Hypnosis - Hypnotherapy - Hypnotism

Is it all the same? Sometimes it is so easy to get "lost in translation," isn't it?

So, what is the difference (if any) between hypnosis, hypnotherapy, and hypnotism? (Actually, it is a good question to ask when choosing a hypnotherapist…)

Hypnosis is the state one is in when they have been hypnotized. When in hypnotic state, a hypnotized person is totally conscious, fully in control, comfortably relaxed, aware of surroundings and what is happening. The purpose of hypnosis is to provide a means of bypassing the critical mind and accessing the non-reasoning, suggestible subconscious.

Everything else you may have heard about hypnosis (like hypnotized person is unconscious…submissive to another’s will…in an eerie trance state…prone to reveal confidential information) is nothing more but common misconception created by media and story-tellers.

Hypnotism is a means of inducing hypnosis (or hypnotic state).

Hypnotherapy is hypnotism used for benefit. The purpose of hypnotherapy is to assist the client, through guided imagery and visualization, to bring about a desired change in behavior or thought.

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, even when facilitated by a therapist.

The National Guild of Hypnotists purposely uses the terms hypnosis and hypnotherapy interchangeably, to discourage special interest groups from persuading various state governments to step in and make a distinction between the two terms and control and limit their use.