What Is Hypnotherapy?
How Hypnosis Works & What to Expect
Hypnotherapy is often misunderstood. Many people are curious, but unsure what hypnosis actually is, whether they’ll be in control, or if it’s even real.
Here, you will find answers to those questions clearly and calmly, so you can decide whether hypnotherapy feels like the right next step for you
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a completely natural state of focused awareness that we all enter multiple times a day. You may recognize it as those moments when you’re deeply absorbed, such as:
Watching a movie or TV show
Reading a book and losing track of time
Driving somewhere and realizing you’ve arrived on “autopilot”
Being fully immersed in a task or creative flow
In these states, your body is often relaxed, while your mind is highly focused and receptive.
In a hypnotherapy session, this same natural state is used intentionally. Your attention becomes focused, the mind quiets, and you’re more open to positive suggestions that support change.
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the therapeutic use of hypnosis to support a specific goal or concern.
During hypnosis, brain activity typically shifts from an active beta state into a calmer alpha state. In this state, the conscious mind relaxes its constant analysis, allowing access to the subconscious, the part of the mind that stores:
Habits
Beliefs
Emotional responses
Automatic reactions
In these states, your body is often relaxed, while your mind is highly focused and receptive.
In a hypnotherapy session, this same natural state is used intentionally. Your attention becomes focused, the mind quiets, and you’re more open to positive suggestions that support change.
Is hypnosis the same as meditation?
While hypnosis and meditation may look similar from the outside, they serve different purposes.
Meditation is typically inward-focused, often aimed at quieting the mind or cultivating awareness.
Hypnosis is a focused state used to receive specific suggestions that support change, guided by a hypnotherapist (or yourself in self-hypnosis).
Both can be valuable - but hypnotherapy is intentionally goal-directed.
How does hypnosis work?
Hypnosis works by engaging the subconscious mind, which is considered the source of many habits, emotional reactions, attitudes, and motivations.
By working with the subconscious directly, hypnotherapy helps:
Interrupt unhelpful patterns
Introduce healthier responses
Support lasting behavioral and emotional shifts
What does it feel like?
Most people describe hypnosis as:
Deeply relaxing
Mentally clear
Calm but alert
Many experience enhanced imagination or vivid inner awareness. You remain aware of what’s happening the entire time.
What can hypnotherapy be used for?
Hypnotherapy has been used worldwide to support goals such as:
Anxiety and stress management
Habits and addictions (including smoking)
Weight-related challenges
Fears and phobias
Confidence and self-esteem
Emotional healing and grief
Performance and focus
Preparation for medical procedures
Personal or professional clarity
Hypnotherapy Sessions
Sessions are one-on-one and offered in person or via Zoom.
A typical session may include:
Conversation and goal clarification
Guided hypnosis
Imagery and learning
Practical tools and goal setting
Session Length
General self-improvement sessions: ~1 hour
Specialty sessions (e.g., smoking cessation): 90–120 minutes for the first session (All sessions are based on a 50-minute hour.)
Begin Your Inner
Healing Journey
A free, calming guide to help you reconnect with yourself - mind, body, and spirit.
Control & Safety
No. Hypnosis is not mind control.
You are aware, present, and in control throughout the session. You can speak, move, or come out of hypnosis at any time. You will only accept suggestions that align with your values.
In that sense, all hypnosis is really self-hypnosis - the hypnotherapist simply guides the process.
You cannot get stuck in hypnosis. While the state is often deeply relaxing, you remain in control and can return to full alertness whenever you choose.
Despite the name, hypnosis is not sleep.
- Deeply relaxed
- Highly focused
- Aware and alert
- Responsive
- Relaxed
- No concentration
- Unconscious
- Unresponsive
Getting Started
The best first step is a free 20-minute Discovery Session. This gives you space to ask questions, discuss your goals, and determine whether hypnotherapy is appropriate for you.
