Who can be hypnotised?
The answer to this question is undoubtedly “virtually everyone”. This claim must, however, be qualified by the observation that it will also depend upon one’s willingness to be hypnotised at the time. This willingness will itself depend upon a number of factors, not least of which will be the strength of the person’s particular need and their trust and confidence in the therapist concerned.
Anyone can be hypnotised if the hypnotist is well trained. Hypnosis is just a specific kind of thoughts. If you can think, you can be hypnotised. Children can be hypnotised. Older folks can be hypnotised. Anyone can be hypnotised. The original hypnotisability tests which are often referred to as a reference as to who can be hypnotised were actually trance tests and done using a record. Not everyone can be put in trance by a recorded monotonous voice.
All people have a natural ability to enter a hypnotic trance if they want to. Exceptions are those that are drunk, or simply do not want to be hypnotised for whatever reason. However there are different levels of hypnotic trance. Contrary to popular belief it is the more intelligent members of society who, with their cooperation prove to be the easiest to hypnotise. About 20% of the population are sonambulists and will easily enter a deep trance. However a deep trance is not needed in order to achieve positive change. In fact a deep trance can sometimes be counter productive. Q: Will I lose control? A: You will remain in full control of your body and mind throughout any hypnotic intervention. You cannot be made to do anything that you would not be comfortable doing in your normal daily life. Neither will you be revealing anything to the therapist that you would not be comfortable sharing with your therapist in a full waking state. Q: How long will treatments take? A: The initial consul
