What Actually Happens in a Hypnotherapy Session
When you're deciding whether hypnotherapy is for you, it's completely normal for a few fears to pop up. People worry about what actually happens in a session, what it feels like, what they'll be expected to do, and whether they'll still be in control.
I get it.
I used to watch those TV shows where the hypnotist made people do silly, embarrassing things for entertainment. What most viewers don't realise is that those people were hand picked, fully consenting, and knew exactly what they were signing up for before filming.
Why? Because you cannot be hypnotised without consent. And because stage hypnosis is very different from therapeutic hypnosis.
So let me clear up the biggest fears straight away. You're not going to end up clucking like a chicken. I'm not going to make you do anything against your will or values. I don't have control over you, YOU do.
You don't lose control, you don't spill secrets, and you definitely don't tell me your deepest, darkest thoughts while I sit here twirling a pocket watch. You're not asleep, at most, you're deeply relaxed.
You are ALWAYS fully in control.
Here's what actually happens.
We talk first
Every session starts with a conversation. What's going on for you. What's changed since last time. What you want to work on today. This isn't small talk, it's how I figure out exactly what your mind needs to hear during hypnosis.
If it's your first session, we take a little longer. I help you relax, ask questions, and get a clear understanding of how you're experiencing the problem. You can ask me anything too. I'll also explain what will happen so you know exactly what to expect, and there are no surprises.
You get settled
You sit or lie down, whatever's comfortable, and I guide you into a relaxed state using your imagination in whatever way works for you.
That's it.
That's the "trance" everyone worries about. It's nothing more than a natural state of focused attention. It's the same state you're in right before you fall asleep, or when you're driving somewhere familiar and suddenly realise you don't remember the last ten minutes.
Because it's a natural state, you cannot get stuck in it. If I stopped talking or walked out of the room, you'd either drift into normal sleep or simply open your eyes. In fact, you can open your eyes anytime you want. Again, you're always fully in control.
You stay in the driving seat
You're awake the whole time. Your mind is actually highly alert and focused, not knocked out, not unconscious. You can hear me. You can hear the traffic outside or a dog barking. You could open your eyes if you wanted to, stand up, and walk out at any point.
Most importantly, you are not under any spell. Hypnosis requires your full cooperation. You're simply deeply relaxed and more open to positive suggestions, which is the whole point.
Then we do the work
Your subconscious mind runs most of who you are, your habits, your reactions, your automatic thoughts, without you even realising. It's where your memories, emotions, and learned patterns live. Your conscious mind acts like a gatekeeper, and it doesn't let much through. That's why lasting change can feel difficult, you're trying to change things from the outside.
Hypnosis opens that gateway. Once you're relaxed, I can communicate with the part of your mind that actually runs the show. We work with it directly, offering new possibilities and alternative suggestions so you can finally move past whatever's been holding you back.
Bringing you back up
Gently, I bring your attention back to the room. You open your eyes, we talk about how it felt, and off you go about your day.
That's it. There's really nothing more to it.
The part that changes things isn't the trance itself, it's what we do with it.
Most people spend years trying to force change with willpower alone, which rarely works. Hypnotherapy bypasses the blocks and gets straight to the part of you that can actually shift.
If you've been curious but felt unsure, that's completely normal.
That's exactly why I offer a free, no pressure consultation. It's simply a chance for us to chat, answer your questions, and help you decide whether hypnotherapy feels like the right fit for you.
If you're ready to find out how this could work for you, book your free consultation here.