Hypnosis is really fascinating - I've tried hypnotherapy several times, but although told by the therapists I 'was' hypnotised, I was very aware of being just 'slightly relaxed' (and even perhaps a degree of going along with it for fear of disappointing the therapist!) very different from the level you put your participants under! This is why I think that although stage hypnosis has sometimes had, as you said a "tacky" image - in reality stage hypnotists are probably far more skilled than most 'hypnotherapists' - whom I suspect would struggle to ever put someone into such a deep state. I've noticed hypnotherapists always reassure that it's not necessary to be 'deeply' hypnotised for the therapy to work - but I suspect it would be much more likely to be effective if they 'were' able to hypnotise as you and other stage performers. Is selecting the participants most susceptible the really important thing - or is everyone equally susceptible? I looked you up after reading of your challenge to Bolton Council - well done!
Hypnosis is really fascinating - I've tried hypnotherapy several times, but although told by the therapists I 'was' hypnotised, I was very aware of being just 'slightly relaxed' (and even perhaps a degree of going along with it for fear of disappointing the therapist!) very different from the level you put your participants under!
This is why I think that although stage hypnosis has sometimes had, as you said a "tacky" image - in reality stage hypnotists are probably far more skilled than most 'hypnotherapists' - whom I suspect would struggle to ever put someone into such a deep state. I've noticed hypnotherapists always reassure that it's not necessary to be 'deeply' hypnotised for the therapy to work - but I suspect it would be much more likely to be effective if they 'were' able to hypnotise as you and other stage performers. Is selecting the participants most susceptible the really important thing - or is everyone equally susceptible?
I looked you up after reading of your challenge to Bolton Council - well done!
How is prison mate?