5 Reasons Why Stage Hypnosis is Different From Hypnotherapy

Have you been to a magic show or hypnosis stage show and been amazed by how normal people do unexpected things in front of a big crowd?

Well, you are not the only one. Many people confuse hypnotherapy with a hypnosis stage show and worry about the suggestions they will receive from the hypnotherapist. Although hypnosis stage shows and hypnotherapy are not completely different from each other, both have different dynamics and techniques. Here are 5 differences between a hypnosis stage show and a hypnotherapy session:

1-    Stage hypnosis uses crowd control VS Hypnotherapy uses hypnotic skills

If you haven’t done it yet, next time when you are in a hypnosis stage show, pay attention to the hypnotist. They are usually very charismatic entertainers who capture the crowd’s full attention. Hypnosis is already a very mystical unknown subject to so many people. When the idea of hypnosis mixes with a charismatic hypnotist, people become more susceptible to follow the hypnotist’s directions. In addition to controlling the crowd successfully, the hypnotist also picks certain volunteers from the crowd. These volunteers are usually even more curious and suggestible to hypnosis. As a result, the person on the stage feels under the control of the hypnotist regardless of the hypnotic state. 

This phenomenon can be explained by crowd psychology. According to an article published on Psychology Today, we don’t have as much control over our thoughts and ideas as we think and we mostly operate with the subconscious cues that we receive from the environment, and especially the people around us. As humans, we are social beings and we enjoy being around people who share similar beliefs. To learn what is correct, we look at what others are doing. If other people are doing it, we tend to automatically assume that is the correct thing or the truth.

On the contrary, in a hypnotherapy session, there is no crowd and the hypnotherapist’s skills are very important for the success of the therapy. Prior to hypnosis, personal goals and expectations are discussed with the hypnotherapist. Later, these goals are applied to the subconscious mind during hypnosis through imagery journeys, suggestions, or other techniques. During hypnotherapy, hypnosis is experienced by deep and focused relaxation and calmness. When it is used for therapeutic reasons, hypnosis by itself is a very calming and relaxing feeling. Therefore, it is a great tool to use for anxiety, depression, or pain.

2-    Volunteers of the show usually like to please the crowd VS Personal motivation is the key for hypnotherapy

In stage hypnosis, the hypnotist picks out the most susceptible people to hypnosis. After they come on the stage, amongst the volunteers, the hypnotist still performs various techniques to pick the most suggestible people. This is when some of the volunteers will be sent back to their seats because the hypnotist suspects that they won’t be following directions. However, you still see the rest of the volunteers doing unusual things on the stage.

This is because most of the time, these volunteers just have fun with the show. It is estimated that they follow the hypnotist’s orders because of the light state of hypnosis mixed with a willingness to please the crowd. It is ok to have fun, and they are there to be part of the fun that is presented!

On the other hand, hypnotherapy’s success depends on one’s willingness to change. It works with one’s personal motivation to improve. Someone who is not ready to change and let go cannot be changed through hypnosis even though they can be hypnotized. So, contrary to stage hypnosis, it is very common for hypnotherapy clients to experience resistance, especially in the first sessions.

3-    Hypnotizability matters in stage hypnosis VS Hypnotizability doesn’t matter in hypnotherapy

During a stage hypnosis show, one of the most important things a hypnotist looks for is the hypnotizability of volunteers. There are various techniques to test someone’s susceptibility to hypnosis. An open mind and curiosity are must-haves for a hypnotist to work with you on stage and get entertaining results. In sum, for a stage show, it is important to have guests who are susceptible to hypnosis. 

On the contrary to the stage show, for hypnotherapy sessions, someone’s hypnotizability doesn’t matter much. Everyone can be guided to calmness and relaxation with journeys or other hypnotic techniques. Hypnotherapists take their time to hypnotize someone without the pressure of entertaining the crowd. Everyone is hypnotizable but different techniques are required for different people.

4-    Stage hypnosis is for entertainment purposes VS Hypnotherapy is for life improvement

Stage hypnosis shows are usually done for pure entertainment purposes and sometimes to show the mind’s power to everyone. After all, watching an adult meowing like a cat following a hypnotic suggestion can be mind-blowing.

Clearly, hypnotherapy is done for therapeutic reasons only. The goal of hypnotherapy is to help people improve various parts of their lives by using their own mind power. This concept is very powerful because often we try to use medicine, coaching, or willpower to overcome problems but with the help of hypnosis, the same problems can be solved by mind power only. Mindpower doesn’t have any side effects and once discovered, can be used for the rest of one’s life.

5-    Stage hypnotist works with light hypnosis VS Hypnotherapist works with different hypnotic depths

When someone comes to a stage show, they are already somewhat curious about hypnosis. Especially the final volunteers are the most susceptible ones. Because of this reason, on the stage, the hypnotist doesn’t need to put them into a deep trance to get the desired results. A light state of hypnosis is more than enough to get the volunteers to do entertaining activities on the stage.

 On the other hand, during hypnotherapy sessions, the depth of hypnosis is controlled by the hypnotherapist. In certain issues such as past life regression therapy or Hypno-anesthesia, a deep hypnotic state is required. Some other issues such as self-confidence, weight loss, or quitting smoking can be handled in a lighter state of hypnosis.