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Honestly, I think this is the most common concern I hear or pick up on. Some people mention it with a laugh when we first talk on the phone, and some wait until they’re sitting across from me on session day. It usually comes from someone who thinks of themselves as analytical, or too much in control, to let go.
Hi. I hear you and can relate. This was my top concern too.
Where “what if I can’t be hypnotized?” comes from
Most of the worry comes from the version of hypnosis we’ve seen in stage shows and movies. Someone gets “put under,” loses control, and clucks like a chicken on command. If that’s your reference point, it makes sense to wonder whether your mind would go along with it.
A QHHT (Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique) session looks nothing like that. A part of you remains aware the whole time, and you could even open your eyes and end the session if you wanted to.
Can anyone be hypnotized?
Hypnosis draws on a state your mind already knows. The drowsy stretch right before sleep and the hazy minutes after waking share some qualities with trance. Attention turns inward, and the planning, evaluating part of the mind gets quieter. Brainwave research has found overlap between these states, especially in slower theta activity, though they aren’t identical. [1]
Hypnotizability is measurable (and a great Scrabble word), and it varies from person to person. A minority of people score low on standard scales, and most fall somewhere in the middle. [1] In my experience, the clients who worry about this the most often go deeper than they expected once the session gets going.
Why you can’t fail at hypnosis in a QHHT session
Dolores Cannon, who developed QHHT, taught that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. My job is to guide you into deep relaxation, ask questions, and follow wherever your subconscious takes the session at its own pace.
There’s no correct experience to aim for. You don’t need to believe anything in particular going in. If your mind wanders, or you feel like you’re making things up, that’s normal, and I’ll keep working with whatever comes through.
What if I can’t be hypnotized because I don’t visualize?
Some people assume hypnosis won’t work for them because they don’t see pictures in their mind. I have aphantasia, so I know that concern well. Information can come through as feelings, a sense of knowing, sounds, or sensations in the body, and those carry as much weight in a session as a vivid image. If you’re curious how your own inner senses work, the Lemon Test is an easy place to start.
If you’ve tried hypnosis before
If you tried hypnosis in the past and felt like nothing happened, tell me about it when we talk. QHHT works toward a deep level of trance, and a session gives your mind plenty of time to settle. One earlier experience doesn’t tell us much about how this one will go. However, people says their experiences gets deeper with each attempt. If you want a head start, these relaxation tips can help you prepare.
If this question is what’s keeping you from booking, I’m glad to talk it through. You can call or text me, or send a note through my contact page. My QHHT practice is in Marietta, GA, and the What to Expect page walks through how a session runs.
Citation:
[1] Jensen, M.P., et al. (2015). Brain oscillations, hypnosis, and hypnotizability.
