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Therapists bust hypnotism myths

Guild members discuss misrepresentation

By Matt Batcheldor | The Olympian • Published January 05, 2008

Close your eyes. You're getting very sleepy. You're completely under my command.

Questions and answers

Chrysta Anderson, organizer of the new local chapter of the National Guild of Hypnotherapists, sat down for a question-and-answer session Friday.

Question: What is hypnotism?

Answer: Hypnosis has a number of definitions, but it's really the bypass of the critical factor of the mind and a state of consciousness in which you become extremely receptive to suggestion. ... You become open to accepting suggestions for whatever it is that you're focused on.

Q: What are some of the applications of it?

A: Probably the most well-known are medical applications. You've probably read some of the stories of it being used in place of anesthesia, where a person was at risk of death from anesthesia that hypnosis has totally replaced the use of anesthesia. ... If you're talking about a medical situation, it's used to enhance sports performance: golf games, musical performance. ... Stop smoking and weight loss are the two biggest things people call for but also anxiety.

Q: Are there any harmful effects of hypnosis?

A: No.

Q: Can it be administered incorrectly?

A: I suppose if the hypnotist had a (malicious) intent. Of course, you could say that (about) anyone delivering any service.

Q: Are you under the command of the person who's conducting the hypnosis?

A: No. That's the biggest myth. That's what people's fear is. ... The way we envision it is we're skilled tour guides, but it's your journey. So our job is simply to listen well to you and to make suggestions that are congruent with where you're trying to go.

Sound like hypnotism? It isn't, said Chrysta Anderson, a Lacey-based hypnotherapist.

"That's the biggest myth," she said. "That's what people's fear is. And in fact, you're in a conversation ... You're talking back and forth."

Anderson led a celebration of World Hypnotism Day at the Olympia Center on Friday to an audience that trickled in during the six-hour meeting — about 15 were there at 5 p.m. The organizers also are participating in a newly formed local chapter of the National Guild of Hypnotherapists, which includes interested people from Tacoma to Chehalis.

It's the time of year when many people are making resolutions about losing weight or stopping smoking, and hypnotism is a method some use.

But it's about a lot more, Anderson said. Hypnotism can be used in improving relationships, controlling pain and taking charge of one's life, she said.

She said hypnotism is misunderstood. It's not about taking people into a trance they can't control, but rather guiding them through their subconscious, letting them make the decisions and get in touch with themselves, she said.

Friday's event was full of demonstrations. In one, Elma-based hypnotherapist and attorney Ray Dudenbostel hypnotized Barbara Miklos of Thurston County. Miklos said she had a personal problem and needed to make a tough decision. Dudenbostel directed her to think of an image and ask the image what was best.

Miklos said it really worked.

"I think it's a tool to get in touch with yourself," she said.