Once upon a time in the world of hypnosis, there existed two breeds of mind manipulators: the hypnotherapists, donning their calm, clinical demeanor and the stage hypnotists, flaunting their flair and panache under the spotlight. While the former diligently worked in serene offices to help clients overcome phobias and quit smoking, the latter commanded the stage, making people cluck like chickens or forget their own names with a mere snap of their fingers.
Now, you might think the hypnotherapists, with their noble goals and intent to heal, would bask in the respect and admiration of their flashier counterparts. But in reality, they nursed a tiny, green-eyed monster inside - a monster that envied the stage hypnotist's mastery over the hypnotic induction process.
The Magic of Hypnotic Induction
Imagine a hypnotherapist painstakingly guiding a client into a relaxed state, using soothing words, gentle music, and deep breathing exercises. It's an artful process, but one that often feels more like a drawn-out relaxation session than the mesmerizing, instantaneous induction that stage hypnotists are known for. Many hypnotherapists may spend 30 minutes or more on progressive relaxations to get their client into a trance, and even then, the results can be hit or miss.
On the other hand, the stage hypnotist steps onto the stage, waves their hands with theatrical flair, and voilà! In minutes, sometimes seconds, they've got volunteers dropping like dominos into deep hypnosis. The audience gasps in amazement, and the volunteers are at the hypnotist's mercy, ready to perform all manner of antics.
The Secret Sauce
What’s the secret? Confidence, intent and showmanship. Stage hypnotists are the rockstars of the hypnosis world. They exude an aura of authority and charisma that makes people want to comply. Their voice commands attention and intent, their gestures are hypnotic in themselves, and their confidence is infectious. They don't just guide someone into hypnosis; they pull them in with magnetic force.
Meanwhile, hypnotherapists are often seen as the gentle shepherds, softly guiding their clients through the meadows of relaxation, hoping they’ll stumble into the realm of hypnosis along the way. It's admirable work, no doubt, but oh, how they yearn for the power to snap their fingers and see instant results.
Hypnotherapists: The Unsung Heroes
Let’s not be too harsh on the hypnotherapists. They are the unsung heroes who help people overcome deep-seated issues and transform their lives. Their approach may lack the pizzazz of a stage show, but it’s grounded in care, empathy, and professionalism. Their techniques, though less flashy, are based on sound psychological principles and aim for long-lasting change.
But wouldn’t it be something if they could sprinkle a bit of that stage hypnotist magic into their practice? Imagine a world where hypnotherapists had the best of both worlds: the deep therapeutic knowledge and the hypnotic prowess to induce trance states with a snap of their fingers. Clients would be lining up around the block!
A Truce in the Hypnotic Envy
Perhaps it's time for a truce. Hypnotherapists could learn a thing or two about command and confidence from stage hypnotists, while the latter could appreciate the depth and purpose behind therapeutic hypnosis. By blending the instant induction processes and showmanship of stage hypnosis with the therapeutic intent of hypnotherapy, we could usher in a new type of hypnotic excellence.
So, here’s to the day when hypnotherapists and stage hypnotists join forces, creating a setting where every hypnosis session is both a transformative experience and powerful hypnotic experience. Until then, the green-eyed monster will continue to lurk in the corners of the hypnotherapist's office, dreaming of the day they too can snap their fingers and watch the magic unfold.
Conclusion
I had the privilege of being mentored by Jonathan Chase, one of Britain's leading stage hypnotist and mentalists and I believe that ''in all things fun, there is a bit of magic". I believe that instant (and rapid) inductions are superior (for most clients most of the time) and also employ mentalism as part of fun rapport building when working with kids. I don’t believe hypnotherapists should have excuses for doing “relaxation” therapy, unless you a qualified/licensed talk therapist!
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