I agree, Ed. Hypnotherapy is not taken as seriously as it should be. I think it’s because of stage hypnotism and fear of someone controlling you. Any ideas on how to get the idea across that hypnotherapy is very effective for many issues?

Hi Ed!

You’re absolutely right. Success begins with taking oneself seriously. Our ability to help others via the amazing power of hypnotherapy is a great gift. If one feels uncertain of their abilities as a hypnotherapist that is a sure sign that they need more experience and more training. I passionately recommend volunteering as a great way to get more experience. There are many organizations that would love to have a clinical hypnotherapist offer their services for free. This is a great way to not only build confidence but also to network and get one’s name out in the community. Remember: Give first, then you shall recieve.

12and 3 are facts!
You have said this time and time again It starts with the confidence of the hypnotherapist!
Why are do you doubt your abillities or talents. Did you has self doubt in your pervious form of employment? The more you do something the better you get and the more you learn to perfect it to your own way of doing it. As a hypnotherapist have you allowed yourself to go into hypnosis? If not why? If you did you would know first hand how it feels and work and have no more doubt in it! And remember the real reason that you chose this profession you had a calling to serve and help people, just as others have been called to medical and social, or spirtual work. The great thing is we came help others and cover all three if need be. Now that’s a gift! Present ourselves as professionals, be proud and honest about hypnosis. Enjoy what you do and it shows and tell people the benefits. And be fearless and positive!

These are not ideas. They ARE facts! They are truisms!

I’d add one more – Everyone should know that the #1 must have piece of marketing for a business is: a USP! (Unique Selling Proposition) When the customer looks at you and your competitor and sees no discernable difference, the only way he can make up his mind on who to choose is by price.

Other than the 3 above facts including not having a USP, I think the real issue for not growing a successful practice, is not believing you can actually help people.

When you want to help, but are unsure of your abilities, no matter what you tell yourself consciously, you will be unwilling to do what it takes to achieve success.

I encountered that problem thirty years ago when there were a handful of hypnotherapists in Greater Vancouver. As a group we comitted ourselves to educating the public – news releases, free lectures in libraries, schools, community centres, delivering information brochures through direct mail drops, donating gift certificates for fundraisers – the list goes on. I also gave local doctors a free hypnotherapy gift certificate for personal use – got lots of referrals from them. Also, by giving each client my best I got a lot of referrals from my exclients.

I agree with all three ideas.

Stage hypnotism, movies and television all contribute to an inaccurate and negative idea of what hypnosis is, and that directly effects the level of receptivity to our services. I think many people either don’t take it seriously, or they are sincerely afraid of it.

Another factor is that many hypnotherapists present an image that includes spiritual ideas which can give the overall impression that hypnotherapy is a “new age” practice. While there is certainly a place for hypnotherapy in the same context as things like Reiki and past life work etc, a lot of people don’t know that those specialties aren’t necessarily the norm for all of us.

Many people aren’t interested in trying new age things, and many are actually repelled by them. Personally, I’m not repelled by them, but I do tend to look for someone with a professional and objective presentation when I’m trying to find someone to help me with personal problems.

I’ve had a lot of people joke with me that I’m going to make them quack like a duck or regress them only to find out that they were Cleopatra or Napoleon. And this, to me, is the stereotype obstacle that keeps us from connecting with a large portion of those who could benefit from our services.

I’ve taken it upon myself to present my services in the most objective and accessible light possible, and to actively educate people in the facts and the truth of what hypnosis is – that it is indeed very flexible, but it need not include any ideas or beliefs that aren’t in line with the individual’s world-view.

David’s suggestion to volunteer is an excellent way to educate people while getting more experience and building networks.

Since taking yourself seriously is necessary in having potential clients take you seriously, I think one of Ed’s ideas applies: Focus on what you enjoy and do well, and do lots and lots of it. In other words, don’t try to be someone else’s idea of a hypnotherapist. Be the hypnotherapist you were born to be.

Hi Ed, h likes to
I had the problem but once I started to learn more type of healing modalities like Life coaching, Theta healing, Reiki and EFT, I use all in my practice with hypnotherapy. I help people to let go stress so I introduce myself as a stress reduction therapist. Most people I meet with like to know about my work as everybody has some kind of stress. I help people even as volunteer by doing that have learnt a lot and feel very confident about my work. If you send the vibration of uncertainty, and if you do not feel good about your work, nobody will come to you for help.

I have the same issue and just couple of weeks ago I started advertising more than before and also going to places and telling them about the services that I can offer to people. Most of the population that I spoke to have misconception about hypnotherapy. They think that someone’s going to control your mind and things like that. I have also increased my price just recently and also taking myself serious. If I’m not working, or not getting any clients my job is not get clients now.

I wonder why hypnotherapists are not using hypnotherapy to overcome these mental blocks themselves.

If the guy in the original story has a block about his profession that helps people overcome their blocks, then why not get the help you sell? Then the best testimonial you would have is the transformation of yourself and your business.

My biggest block that holds me back is marketing my services.and I am told I have a hang up about making money. Do I hold it that I do not have value to bring to the marketplace? I am not sure, what I am sure of is I am not growing my business.

Is there someone here that knows without a shadow of a doubt that they can help me overcome this major block with hypnotherapy?

If yes then let’s talk. What I would not give to be able to pick up the phone and start dialing fearlessly, or expand my email list effortlessly.

Please understand I am looking for my answer to what is holding me back and hoping that I will find it here.

Are you game? Are you willing to take me on?

Thanks

Mark

Ed
Thanks for all your great info.
You are so very right that 8out of 10 clients have a fear of Hypnosis. On top of that 9 out of 10 have know iead what hypnotherapy is .
You can run ads and put out flyers and son on but in the end clients dont know the basics of what we do.

So what to do??

One of the first things I did was call al the doctor clinice in mu city and ask who they Refer clients to for Hypnot6herapy. ? You would be surprised at the answers I got . So I sent out packages to each clinic directly to the administrators and within two weeks started getting refusals. The good thing was I now have them talking about Hypnotherapy and what I do seriously. Now clients come to me ready and with a refusal form in hand.

Part two ; I went to the local paper and told them I would buy an ad if they let me do a editorial about Hypnotherapy. This worked out great and added many new clients. Many more now understand what we do.
We are lonely limited Ed by the ability to market ourselves. The biggest drawback is as you said most Hypnotherapist are good at what they do but have just know idea how to market themselves and get the community to take them seriously.
I also added your idea for the booklet and have just dropped off 100 through out every hair dressers shop in our city.
Do we need to think about ourselves more as professionals YES ! I market like a Lawyer would and a doctor would. We can talk all day about the sub- couscous and the conscious mind but the true be told it go’s over most clients heads and in the end they only want to know :
Can You Heal Me? > The answer is .> We can heal you together.
Ron T

I have the belief that any discussion I have about hypnosis with the general public, will always end up with the other party having a positive view of hypnosis and with them having the desire to experience it.

Gareth

Hi Ed

As always…..a thought provoking question, or questions!!
For me personally, once I finished my Hypnotherapy studies, I was in no doubt that I wanted to put it straight into Professional Practise. The first thing I did was told myself that I WAS a Hypnotherapist……I then started talking at any opportunity I could with various people where ever I happened to be, and when they asked what my profession was, I told them a Hypnotherapist(with pride!!).
Believing in yourself is without a doubt the most important fact…..how can others believe in you otherwise? I love my profession, and people often comment on my passion for what I do….be your true self, believe in yourself and your chosen profession, be proud of your profession………..everything else will follow!!

Hi, Ed,

Part of the problem is that Hypnosis isn’t perceived as scientific – and as long as it’s in a bucket with a pile of other “unscientific” (so-far, unproven or unmeasurable in any scientific way) stuff, it’s not going to be taken seriously.

Until recently there hasn’t been much hard science about specialization of function *within* the brain organ. Now that scientists are talking about the “unconscious” parts of the brain – and presenting their specialized functioning in a scientific way – rather than a bunch of pseudo-spiritual metaphor – we have an opportunity to move toward being regarded as an actual modality (rather than pure placebo for the weak-minded). We need to lose the healy-feely silliness – and any appearances of that.

It’s important to seize the moment by:

educating ourselves on the cutting-edge science – and using the available documentation and vernacular to represent the science of what’s taking place; (Who has read Ramachandran? – How about Daniel Pink’s latest? Or, Daniel Gilbert? How about some Frans De Waal or Zahavi brothers?)

by screening potential clients rigorously, and rejecting those for whom Hypnosis isn’t really going to be the winningest strategy; (who have you turned away lately – and why?)

by segregating Hypnotic and cognitive coaching from pseudo-religious things like Reiki; (OK, Reiki makes people feel better – How about something that can support a well-formed outcome with sensory-based evidence ex-post facto?) and

by selling consistently-structured programs that function based on discernible and science-based structures rather than selling “sessions” based on a general idea that at some point, some how, something will become better – maybe. (is stop-smoking structured consistently? And, what, specific cognitive processing is different – something a shrink could test – afterward?)

At least, this is how I train new hypnotists to operate, professionally.

Philosophy is about as good as religion. It has value, and it is interesting. But, it’s not a service like scientific, quantifiable, specific, measured, and discernible changes of cognitive structures.

Learning to hypnotize someone is easy. You can train a child to do it. Learning to read a script or even to contrive reasonably good suggestions isn’t much harder. The trick is knowing what’s got the person doing what they’re doing – and what will get them doing something else. The trick is knowing where to take them – again, from a scientific and structural, rather than a philosophical perspective.

That said, I don’t know that “taking ourselves seriously” is the thing, either. Some hypnotists take themselves too seriously – especially the ones that are into preaching an alternative spirituality rather than changing cognitive structures. A little more silliness could be a good thing – Even MD’s crack a joke now and then – and who wants to go to a stony-faced Guru? Catch a clue from HHDL!

I have not read all the comments, but I felt so strong about that Hypnotherapy is not been taken serious by the public and hence the HT does not take himself serious in his work. . .

Here in South Africa, HYpnotherapy is taken seriously. So serious that some are afraid of it. I believe it should be the calling of every hypnotherapist to show his/her pride on being involved in the most amzing, effective and powerful modality there is – this way the public will follow. I know it. I have been doing and watching it for almost 10 years in this country. Change happens from inside out – we all know that.

I had a client in for a first session yesterday. After we’d finished, and she was clearly surprised (pleasantly) by the experience, she said it’s a shame that so many people have entirely the wrong idea about hypnosis. Like many of my clients she had been for counselling (something which doctors are happy to refer to and which the Health Service is happy to pay for) and found it ineffective. And I’m sure like many of you, when I reach the end of treatment for a client I am frequently told ‘I wish I’d come to you first not last’.

And that sums it up. Hypnotherapy for most people is a last ditch attempt to find a solution when all of the ‘regular’ medical treatments have failed. And we usually succeed in bringing about significant beneficial change in these ‘hopeless’ cases. Not only that, but we do it without drugs. So the odds are actually quite seriously stacked against us because we tend to successfully treat people who no one else is able to help.

But there is something else at work here. We live in a society where we demand instant gratification. We don’t even save up for things we want any more – it’s Have Now, Pay Later. And this is true of medical problems. people want instant solutions. They want drugs that give instant relief, and surgery that cuts out the bad part. Over the years as people ring up enquiring about treatment I detect surprise when I tell them that I can’t fix the psychological problem they’ve suffered from for 30 years in one session. They don’t have a problem if a psychologist says I need to take two years to do this, but a hypnotherapist is expected to do it instantaneously.

There is a perception in the world that hypnosis is akin to magic. In my own experience hypnosis brings about change much faster than any other ‘psycho’ therapy that I know. But it isn’t instant and it isn’t magic. but a great many people seem to think that 12 sessions is far too big an investment in time and money to solve a 30 year problem.

Yet, and I’m sure this is true of all of you, when clients leave after their first session, they are almost invariably pleased and feel that, at last, they have found the help they have sought for so long.

My goal (not quite a mission statement) is that my client leaves happier than when they arrived.

Most of the time I succeed.

I think the points you’ve raised here need to be taken seriously by each of us. Education in hypnosis is seriously lacking, and not helped by the misinformation in the media.

Michael

Hi Ed
Thought provoking as usual.
It is true that the general public do not seem to be aware of the therapeutic value of hypnotherapy, they only see the way that it is portrayed by the media, stage hypnosis shows and the like.
For many people we are the last resort – when the pills or patches don’t work, when they are ‘talked out’ with the accepted talking therapies. For many, hypnotherapy is seen as ‘New Age’ or a bit mystical or, at worst, a form of ‘mind control’.
We are depicted in a comic stereotypical way , “look into my eyes, not round the eyes but in my eyes, aaand………….sleep” or as evil masterminds, “you are now completely in my control forever! Mwhaaahaaa hhaa!” It is only when they make their mind up to come to see us that we are able to change their view.
Of course marketing is important, you can be the best d***ed hypnotist out there but if no-one knows you exist……..
I have put a lot of time (and money) into my marketing. I use Google Adwords, I am a member of several on line therapy directories. I have ‘tweaked my website’ and improved my ‘copy’. If you type ‘Hypnotherapy’ for my area into Google, I appear on the first page at number 1, 2, or 3. I hold free consultations in local community centres and halls ( not cheap when renting rooms by the hour). I give talks to local associations and all are met with enthusiasm and sometimes surprise at what can be treated with hypnosis but still only a few people respond and come to see me.
When you search Hypnotherapy for my area there are pages and pages of names that come up. Why is that? Why are there so many hypnotherapists out there? Is it because there is a real market out there and I am the only one not doing so well?
There are several big practices around me who have recently expanded by introducing a number of other ‘complimentary’ or ‘alternative’ modalities to their practices. They also offer hypnotherapy training courses ( and others ). These courses are always well attended and people can qualify in a few weeks spread over a number of weekends. So here’s the question, if we feel that the general populace has a distorted view of hypnotherapy why are there so many keen to be trained in the skill?
Is training the only way to make a living in Hypnotherapy these days?
It is a sad fact that here in the UK any Tom, Dick or Harriet can set themselves up in practice without any recognised qualification. They may be very good and do very well but to the recognised medical establishment, this is what potentially brands us as charlatans and the like.
In the absence of any ‘Official Regulation’ it is imperative that we present ourselves in an ethical and professional way, be a member of one of the respected national bodies that ensure that we meet an acceptable standard. We must engage in CPD to keep up to date with current thinking. We must seek out mentoring or supervision to help us give the very best service to our clients. After all, Doctors were only ‘Wise Women’ of the village at one time. Barbers (men who cut hair) were also the ‘dentists’ and surgeons of their day and herbalists, apothecaries, and chemists were the forerunners of todays pharmacists. It is only by diligence, self development and a desire to ‘do no harm’ that we will overcome the disparaging view of our profession that is out there at the moment.
We all know the power of effective hypnotherapy, surely that is our USP. Oh yes we may specialise in this or that ‘niche’ to try to ‘trump’ our colleagues in the short term but in the long term we have to demonstrate that hypnotherapy is a responsible, ethical and professional treatment for many types of presenting problems not just ‘stop smoking’ or ‘weight control’ or ‘stress’ – as effective as we know it is for those particular issues. We shouldn’t have to give ourselves fancy names, ‘Depression Reductionist’, ‘Stress Manager’, we are hypnotherapists, that’s what we do. If we can’t be proud of what we do how on earth are we going to convince our potential clients of the valuable service that we offer. If we believe that hypnotherapy is somehow ‘tainted’ in the minds of the general public then it is up to us to change that view not cover it up or try to distance ourselves from it. Be proud of your skill and promote it positively at every opportunity and together we can disabuse these doubters and gain the recognition that hypnotherapy rightly deserves.
I’ll get off my soapbox now.
regards
Bob

Dear Ed
I have practiced hypnotherapy for the past 4 years and i take myself and my business very seriously, this is what i do for a living. I have learnt everything i can possibly learn about hypnosis and i specialise in quit smoking and i offer a lifetime guarantee so if they ever start smoking again i see them for free. I have had 15 come back twice and 2 for a third time out of 920 clients. I also specialise in weightloss. When word of mouth gets out you are good the business takes care of itself. If you want to be taken seriously, you have to be good at what you do.Joy

Last evening I had a conversation with a hard nosed businessman that I have been working for. He asked me bluntly how much money I had made from hypnotherapy last year. I found myself reluctant to answer because the figure would have been laughable to him.
“Give it up!” he said, “your lack of answer is an answer.” “If you were really any good, you would be so busy you would not have time to work for me. Now let me tell you how to make some “real money”.
Its not that we are not good at what we do, rather marketing what we do. Just up the street from the store I am working on is a franchise of hypnosis. This organization markets widely and yet, I have been called upon by some of their former clients to get them the result they were promised. Many times they did not have the financial resources because they had spent “huge money”(their words) for something that did not work. Worse still the word “hypnosis” is right in the name of the franchise…so when their approach does not work-in the mind of the consumer-hypnosis does not work. Those of use in the profession know that hypnosis does work. We live it everyday.
Thanks Ed for all you are doing for our profession.

Dear Ed
Shelley Stockwell here… as president of the International Hypnosis Federation I have thousands of members who take hypnosis seriously and make darn good money doing so. Hypnosis is a profound tool for motivation and positive change and when people get results, they tell their friends. hundreds of referrals are generated from hypnosisfederation.com and from phone calls and e-mails. So SOMEONE is taking our mind body spirit practices seriously. The challenge for some practitioners is that they lack marketing skills and they forget to use hypnotic techniques to motivate clients to their practices. We are all hypnotized all of the time. We simply wake people up from hurtful or limiting trances and invite them into wonderful ones.

In my book “Hypnosis: How To Put a Smile on Your Face and Money in your Pocket” I write about stereotypic “bad raps” Here are my 7 reasons WHY SOME DOUBT HYPNOSIS when in fact hypnosis is as safe as natural slumber.

Bad Rap #1: Stage Hypnosis- Birds of a Feather
“Will I quack like a duck?”
“Only if you want to.”
Hypnosis and mesmeric-like demonstrations have given enthralled audiences something to crow about since ancient times. Stage hypnosis delights us with terrific entertainment. The stage performer’s “quack like a duck,” “bark like a dog” – the same thing you did in kindergarten for fun– is still fun. If you like to laugh, clap, have a great outing, show off and get attention, a good hypnosis show is just that. Entertainment hypnosis when in bad taste may leave the wrong impression about the value of hypnosis for self-help.

Bad Rap #2: Trance-Ill-Vania Myths
The media cliché, “You are in my power” and a lurid, leering male- Svengali, Dracula, and even Freud- controlling a weak-willed robotically hypnotized female is a myth-illogical cultural meme. Victorian novelists Hawthorne, Dickens, Melville, and Poe wrote about hypnotism as an occult force. Old spook shows often included hypnosis amidst scary chills and thrills. In spite of 1960’s movies like “The Hypnotic Eye,” and years of television, motion picture, and stage/spook show hypnosis, the golden gifts of hypnosis remain untarnished.

Bad Rap #3: Mind Control: Uncommon Cults
Sects like the abusive, molesting polygamous Warren Jeffs’ Fundamentalist Later Day Saints leaders use hypnotic mind control and brainwashing techniques. So did the Dividians, Hitler, suicide bombers, religious fanatics, the CIA and the KGB who each in their own way put people in harms way and scare us with the idea of evil mind control. The true evil spell of such religion/culture takes place with and without a swinging watch, voodoo, and chicken bones. The only defense is to learn hypnosis to put yourself in the driver’s seat of your personal power.
When you decide to be hypnotized by a hypnotist, YOU make that decision. Your belief and the power you give another, determine if you go for their program. Your perception evaluates suggestions so you decide what you accept, believe and act upon. Then YOU “become” the hypnotist who continues to persuade yourself. Hypnosis in its pure form allows YOU to take control of your life and choose beliefs that bring joy.

Bad Rap #4: Unknown Quantity
Some doubt the value of hypnosis because they themselves have not experienced its benefits. There’s a tendency for the conscious mind to judge new, unfamiliar ideas harshly. Since hypnosis looks different than it feels, it may be misunderstood. Once you feel it, apprehension goes away; you know for yourself how safe and rewarding it is.

Bad Rap #5: Other Fears
Some fear that with hypnosis they’ll lose control or reveal buried truths that they’re “not supposed to tell.” In fact, hypnosis gives back control. If you don’t control your subconscious, it will definitely control you. In trance, your inner wisdom guides you. That wise part tells you the truth. Such truth offers insight and relief. Don’t worry; your inner mind only reveals what you choose to reveal. Hypnosis enhances your natural instinct to say “cancel, cancel, cancel” if an idea contradicts your inner wisdom. Not learning hypnosis is dangerous. If you allow all suggestions to enter your mind during natural trance states, you may buy products you don’t want, or act in ways that hurt you. If you’re hypnotized to smoke cigarettes, take drugs, or have unnecessary surgery, that trance is hazardous to your health. If you’re “hypnotized” by your parents, teachers, mate or your own self-talk to believe you are “less then,” incompetent, or a failure, these ideas harm you too. “The Truman Show” showed how we are each culturally hypnotized and manipulated by family lies until we move toward reality for ourselves. I suspect that we can all be hypnotized to harm ourselves or others. Ask any soldier or drug addict.

Bad Rap #6: Monkey Business
Some put down hypnosis because they are uneducated or they think hypnotists take away their business. A few evangelists, faith healers and those who make their income using veiled hypnosis sometimes preach against it. Such folks use “work of the devil” scare tactics to keep their flock in their pocket. It’s fun to watch a skilled “faith” healer use “rapid inductions.” The faithful (literally) fall into a deep trance and the powerful healing suggestions work wonders. Compare the work of a stage hypnotist and an evangelist, their words and actions are the same: they build expectation and encourage conformity so you follow commands or situations. They repeat words; in directives, rhetoric, chants, or song. Then they use “eyes closed” hypnosis/prayer, followed by the collection plate or entry fee.

Bad Rap #7: Kill The Competition
For the sake of business, a few dirty-dealers both licensed and certified use scare tactics. “Hypnosis” they say “is exclusively mine.” Exclusivity’s motivation… Ka-Ching… cash!
Some attempt legislation to eliminate competition. A handful of legal actions have tried to put hypnosis money into specific, self-serving pockets. Hypnosis is a self-regulated profession. Over 30 organizations welcome both licensed and certified hypnosis helpers. (Only two organizations claim hypno-exclusivity to licensed practitioners). Hypnosis organizations require their members to agree to high moral standards and ethics.

So there you have it for over 30 years I have made a fine income doing hypnosis. And I teach others NOT TO BE TOO SERIOUS that is why I have been told scads of times, “Dr Shelley thank you for helping me lighten up.” Isn’t that really what we do?

@Irene Mock

Thanks Irene, nice to hear from you.

One idea for communicating the benefits of hypnosis for ‘many issues’ is to break them down into the seperate issues and communicate directly to those niches of the population.

It’s much better to focus your communications that way.

For instance, lets say you wanted to communicate the benefits of hypnosis for birthing.
It would be better to produce an article on that exact subject and distribute it to the appropriate clubs and organizations that would be interested.

Most people produce a general leaflet talking about 20 different issues and distributing it to the general population. This has benefits but the direct approach is VERY effective.

Hi Ed, David Wade here. I do agree with the fact that when you tell people all the issues that Hypnotherapy can cure , they do look at you as if you are the shop that sells everything and yet nothing in paticular. I have found by specialising in two or three different areas ( depression,weight loss and anxiety) that people are more focused on what Hypnotherapy can do for them. But once they sit down and start to chat to you in therapy, you can really tell them the benfits of hypnotherapy and therefore the word gets around. I have found this the best way to promote my business.

Much like everyone else, I think that general ignorance about hypnosis is the biggest stumbling block. I haven’t met a person yet, who having never experienced hypnosis, is not afraid of it. From a therapeutic perspective, stage hypnosis has much to answer for! That said, we can do much to put this right collectively, by ensuring that we educate in our marketing. Even so, for those who fear losing control, it is unlikely they would approach a hypnotherapist/hypnotist, and if they did, would they be able/willing to relax enough to really enjoy the full benefits? For the uninitiated, hypnosis does tend to be perceived as either magic or mind control and if we are to be taken seriously, it has to be our responsibility to correct this misconception. If we fail to take ourselves seriously we do ourselves, our clients, and our profession a great dis-service.

I feel that one of the biggest problems in hypnotherapy is the use of un-earned credentials such as PhD or Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy. How can the public and the medical community trust anyone that cheat…. and using credentials that are not earned is cheating. I have no problem what so ever with the schools that actually provide further ecucation in hypnotherapy but calling these programs PhD, or Doctor is just plain wrong. It makes people laugh at us and a physican surely would never put his patients at risk by referring to a hypnotherapist that does not check out. Why can’t hypnotherapists be proud to be hypnotherapists?

@Mark

>Is there someone here that knows without a shadow of a doubt that they can help me overcome this major block with hypnotherapy?

>If yes then let’s talk. What I would not give to be able to pick up the phone and start dialing fearlessly, or expand my email list effortlessly.

>Please understand I am looking for my answer to what is holding me back and hoping that I will find it here.

>Are you game? Are you willing to take me on?

This is likely a very simple deal. I’ve helped dozens of people with this – including myself. Drop me a line at john@transformingchanges.com so we can talk privately.

I liked Shelly’s post in particular.

And, I want to also remark that worrying about the “bad eggs” is a waste of time – and a distraction from just building a strong, ethical practice for yourself. It is possible to waste loads of time blaming the stage show freaks, or traveling rip-offs, or whomever – and that just doesn’t build practice or reputation.

Only doing good work, continuing to build excellence, and working ethically do that. And, nobody is in charge of that but you.

Flowers don’t complain about weeds. They’re too busy enjoying the natural and self-evident contrast. Protesting too much creates suspicion and looks like insecurity. Just bloom brightly and the butterflies will naturally come to you.

Thanks, Ed, for opening this forum. Nicely done.

David and Elizabeth both make very valid comments. I have met a number of local/regional Hypnotherapists who think they should look cool and trendy but simply end up looking totally unprofessional. The same applies to adverts, all I seem to see these days are quick fix options for smoking and weight loss. Anyone with half a brain cell is going to distrust a cheap, quick fix for a 20 year habit! The rising trend for Internet training and the likes is also worrying. How can you possibly be a skilled Hypnotherapist or any other kind of therapist for that matter if you have not had any actual hands-on experience, or indeed experienced it yourself! I am afraid we are our own worst enemy. We need to sort ourselves out, get professional, in looks, style, advertising and experience and dump the quick fix gimmicks, they do no-one any favours. Fix the real problems, the trauma, depression, anxiety etc and maybe then you will get the respect you (and the profession) deserve both from the public and other medical professionals.

You know John, Shelly is right we should start to focus on our own strength’s and not worry about the bad eggs. OK lets open the forum and see our strengths, so let say how do we sell ourselfs in helping our clients deal with srtess and how hypnotherapy can help you become stress free.
My add is
Become stress free and learn to control your own mind with hypnotherapy.
Now how about some ideas please, on how to explain Hypnotherapy

Greetings everyone.
My experience has been that most people simply don’t know what hypnosis is, how it works, and how this healing modality may be of benefit to them. A lack of knowledge is very different from the assumption that, “most people don’t take hypnosis seriously.” My suggestion is to change perspective: reframe this issue and avoid assumptions. As trained certified professionals, it’s our responsibility to educate the general public as well as others in the medical field. With that said, it seems to me that training is only part of the equation. How we “show up” cannot be underestimated. Good communication skills, honoring your audience and where they’re at, being a therapeutic presence, and conveying trust in the healing process – these qualities, combined with the confidence which comes from experience, generates hope and mutual respect Ultimately, we have no control over what someone else thinks. What we do have control over is how we show up, how we relate to others, and our willingness to do our best and let go of the outcome.

@Ron Thompson
lol – referral form(!)

@Mark
Hi Mark

Not quite sure why but I was drawn to your comment.

My question is what are your opinions about making money, where do they come from and from whom. What are your beliefs.

No, I do not have all the answers but who ever says they do is lying. But I do believe in hypnotherapy and it’s power to help in many, many ways.
Regards
Sheila

@David Wade

I think there are as many explanations of Hypnosis as there are hypnotists. I never use the ‘therapy’ suffix, btw, because it insinuates “Therapy” – which in my market at least scares-off clients I want while attracting clients I don’t want.

IMO, a professional conversationalist (hypnotist) doesn’t just “explain” anything. They don’t waste any motion. They’re *always* working the client’s emotions and cognitive processes in specific directions through specific techniques – right from “Hello”.

In my system the “explanation” should achieve three things:

1. Discover the client’s cognitive and emotional organization (using a specific, proven model);
2. Test the client’s openness and aptitude for number 3 below…
3. Shifting [the client's] cognitive patterns and emotional states in useful ways.

Note the absence of “give the client information” – which they can Google if “information” is really what they want. They can watch uncounted videos on Youtube. IF THEY’RE IN THE OFFICE THEY WANT MORE THAN “INFORMATION”!!

So, my answer to the “how do you explain it” is:

1. Where (emotionally) is the client?
2. What direction do you want them to move from there?
3. How, through the vehicle of an “explanation”, will you lead them?

I don’t teach a specific explanation to my students. I offer the above – and invite them to design for themselves – for their style and market – an “explanation” program that is at once a test of the client’s following ability; an information-collecting expedition; and a moving of the client into the program most suitable for the client’s needs – even if that means an intro to the psychologist down the hall.

And, I encourage them to be flexible in their presentation to insure they’re working the above program – and not just re-enacting a badly-done Youtube vid of “what is hypnosis”.

Hope this is useful in the discussion.

A member of the public once said to me ,” You,re Lucky ”
I replied ,Yes , ” The harder I work, The luckier l become !

Setting up your business is you any business,
Word of mouth.
Marketing your self, If this means ,leaflet dropping, Do it.
Give a business card to everyone,
Volunteer, The list is endless.

But finally, the big one,
If you don,t believe in your self, no one else will.

Ed,

I have begun receiving your information and find it extremely helpful. I find that the public impression is that individuals simply go to Hawaii for a weekend and come home as certified hypnotherapists. This general public opinion irks me because I have spent 300 hours in classroom and 200 hours of practice through the first accredited college of hypnotherapy in the US… in addition to receiving sanction from two other organizations in order to become recognized as being Certified. For me, I am a professional and those that are not – still are not. But, I feel there is something we all can do to change the picture: be proactive regarding your role as a provider of “complimentry” health care as practiced by western medicine.

I think that any individual MUST focus Daily on the value of their product or service. Think constantly of benefits and how many ways you are able to help. Value yourself. Fully associate to your value. Explain the logic of whta you think is what you become. No sense in arguing with folks. Put them out of your mind and focus on the clients who will want your service.
Best to all!

Just attended NZAPH conference a few weeks ago Shelly Stockwell presented, we had a whole afternoon with her. Her book is very helpful… I am fairly new on the block and Shelly said to me–learn learn learn and then be yourself. This was helpful to me. I am getting lots of referrals from past clients but I also have learned lots from Ed about being professional. Ireally want my clients to have the best I can give them.

The majority of people I’ve come across take hypnotherapy as a serious option for overcoming issues, so I don’t agree with the perception of it not being taken as a serious option. The way i see it is we will always come across sceptisim/opposition no matter what field of work we’re in. Some doctors are referred to as quacks as well as lawyers as sharks….U can’t please all of the people all of the time and if that’s what you’re trying to do, then it’s you that needs to do some innerwork.
I do agree with one of the previous emails referring to the new age connection – personally it turns me off taking it seriously and I know hypno works! I also know mixing alternative healing methods with hypno works wonders, but find that to put the two together publicly diminishes hypnotherapy being taken serious by the public….so therefore I now don’t advertise anything but hypnotherapy.
For those not getting enough clients or not being taken seriously – do a marketing/small business course. I may be doing hypnotherapy for altruistic/philosophical/personal reasons but if its my choice to do it as a business, then I have to have good business skills alongside good hypno skills. dead logical to me – complaining that it’s the rest of the world that needs to change it’s view is tiresome and wasting time. Work with what you’ve got, learn what you haven’t and get on with it – methinks a lot of hypnotherapists could do with a good hypnotherapist!

Hi Ed
I agree with statements 1 and 3 and most of 2. Yes, I think they are facts. I will say however, that some people who contact me have heard of this process and do take this treatment seriously, and I’ve found that these are the people who ultimately get the best results.

I live in the Los Angeles area I think we need to have a mixer to discuss in person and establish a free network to meet and discuss inperson what we could to do. Once a month would be great. Please give feedback if you would be interested.
Dr. Mac

Hello, I am from Australia aged 71, retired as a Hypnotherapist and still keen to see what is happening in the hypnotherapy arena.
Before becoming a hypnotherapist, I was a Police Sergeant in both metropolitan and country areas. I found that both are very similar, in that we take people back in time.
I believe the 3 stumbling blocks are as stated.
When first connected with a client, usually by phone, acting in a professional manner and answering clients questions (usually fears) in a positive light is essential to establish rapport quickly. I would not say “trick is” but use the phrase “Hypnosis is a very effective tool for a vast number of issues.” Marketing is done by letterbox drop,
telephone directory. Website personal and through Association.
I also believe seeing Doctors in your area helps, especially for smoking and alcohol issues.
Having a pamphlet designed by yourself or your association who also be of benefit.
Word of mouth by clients referring friends also helps and giving clients a copy of your brochure often helps. I also tell clients that I believe that hypnotherapy will be the first port of call and not the last resort as is sometimes the case now. Maybe not in my lifetime though.
I found that being a Police Officer helped, especially with women, as there was an implied trust. It also helped that I could talk to them, as I had dealt with most of their issues as a Police Officer. Hope this helps at least some of you.