What is the difference between Hypnosis and Self Hypnosis?

There are two main differences: the first one is that when we talk about Hypnosis we mean going to see a Hypnotherapist who takes the client into a trance state and performs the session, with Self Hypnosis you are the one who does the session so that you are at the same time the client and the Hypnotherapist.

But as regards results the only real difference is that Hypnosis, performed by a good Hypnotherapist is faster than Self Hypnosis.

What is Hypnosis then?

Hypnosis is the name given to the process by which you enter a state of focused attention and relaxation also called trance. When you are in a trance you are under Hypnosis. When talking about Hypnosis it is normally meant that a Hypnotherapist, or Hypnotist as you like, takes you to the trance state with his words. You don’t go into a trance state by yourself but through the help of an external person.

Giving that the client has just to relax, listen to the voice of the Hypnotherapist and nothing else the level of relaxation reached is higher and usually deeper and this is the reason why going to a good Hypnotherapist is the fastest way to get results from Hypnosis.

Let me repeat myself just to be sure that it’s clear what is Hypnosis: it’s the process by which the client, you, enters a trance state. Being in trance and being hypnotized are the same thing so to speak.

What is Self Hypnosis then?

We talk about Self Hypnosis when the client on his own enters a state of trance without the Hypnotherapist. Hopefully after having read all relevant articles here. Achieving a trance through Self Hypnosis can be done by following instructions mentally which were previously memorized, using Hypnosis Cds or mp3, focusing the attention on an external object, like looking at a burning candle, or on internal things like breathing. There are other methods to perform Self Hypnosis but these are the most common ones. This is what is Self Hypnosis: a trance state entered by yourself with or without technology. The client and the Hypnotherapist are the same person.

So, the difference between Hypnosis and Self Hypnosis is the presence or not of the Hypnotherapist. Correct but there is also the time involved to achieve results to be taken into account. When you do Self Hypnosis a part of your brain is awake and aware, the part that “performs” the hypnotic session. This part even if small has always to remain awake so the level of relaxation and the strength of suggestions are more or less reduced.

If instead there is the Hypnotherapist that part can stay at rest and being reduced to a minimum so that being more relaxed our mind as a whole is much more receptive. Being more receptive than less time is needed to achieve the desired outcome and this is why with Hypnosis is not so uncommon to get results after just one session while with Self Hypnosis you should allow from one week up to a month or more, depending on the desired outcome and your commitment.

That’s why Hypnosis is faster than Self Hypnosis. Clearly the more you get used to Self Hypnosis the faster and better your results will be, as practice gives perfection as in every field.

Anyway my personal and professional opinion is that the best way to go is to have a hypnotic session with a good Hypnotherapist who can teach how to perform Self Hypnosis and then to work on your own with Self Hypnosis. From time to time, if needed, you can have other session with the Hypnotherapist for a refresher or a booster.

Now that you know what is Hypnosis and the difference with Self Hypnosis, what do you think?