There is often a lot of talk about
Hypnosis and Certification and Licensing.
I find many don't know that there is
no "official" licensing of Hypnosis in
the United States. As a matter of fact,
there is zero Licensing at all.
What there is is Certification, and
various institutions and people will
offer Certifications. However, short
of some research on the Web, it would
be difficult to tell the ones that were
more reputable than others.
There are also state regulations that
will affect those who practice Hypnosis,
and they can vary from state to state,
with California considered by some as
one of the most liberal states of those
who have guidelines (see this page for
Hypnosis Laws in the States).
Last year Indiana, which had the strictest
regulation regarding Hypnosis, altered its
course on who could practice Hypnosis and
what role the state played in its regulation.
I sometimes wonder how Hypnosis could be
regulated. After all, it is everywhere.
The only thing that might be judged would be
a trance state however, hypnosis can happen
even when a person isn't in an induced trance
state. We are in hypnotic (suggestible state)
at least two times a day and likely more,
if stressed.
The only way that people could be unaffected
by another's Hypnosis would be to be completely
isolated.
Hypnosis can happen via "regular" conversation
via IM, via email, via advertising, TV, movies.
It can happen via touch, and without a word
being said. It can happen pretty much anywhere
at any time, and those who would do it for
nefarious means would be the ones that would
likely do it without the legislation of license.
Some of the worst examples of things that have
happened to people have happened from those who
just have learned what "works" without learning
necessarily that it is "Hypnosis."
As with anything, there is another side of the
coin. While some would believe that a licensed
person is a person who knows what they're doing,
that isn't always the case.
In the case of Hypnosis, I know of examples of
those who have gone in person to see highly
credentialed professionals (in other helping
professions) certified in Hypnosis who could
not hypnotize them/help them obtain what they
desired hypnotically, and yet I was able to
hypnotize them over the phone effectively.
This is not to say I am great, but rather that
results will vary depending on the individual
style and skill of the Hypnotist, and how it
interacts with the person being hypnotized.
To take this a step further, people can fake
their credentials. (I know that is hard to
believe, but still...). So when you are
looking for a hypnotist, and going by their
certifications and training, how do you know
who the best person is to turn to, and
potentially turn your mind over to? What
about the person who doesn't tout their labels?
Is that person any good?
I know you may like for me to give you "THE"
answer, the one that makes it totally clear,
and takes away any questions or doubts or
concerns because "THIS THING" is the thing
you KNOW you can trust, know, and believe in.
Well...
You may not like the answer I have to give,
and then again, it may be THE one, and only
one you need.
It is the one that I often point to when
speaking with people, and especially a first
time caller wondering if he should proceed.
Ready?
The answer is a question.
What does YOUR GUT say?
I think I just heard a "ugh," or two.
You know how your gut tells you things?
Sometimes you listen, and sometimes you don't,
and later you're sorry that you didn't listen?
That is the part of you that you need to listen
to in every facet of life, and especially in the
world of Hypnosis, and even more so in the world
of erotic Hypnosis. Anyone can tell you anything,
and you gotta have that BS Detector on when you
read the things said, hear the words said, and
whenever you interact in any way with the person.
Does it feel "right" to you?
Do you think this is a good choice for you?
Does it do more than turn you on?
Are you reacting to what is said? If so,
how does it feel? Is there a part of you
that is wanting to stop?
If anything feels "off," you may chalk it up to
fear or uncertainty, however you must be very
careful about that. All a reasonably good
hypnotist needs is one time with you to get to
you in a way that won't work for you, and even
a not so good one could affect someone detrimentally
that is highly suggestible (an example of which
could be someone who has been a successful
stage show participant).
Some people may even think they're not hypnotizeable,
when in actuality, they may not have yet been
exposed to how hypnootizeable they truly are by
an effective hypnotic technique.
Not all hypnotists are created equal. Not all
styles are effective for all people. The hypnotic
journey can be an organic one for many...a discovery
of what works, and what doesn't.
Whoever you choose will be an important part of
that process. I suggest you choose wisely and
with caution. The possibilities can take you down,
or build you up, and it may not be up to you which
way it goes.
