“Self-Hypnosis, Group Sessions and CD’s”

There are many schools of thought out there on the subject of hypnosis. While I certainly respect the viewpoints of others, recently I have been flooded with inquiries as to my views on self-hypnosis and group sessions. Because I believe this to be an important topic of discussion, I felt it necessary to share it here. By no means do I feel that my opinions must be shared by all.

Let’s begin with defining the conscious and unconscious minds. The conscious mind is the rational, critical, logical, and analytical part of the mind. The subconscious is the perceptive, creative, imaginative, child-in-us, and is also where habits are housed.

The definition of hypnosis is to bypass the critical, analytical part of the mind to deliberately access the imaginative, creative subconscious. It is in this state that one is able to direct focus to specific goals in order to accomplish them because, as stated above, it is where we house our habits.

Next we need to discuss how hypnosis is induced. Confession of the day – I have no magic powers! I’ll say it again, there is nothing “magic” about a hypnotist. We aren’t psychics, sorcerers, witches, or magicians. All hypnosis is self-induced. As a hypnotist, I have simply learned, through my training and experience, techniques to guide my clients, allowing them to bypass critical, conscious thought. Additionally, a good hypnotist must have exceptional people skills, and an ability to communicate with others. Helping clients to feel relaxed and comfortable enough in my presence is a major deciding factor in whether or not a person chooses to go into hypnosis.

Now here is where many people are surprised. We’ve all heard words like hypnosis, meditation, trance, daydreaming… but most don’t really understand what they mean. Simply put, hypnosis is the same state of mind as meditation, trance and even daydreaming. If you can daydream, you’ve already been hypnotized. If you’ve ever been on a long drive, arrived at your destination and wondered, “Where did the last few miles go,” you were hypnotized. But that doesn’t mean you were giving yourself helpful suggestions to create a change in your behavior.

In my opinion, it is what occurs in the session itself that makes hypnosis different. As I stated above, the subconscious mind has no rational, critical, logical or analytical thought. That is the purpose of the conscious mind. To give yourself “suggestions,” you would have to use your conscious mind. But that would emerge you because in hypnosis (or even meditation) one must bypass the conscious mind. One would end up fighting him/herself. Use the conscious mind/don’t use the conscious mind. In the end, you’re better off, if you’re going to put yourself into “trance,” simply to meditate and enjoy the ride, rather than wrestle your own mind and come out the other side feeling unaccomplished.

Self-hypnosis does not exist. Meditation does. To receive the documented benefits of hypnosis, one must be guided through the subconscious mind by a trained professional. If there is no one there to guide you, you are not using hypnosis.

As for groups and CD’s… they are great for a generic guided meditation. I use guided meditation CD’s regularly in my personal life (not in the office), and may, some day, offer my own for sale on my website. They are simple words that help the imagination to become enhanced to facilitate a general feeling of relaxation. Allowing your subconscious mind to explore, discovering the new and exciting creative depths of one-self, and finding true, original thought.

(Because many people would like to meditate, but are unable to recognize the feeling when it occurs, I also offer one-on-one, single sessions where I can observe when a person has reached the required level of trance, helping them to easily recognize it they can meditate more effectively on their own. )

Group sessions for any kind of “change” in one’s life, however, rarely work for most. That doesn’t mean that they don’t work for some. For those lucky few, congratulations – you are the minority. Many never even reach the required state of relaxation (or a hypnotic trance) because they are in a room full of strangers that they have not built a rapport with, and do not feel comfortable enough to allow hypnosis to occur.

Additionally, any real therapy or counseling should be personalized for each individual. People do not all fit one profile, and while many of us have similarities, we are each unique and special with our own goals and reward systems. You are not generic. To assume that any generic counseling session would fit a 60 year old woman who, for example, wants to lose weight to have more energy to keep up with her grandchildren would fit the same profile as the 21 year old girl who wants to lose weight to feel more attractive seems a bit absurd, don’t you think? One size does not fit all. Period. No one can expect to receive the same benefit from cheap imitations as they would get from the real thing.

I feel that you’re better off on a limited budget, to purchase a self-help book rather than using group hypnosis. Take the time to learn something new that may help you create behavioral changes and new habits in your life, rather than listen with your conscious mind to a list of suggestions you already know you should follow but don’t know how because it’s not habit.

That leads us to the question, if it doesn’t work, how come so many hypnotist do group sessions, promote self-hypnosis, and sell CD’s? In a word… Money. There is a lot more money in doing a one-hour group session for 25 people at $50 each (that’s $1250 for an hour!) than a 6-session program for over $600, that takes 6 weeks, 1-2 hours each week. It’s also a great way to get your name out in the public eye because a great deal more people are willing to spend $50 than over $600. Many are looking for a quick fix for little money, and usually end up getting just what they paid for… not much.

It’s the equivalent to using an easy bake oven to cook your Thanksgiving dinner. Are there some things that you can “cook” in your Easy-Bake-Oven? Certainly. But it’s not going to do what a large, professional, well designed oven (that doesn’t need batteries) will do, and it certainly isn’t going to cover every aspect of what an oven should do. I’d rather not waste my money on a cheap gimmick that will leave me wanting, and needing more.

Investing in quality from the beginning means you won’t need to continue beating your head against the wall to accomplish your goals. If you are feeling a financial pinch at this time, set aside a small amount of money at a time. It will add up. In the end, you’ll spend less time, energy and even money, and you’ll appreciate the change that you’re ready to make even more by having a stronger commitment to your goals.

Because I have a strong desire to truly help my clients, and have only their best interests at heart, I have never, and will never, perform group sessions or sell CD’s for anything other than generic meditation. It may mean that I have to work a little harder to be known and make money, but I don’t feel it necessary to sell my ethics or values to make a buck. This is not to say that I believe those who use these tactics are unethical or have no values. They are simply feeding the demand of the public at large, and many even have the public’s best interest at heart. They simply aren’t, in my opinion, educated enough on the subject of hypnosis. True Hypnosis Counseling is so much more than a few words and soft music. I got into this business to facilitate real, lasting change, and that’s what I intend to do… one client at a time.

For more information about C.J. Cantrell, or how Hypnosis can help you create healthier habits that last, please visit www.UseTheAdvantage.com

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