Why I Left Stage Hypnotism to Become an Online Counselor: Lessons in Psychology and Human Healing
- Garige Goutham Kumar
- Oct 29
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 31
By Psychologist Goutham
When people today know me as an online psychologist, marital counselor, and relationship advisor, very few realize that my journey into understanding the human mind began in an entirely different way — through stage hypnotism. What started as curiosity eventually became a mission to bring scientific awareness, empathy, and rational thinking to the people of rural Telangana.
How It All Began
My fascination with hypnotism began during my youth, inspired by television performances of Dr. B. V. Pattabhiram, a well-known psychologist and hypnotist who brought hypnotism to Telugu audiences in an engaging way. His shows left me curious about the mysteries of the mind — how suggestion works and how people respond so powerfully to simple instructions.
During my engineering years around 2008, while the job market was uncertain due to the global recession, I began exploring subjects that truly intrigued me. Alongside my training in Java, networking, and Microsoft certifications, I started reading about psychology and hypnotism. My curiosity pushed me to libraries and early online resources, where I spent countless hours studying the subject.
At first, like many others, I thought stage hypnotism was fake — that the participants were planted actors. But that curiosity soon grew into a genuine quest to understand what truly happens in the human mind when it accepts a suggestion.
From Skepticism to Understanding
My first live exposure to hypnotism came at a stage show in Hyderabad by a famous hypnotist. I remember walking out with my friends, joking that it was all trickery — that no one could truly control another person’s mind. Yet deep down, questions lingered: What if even a small part of it was real? And if it was, is it ethical?
Those doubts about morality and misuse stayed with me. I worried about how such skills could be abused — to manipulate or harm others. It was only after I began formally studying psychology that these concerns began to clear. I realized that hypnotism isn’t about control; it’s about focus, trust, and the mind’s immense capacity for suggestion. It’s not magic — it’s science, and it carries a moral responsibility.
Learning and Refinement
As my understanding deepened, I observed several professionals closely, including Dr. Hypno Kamalakar, a renowned Telugu hypnotist. I paid attention to the smallest nuances — voice modulation, timing, and the subtle art of suggestion. Over the years, I read more than eight books on hypnotism and studied hundreds of live and recorded performances from experts in the U.S., Malaysia, and Australia.
Through this, I refined my own style — one that prioritized ethics, education, and empathy over entertainment or shock value.
Ethics and Purpose
I never resorted to dramatic or painful demonstrations. While harmless acts like arm levitation were part of my sessions, I was firmly against piercing needles or causing discomfort to “prove” a hypnotic state. Instead, I devised my own ethical way to demonstrate numbness: I would write something with a pen or pencil on the participant’s hand while they were under hypnosis.
Normally, anyone would immediately feel that touch and react — but those in a deep hypnotic state wouldn’t notice it. When they came out of hypnosis and saw writing on their hand, they’d be astonished, wondering who had done it. It was a harmless yet powerful demonstration of how the mind can focus so deeply that physical sensations momentarily fade.
After each program, I would explain the science behind the act and use it as an opportunity to spread awareness. I reminded audiences that it’s easy to be deceived by people claiming mystical powers, but the real magic lies in our own minds — in critical thinking, awareness, and understanding psychological processes.
A Mission for Awareness
My stage programs weren’t just about fascination — they had a social purpose. I performed across the rural corners of Telangana, in government schools and small towns, aiming to fight superstition and fear with awareness and science.
At that time, I was deeply disturbed by reports of human sacrifices and witch-hunts — people committing or justifying horrific acts in the name of faith or hidden treasures. I believed that no compassionate God would ever demand cruelty. I felt compelled to act, and stage hypnotism became my way to educate rural communities about the dangers of superstition, charlatans, and black magic beliefs.
I emphasized that what many called “evil spirits” or “spells” could actually be symptoms of psychological distress — anxiety, trauma, or untreated mental health issues. Through demonstrations, stories, and humor, I tried to bring rationality where fear once lived.
Shifting Focus: From Stage to Counseling
All my demonstrations were centered on human connection — teaching people that belief, effort, and vision can shape their lives. However, as years passed, I realized that stage hypnotism demanded enormous time, travel, and energy. Despite my scientific approach, some continued to see it merely as trickery.
Living in a rural setup with elderly parents to care for, it became difficult to sustain that path. Gradually, I transitioned toward counseling and therapy — areas where I could still apply the same principles of suggestion, empathy, and focus, but in a more direct and transformative way.
Embracing Online Counseling
To overcome the limitations of geography, I began offering online counseling. From a quiet corner of my home, I started connecting with clients across Telangana and other parts of India, helping them navigate challenges in relationships, anxiety, and self-understanding.
Over time, my visibility grew through Telugu newspapers, news channels, and popular YouTube interviews, where I continued spreading awareness about mental health and rational thinking. Counseling gave me both flexibility and fulfillment — the ability to balance my family life and professional purpose.
Guiding with Responsibility
Even now, I receive calls from strangers who are fascinated by stage hypnotism, offering money to learn it. While I respect their curiosity, I remain cautious. Many seek the thrill, not the understanding. I usually tell them I’m not the right person to guide them, and suggest exploring formal training in metropolitan centers if they’re truly serious.
Stage hypnotism is not an easy path. It comes with ethical dilemmas, skepticism, and emotional challenges. I believe one can make a much deeper and lasting difference through counseling — helping people heal, rediscover themselves, and grow. That’s where I’ve found real meaning.
No Regrets — Only Gratitude
Looking back, I have no regrets about stepping away from stage hypnotism. It was a remarkable chapter — one that shaped my understanding of the human mind, strengthened my belief in science, and deepened my empathy for people.
Today, as a Telugu-speaking online psychologist, marital counselor, and relationship advisor, I continue that same mission: awakening the mind, nurturing rationality, and guiding individuals toward emotional well-being.
A Note to My Readers
Every phase of my journey — from stage hypnotism to online counseling — has reminded me that the mind is both delicate and powerful. With the right guidance, anyone can overcome confusion, self-doubt, and pain.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, relationship conflicts, or emotional challenges, remember — you don’t have to face them alone. Professional help is just a message away.
Visit 👉 www.psychologistgoutham.com to learn more about my work or book a private online session. Together, we can begin the process of understanding, healing, and building a peaceful version of you.
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