Hypnosis for Cancer Care

Will I be able to wake up afterwards? I want to make sure I will be awake enough to talk to my family and doctors.

You will have no problem “waking up” at the end of the hypnosis. You will never be asleep, you will just feel relaxed, calm, and focused.

I don’t think I’m very hypnotizable (e.g., because I’m too nervous, because I have too strong a mind, I need to be in control, etc.).

You do not have to be “very hypnotizable” in order to benefit from hypnosis. In fact, research has shown that almost 90% of patients benefit from hypnosis 11. This means that the vast majority of patients benefit from hypnosis, regardless of their level of hypnotizability.

I don’t think that I will be good at hypnosis.

All I am asking for is your attention and concentration. If at any point, you want to stop,

you can just let me know. But most people find hypnosis to be relaxing and pleasant, so you might find this enjoyable.

I saw a hypnosis stage show (or something similar, e.g., a show on television), and the subjects did all kinds of embarrassing things, like singing and dancing. I don’t want to do anything like that.

Our intent is to help you relax and to feel better during the course of cancer treatment, NOT to embarrass you. And you should also know that you CANNOT be made to do anything you do not want to do during hypnosis. Hypnosis is not mind control, it is just a tool you can use to help yourself feel better.

Will I have to do what you say?

No! During hypnosis, we will offer you suggestions. Hypnotic suggestions are quite literally just suggestions. They are not commands, orders, or magic spells. They simply allow your mind to expect better outcomes. At any time during hypnosis, you can speak to me, stop the session, or refuse to accept a suggestion. It’s entirely up to you.

Source: Hypnosis for Cancer Care: Over 200 Years YoungGuy H. Montgomery, PhD,1 Julie B. Schnur, PhD,2 and Kate Kravits, MA, RN, HNB-BC, LPC, NCC, ATR-BC3