Two Truths and a Lie about Hypnosis

Ok, so I have to admit, the idea of being hypnotized has always creeped me out a little bit. I guess I have seen too many movies and television shows that portray it in an unfavorable light. However, my colleague Michelle Temofonte raves about it and has me more than a little intrigued. So I asked her to help me understand hypnotherapy. Here are the two truths and a lie that she wants people to know about hypnotherapy.

I posed this Hollywood version of hypnosis to her:

On an episode of NCIS, super cool, tough guy, special agent Nick Torres, an avid health and fitness nut, was hypnotized. While under hypnosis, he sang a Beyonce’ song, ate an apple fritter and gave agent Bishop his knife. Then he didn’t remember doing any of this. How accurate is this compared to actual hypnotherapy?

Michelle’s answer; “That would not happen in reality. That’s the Hollywood version.” She went on to explain how hypnotherapy actually works.

Truth #1: “You remember everything that happens while you are hypnotized,” according to Michelle. Really?! This surprised me a lot because ALL the hypnosis I’ve seen in television and movies have people doing weird like clucking like a chicken and then not remembering it. This was immediately reassuring to me. I have long heard the benefits of hypnosis: stop smoking, curb craving, deal with trauma, but the idea of “going under” hypnosis and not knowing what was going on made this a no go for me. Now I am rethinking that.

Truth #2: “Being hypnotized feels like a very restful relaxation exercise in which you are in complete control of your mind and body,” explains Michelle. Another sigh of relief from me. Not only would I remember everything, but there would be no clucking like a chicken. Whew!

And the lie? A therapist can make you do something against your will. “You won’t do anything you don’t want to do” Michelle stated emphatically. Michelle gave an example of someone who goes to therapy to stop smoking. If they want to stop smoking, then hypnotherapy will help them do that. It taps in to their subconscious mind and helps them get “unstuck” from anything that is preventing them from doing what they really want to do. But she also said that if a person doesn’t want to quit smoking they won’t. (Based on that, I decided Michelle probably can’t help me with my Cherry Coke addiction...yet). So if Nick Torres ate an apple fritter and sang a Beyonce’ song, then he must have wanted to do these things. Hmmmm. Maybe there is a secret side to Agent Torres? I’m not really surprised that he gave Agent Bishop his knife. We all know that he is totally ‘disarmed’ by her on a primal level, after all.. 

She summarized by explaining that when working with the subconscious mind, she cannot create new thoughts for the client. Instead, she either enhances thoughts that are already there such as a desire to stop smoking or eat healthier or be more assertive, or she makes a thought or memory less important as in the case of disturbing or traumatic memories. 

I asked, “So if a person goes through life feeling like no one likes them because of an experience in grade school of being shunned or bullied, you can make that memory less important, less of a defining moment for their life?”

“Yes,” she replied. “And I would also add a lot of suggestions of self confidence and improving self esteem. Before the (hypnotherapy) session, I would ask for examples of times of success. Then during the hypnotherapy session, I would remind them of these examples and give them a moment to explore their memories and find other examples that prove success.”

I went away from my interview with Michelle with a whole new appreciation of hypnotherapy.

If you would like to work with Michelle or learn more about how hypnotherapy may help you reach your goals, call today to schedule a free consultation. 832-534-3624

Michelle Temofonte, MA, LPC, specializes in working with teens, including those who self-harm and men who experience trauma, anxiety or depression. As a mother of four adult children, she has been through the teen years and can help your teen navigate the pressures teens experience. Click the image to go to Michelle’s bio page.