Hypnosis and Abuse
For anyone who follows the news, the predominant issue that is brought up with hypnosis, when it is negative, is about hypnotists abusing their clients or people in general using hypnosis as the vehicle. Now, one cannot deny that there are cases where abuse occurs and that this is abhorrent and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. It need to be said that hypnosis CANNOT force someone to do something they do not want to do.
However, and abuse of the therapeutic relationship or an abuse of the power and trust dynamic certainly can. Hypnotists like psychologists, lawyers and physicians have in the past used their position of authority and grooming in order to fulfil their sexual needs. This is an abomination, but it is not unique to hypnotists. Hypnosis is a powerful adjunct to psychotherapeutic and medical change. It does not have to power to force people to have sex with them.
When people attend therapy, they are in a vulnerable state, people who attend therapy need to be able to feel safe and secure when they are exploring their issues. Anyone who uses whatever technique and approach to abuse this relationship of trust should never be allowed to work with people again.
