Pseudoscience is often a criticism associated with ‘alternative therapy’.
In fact Pseudoscience can be practiced by even the most scientific and is not confined to the fringes, although the fringes probably dabble more than most.
But does hypnotherapy involve itself in pseudoscientific theories?
Well if you see hypnosis as the application of suggestion whereby the patient uses their imagination and sensory awareness then most people would accept those aspects as rational and believable.
However ,the broad range of uses of hypnosis and the specific ‘state’ of hypnosis are up for debate .
More detailed research will in time provide more evidence of effectiveness or otherwise and more clarity as to the specific ‘state’ of hypnosis.
It is when hypnotherapists make claims about the subconscious that a whiff of pseudoscience breezes in.
Because what is the subconscious? Does anyone know exactly what they mean when they use this term?
Best to keep it simple and not use terms that make a simple therapy more complicated.
Unless you want to charge huge sums training others, then it pays to blind them with pseudoscience!
See Ben Goldacres Bad Science blog about these matters.
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