In reality there are few downsides to hypnosis but one that may happen, and it depends on the hypnotist, is a dependency on the practitioner being present in order to enter the pleasant state of hypnosis. I counteract this by recording all sessions and sending the client home with the recordings so that he/she can use the sound of my voice to reenter trance and eventually to use their own cues that I have “anchored” during a session to go into trance without even needing to listen to the recording.
Also the practitioner can try to address too many issues at one time which results in a concern not being adequately addressed. Hypnosis works best when one issue is highlighted.
There may be a trust issue that is not fully resolved before hypnosis is introduced. It is very important that the client be able to trust the hypnotist before moving forward with hypnosis. If this bond is broken or nonexistent, hypnosis will not be the best choice to address an issue. If the hypnotist abuses information that the client had divulged in the session, then trust is broken and hypnosis will not be effective. Trust is the most important gift that a client gives to a hypnotist and should not be abused.
Sometimes a client is not fully out of a hypnotic state when it is terminated. The hypnotist should always check and make sure that the client is fully alert before leaving the office. It is possible that the client appears awake but is not fully conscious. A trained hypnotist will know to check for this.
It is important to know that in most states, anyone can hang out a shingle and call themselves a hypnotist. There are very few laws and regulations regarding the use of the term “hypnotist.” If you are considering the services of a hypnotist, it is wise to check their credentials and training.
As you can see, there are very few drawbacks and much to be gained by using hypnosis to address a problem. If you have any questions about me or about hypnosis, please don’t hesitate to contact me by phone or email. I am very responsive.