Should Stage Hypnotism Be Shunned By Hypnotherapists?

Should Stage Hypnotism Be Shunned By Hypnotherapists?
by Richard MacKenzie

Stage Hypnotism is a subject that is somewhat shunned within the modern day Hypnotherapy profession in the twenty-first century; however that same profession has its roots mainly in the very thing that it shuns. So why is the profession of Hypnotherapy trying to distance itself from the art of Stage Hypnotism - the very thing that helped it to become so very popular? And also, has Stage Hypnotism got any role to play in the modern twenty-first century Hypnotherapy profession? Well within this article I hope to give you something to think about in order to answer these questions for yourselves.
Let's start right at the beginning of what is considered the commencement of modern day Hypnosis in Europe. To do this we have to start in the small Swabian town of Iznang on the banks of Bodensee (Lake Constance) on the German-Swish border in 1734, with the birth of Franz Anton Mesmer. Mesmer himself was a performer, usually performing his healings in front of vast crowds of people. Mesmer was overly flamboyant and very charismatic. In many people's eyes, he truly is the father of modern day Hypnosis and the very first Stage Hypnotist! So to begin with you can see just how long Stage Hypnotism and Hypnotherapy have been working together as one!
Next I want to cover the argument that Stage Hypnotism should be distanced from mainstream Hypnotherapy. For a lot of people, the thought portrayed in Stage Hypnotism of the Hypnotist having complete control over them is a scary prospect. In many cases this can actually stop them from getting the help that they so urgently need, to deal with issues that they may have. After much thinking this is the only negative that I can find.
Now on to the argument that Stage Hypnotism does have a place in modern day Hypnosis and should continue to be used. For at least the last one hundred years, Stage Hypnotism has acted as a vehicle to promote the benefits of Hypnotherapy. There is no doubting this fact. Here in the United Kingdom in the nineties we saw a major boost to Hypnotherapy with the introduction of a Stage Hypnotism show on mainstream television. This is even motivating thousands to both seek Hypnotherapy and train as Hypnotherapists still in 2007.
So there you have it - two sides of the argument and the modern day roots of Hypnosis - what do you think? Will Stage Hypnotism continue to get shunned by the Hypnotherapy profession or will it be used to help thousands more people to find the benefits from Hypnotherapy? You decide!

About the Author

Hypnotherapist Richard MacKenzie is an expert in Hypnotism. He is also the author and creator of Self-Change Hypnosis.