Based on sharing this during the Content Personality Club, and some very helpful feedback, I cut this version down. And if I go to the new title, I’ll probably cut the entertainment hypnosis paragraphs further. At most, I’ll give this thing one more go around, before I finally get it out the door. It’s time to get to the next one. 🙂
PSA v7 – I Have a Love/Hate Relationship w/ Entertainment Hypnosis
(Alt title – PSA – What If Hypnosis Isn’t About Controlling Minds but Liberating Them)

–     Books, Movies, Videos and more have helped create the myth that a hypnotist can control someone’s mind. Many entertainment & stage hypnotists, further cement this myth during their act and create fear and anxiety, about what might be a very useful tool to help people make positive changes in their life.
– During their show, an entertainment hypnotist is often using people they’ve carefully selected, those who are the most willing to dramatically follow his/her outrageous suggestions, and show how differently people can step outside their normal behavior. And to maintain the illusion of control, the hypnotist will stop using anyone who hesitates, holds back, or deviates from what was asked. Perhaps, you’ve noticed those folks, the people props, sitting around, in trance, relaxed, doing nothing.
–     And yet, even for those who totally buy-in, and brilliantly acted out the instructions given, choices still remain, and there may be suggestions they will not follow. An example comes to mind of a woman who had strong religious objections to dancing, and when instructed to dance on stage, she flat out refused. And when the hypnotist kept on pushing, she came completely out of her trance and walked off stage.
–     The truth is I can’t snap my fingers and make people do anything I want. Hypnosis helps your brain play hooky, from some of the rules and behaviors that normally govern your behavior, and allows your creativity and imagination to become a superpower. And like when you play hooky, there are still important beliefs and values that govern, and certain things you will or won’t do.
–     And while, a personal session might look and feel quite different from the zombie version of trance that happens during entertainment, the rules for how the brain works, the power of trance to help create change, and the truth of choice are the same. 
–     When it’s folks who, maybe less willing to take on and wildly act out any suggestion. When everyone has a different level of comfort taking on new possibilities, and different degrees of how far they are willing to stretch at one time, collaboration and choice become even more vital.
–     When hypnosis is no longer just for fun and entertainment. When people are coming to change real problems or beliefs that have been around a long time, issues involving identity, trauma, or other challenges creating comfort and a positive invitation to explore and change becomes vital.
–     I remember, a hypnosis client who wanted to demo kick-ass confidence when interviewing for a sales position the next day. Talking them into a trance (less than a zombie, more like a daydream), I invited them to imagine the strong feeling of confidence they wanted, but somehow they couldn’t quite get there. So, I asked a different question, “Can you imagine a role model who has that kick-ass level of confidence you want?”. After thinking for a while, out popped, “Lara Croft, Tomb Raider”, the action heroine.
–     I smiled at their unconscious’ brilliant answer, and had them begin to imagine stepping into the shoes of Lara Croft, and really taking on that deep level of confidence. We practiced strengthening the feeling of confidence they created and practiced having them imagine handling the interview as Lara Croft until it locked solidly in place. The next day, they aced the interview and got the job. And thanked me for the session and my help.
–     For me, hypnosis is always an invitation for you to connect to your unconscious and imagine. It is always respectful of you, your needs, and the pace and speed at which you are willing to change; fast, slow, or anywhere in-between. And encourages your change, your transformation to find a way or ways that are healthy, ecological, appropriate, and resilient for you, your goals, dreams, and the people, the world around you. I believe there is always a way to create change. And I believe my clients have amazing resources inside, even when they don’t always believe in themselves.
–     If you would like to talk more about the possibilities, of what hypnosis can do for you, I invite you to schedule a discovery call.