypnosis Isn’t Magic—Even When It Feels That Way

Don’t rely on hypnosis to cure a disease or serious illness.  It has often been shown to eliminate warts and some say it can contribute to the treatment of acne (probably in controlling stress and eliminating picking), but you should always consult your doctor.

Hypnosis can help boost the immune system, but you still need professional medical treatment for medical ailments. 

If you choose to use hypnosis in conjunction with medicine, tell your physician—even if you think s/he’ll react badly.  This is unlikely, and it is crucial that hypnosis does not hide symptoms of what may be a serious ailment. 

Hypnotist vs Hypnotherapist?

When hypnosis became part of the modern world, practitioners were called “hypnotists,” whether they performed stage shows or helped people quit smoking.  Often they did both. 

Then the word “hypnotherapist” was born, primarily to separate stage hypnosis from hypnosis that served a ‘therapeutic’ purpose: weight loss, smoking cessation, habit control, creating confidence, etc. 

Today most of us use the terms interchangeably.

The word “certified” was added to indicate that a practitioner had been trained, tested, and approved by a certifying body.  For lay hypnotists—those without a degree in medicine, social work, or psychology—there are several well-established and credible organizations.

Among them are the well-trusted National Guild of Hypnotists and American Board of Hypnotherapy.

If you are working with a hypnosis practitioner who is a lay person, that’s fine.  They often have great hypnosis skills.  Simply ask about the certifying organization, how long s/he has been practicing, and whether s/he has worked frequently and successfully with your issue or need.

I myself am a lay hypnotherapist, and I stay aware of my abilities and boundaries and when I should refer or collaborate with someone in the medical field (see the discussion about alliances with health practitioners, below).

If you are comfortable with the personality of the practitioner and feel satisfied with her training, consider booking a session. 

Finding A Practitioner You Can Trust

Some psychotherapists and psychologists use hypnosis to complement their therapy, and this may occasionally help you get coverage from your medical-insurance company (check first if that’s important to you). 

But make sure that the therapist you’re choosing has been specifically trained in hypnosis and uses it often.  If s/he learned a bit of hypnosis along with his training but never uses it, you may want to reconsider if you want to incorporate hypnosis in your treatment.

And then there are hypnotists who primarily do stage shows.  They look impressive on stage, but ask do questions to learn whether the one you’re choosing knows what to do for those 50 extra pounds you’ve been carrying.

In a nutshell:  make sure the practitioner is well trained, reputable and has been doing this particular work often.  A certified hypnotherapist or hypnotist who often helps people using hypnosis is often the best choice.

And trust is based on many things.  No matter how well-trained he is, if the practitioner makes you feel uncomfortable or does not inspire confidence, don’t use him.

Alliances with Psychotherapists or Doctors

I have plenty of business flowing in and out of my office, and I won’t even consider working with something I am not qualified for.  So I have many alliances with health and mental-health professionals.  I refer to them; they refer to me; sometimes we even “share” a client. 

That means we have the client’s permission to consult about her.  It makes the treatment that each of us gives much, much more helpful to the client.

If you are in therapy, and also want to work with someone trained in hypnosis, you can ask your psychotherapist if this two-pronged approach could be used for you.  A confident therapist will delight in the opportunity.

Generalists vs Specialists

Some hypnosis practitioners are generalists.  They’ll handle just about anything you come to them for, as long as it falls within the domain of hypnosis and not psychotherapy or medicine. 

Others work only with specific issues.  Still others have specialties but will also work in other areas.

For example, my primary specialties are career success, smoking cessation, and women’s issues. The latter includes Hypno-Attraction™ Hypnosis for Love, a trademarked program I created.

I do work with weight loss and athletic pursuits, but usually with existing clients who have been successful in other work with me.  I refer many other issues to fellow practitioners I trust, i.e. I don’t work with past-life regression, but I know a wonderful practitioner who does it brilliantly, and he gets all my referrals in that area. 

If you can find someone you trust who has experience in your issue or need, that person is probably a good choice for you.

Experiment and Enjoy

If hypnosis interests and intrigues you, if you are curious and have an issue or desire you’d like to work on, look for a hypnosis practitioner near your area.  Search the Internet, ask for referrals, or attend a hypnosis lecture and consider whether the speaker is someone you jibe with. 

Then use what you’ve learned from this article and your own intuition, and simply enjoy the experience!

Wendy Lapidus-Saltz, principal of Jaguar Mind LLC, is a mind coach certified in hypnotherapy, NLP and other disciplines.  She specializes in stop-smoking hypnosis, particularly with longtime smokers. She created the Hypno-Attraction® Hypnosis for Love CD and workshops on the topic of love and relationship.  Call her Chicago office at 312-640-1584. www.hypno-attraction.com and www.nonsmoker4life.com