References to being hypnotized turn up in the strangest places – on a random TV show, a movie or sometimes a book. In his One Good Deed, a character of author David Baldacci is doing things not to her benefit. Archer suggests, “’He believes Hank Pittleman hypnotized you or something.’ Archer takes the cigarette from his mouth. ‘Did he hypnotize you or something?’ Sarcasticly she responds ‘Yeah, Archer, if you clap your hands just right, I’ll get on the floor and bark like a dog.’”

As a professional hypnotherapist, new clients will sometimes ask me, “Will I quack like a duck, cluck like a chicken or bark like a dog?” The answer is no, not unless you want to. Hypnotherapy (what I do) and stage hypnosis (what I don’t even know how to do) are 2 distinct practices. Both use hypnosis but they serve very different purposes and are conducted in different settings. Let’s explore the differences between the two.

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that uses hypnosis as a tool to help individuals address various psychological and emotional issues, such as anxiety, phobias, trauma, and more.

Its primary purpose is to promote healing, personal growth, and positive behavioral change. Hypnotherapists work with clients, one on one, to help them achieve specific therapeutic goals.
Hypnotherapy sessions are conducted in a relaxed, comfortable, and private environment where the client can feel at ease
In hypnotherapy, the client participates voluntarily and consents to the process. The hypnotherapist works collaboratively with the client to address their specific concerns or issues, and the client's well-being is the top priority.
Hypnotherapists use hypnosis to access the subconscious mind and work with the client's thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. The goal is to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and address specific issues through suggestion, visualization, and therapeutic dialogue.
Hypnotherapists typically undergo formal training and certification in hypnotherapy techniques, ethics, and client care. They are often licensed professionals who adhere to ethical guidelines and maintain client confidentiality.

Stage hypnosis is a form of entertainment. The primary purpose of stage hypnosis is to amuse and entertain an audience. Stage hypnotists typically perform in front of a live audience and select volunteers from the audience to participate in amusing and often comical hypnotic scenarios. It is not intended for therapeutic or healing purposes.

Stage hypnotists select volunteers from the audience, but these volunteers are typically willing participants who agree to be hypnotized for entertainment purposes. While consent is involved, there may be some peer pressure or expectation to comply with the hypnotist's requests.
Stage hypnosis relies on rapid and often dramatic hypnotic inductions to quickly hypnotize participants. The focus is on creating entertaining and sometimes outrageous scenarios, such as making participants believe they are famous celebrities or behave in unusual ways.
Stage hypnotists may not necessarily have formal training or certification in hypnosis. Their expertise lies in entertaining an audience through hypnosis, and their primary concern is entertainment rather than therapy.
Stage hypnosis provides immediate amusement and laughter but does not aim to bring about lasting personal change or therapeutic benefits.

In summary, hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis involve the use of hypnosis techniques but they have vastly different purposes, approaches, and ethical considerations. Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic tool used to help individuals with psychological and emotional issues, while stage hypnosis is a form of entertainment aimed at amusing audiences.

Please feel free to pass this post along to family and friends that you think might benefit from the positive effects of hypnotherapy.

I am available for a free 30 minute consultation for new clients. Please go to cindaroffman.com to book a free consult or call me at 818-929-4944.

Sincerely,

Cinda

Hypnonews and Resources

For another perspective on Hypnotherapy Vs. Stage Hypnosis by an establlished hypnotherapy training company please see the following:

https://hypnotc.com/hypnotherapy-vs-stage-hypnosis-2/

For those who might be interested in learning to do stage hypnosis the following article offers some useful advice:

https://www.learnstagehypnosis.com/essential-stage-hypnosis-skills/