What is hypnosis? 

Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of focused awareness in which attention is directed inward and the mind becomes more responsive to constructive change. It is not sleep, unconsciousness, or a trance where control is lost. You remain aware, present, and capable of making choices throughout the process. In hypnosis, the analytical mind softens while the subconscious mind—where habits, emotional responses, and automatic patterns are stored—becomes more accessible. This allows new perspectives, emotional shifts, and behavioral changes to be introduced in a structured and intentional way.

 

Hypnosis is not something done to you. It is a collaborative process that relies on your willingness, engagement, and internal readiness.

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Hypnosis is a state of heightened awareness that we all enter into naturally on a daily basis. It is most often compared to daydreaming, or the feeling of "losing yourself" in a book or movie. You are fully conscious, but you tune out most of the stimuli around you. You focus intently on the subject at hand, to the exclusion of other thoughts. While in this state, you have access to your subconscious mind which holds thoughts, feelings, and memories that are unaccessible with your conscious mind. Hypnosis is guided and safe. In a state of hypnosis you are still able to decide what to share and can emerge whenever you want to. Just like when reading a book or movie where you can be very engrossed but if something happens that you need to tend to, or something happens (example fire) you will simply emerge. You will only do or share what you normally would in a waking state, I cannot convince you to do anything you would not normally do nor get you to share anything you would not be willing to share. Hypnosis is not me "doing" anything to you, it is YOU allowing yourself to surrender to the process.

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How does Hypnosis work? 

Hypnosis works by guiding the mind into a state of heightened focus and reduced mental noise. In this state, attention becomes more directed inward, external distractions fade into the background, and the nervous system begins to settle. The body shifts out of a stress-based response and into a calmer, more regulated state, allowing the mind to become less reactive and more receptive. When the body is relaxed and the mind is focused, habitual thought patterns—many of which operate automatically—can be gently interrupted and reorganized. These patterns may include emotional responses, beliefs, behaviors, or reactions that once served a purpose but are no longer helpful.

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During hypnosis, suggestions are offered in a way that aligns with your goals, values, and intentions for your session. These suggestions are not commands. They are invitations that the subconscious mind accept. The subconscious has the ability to evaluate what is appropriate and integrate change at a pace that feels safe and natural. Otherwise it will simply reject the suggestion.​ Change does not occur because you are being controlled. It occurs because the mind becomes temporarily more flexible, open, and capable of adaptive re-patterning.

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Once the hypnotic state is established and access to the subconscious mind is available—with your full awareness and permission—the therapist can communicate in language and imagery the subconscious mind can understand and utilize. The subconscious then works through emotions, thoughts, memories, and associations to support the changes you want to make.

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​Hypnosis works by relaxing the conscious mind (logical reasoning mind) thus allowing access to the subconscious mind (emotion/feeling mind), which is where the real change happens. In this state, you are more open to positive suggestions, which help you achieve your goals faster and more easily.

 

The subconscious mind is where all of your emotions, beliefs, and memories are stored. Think of the mind like a computer or a phone. It runs software (beliefs). Sometimes that software needs updating or the computer/phone starts to slow down or malfunction. Just like computers, we also need to upgrade our belief system. Many beliefs we have stored from childhood no longer serve us today, and often hold us back. You may or may not be consciously aware of them, but either way they are running in the background like malware on a computer. This is why it is so important to get to the root source or belief that is causing the issue and change it for good. Removing limiting beliefs from your subconscious mind and replacing them with empowering ones is perhaps the single most impactful and powerful thing you can do to improve your life.

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What happens to the subconscious during hypnosis?

The subconscious mind stores emotional memories, learned responses, habits, beliefs, and automatic patterns of behavior. In everyday life, these patterns often operate without conscious awareness.​ Hypnosis allows conscious awareness to gently interact with these deeper layers without force, analysis, or struggle. Rather than trying to “fix” something through logic alone, hypnosis creates a state where insight, emotional processing, reframing, and new associations can emerge naturally.​ The subconscious remains selective. It accepts only what feels relevant, aligned, and safe. This interaction can support emotional release, increased awareness, and shifts in perception that lead to meaningful change.

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What does hypnosis feel like?

Hypnosis feels different for each person, but many people recognize the experience once it’s happening. Common sensations include deep physical relaxation, mental clarity or spaciousness, calmness or emotional neutrality, heightened imagery or awareness, and a feeling of being somewhere between full alertness and deep relaxation.

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People often describe hypnosis using familiar experiences, such as:

• Like being absorbed in a movie (or book) You are completely engrossed in either yet fully aware of everything going on around you.  At anytime you can stop your focus on the movie or book, you can decide anytime you want to, to stop engaging with it, get up and go about your business...but if its a good movie or book you won't want to.  Instead you just block out the external activity or noise around you and continue focusing on your activity.

• You are fully aware of your surroundings, yet your attention is naturally focused.

• You could shift your attention at any time, but you’re comfortable staying engaged.

• Like daydreaming while remaining present. The mind drifts inward while awareness stays intact.

• Thoughts may slow, and images or ideas arise more easily without effort.

• Like driving on autopilot. You arrive at your destination and realize you were aware the entire time, even though your attention wasn’t on every detail. 

• Like lying in bed just before sleep.
  The body is deeply relaxed, but the mind remains aware. You are not asleep, yet you are not actively “thinking” either.

• Like becoming completely still while mentally alert.

• Some people feel heavy or settled in the body while the mind feels clear, focused, and awake.

 

Some people feel very relaxed and still. Others feel alert, focused, and mentally clear.

Both experiences are normal.

 

There is no correct or incorrect way to experience hypnosis, and depth does not determine effectiveness.

What matters is not how it feels, but how receptive and engaged the mind becomes during the process.

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Is hypnosis safe?

Yes. Hypnosis is a natural mental state and is considered safe when facilitated responsibly. You are always in control.

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Can a person be hypnotized against his will? 

No. You cannot be hypnotized against your will, you must be a willing subject. Hypnosis is simply allowing yourself to enter into a relaxed state. I cannot MAKE you enter into that state or even make you stay there.  Once you're in that state, you are in complete control and can stop anytime you want to.

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Will I be asleep? 

No. When a person is in hypnosis, they are not asleep. You are very much aware of all that is going on.  

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Will I be aware of what’s happening?

Yes. You remain aware throughout the session. You can hear, understand, and remember what is being said. You are able to speak, move, or stop the session at any time.

 

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Can hypnosis make me say things I don’t want to say?

No. Hypnosis does not bypass your values or boundaries. You retain full choice and discernment.

 

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Is hypnosis the same as being “in a trance”?

The word “trance” often makes people imagine something mysterious, magical, or out of control—but hypnosis is very different. In hypnosis, you are not unconscious, asleep, or unaware. You remain fully aware of yourself, your surroundings, and what is happening. Hypnosis is better described as a state of focused attention with reduced external distraction. Your mind narrows its focus inward, like when you are completely absorbed in a book, a movie, or a creative project. You may lose awareness of small, unimportant background details, but you are still fully aware and in full control. Being in a hypnotic state does not mean you are passive or powerless. You can speak, move, open your eyes, or stop the session at any time. You retain full control over your thoughts, decisions, and actions. In short, hypnosis is not a trance in the sense of losing control—it is a natural, concentrated state of awareness where your mind can focus deeply and your subconscious becomes more open to helpful suggestions.

 

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How is hypnosis different from meditation?

While hypnosis and meditation both involve focused attention and relaxation, they serve different purposes and work in different ways.

 

Meditation is typically observational and non-directive. Its goal is often to cultivate awareness, presence, or calmness. In meditation, you observe your thoughts, emotions, or bodily sensations without trying to change them. It’s like sitting quietly and watching clouds drift by—you notice them, but you don’t rearrange or interact with them.

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Hypnosis, on the other hand, is intentional and goal-oriented. It is designed to support specific changes in behavior, perception, or emotional patterns. During hypnosis, you enter a state of focused awareness where your subconscious mind becomes more receptive to suggestions aligned with your goals and values. It’s like walking through a familiar room with the lights on, but now you have a toolkit in your hands to rearrange furniture, open windows, or remove obstacles—you are actively shaping the environment from within.

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In short:

• Meditation = observe, notice, and experience without change.

• Hypnosis = focus, interact, and create intentional change in the subconscious mind.

 

Both can be deeply relaxing and restorative, but hypnosis specifically works to guide patterns, beliefs, and habits in a purposeful way.

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Is it possible that a subject could not be brought out of Hypnosis?

No it is not possible. You cannot get stuck in hypnosis because you do not lose control when you are hypnotized. Hypnosis is a cooperative relationship. When you are hypnotized, you retain full control over your mind and your body. Sometimes, people feel so relaxed and comfortable in hypnosis that they may wish to remain in that state for a little longer. Most importantly, you can come out of hypnosis any time you want but you won't want to!  If for some reason I just stopped talking during your session, you would just open your eyes and get up. It is no different than deciding to stop watching tv or reading a book.

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Will I lose control or tell any secrets under hypnosis? 

No. Hypnosis is not a truth serum. You retain full control over what you say. These are a common myths often portrayed in movies/entertainment. You are in complete control the entire time. You cannot be made to do anything against your will or outside of your moral code. You will not divulge any secrets or information that you do not wish to share.

 

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Can a person in Hypnosis be made to bark like a dog or cluck like a chicken? 

No. This is not what happens in therapeutic or clinical hypnosis. On the other hand, volunteers during stage hypnosis show, which is for entertainment purposes only, will typically go along with the stage hypnotist’s suggestions as long as it is all in good fun and for entertainment purposes. A hypnotized subject cannot be made to do anything he is not willing to do. A person must be a willing and cooperative subject for hypnosis to work.

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What about the idea that some people are just not hypnotizable? 

While almost everyone can experience hypnosis to some degree, a small number of people may find it difficult to enter a hypnotic state or respond to suggestions. This is not a reflection of intelligence, openness, or worth—it’s simply how some minds naturally respond.

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Nobody can be hypnotized against their will. If a person is not willing to cooperate, they cannot be hypnotized because they just won't allow themselves to enter into the relaxed stated. However, you already enter the trance state many times a day willingly... whenever you are concentrating heavily or reading a book, or driving (think highway hypnosis)  Some people may initially have problems with feeling that they may lose control in some unacceptable way which may lead them to intellectually second guess and over analyze what is going on. Thinking too much will interfere with the process and your ability to enter trance. Additionally, you may feel you will hand over your control which could impede your ability to surrender to the process. 

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Factors that can make hypnosis more challenging include:

• Skepticism or resistance – If the mind is unwilling to relax or engage, it can be harder to enter the state.

• Difficulty focusing or imagining – Hypnosis relies on attention and imagination; if these are very limited, the depth of experience may be shallow.

• Certain mental health conditions or neurological differences – Rarely, some conditions may make hypnosis less effective or slower to respond.

Even for these individuals, small changes are often still possible, and responsiveness can improve with practice, guidance, or alternative approaches. It’s not a failure—it’s just a variation in how different brains access this state.

The important point: there is no permanent “cannot be hypnotized” label. Hypnosis is flexible, and your mind may respond differently on different days, in different contexts, or with different techniques.

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Hypnosis is NOT about controlling you. It is about you gaining more control over yourself. Once you realize that experiencing hypnotic trance will (a) help you feel how you want to feel and do what you want to do, AND (b) actually give you more control and power than you previously had, you will stop over thinking and just allow it to happen. ​​​​​​​​