Today, January 4th, is World Hypnotism Day. It's an opportunity to raise awareness of hypnotherapy, an often misunderstood industry.
Most of us have seen hypnosis portrayed in movies and on stage, but did you know that hypnotherapy is a scientifically backed therapeutic and healing tool that originated in the 18th century?
World Hypnotism Day is celebrated on January 4th to honour the memory of an Irish Surgeon and Hypnotist named Dr Jack Gibson, M.D. (1909-2005), who pioneered hypnotherapy. He performed 4,000 procedures without anesthetic, using hypnosis as an effective alternative.
Although hypnotherapy is becoming a growing trend in wellness and personal development, partly because more people are seeking natural and alternative therapies, there is still some hesitation to pursue this practice.
As a clinical hypnotist, this is a day of education and celebration for me. It’s a chance to dispel the myths and misconceptions about hypnotherapy and celebrate the powerful, positive changes it can make in a person’s mental and emotional well-being. I have seen firsthand how hypnotherapy can help people achieve their goals and make lasting changes.
Here are some common questions I often receive about hypnosis and hypnotherapy:
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that uses hypnosis to guide people seeking change, healing, and personal growth.
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural state of focused awareness where the mind is more open to suggestions. The conscious mind goes offline, clearing the path for the subconscious to be more accessible. (The subconscious mind controls 90-95% of our thoughts and actions, so we go right to the source!) Our subconscious mind must be aligned with our conscious goals to make lasting changes. It’s the disconnect between the two that causes resistance and challenges.
How does hypnosis work?
We begin by inducing a trance state and shifting the brain into a slower wave pattern to access the subconscious mind. The subconscious is where we hold ingrained beliefs and emotions that run our lives.
It’s difficult to change conscious beliefs that were installed subconsciously. This is why hypnosis is effective and works rapidly.
Hypnotherapy sessions typically last about an hour and can be done in person or via videoconferencing (Zoom). Both are effective methods, so it’s a personal choice.
Some see improvement in just one or two sessions, while others need a few more. (Compare this to the years many people spend in talk therapies.)
Is Hypnosis Real?
While often misunderstood or dramatized, hypnosis is real and natural. In fact, we all experience a trance state at least twice a day—as we drift to sleep or gradually wake up, and also throughout our day when we scroll social media, watch a movie, or lose ourselves in a good book.
Hypnosis has been used for thousands of years in different forms. Before modern medicine, it was successfully used for healing, pain management, and surgery without anesthesia. There is a wealth of research and scientific evidence to prove it’s real and effective.
Is hypnosis dangerous?
Hypnosis is not mind control, and you will never get ‘stuck’ in hypnosis. It is perfectly safe for most people when guided by a trained and qualified practitioner or through self-hypnosis.
The key thing is that you are always entirely in control and cannot be made to do anything against your will.
What can hynotherapy help you with?
- Boosting confidence and motivation
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Overcoming fears and phobias
- Improving sleep patterns
- Managing pain
- Managing weight
- Breaking unwanted habits, like procrastination, smoking, etc.
Who is hypnosis ideal for?
Suppose you are open-minded, at the threshold (genuinely ready to make changes), and have no severe medical conditions. In that case, hypnosis may be what you’ve been looking for to finally overcome challenges or break negative patterns that have kept you stuck for years.
Perhaps you’ll choose to celebrate this day with me by exploring how this powerful practice can help you achieve your goals in 2025 and beyond. Happy World Hypnotism Day!
Hellen Buttigieg is a clinical hypnotist and mindset coach based in Oakville. To get in touch with Hellen, visit her website at HellenTheHypnotist.com.
