You've been hearing a lot about hypnosis these days as celebrities tell all the world that hypnosis helped them quit smoking. Among the new non-smokers: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and before them, Ellen de Generis. Smoking cessation seems to be a need that people are both ready to address and willing to make public.

Other celebs named by the press as hypnosis clients are: Singer Lily Allen (weight loss), Sophie Dahl, Geri Halwell, Drew Barrimore, Samuel Jackson and Winona Ryder.

Even Anthony Hopkins has disclosed that he used hypnosis to ?become? his character for a particularly demanding role.

I am wondering how many others have remain mum about their use of hypnosis for various popular needs and desires: fertility hypnosis for those who seem to have no physical barrier to becoming pregnant; weight loss hypnosis; sexual-performance hypnosis; hypnosis for fears (i.e., public speaking, commitment issues, sugar cravings) and for various goals such as attracting a love relationship or improved athletic performance.

In fact, though it is not commonly known, a good number of sports trainers and team doctors are trained in hypnosis and use it regularly with their athletes. Often they call it creative visualization.

But creative visualization is simply a kind of hypnosis that emphasizes mental pictures of one's goal, registering them deeply within the subconscious while in a hypnotic state.

Of course, whether or not many people are claiming the benefits of hypnotherapy for themselves, the real question is: is it for you?

Would hypnosis work for your need?

Are you able and willing to use it?

Can you find a reputable and effective practitioner near you (or would you consider phone hypnosis)?

It may help to know these things about hypnosis:

- Generally you cannot be hypnotized to do things you don't want to do.

- You cannot get stuck in a hypnotic state. You will come back into full consciousness eventually.

- You need to allow the practitioner's instructions to direct your thoughts and attention during the session. If you choose instead to wonder about the mechanics of the process, or ruminate about something that happened this morning at work, you will hold yourself back from actually being hypnotized. A waste of time and money, I'd say.

- When you contact the hypnotist, you can and should let her know what you'd like to work on. That will give both of you the chance to determine if she is the right practitioner for you.

- In the chat you have before hypnosis begins, be honest, clear, and on-topic. That is your best approach for getting value.

- Find out if the practitioner will teach you self-hypnosis in a subsequent session or two. If you enjoy the process, and you're getting results, self-hypnosis can be a smart way to reinforce gains, or work on something new by yourself. This works best for uncomplicated issues.

- If you find yourself afraid hat you will lose control, or be compromised, or hurt in any way despite reassurances from the hypnotist, cancel the appointment. You cannot be forced into hypnosis, so wait for a time (or practitioner) that assists you in feeling more able?and willing'to cooperate.

- If there is no satisfactory hypnotherapist in your area, consider hypnosis by phone. It makes location a non-issue. Though the practitioner will not have access to visual information about you during the session, he will use your words, pauses, and breathing as cues to how you're doing.

A conversation before the hypnosis can give him everything he needs. In advance, ask for explicit instructions on how you can prepare to make the most of your phone hypnosis session. A good practitioner will be happy to supply them.

Beyond that, simply enjoy! ? by Wendy Lapidus-Saltz. All Rights Reserved.