I was hypnotised last week as a last-ditch resort to cure my nail-biting habit — and I walked out of that appointment hundreds of dollars poorer and wanting to gnaw my nails right down to the quick.
Yeah, it was not what you’d call a success.
Before you roll your eyes, hear me out. Because my failure to convert my nails from the messy, ragged stubs worthy of a third grader to long, Iggy Azalea-style talons was not inevitable (as my more sceptical friends might claim).
Because here’s the thing: my recent hypnotism session was just plain awkward. During every minute of the one-hour, insanely priced affair — $5.80 per minute, in case you’re wondering — I felt about
as far from relaxed as humanly possible, so I never really had a reasonably shot at success.
Here’s how the whole thing went down.
“My recent hypnotherapy session was just plain awkward.”
I found my hypnotherapist online and was immediately suckered in by his shiny-looking testimonials page and logo (which, on reflection, he could’ve crafted himself using Microsoft Paint.)
In my mind’s eye, I pictured my hypnotherapist — let’s call him Trent* — rocking a clean white coat, polishing a high-tech relaxation chair in preparation for my arrival, and blasting the gentle sound of whales around a very slightly dimmed room as his jovial colleagues diligently went about their business in their adjoining rooms.
That’s what a friend had described to me of their hypnotherapy experience and for half a weeks’ pay check, dammit, that’s what I expected to get.
I booked in immediately and, the next day, rocked up to the man’s deco-style office building in the heart of the CBD and buzzed up to his floor. There was no logo on the buzzer to reassure me I’d come to the right place — but otherwise so far, so good.
I knocked. Trent opened his door. I stepped inside.
“That’s when Trent told me to close my eyes and listen to his slow, deep voice — as he kicked off his shoes.”
Glancing around, I saw no bustling floor of clinicians hovering aRound filing systems and rushing to meetings: In fact, there were no other rooms at all except the current one we were in, a small bathroom and — hang on, was that a bedroom over there?
It dawned on me that Trent worked from home in this tiny apartment, and that I’d be sinking into a ‘very, very sleeepy’ state of relaxation… in his lounge room.
Top Comments
Hypnotherapy definitely works, there's no doubt about it really. In fact, I had a great result right after the first session.
The only thing you'd have to make sure that you don't judge/question the process in every step. Just surrender & let it flow. After sometime (probably few weeks), you'll know by yourself for sure! It's a beautiful experience!
One of the most important parts of a successful Hypnotherapy session is building rapport with the client. Clearly this was not accomplished here. Making sure the client understands how it works, that the client is always in control. that they are comfortable and open to relaxing into trance is essential. It is a pity this article makes it sounds like it was the hypnotherapy that did not work when really it was the hypnotherapist who was not good at his job. $350 for one hour? That alone would make me suspicious. I charge $145 an hour. Stop smoking often takes longer so I charge $450 for a 3 - 4 hour session with free follow ups if the first 4 hours of hypnotherapy don't get the client to stop completely. Ask around for recommendations or call the therapist before booking to get a feel of whether you will be able to feel comfortable with them. If you get there and are not comfortable, tell them, they can then either work through what is making you uncomfortable or you can leave!