What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is the most immediate tool for changing beliefs and/or behaviors. Hypnotherapy is a combination of hypnosis and therapy, which is one of the many attributes separating it from stage hypnosis. In a hypnotherapy office session, traditionally, a hypnotherapist will spend about half of his or her time talking to the client while the client is in beta (normal waking consciousness). The remainder of the time the client will be in hypnosis (alpha, the lightest hypnotic level or lower). When using a hypnotherapy CD or MP3, the client will be in alpha or deeper almost immediately. Hypnotherapy works by combining hypnosis with precise, outcome-oriented therapy and targeting the subconscious mind. Hypnotherapy is quite different than most therapeutic methods. Instead of taking years, clients who undergo hypnotherapy have an efficient, remarkably fast, and reliable means of altering negative behavior in weeks, if not days. Hypnotherapy is the the most effective tool for immediate results.

The beauty of hypnosis is that a person's body does not know the difference between imagining something and having it happen. As far as the body is concerned, the physiological responses are the same regardless of whether the mind is creating something or it is actually happening. The hypnotherapy client has the advantage of intellectually knowing that a situation is happening only in the imagination yet physically responding as though it has already happened. The client gets the full benefit of tackling his fears, losing weight, or becoming motivated without even having left the hypnotherapist's chair. The client is still reclined in the chair, yet as far as his body knows, he has conquered his cravings, lost weight, learned how to speak to romantic interests, etc. And, if using a hypnotherapy CD or MP3, you are simply relaxing in your home while receiving the same benefits.

Can everyone be hypnotized?

Yes. The lightest state of hypnosis (alpha) is achieved easily. Everyone enters a hypnotic state every day, several times per day. It's that state you are in when you are watching TV, reading a good book, playing video games, and yes, even driving. It's the state you are in when you are just waking up or just going to bed. You are not fully conscious, but you are not fully unconscious either. In this state you're up to 200 times more suggestible than when you are fully awake (beta). Many people, when they hear about hypnosis, say, "I can't be hypnotized." These people have been misinformed, mostly by Hollywood, about what hypnosis is and is not. It is not necessary to be in some sort of an otherworldly trance to be in hypnosis. Hypnosis is a natural state which everyone moves in and out of throughout each day. Many of our normal daily activities are actually performed under hypnosis without us being aware of it.

Hypnosis is just like the state you are in when you have been driving a car for a long distance. You know that feeling. It's not that you are oblivious to everything, it's just that you have tuned out all of the unimportant stimuli. Your focus is on the road. If something were to happen which required your attention, such as a car trying to pass you, your body and mind would be able to properly respond. Also, you would be able, at any time you chose, to notice the beautiful trees or old farm mills or anything else you may be driving past. Another example of hypnosis is playing video games. Some people can play video games for hours in one sitting. If someone were to talk to you while you were in a video game session, you would be able to respond. A third good example of a hypnotic state is being on the computer. People who are using a computer are focused on what they are doing, but can intelligently answer the phone when it rings. So, hypnosis is no different than driving a car, playing video games, or working on a computer. Most people engaged in these activities would not think they are in a trance, but they are. They are in a light hypnotic trance known as alpha. Since you are up to 200 times more suggestible even while you are in the light state of alpha, anything beyond this is unnecessary for most purposes (i.e. programming someone to lose weight, stop smoking, overcome fear of flying, etc.). You can have an extremely effective hypnosis session while being aware of and able to recall every word spoken by the hypnotherapist.

Can I be made to do strange things while under hypnosis?

No. Your subconcious mind has a built-in "safety". You will lose weight (control pain, stop smoking, etc) under hypnosis, because you truly WANT to get into shape (live pain-free, be a non-smoker, etc.), but any suggestions the subconcious deems negative or harmful will automatically be discounted. The reason a stage hypnotist eventually has everyone "clucking like a chicken" is because he has carefully chosen those subjects from the audience he knew would be willing exhibitionists and "ham it up". Hollywood's presentation of hypnosis has, unfortunately, been way off the mark. Today's hypnotherapy is far-removed from the stage demonstrations and film portrayals of the past. It is a exceptional tool for change; well-respected and utilized by top physicians and clinicians Worldwide.

What if I fall asleep during the hypnosis session?

Research has proven that when we sleep, our hearing is on surveillance mode. Your eyes close, but you ears cannot close. They remain open always, taking in information constantly. When a mother is "asleep" and hears her baby cry, she will "awaken" immediately. The truth is, we never really sleep, a part of our brain is always alert. That part is our hearing. It stays alert to protect us and or our offspring. If someone breaks into your home while you are asleep, you will be alerted as soon as you hear a noise. Your hearing is on 24/7, taking in information and recording it. In hypnosis, we use this to your advantage. So, even if you fall asleep during the session, your brain is still recording all of the information in your subconscious mind.

What if I'm too intelligent for you to be able to "put me under"?

Intelligence is directly correlated to suggestibility. The more intelligent you are, the more easily you can be hypnotized. People of a below-average I.Q. find it difficult to go into a hypnotic state. Geniuses are naturally close to a hypnotic state of Alpha most of the time and therefore enter hypnosis easily. This accounts for their ability to transfer information from their subconscious minds to their waking lives and bring to the world their creations.

What if I get into a hypnotic trance and can't wake up?

This is not possible. Less than 10% of the population achieves such a deep trance state that they dissociate or "black out" like they do when they receive an anesthetic. Such people, called "somnambulists," do not consciously remember what happens during hypnosis unless the hypnotherapist suggests that they will. Even these people will wake up at the end of a session. Most people, however, achieve a light trance state (alpha) in which they are aware of what is happening although they are completely relaxed and focused.

How long does it take to see results and reach my goal?

Unlike many traditional therapies, hypnosis focuses in on the subconscious mind and behavioral changes can be evident after only the first session. In general, most issues can be successfully dealt with in 3 - 6 sessions provided that the subject is 100% positive and committed. For example, subject "A" might instantly feel more confident or lose much of his stage fright after the first session, while it might take a number of sessions for subject "B" to achieve the desired results. For problems that must be handled gradually and over time such as weight loss, once a therapeutic plan has been created, TLH will work with the client to ensure both affordability and continual improvement. As a clinical hypnotherapist, Artemis Woodward is committed to your health, happiness and success. Phone and email support is available at no charge to TLH clients during their course of treatment.


In the 1950's, the American Medical Association took notice of hypnosis after a patient underwent a thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid) while in a hypnotic trance induced by a hypnotherapist. No other painkiller or anesthesia was used. Since then, hypnotherapists have made powerful strides toward changing the public's perception of hypnosis. Doctors continue to use hypnosis to calm their patients and to ease pain during procedures. They regularly tell patients how easy recovery will be and that a procedure is common and comes with a high degree of success. Because these phrases are delivered by an authority figure, they act exactly the same as hypnotic suggestions and become reality for the patient. There are many more obvious hypnotic suggestions given to patients by doctors trained in hypnosis. And for over a century, dentists have used hypnosis to ease discomfort during dental procedures. In addition to using hypnotic techniques themselves, doctors and dentists regularly refer patients to hypnotherapists for help with weight loss, smoking cessation, and overcoming fears about dental and surgical procedures. Before the 1950's, the medical profession scoffed at hypnotherapy. Today they are readily embracing it as a complement to long-standing medical and dental procedures. Hypnotherapy is proven, very real and it works. Isn't it time you found out for yourself?

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