Hypnosis has been in use for thousands of years. In 1500 B.C., there are records of a treatment in which a physician uttered words and cured people, and there is also evidence that the Egyptians used hypnosis.

Hypnosis comes from the Greek word 'Hypnos' which means sleep. This can sometime lead to the confusion that while under hypnosis the client is unaware. This is not the case; in fact, awareness can be heightened while the body is relaxed. While in this hypnotic state, various therapies can be used to help the client.

'Going Under' Some people seem to think that while they are ‘under’ hypnosis they will be unaware of what is being said to them, as though they were in a deep sleep. This is not the case. For the most part the person in a hypnotic trance will be completely aware of what is being said. Their body will be very relaxed yet their mind will be focused on the voice of the hypnotist. In this state positive suggestions flow freely into the subconscious mind.

'Out of Control' Another misconception is the idea that the hypnotist can make the person in a hypnotic trance do anything they want. This is just not the case. This idea may come from seeing theatrical hypnosis on television or at a theatre. In these situations the people involved are highly susceptible to hypnosis and will perform various acts, but they would never do anything that would break their own personal moral code.

'Only some people can be hypnotised' This is not true. Providing that the person is willing to cooperate anyone can be hypnotised with just a few exceptions. Firstly it’s not possible to hypnotise someone who is drunk or high on drugs. Also the person needs to be of a certain intellectual level. They need to be able to understand what is being said to them and be able to process that information. Now apart from these exceptions, and given that the person is willing, everyone can be hypnotised. Hypnosis in a clinical setting is about cooperation, not control.