Jean Fain

Jean Fain

Psychotherapy & Hypnosis

Hypnotherapy FAQ

(Frequently Asked Questions)

Make yourself comfortable and imagine living life differently -- with more energy, vitality and optimism -- feeling good about yourself and your world.

Hypnosis is a tool that can help you rediscover inner strength and abilities that have helped you reach goals in the past. For example, most of us have had the experience of successfully dieting (stopping smoking, biting your nails...), as well as failing miserably. Through hypnosis, you can renew motivation and, through post-hypnotic suggestion, find sticking to a diet easier and easier.

The Truth About Hypnosis

■ What is hypnotherapy?

■ What is a trance?

■ Is everyone hypnotizable?

■ How do you know if you're hypnotizable?

■ Is hypnotherapy a single-session cure?

■ Are there different types of hypnosis?

■ What's the difference between meditation and hypnosis?

■ Can a hypnotist make you do embarrassing things?

■ How do you choose a hypnotherapist?

■ Is hypnosis worth trying more than once?

Stop Smoking Naturally with Hypnosis

■ How does hypnosis compare to other quit-smoking plans?

■ How is hypnosis safer?

■ Is it really more effective?

■ What is the Watkins’ Method?

■ Is hypnosis affordable?

■ What is the price of success?

What is hypnotherapy?

Although the terms hypnosis and hypnotherapy are sometimes used interchangeably, hypnotherapy specifically refers to any psychotherapy that uses hypnosis for the client’s benefit. When therapists practice hypnotherapy, they use hypnotic techniques to further psychological treatment, whether it’s cognitive-behavioral therapy, biofeedback or some other type of therapy.

What is a trance?

A trance is an altered state of consciousness, neither sleep nor the unconscious. While you'll feel deeply relaxed, you'll still be conscious, alert and attentive. And you'll have better access to thoughts, feelings, memories and problem-solving abilities.

Is everyone hypnotizable?

The vast majority are, but a small percentage (4-5%) are not.

How do you know if you're hypnotizable?

You probably are if you've ever...

...driven somewhere on auto-pilot.

...gotten lost in a book or computer in a noisy room.

...gazed out the bus window only to "wake up" suddenly at your stop.

...played a sport, a musical instrument or written something almost automatically, with more ease and grace than you could have deliberately.

Is hypnosis a single-session cure?

Hypnotherapists don’t cure, they teach, motivate… whatever it takes to help you overcome your problem. The length of therapy depends on the problem’s complexity, your motivation, among other things. Like a tennis coach, a hypnotherapist can teach you to serve, but your success depends on your willingness to practice.

Are there different types of hypnosis?

Permissive hypnosis is the type described here. Like a coach, the hypnotist plays to your strengths in helping you reach your goal. Old-school hypnotists may be more authoritarian, making direct suggestions such as, "Go into trance."

What's the difference between meditation and hypnosis?

While both have a calming effect, beginners often find it easier, more pleasant to go into trance than to meditate. Because hypnosis allows you to focus on specific problems, results are usually more predictable and amenable to suggestion.

Can a hypnotist make you do embarrassing things?

No. All hypnosis is really self-hypnosis. Hypnotherapists act as guides -- they help you travel inward -- but you control the trance's depth, the session's focus. Stage hypnotists make a living encouraging subjects to do embarrassing things, but those subjects wouldn’t volunteer unless they were willing to do so.

How do you choose a hypnotherapist?

Choose a licensed mental health professional (social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist) who inspires trust and suggests a sensible treatment plan. Be wary of hypnotists who claim a 100% success rate. If hypnosis is part of a covered treatment, insurance may cover the cost.

Is hypnosis worth trying more than once?

Some hypnotists rely on standard induction scripts that they use with everyone. The script may be well suited to one kind of person, but not another. Failures are often the result of a bad fit between subject and hypnotist.

How does hypnosis compare to other quit-smoking plans?

Hypnosis is the safest, most effective and affordable quit-smoking plan. The best investment you can make.

How is hypnosis safer?

A trance is basically a deep state of relaxation, all natural and side-effect free. While nicotine replacement is safer than smoking, new studies suggest that using nicotine replacement products for more than three to six months may lead to artery disease and bronchitis. Combining products puts you at risk for nicotine overdose. Side effects of the stop-smoking pill Zyban include dry mouth, insomnia and seizures.

Is it really more effective?

Not all hypnosis is created equal. The Watkins' Method, my preferred method, has a 78% quit rate short-term, 67% long-term. The nicotine replacement products average 10-15% after one year; Zyban and the Nicotrol nasal spray average 23-25%. Only 5% of smokers who quit cold turkey are smoke-free one year later.

What is the Watkins’ Method?

Many hypnotists use a single-session, scripted approach. Single-session hypnosis has a success rate of 17%-25% long-term vs. 67% for my approach, the Watkins' multi-session method. The Watkins' method takes your personal triggers and motivations into account. In about five sessions, you identify your potential pitfalls and learn self-hypnosis to help you avoid those pitfalls during and after nicotine withdrawal. The emphasis is as much on relapse prevention as it is on smoking cessation.

Is hypnosis affordable?

You can't beat cold turkey on price, but when you compare success rates, hypnosis is clearly the best long-term investment.

WHAT IS THE PRICE OF SUCCESS?

Method Quit Rate* Cost Frequency

Hypnosis 67% $140/ 5+

(Watkins) session sessions

Hypnosis varies $100+/ 1+

session session

Nicorette 10-15% $150/ daily/up

Gum month to 6 months

The Patch 10-15% $120/ daily

(over-the-counter month 10-12 weeks

& prescription)

Nicotrol 23-27% $150-$450/ daily/up

Nasal Spray month to 3 months

(prescription)

Nicotrol 10-15% $180-$360/ daily/up

Inhaler month to 6 months

(prescription)

Zyban 23% $90/ 7-12 weeks

(prescription) month

Cold 5% none one day

Turkey at a time

*Quit Rate for Watkins' was assessed at 6 months, the others after one year.

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