Frequently Asked Questions

What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of mind in which suggestions are acted upon much more powerfully than is possible under normal conditions. While in hypnosis, one suppresses the power of conscious criticism. One's focus of attention is narrower and one's level of awareness on a focal point is much higher than if one were awake. But, you are not sleeping when under hypnosis but in a heightened state of awareness.

Have I ever experienced hypnosis?
Absolutely! Perhaps you have had the experience of being so engrossed in a movie or a TV show that you realized that it
was almost over and yet it did not seem like an hour or so had passed. Or, you may have been driving on the freeway,
absorbed in your thoughts, and then noticed that you had missed your exit.  These are hypnotic-like trances. The main differences between these sorts of trance and hypnosis are specific motivation and suggestions toward a goal. Hypnosis channels the trance to achieve some desired result, like relaxation or relief of pain.  It is common for people to disbelieve that they have been hypnotized the first time or two it occurs. The reason is that the hypnotic trance is not a completely unique feeling.  The absorption you may feel is familiar.

What is SELF-Hypnosis?
It is when you are administering hypnosis on yourself with suggestions to yourself. Many people think there is a difference between hypnosis guided by someone else and self-hypnosis. Many experts agree that all hypnosis is really self-hypnosis.
A hypnotherapist may help you guide or develop the trance, but you are always in control. It is your hypnosis.

What is clinical hypnosis versus stage hypnosis?
Clinical hypnosis is performed by a professional hypnotist under certain standard conditions.  There is a big difference between clinical hypnosis and the stage hypnotism many people are familiar with. The stage variety is a performance, a show purely for entertainment.  When you examine the process of the stage hypnotists, you recognize some of the techniques they utilize. First, the performer asks for volunteers from the audience. These are people who might well have had a drink or three, and their inhibitions are reduced. Many subjects are repeat visitors who are easily hypnotized and are nearly always selected when recognized by the hypnotist.  The performer will try to select those volunteers he or she
feels will most readily comply with commands. After the performer has carefully culled the group to a handful of willing participants, the show begins. Whether the entire group is really hypnotized or not doesn't matter. The participants may be in a trance, they may believe they are, or they may simply act as if they are hypnotized. Once they are on stage, there is a powerful pressure to go along and not “spoil the show.”

Can I make personal change with hypnosis? Why?
Yes you can! The reason is because during this heightened focus and awareness, suggestions appear to go directly into
the unconscious mind.  Nearly all scientists and researchers in this topic recognize that the trance-state we call hypnosis has special qualities. In it, you can control areas normally out of reach of your conscious mind.

Is hypnosis a form of sleep?
No, although a person in trance often appears to be asleep.  Actually the opposite is true! The brain-wave patterns of
people in hypnosis show alert wakefulness.

Can hypnosis make me do something I don’t want to do?
No, absolutely not. You are the one who is always in control during hypnosis. If you’ve even seen a stage hypnosis show, these people are carefully chosen to be very willing to be doing carefree behavior. You will never do anything that will violate your beliefs with hypnosis.  Also, you will not reveal any secrets that you wouldn’t ordinarily reveal.

Is hypnosis dangerous?
Actually, by making us more mentally aware, hypnosis can actually make us safer! Even during hypnosis, you have an
“observer” which is always aware and watching out for you.  You retain full control during a hypnosis session.

What makes hypnosis and self hypnosis work?
To put it simply, hypnosis and self-hypnosis allow us to tap into our own inner strength and our subconscious mind. This
allows you access to the infinite wisdom you already have inside of you. The same wisdom that already knows how to
make sure you breathe every minute of your life and that your heart keeps on beating. Hypnosis allows you to tap into this inner knowledge.

Can I be hypnotized?
In short, yes, because you already have been hypnotized.  Being hypnotized can actually be a learned trait so you get
better and better at it with practice.  Many people don’t think they’re hypnotized after a session.  But, some things might change, maybe that same day or maybe days later.  People from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, and history can be hypnotized. It doesn’t require any special skill, only an open mind and a desire to help yourself. If there’s a strong desire to become a better person, self-hypnosis results will come naturally.

What are the benefits of doing self-hypnosis?
Aside from unleashing a vast inner potential, self hypnosis can also open the gateways toward specific problems such as
inability to lose weight, poor self-control, addictions, pain control, poor sleeping habits, and more – the benefits, much like the power of mind, are endless!  Hypnosis is a natural, normal state of mind that you can use to instruct and direct your unconscious mind and body. We all carry around the abilities to reduce stress, control pain, conquer fears, overcome allergies, and alter unwanted habits.  What you will learn with hypnosis is a way to redirect your internal resources to achieve your goals. You can make yourself more capable with self-hypnosis. Most of us use only a thimbleful of our potential; even the brightest people may use only a tenth of their natural capacity. The natural mental potential you were born with is waiting to be released!

Can you give me an example of some suggestion strategies?
You can develop your own short, focused suggestion rhythm, sort of a trance mantra. For example, you might have an
early day trance mantra such as, “Eating light, staying determined, enjoying awareness ... all-through-the-day, eating light, staying determined, enjoying awareness ... all-through-the-day.”  That becomes the focus of your inner voice, using your
imagery to see the words, sense the colors, breathe the words in, and keep your focus on your trance mantra. This can be an excellent way to develop a focus. Another midday suggestion rhythm could be, “Relaxed and confident, what did I learn from this morning, relaxed and confident, what did I learn from this morning?”  And an evening trance mantra might be, “Breathe and let go, breathe and let go.”  You may find value in long trance sessions that are extremely engrossing and stimulating. Or, you might come to find that brief, focused, repetitive trance and suggestion strategies work best for you. And of course, the blending of both those and other sorts of trance processes can also be valuable.

Who is Dr. Brian Alman?
Dr. Brian Alman, Ph. D., best-selling author of five books on hypnosis and self-hypnosis, is the world authority on self-hypnosis who worked directly with the founder of clinical hypnosis, Dr. Milton Erickson. Dr. Alman studied at Suffolk University in Boston, and then went on to receive his clinical psychology Ph.D. at the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego.  He complemented his degree work by studying with masters in the mind/body field from all over the world.

What makes Dr. Alman’s programs different?
Dr. Alman trained directly under Milton Erickson MD and learned to be an innovator in developing indirect, flexible and personalized clinical techniques.  What does this mean to you?  That Dr. Alman can help you without giving direct commands which often times don’t give lasting results. So instead of “You will feel…” or “Now you are going to…”, Dr. Alman will say “You may feel…” or “Perhaps you will notice that…”. The means that you will be giving yourself suggestions which are going to be *exactly* tailored to what you need to change.  Dr. Alman’s programs help you tap into your own inner wisdom which is always going to be better than what someone else can instruct you to do.

Who is Self-hypnosis.com?
Selfhypnosis.com is the longest standing hypnosis website in the world. It is a resource for you that contains information and programs on hypnosis and self-hypnosis to help you achieve results. The goal of the site is to provide people worldwide an avenue for discovering their inner strength and realizing their true potential.  Selfhypnosis.com serves as the way Dr. Alman can reach out and communicate to thousands of his students and followers from all over the world - people he met through his hypnosis lectures and seminars, people who have invested in his hypnosis programs and people he serves through his private practice.  Dr. Alman’s results-focused programs are made available for everyone online, even if you can’t travel to San Diego to work with Dr. Alman personally. Selfhypnosis.com delivers hypnosis programs all over the world and orders can be made easily and hassle free through our secure online ordering.

Do you sell downloads as well as CD’s and DVD’s?
Our core products are available on physical CD and DVD format but we’re currently working on making them available
as downloadable files as well. We can accommodate you if you prefer digital download, just contact us after you order
and we can send you digital versions of the program you ordered.

How do I use my selfhypnosis.com programs?
We recommend doing them at home, in a comfortable chair, with headphones on. It is best to pick a time that you won’t be interrupted by friends or family. Turn your phone ringer and your cell phone off as well. You can have your eyes open or closed; whatever you are most comfortable with will work best. Being able to concentrate is important so try to minimize any distractions.

What should I do next?
We always recommend trying a hypnosis session for yourself to see what you think. You can take advantage of a free
self-hypnosis session available via download by visiting:

Self Hypnosis

Are all hypnosis programs the same?
It’s important to realize that not all hypnosis sessions are created equally so please make sure to select one from a reputable site and a respected psychologist with professional training and a proven track record.  Many people trying Dr. Alman’s hypnosis sessions have had less than ideal results with other programs but only you can decide what works best for you. Dr. Alman actually has earned the nickname amongst his peers as the Doctor of Last Resort. Because he helps patients who haven’t gotten results from any other way who come to Dr. Alman as a last resort.

Before you invest in any program you should realize:

* Most of the companies and websites offering hypnosis sessions online have little to no background in clinical psychology. Dr. Brian Alman studied at Suffolk University in Boston, and then went on to receive his clinical psychology
Ph.D. at the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego.

* Most online hypnosis programs are generic, with no regard to how individuals respond to treatment. Dr. Alman,
realizing how differently each person responds to hypnosis, created programs flexible and customizable by the user,
thereby ensuring optimum and personalized results with self-hypnosis.

Dr. Alman’s unique type of hypnosis allows YOU the power to create suggestions yourself that are best for you. You
could say that Dr. Alman is someone who empowers you to create the change you want!

* Most self-hypnosis programs focus only on getting users hypnotized, some completely forgetting the importance of
teaching the user how to fully maximize the trance. Dr. Alman’s post hypnotic suggestions are powerful in how they
indirectly empower you. It must be experienced.

SelfHypnosis.com promises you that:

* Every program we carry is the result of years of experience and thousands of results from Dr. Alman and his
colleagues. Dr. Alman is one of the very few clinical hypnosis practitioners who has the credentials, experience,
and success to make you a results-focused hypnosis session.

* All selfhypnosis.com programs are meant to be flexible and can be personalized depending on your level of hypnosis
skills, determination, and goals.

* Our products are backed up by scientific proof. The field of clinical hypnosis is certified by the American Medical Association (AMA).  Thousands of users, several of them whose stories are on this website, have expressed their approval and satisfaction in getting results with Dr. Alman’s programs.