What is the difference between Stage Hypnosis and Clinical Hypnosis and what else is Clinical Hypnosis used for?

Stage Hypnosis is performed purely as a form of entertainment; the hypnotist carefully weeds out people who don't respond well in the audience, and so is left with highly susceptible subjects, who are well aware that everyone is there to have a good laugh, so these willing participants have a good idea in advance what they are letting themselves in for, and as a result they are in fact giving the hypnotist permission to get them to make a fool of themselves.

Clinical Hypnosis has nothing to do with entertainment; it is practiced for the sole purpose of helping people with a particular problem, using positive and beneficial suggestions, and always with the best interests of the client in mind.

Clinical Hypnosis can be used for many different psychological, emotional and physical disorders: it is now quite widely used in the fields of medicine and dentistry, shortening the delivery stage of labour and reducing the need for pain relief.

It is also very successful for the treatment of anxiety, stress and tension-related problems such as insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, psoriasis, and eczema, fears and phobias, as well as improving sports, music or job performance, self-esteem, self-confidence, motivation and memory recall.

Children can usually be hypnotised quite easily, and can be helped with problems such as bed-wetting, chronic asthma, stammering or excessive blushing.