When you hear the word “hypnosis,” what comes to mind?
Perhaps a pocket watch swinging back and forth,
OR
someone on stage clucking like a chicken?
These portrayals, while entertaining, often misrepresent the true nature of hypnosis.
Clinical hypnosis, particularly evidence-based hypnotherapy, is a powerful tool rooted in science that can help individuals make meaningful changes in their lives. Let’s explore what hypnosis truly is, how it works, and dispel some of the myths surrounding this transformative therapy.

What Is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural psychological and physiological state where you use your imagination to focus on positive suggestions and rehearse new behaviours.
It’s a collaborative process between you and your therapist, allowing you to harness the power of suggestion to influence your emotions and behaviours at a profound level.
Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not about mind control or being unconscious. In fact, most people report being fully aware of what happens during a session.
Hypnosis is simply a state of relaxed, focused attention, which enhances your ability to respond to positive suggestions.
The Power of Hypnosis
Hypnosis has been shown to be effective for a wide range of issues, supported by thousands of clinical studies. Some of the areas where hypnosis is particularly beneficial include:
Anxiety Management: Helping individuals reduce stress and feel more at ease.
Pain Management: Alleviating chronic pain or discomfort.
Overcoming Sleep Disorders: Improving sleep quality and managing insomnia.
Treating Stress-Related Illnesses: Addressing conditions that stem from chronic stress, such as IBS.
5. Perimenopause Symptoms: Easing challenges like hot flushes, which can significantly impact daily life.
Additionally, hypnosis is frequently used for personal development, such as enhancing sports performance and building confidence in public speaking among others.
Addressing Common Myths
Despite its effectiveness, hypnosis is often misunderstood due to myths perpetuated by media and stage performances. Let’s set the record straight:
Myth 1: Hypnosis is mind control. Hypnosis cannot make you do anything against your will. You must be willing to accept the suggestions and actively engage in the process.
Myth 2: Hypnosis is like being asleep or unconscious. While hypnosis frequently involves relaxation, it is not a state of unconsciousness. Most people remain aware and remember everything that happens during the session.
Myth 3: You can get stuck in hypnosis. Nobody has ever been “stuck” in hypnosis. It’s a safe and professional process when guided responsibly.
Myth 4: Hypnosis is the same as stage hypnosis. Clinical hypnotherapy has little in common with entertainment-focused stage hypnosis. Stage hypnosis is designed for entertainment, often using tricks and audience dynamics to create dramatic effects, which can give a misleading impression of what hypnosis really is. Clinical hypnosis, on the other hand, is a therapeutic process grounded in science, focusing on helping individuals achieve positive changes in their emotions, behaviours and overall wellbeing.
Evidence-Based Hypnosis
Hypnosis isn’t magic. It has been recognized as an effective treatment by the British Medical Association, the American Medical Association in the 1950s and as of late by organisations like NHS as NICE guidance (for IBS treatment). Studies show that most people achieve significant improvements within 4-6 sessions, making it one of the briefest forms of psychological therapy.
Why Choose Hypnosis?
Hypnotherapy is a down-to-earth, practical approach that empowers you to take charge of your life.
By learning to relax, truly relax, much deeper than you’ve probably experienced before, open yourself up for positive suggestions and visualize your goals, you can progressively improve your emotions and behaviours.
Whether you’re looking to overcome a specific issue or simply enhance your personal development, hypnosis offers a safe and effective path forward.
It is particularly effective when combined with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Together, hypnosis and CBT create a synergistic effect, amplifying their individual benefits. This combination has been shown to surpass the effectiveness of either approach alone, providing clients with deeper and more lasting results.
However, it’s important to know that hypnosis requires your openness and willingness to participate. If you are not open to it, hypnosis will not work.
The more you understand the process and the more you practice, the better you will become for using it as a tool for positive change. And even if you find it difficult to visualize or see pictures in your mind, you can still benefit from hypnosis.
It’s the focus and the idea behind the suggestions that count the most.
So, let’s leave the myths behind and embrace the true power of hypnosis. It’s not about losing control—it’s about gaining it, in the most profound and empowering way.
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