What Hypnotherapy Is – and What It Isn’t

If you’ve ever seen someone cluck like a chicken on stage or fall into a trance at the click of someone’s fingers, you might have wondered: Is that what hypnotherapy is? The truth is, stage hypnosis and therapeutic hypnotherapy are worlds apart.

Hypnotherapy is a gentle, empowering and evidence-based approach that helps people overcome emotional, behavioural and psychological difficulties. Yet, it’s also one of the most misunderstood therapies out there.

In this blog post, I’ll unpack what hypnotherapy really is – and just as importantly, what it’s not – so you can make an informed decision about whether it’s the right approach for you or your loved one.

What Hypnotherapy Is

1. A Relaxed, Focused State of Mind

At its heart, hypnotherapy involves guiding someone into a deeply relaxed yet focused state of awareness. This state is similar to the natural ‘flow’ you might feel when you’re absorbed in a book, a film or a daydream. You’re not asleep, and you’re definitely not unconscious – you’re simply more open and inwardly focused.

In this state, your mind becomes more receptive to positive suggestions and visualisations. This creates a powerful opportunity to challenge unhelpful beliefs and replace them with more helpful patterns of thinking.

2. A Collaboration Between Client and Therapist

Hypnotherapy is not something that’s ‘done’ to you. It’s a therapeutic collaboration where the hypnotherapist guides and supports you but you remain fully in control. You can come out of the hypnotic state at any time, speak freely and even choose not to follow a suggestion if it doesn’t feel right for you.

Effective hypnotherapy is based on trust and consent. The therapist creates a safe, respectful space where you can explore your thoughts, behaviours and feelings in a calm and constructive way.

3. A Tool for Real Change

Hypnotherapy can be used to support a wide range of issues including:

• Anxiety, stress and low self-esteem
• Phobias and fears (e.g. flying, spiders, public speaking)
• Exam or performance nerves
• Habits such as smoking, vaping or nail biting
• Weight Loss
• Sleep difficulties
• IBS and some chronic pain conditions
• Confidence and motivation

Some clients come with a clear goal (e.g. to overcome a fear of driving) while others want to understand and manage difficult emotions. Hypnotherapy works by gently quietening the ‘critical’ conscious mind and allowing access to the subconscious – the part of us that stores beliefs, habits and emotional responses.

4. A Recognised Complementary Therapy

While not a replacement for medical treatment or counselling when needed, hypnotherapy is increasingly recognised by healthcare professionals as a valuable complementary therapy. The NHS mentions hypnotherapy as a potential treatment for certain conditions (i.e. IBS) and research continues to explore its benefits for pain relief, habit change and trauma recovery.

A properly trained hypnotherapist will always work within their scope of practice, referring on where necessary and never making claims they can’t support.

What Hypnotherapy Isn’t

1. It’s Not Mind Control

Perhaps the biggest myth about hypnotherapy is that it involves giving up control. In reality, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis – the hypnotherapist simply facilitates the process. You can’t be made to do or say anything against your will and you’ll be aware of what’s happening throughout the session.

Forget the TV dramas and stage shows – clinical hypnotherapy is about empowerment, not control. It’s about helping you unlock the resources already within you.

2. It’s Not Sleep or Unconsciousness

While people often describe hypnosis as feeling deeply relaxed or ‘drifty’, it’s not sleep. Your brain is active and many clients are surprised by how alert they feel during a session. You might remember everything that’s said or just certain key phrases – either is completely normal.

Hypnotherapy is best described as a ‘different’ state of awareness – one where you’re more focused inwardly and less distracted by the outside world.

3. It’s Not a Magic Wand

Hypnotherapy is powerful but it’s not instant. While some people do experience dramatic breakthroughs in one session, most clients benefit from a series of sessions to address the root of an issue and build lasting change.

It also isn’t about erasing memories or making problems vanish overnight. Like all therapy, it requires commitment, honesty and a willingness to engage in the process. The best results happen when clients are ready and open to change.

4. It’s Not Just ‘Positive Thinking’

Although hypnotherapy often includes suggestions for confidence, calmness or strength, it goes much deeper than simple affirmations. By working with the subconscious, hypnotherapy can help uncover limiting beliefs, reframe past experiences and rewire habitual thought patterns.

It’s not about pretending things are okay – it’s about helping you change the emotional and cognitive patterns that make life harder than it needs to be.

What to Expect in a Hypnotherapy Session

Every hypnotherapist will have their own approach, and I work predominantly online, but here’s a general idea of what to expect:

1. Initial chat – You’ll discuss what’s bringing you to hypnotherapy, your goals and any background information that might be helpful
2. Induction – The hypnotherapist will guide you into a relaxed, focused state using techniques such as breathing, visualisation or gentle counting
3. Therapeutic work – This could involve positive suggestions, inner dialogue, visualisation, metaphor or memory work – always tailored to your needs
4. Reorientation – You’ll be gently brought back to full awareness, feeling refreshed and grounded
5. Debrief – Time to discuss the experience and anything that came up for you

It’s also worth noting that hypnotherapy may not be used in every session. Depending on your needs and preferences, I may use other therapeutic techniques such as guided discussion, mindfulness, meditation, Reiki, parts therapy, BLAST or EFT. The approach is always personalised, and together we’ll choose what feels most supportive for your journey.

Many people leave a session feeling lighter, calmer and clearer – but the real change often unfolds gradually in the days and weeks after.

Is Hypnotherapy Right for Me?

If you’re looking for a natural, client-centred way to make emotional or behavioural changes, hypnotherapy can be a valuable tool. It’s especially effective for those who feel ‘stuck’ in a cycle of overthinking, anxiety or low confidence or for anyone who has tried other approaches without success.

That said, it isn’t a miracle cure – and it may not be suitable for everyone. Hypnotherapy is best avoided for those with certain psychiatric conditions (such as psychosis or severe dissociation) unless under the supervision of a mental health professional.

Always look for a therapist who is trained, insured and a member of a recognised professional body - I meet all of these requirements.

Final Thoughts

Hypnotherapy isn’t about swinging watches, losing control or doing something silly under suggestion. It’s a powerful, respectful and deeply personal way of accessing the mind’s potential for healing and growth.

Whether you want to break a habit, calm anxiety, gain confidence or explore what’s holding you back, hypnotherapy offers a safe and supportive space to create meaningful change – from the inside out.

And remember, hypnotherapy may be one part of our work together – but it’s not the only tool I use. My aim is always to meet you where you are and offer what feels most helpful in the moment.

If you’re curious about whether hypnotherapy could help you, feel free to get in touch. I’ll be happy to answer any questions and together we can decide if it’s the right approach for your unique situation.