In compliance with current WHO and CDC
recommendations to minimize risk of exposure to and spread of the COVID-19
virus, I am temporarily suspending in-person hypnotherapy sessions with me in
my office. However, phone and Skype consultations ARE and WILL REMAIN AVAILABLE
(This blog was originally posted on January 21, 2014)
 |
| Photo by Rick Hustead |
I could not
believe it. Right before my (and
thousands of viewers’) eyes, a random hypnotist essentially ambushed a beloved
character of the television series I was watching. Bam! Right in the middle of a critical scene in the episode, the
hypnotist addressed the character by name, gave a command (eye fascination) and
did a rapid induction to knock him out long enough for critical elements of the
plot to make sense and the story line to move along. Following are my reasons why this scene worked—and made sense—in
the context of Hypnosis Motivation Institute
founder John Kappas, Ph.D.’s
definition of hypnosis and the following key elements of the plot:
1.
According to Dr. Kappas, hypnosis is “[a state]
created by an overload of message units that disorganizes our inhibitory
process (critical mind), triggering our fight/flight mechanism and ultimately
resulting in a hyper-suggestible state [that provides] access to the
subconscious mind.” The character was distraught and in a state of high anxiety
when the hypnotist approached him. He didn’t want to/wouldn’t physically leave
the scene, but this opportunity for temporary “escape” into hypnosis was an
easy way to escape the trauma and drama going on around him.
2.
The hypnotist was calm and in control—and took
control of the situation. He spoke the protagonist’s name and commanded the
character to look at him.
3.
The hypnotist appeared to use a variation of the
direct-gaze shock induction to hypnotize the protagonist. This is a legitimate
rapid-induction technique in which a hypnotist has the person look him in the
eye and supports his or her upper body during the physical aspect of the
induction.
4.
The hypnotist used the key phrase, “deep sleep”
that is typically employed during hypnosis. At the end of the scene, once key
plot details had been resolved, the hypnotist counted the character back up to
full awareness.
When I saw this
scene unfold every cell in my body screamed “foul!” at the irresponsible
depiction and unethical/immoral application of hypnosis. The technique that the
hypnotist employed, and the context in which he used it, was in no way hypnotherapy. However,
considering the protagonist’s overwrought emotional state and the activity
going on around him, it was easy to understand how this scene was a perfect
example of Dr. Kappas’s explanation of how and why hypnosis works. I think the
inclusion of a rogue hypnotist doing a rapid induction to temporarily overwhelm
the character’s already-overloaded subconscious mind was an ingenious, extra detail
that will keep fans talking about this episode for a long time.
Special
Offer!
Save 15 percent
on all a la carte (individual) phone and Skype hypnotherapy sessions,
including the 2-hour introductory First Session!
*This offer may
not be combined with other promotional discounts/session packages and is not
redeemable for cash. Offer expires on June 30, 2020
Sara
R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern
California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation
Institute in
2005. In July 2019 she was voted the Best Hypnotherapist in Santa Clarita,
California. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
© 2020
