Stage hypnosis has certainly established its place in the world of entertainment. For the most part, this does nothing to negate, deny, or belittle the success or reputation of clinical hypnotherapy.
Undoubtedly, the two procedures are very different. Stage hypnosis is performed in a very spectacular manner and is bound to make an impact. Grandiosity and exaggerated gestures are used to maximum effect, and the entire process is carried out in a very loud and imposing manner. This is necessary in this field because the stage hypnotist is expected to put on a show for a large audience.
Stage hypnotists will often have their participants do very strange things on stage, also for shock. This can range from barking like a dog to thinking they are Elvis Presley. Rather, hypnotherapy uses a very different and very subtle approach to achieve the state of hypnosis, and hypnotherapy is used for a very different purpose.
The extravagance that goes into performance hypnosis is in no way indicative of what hypnotherapy is or can do for anyone. Unfortunately, there is sometimes an uneasy relationship between stage hypnotists and hypnotherapists. There are some therapists who believe that stage hypnotism gives hypnotherapy a bad image. Stage hypnotists would reply that they are the ones demonstrating the powers of hypnosis to the masses, and therapists should be thankful for it.
Of course, if a person’s perception of hypnosis is based solely on their exposure to stage hypnosis, they will obviously have a very inaccurate or incomplete perception. However, I think most people today understand that there is a difference between using hypnosis as a means of entertainment and using it as an effective treatment.
When mature adults make a conscious decision to seek the entertainment value of a stage hypnosis performance and choose to participate to the extent they feel comfortable, I see no problem. At best, people will understand and accept the difference between performance hypnosis and hypnotherapy. At worst, performance hypnosis will provide a form of proof that hypnosis works, which is not all a bad thing for the hypnotherapy industry. Some stage hypnotists will offer a clause in their introduction or conclusion and refer to the benefits of hypnotherapy.
It is not surprising that there is still some degree of conflict between stage hypnotists and hypnotherapists, but like anything else, if an expert in any field uses their talents ethically and professionally, there is no reason to be judgmental or alarmed. I believe that stage hypnosis has its place, but it must be done responsibly. However, it should be noted that the popularity of stage hypnosis is now at an all time low.
It should also be noted that there are a number of highly successful hypnotherapists who started out or are still working as stage hypnotists. The names of Paul McKenna and Ormond McGill come to mind. There is no reason why one cannot be a successful stage hypnotist as well as a highly respected hypnotherapist. Paul McKenna is a good example. He made a name for himself in the UK as a stage hypnotist and is still known today as a stage hypnotist. However, he has also had great success as a therapist and is now heavily involved with NLP training and other activities.
In any profession, there will be those who use and those who abuse. Can stage hypnotists give hypnotherapy a bad name? Insurance. But you don’t necessarily have to have that result every time.