Can anyone be hypnotised?

You will not find here, the usual and regular reassuring answer... “Yes, everyone can be hypnotised!”, that answer that keeps people going to hypnotherapy, unprepared, hoping for an instant relief, yet leaving disappointed because they didn’t drift into a genuine hypnotic trance, and so didn't feel an actual healing effect.

In short... Yes, most people can be hypnotised… but… it's not that straightforward.

Unless suffering from specific mental health issues (Bipolarity, Schizophrenia…) anyone can reach to Regression Hypnosis as a natural therapy; however… it is possible for some people, to find difficulties letting themselves drift into their hypnotic trance... which is the cornerstone of the hypnotic treatment.

Drifting into your hypnotic trance is the core of your regression hypnosis session, and of all hypnosis treatments. The deeper you will go, the deeper and more efficient your journey will be.

However, for some people, there can be something that shows up during the session, at the time of the induction; something that I call “the wall” which is, a protective shield in the conscious mind, that doesn’t fall that easily, or even, in better words, that doesn’t “allow” the person to fall into trance that easily. Regardless of the skills and knowledge of the hypnotherapist, if we agree that hypnotherapy is not about control from the hypnotherapist, but about giving power to the clients to open to their own unconscious, and uncover their own healing power, we will then have to respectfully deal with the power of the conscious mind; and that is alright. The issue resides in the fact that some hypnotherapists don't take into account the people's story and personal profile, and present a healing treatment that will be quick, when for some, to receive a session as efficient and potent, it could require specific care.

The first step of being hypnotised, is accepting to let go; to trust and be “carried” by somebody else - a stranger (the hypnotherapist) - And that step is not easily doable for everyone.

When a person has faced trauma and/or repetitive life curveballs, sometimes from as early as childhood, their natural resources, which allow them to be resilient, to keep going, to grow and to work on building their life – that inner strength - may have created, overtime, a shielding wall - in the conscious mind and in the emotional centre, the heart; a wall that doesn’t let anything in anymore, that may appear as a threat.

Letting go – trust – vulnerability - can be perceived as threats.

You may want so much to experience Regression Hypnosis, yet you’ve learned a long time ago, to protect yourself and to be strong - whatever the reasons and whichever way this may be happening in your life – and that part of you, that wall in your conscious mind, that is protecting your heart and ultimately protecting who you truly are, is not necessarily ready to go down – and take the risk to let you down - at the time of your session.

This is a deep process that doesn’t stop without consciously assessing it. The first ingredient to hypnosis is trust.

To be able to let go and slide into your hypnotic trance, you need to trust; trust the process, trust your hypnotherapist and most importantly, trust yourself and your ability to drift into your deep hypnotic trance, because yes, everyone can experience hypnosis as it is a natural state that we experience everyday, but... in order to allow you to slide into your hypnotic trance, which is deeper during a Regression Hypnosis session, you need to let the wall down.

Once this is recognised, there are ways to work with to allow you to experience your deep hypnotic trance and your most beautiful personal journey.

In my next post, I will discuss about what you can do, if you want to experience Regression Hypnosis or other hypnosis treatment, yet you fear you might be dealing with the wall challenge.

Until then... With much care and esteem.

Unconscious to Conscious... Your Journey to your Higher Self with Laure Niveau, Principal Hypnotherapist at UntoCo Hypnotherapy