4 Things You Should Know About Hypnotherapy
What do you think of when you hear the term hypnosis? Most people conjure up an image of a performer in a suit making someone cluck like a chicken. But this is a common misconception.
While you might not realize it, you enter a hypnotic state every day. When you find yourself daydreaming, deeply focused, or zoning out, you’re actually in a natural state of hypnosis. In these moments, you’re accessing your subconscious mind, a powerful part of your awareness that often goes unnoticed.
Clinical hypnotherapy is designed to create long-lasting, meaningful change. Your emotions, beliefs, habits, and past memories are stored within the subconscious mind. Hypnotherapy gently guides you into this state so you can access and resolve underlying patterns that may be holding you back.
Each person experiences four primary brainwave states: beta, alpha, theta, and delta. For most of the day, you’re in the beta state, which is when you’re most alert and focused. The delta brainwave state occurs during deep sleep.
Hypnotherapy gently guides you into the alpha and theta brainwave states, allowing you to remain aware and relaxed while accessing your subconscious (unconscious) mind, the “Operating System”.
Fear of hypnosis or hypnotherapy is often due to a lack of understanding. Below are a few important things to know about hypnosis and how it can support meaningful change.
You’re hypnotized every day
Have you ever missed your exit while driving or reached your destination without remembering the trip? This experience is often referred to as highway hypnosis. In these moments, you’ve entered a hypnotic state, and your subconscious mind has taken over the familiar task of driving.
As you move throughout your day, your mind may naturally wander. Even without consciously focusing on the task at hand, you still complete it. This is your subconscious mind at work. When most people think of hypnosis, they imagine giving control of their mind to another person. In reality, hypnosis is simply about accessing another part of your brain, one that already supports you automatically.
Hypnosis doesn’t involve going to sleep
If you’ve ever seen a hypnosis stage show, you’ve likely heard the performer use the term “sleep.” While this word may be used as a suggestive trigger, you’re not actually asleep. Instead, the term helps quiet the conscious mind so the conscious and subconscious mind can connect and communicate more effectively.
This connection creates a bridge that allows access to memories or emotions that may have been stored away for years. In your typical waking state, these past memories or feelings may feel out of reach. Through hypnosis, your unconscious mind can gently bring them to the surface, allowing you to safely explore and release previously blocked thoughts.
You’re in complete control
A common fear for those considering hypnotherapy is the belief that someone else will control their mind. This misconception often comes from viewing hypnosis as a stage performance. In clinical hypnotherapy, you remain fully in control of yourself at all times. Your hypnotherapist cannot make you do or say anything you don’t want to do.
If there is something you’re not ready to share or heal, your subconscious mind will not bring it forward. Hypnosis works at a pace that feels safe and appropriate for you.
You won’t be hypnotized until you’re ready
A common fear when people consider hypnotherapy is the concern that they’ll be hypnotized during their very first session. This can feel intimidating, especially if you haven’t yet built a relationship with your hypnotherapist. In reality, you won’t enter hypnosis until you feel ready and comfortable.
Your first session is primarily about getting to know your hypnotherapist and clarifying your goals. You’ll leave with a personalized recording that allows you to revisit what you learned about yourself and the direction you want to move toward. As trust builds and you feel more at ease, you can begin accessing your subconscious mind, always at your own pace. You will never be forced into exploring anything that feels uncomfortable or unsafe.
If this initial hesitation resonates with you, some people find it helpful to start with self-hypnosis recordings as a gentle introduction to the process.
Whether you’re looking to lose weight, relieve anxiety, or build confidence, hypnotherapy offers many pathways for meaningful change. Misconceptions about hypnosis often prevent people from exploring it fully. Gaining a clear understanding of how hypnotherapy works can help ensure you don’t miss out on a powerful opportunity for growth and healing.
If you want to give Hypnosis a test drive with a downloadable, visit our Hypnosis Shop by clicking here.
Rooting for you,
Shannon