Hypnosis is a natural and relaxed state that occurs to most people at some point at least once a day. It might happen while watching TV, reading a book, listening to music or even driving a car. It’s a state that is neither awake nor asleep, almost a day dream type of feeling where you are aware of things around you but in an altered way – effectively an altered state of awareness. The person is always in control and can not be made to do anything that they don’t want to do (including going against their belief systems – religious, cultural, spiritual or moral).
Hypnotherapy is the application of various techniques including guided imagery, direct/indirect suggestions, metaphors and NLP while someone is in a trance state. Clinical hypnotherapy (which is what is used in HISP), uses these techniques to help people overcome issues that are negatively affecting them. Stage hypnosis (which is NEVER used in HISP) uses these techniques for entertainment purposes.