Self-Hypnosis Mistakes and Problems-And How to Minimize Them

Heard about hypnosis to change a habit? Pretty cool when you discover you no longer desire a cigarette, or when extra pounds vanish with a few relaxing sessions.

Are you a do-it-yourselfer? Consider learning to hypnotize yourself. If you're wondering whether the same person can be hypnotist and hypnotic subject simultaneously, the answer is: Yes, with practice.

Here's how to avoid difficulties and maximize benefits:

- Self-hypnosis Disadvantage 1: Perspective. Without an external POV, you are limited to what you alone think. If stuck in the problem state, can you competently create and reinforce the most effective hypnotic suggestions for your situation?

Possible solution: Draft a friend with emotional intelligence to consider your issue. Then transform his/her insightful comments into hypnotic suggestions for your session.

- Disadvantage 2: Skill deficit. You may not be expert enough to pull this off, at least the first half dozen times.

Possible solution: Build expertise by studying self hypnosis with a hypnotist, by reading a book and doing the exercises, or via an audio program. Try the approach that appeals most.

- Disadvantage 3: Competing roles. The hypnotist is expected to have expertise, observational skills, and ability to alter the hypnosis plan as needed. The client's job is to allow her subconscious mind to absorb suggestions that benefit her situation. It may be hard to do both, especially as a newbie.

Possible Solution: Keep suggestions simple, clear, and easily imagined and believable. At each hypnosis session, use only a few, closely-related suggestions. Practice.

- Disadvantage 4: Less relaxation. When responsible for running the session, you may compromise relaxation.

Possible solution: If your goal for a session is pure relaxation, don't try to achieve anything else until you're expert. Use simple suggestions that are short, non-controversial, and designed specifically to relax mind and body.

To lead yourself into hypnosis as a beginner, progressive relaxation may be best. Use words like: Now my head is relaxing (allow yourself to feel and sense that), my neck is relaxing (ditto), my shoulders....

- Disadvantage 5: Hypnotic suggestions need to be well-crafted and easily grasped by the subconscious mind. Otherwise you could lead yourself down the wrong path and end up disappointed.

Possible solution: Good hypnosis books, manuals, and CD's/DVD's can help you learn. So can an expert hypnotist who enjoys teaching self-hypnosis privately or for groups.

When students asked for a simple way to practice, I created an easy self-hypnosis CD crystallizing the learnings; it can be also used without the class to lead one through a private, at-home self-hypnosis session.

Now that we have found solutions for some disadvantages of self-hypnosis, let's note the advantages:

-Self-hypnosis Advantage 1: Trust. People interested in hypnosis who have trust issues can benefit because they likely trust themselves, right? Especially once they know what they're doing.

- Advantage 2: Availability. Because you are your own hypnotist, an appointment is available anytime, anywhere.

- Advantage 3: Immediacy. You can change what you say to yourself to align with current needs.

So is hypnosis by a trained hypnotist better for you than self-hypnosis-or vice versa?

Check your willingness to experiment and your confidence level. Also consider that it needn't be an either/or decision: You can attend a few sessions with a reliable, certified hypnotist, request self-hypnosis coaching, and then go it alone.

Whatever you do, remember to enjoy the process! ©2009 by Wendy Lapidus-Saltz. All rights reserved.