Fears & Myths about Hypnosis

There are many myths surrounding the practice of hypnosis & hypnotherapy. In this article, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Jeanette Dreyer unpacks some of these misconceptions to reveal the truth about hypnotherapy.
Articles

Jeanette Dreyer

Jeanette Dreyer is passionate about helping her clients to identify the root their personal negative subconscious programming and guiding them to change it through hypnotherapy, EMDR and now through BWRT®

M.Ed. (Psyc) Pretoria, B.Ed. (Psyc) Pretoria, B.A. (Unisa), D.S.O.R.O. (Unisa), H.P.O.D. (Wellington), Medical Hypno-Analysis (S.A.S.C.H.), E.M.D.R. (Education Unlimited), Certified Imago Therapist, (Imago Relationships International), Sandplay Therapist (Martin Kalf), BrainWorking Recursive Therapy® (Essex Institute)

Recent Posts

Office Telephone

+27 12 667 6188

Office Mobile

+27 83 301 8000

Fax

+27 86 691 5032

Address

120 Zambezi Avenue, Doringkloof, Centurion

Postal Address

PO Box 16573 Lyttleton, 0140

Fears & Myths about Hypnosis

There are many myths surrounding the practice of hypnosis & hypnotherapy. In this article, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Jeanette Dreyer unpacks some of these misconceptions to reveal the truth about hypnotherapy.

Losing Control

Fear: Many people fear that being hypnotised means becoming unconscious, losing control, having your mind taken over or being taken advantage of.

Reality: The opposite is true – In the normal wakeful state we are aware of many things simultaneously. Hypnosis is a slightly altered state of mind where our focus narrows to one specific thing and becomes very intense, to the extent that we are still aware of the environment in the background, e.g. sounds, but it doesn’t distract us. Hypnosis allows you to feel more relaxed, less fearful & more open to positive suggestions. You are, however, totally awake, highly focussed, mentally alert & in control.

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, because you allow yourself to be hypnotised. Nobody can force you. The hypnotised person complies at will and can come out of hypnosis whenever they want to. In no way are ordinary rules of human behaviour suspended, e.g. if a suggestion is given with which a person disagrees it will be rejected.

Hypnotherapy is based on many years of clinical research and is a serious process of self-improvement, not entertainment.

Dark or Supernatural

Fear: Some people fear that when in a trance, evil spirits or demons can enter their minds.

Reality: Hypnosis is a natural state of intense concentration, which is a natural phenomenon we experience in our daily lives, when we perform demanding tasks at work, when engrossed in reading a book, watching a movie, painting, daydreaming, writing an exam, etc.

If you don’t fear that evil spirits could enter our minds while we concentrate intensely in our daily tasks, you shouldn’t fear hypnosis.

In conflict with Christian values

Fear: There are a number of fallacies about hypnosis caused by the magical sinister image created by the stage hypnotist about the hypnotic state. The main concern is the impression that the hypnotised person loses control and might be open to be possessed by evil spirits.

If it is considered that the hypnotic trance is just a state of intense concentration which we spontaneously enter into several times daily when concentrating on various tasks, we would then be subjected to being possessed by evil spirits while living our daily lives.

In the criticism against hypnosis it is in reality about the values, the competency and the trustworthiness of the hypnotherapist. It is in the best interest of the patient to be at ease with the therapist. This often comes from being referred by somebody who experienced the competency of and trusts the therapist; or by making sure the therapist you choose is registered, qualified and experienced.

Jeanette Dreyer is a SASCH registered Clinical Hypnotherapist at the Eureka Centre.

Revealing deep secrets

Fear: Under hypnosis a person could be made to reveal personal details or secrets.

Reality: If this was possible, the police would be the keenest students of hypnosis. The image of a trance created by the media is at fault, because people expect to become unconscious and robotic, not aware of what they are saying or doing. The reality is that you remain in control, very conscious and aware.

Getting “Stuck” in Hypnosis

Fear: What if I am hypnotised and I am not able to “snap” out of it?

Reality: Hypnosis is a very safe practice & based on many years of sound clinical research. It’s easy to come out of hypnosis, simply by opening your eyes, speaking or stretching.

There are many perceptions about hypnosis that are misleading, & we only hope that over time, more people will be able to tell the  lies from the truth.  In the meantime, hypnotherapy remains a safe, proven method of helping people to overcome a range of psychological & emotional problems that arise in the subconscious mind. It works directly with the subconscious mind to unlock the key to our problems & change patterns of thought & behaviour.

Jeanette Dreyer is a SASCH registered Clinical Hypnotherapist at the Eureka Centre. Contact us for an appointment today for your own personal Eureka Experience.

Please be advised:

At Eureka, we have many satisfied clients. However, we cannot guarantee the results in any case. Your results may vary & every situation is different.

Find your Freedom

Are there aspects in your life that you’d like to change in order to be happier, more peaceful, more confident, more successful, less stressed?

– CALL –

Meet The Team

We, at the Eureka Centre, are an experienced team dedicated to setting you free from the prison of your own negative perceptions.

Book an appointment today for your own personal Eureka Experience.

Debbie Dreyer

"Secretary / receptionist"

Jeanette Dreyer

"Educational Psychologist & Clinical Hypnotherapist"

Thomas FJ Dreyer

"Social Worker & Head of our LifeBoat Division"

Testimonial Disclaimer

Testimonials found on this site are examples of what we have done for other clients, and what some of our clients have said about us.

However, no practice, including ours, can ever guarantee results. Results may vary and every situation is different.

No compensation was provided for these testimonials.

Office Telephone

+27 12 667 6188

Office Mobile

+27 83 301 8000

Fax

+27 86 691 5032

Address

120 Zambezi Avenue, Doringkloof, Centurion

Postal Address

PO Box 16573 Lyttleton, 0140

Testimonials

We at Eureka Centre have many satisfied clients. Below are some of their inspiring stories:

Freedom from Insomnia

I was desperate to find a way to beat insomnia after years on sleeping tablets. Through hypnotherapy at Eureka Centre I found exactly that!

Due to financial problems my parents experienced while my mom was pregnant with me I had a lot of anxiety, fearing they would not be able to provide for me and I would die. My husband lost his job and this triggered my insomnia.

– Eureka Centre Client

Finding My Freedom

I am a 41 year old female and after years of therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists and various techniques to try and find a solution for my anxiety, depression, anger, weight problems and on-going gut feeling that something was not right and it made me feel so insecure and unhappy I longed to find peace and an explanation to all these inner feelings, I honestly felt trapped. I found myself making very bad decisions, after losing my husband to divorce and at the same time losing my mother to cancer. I felt alone and desperate for love. I fell into a 7 year relationship with a married man, whom I loved and adored and was promised that he would one day marry me. The situation was making me even more insecure and unhappy and I just felt too weak and out of control to leave him.

I approached the Eureka Centre in October 2013 to undergo Hypnotherapy. With the help of hypnotherapy I discovered my subconscious reasons with trust issues, rejection, anger, letting go and closure on death and bad decision making. Today I can say to anybody out there, who might be in a similar situation and feels that there is no hope, trust me there is. Without Jeanette Dreyer and her commitment to helping me discover that I am a beautiful soul that deserves respect, love, honour and many more beautiful things that life has to offer. Life is here to be lived to the fullest. I would like to thank Jeanette for her support and unbelievable dedication to help me find my freedom.

– Eureka Centre Client

Are you tired of repetitive negative patterns in your life?
– CALL –
– WHATSAPP –

Eureka Centre​

Established in 1996 and based in Centurion, Eureka Centre offers hypnotherapy in a tranquil environment. 

For the past twenty years and more, we’ve helped many clients to free themselves from the self-destructive habits that were holding them back.

Would you like to live a happier, more peaceful, more confident, more successful, less stressed life? 

Dienste ook in Afrikaans beskikbaar

Is daar aspekte in u lewe wat u wil verander om gelukkiger, rustiger, meer selfversekerd, meer suksesvol en minder gespanne te wees?

– SKAKEL –

Are there aspects in your life that you’d like to change in order to be happier, more peaceful, more confident, more successful, less stressed?

Hypnotherapy works directly with the subconscious mind to unlock the key to our problems & change patterns of thought and behaviour.

Free Introductory Offer

Eureka Centre is offering new clients a FREE 30min introductory consultation. Bookings are limited

Before you go

Download our Information Pack

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.