It is in this altered state that we may be more open to suggestions from others. According to the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), hypnosis is a “shift in consciousness enables us to tap into many of our natural abilities and allows us to make change more quickly.” Hypnosis is simply an altered conscious state, much in the same way that dreaming or daydreaming is. However, while there is certainly a time and place for performative hypnosis, the field of hypnotism is much more than that. When most of us think of hypnosis, we think of a whimsical performer waving their arms and putting an unassuming audience member into a dreamlike trance. Before you go searching for a hypnotherapist, you’ll want answers to all of your questions about hypnotherapy - what it is, what conditions it can treat, what to look for in a hypnotist - and most importantly, how hypnotism can benefit you. If you are thinking of trying hypnosis or hypnotherapy, one of your first questions might be: How can I find a hypnotist near me?īut that might not be your only question.