The perception that most people have of hypnosis has been gained from stage and screen hypnotists. Unfortunately this gives an entirely false impression, since it appears that the volunteers are unconscious or asleep and that they are under the control of the performer.

Hypnosis is an 'altered state of mind' or a trance-like state wherein both mind and body are very deeply relaxed but there is no 'feeling of being hypnotised' and subjects remain aware of the sounds around them and retain full control of their own minds.

Hypnosis to the onlooker does resemble sleep - indeed, the name derives from the Greek work 'Hypnos' meaning sleep. However, the subject is in fact enjoying a heightened sense of awareness and very deep physical relaxation when the mind becomes more receptive to the positive and therapeutic suggestions that are being given by the therapist.

It is not possible to make anyone do anything under hypnosis that they do not fundamentally want to do and neither would they unwittingly disclose any secrets.

Hypnosis is a completely safe and very relaxing natural phenomemon wherein you could carry on a perfectly normal conversation and after which you would remember everthing that had taken place during the session. Hypnosis is not a magical or mystical panacea for all ills but merely a tool that is most effectively used to bring about a wide variety of highly beneficial therapeutic effects.