Common Questions About Hypnotherapy

What is hypnotherapy, really?

Hypnotherapy is essentially about shifting your brainwaves from beta (your normal waking state) into alpha (a light-to-medium state of relaxation). The brain operates at different wavelengths depending on the state you're in: in beta, it operates at roughly 18–30 cycles per second, as measured on an EEG. In hypnotherapy, I work with you in the mid-alpha state, where brainwaves slow to roughly 7–14 cycles per second. In this state, you can still hear and answer questions — so at all times, you remain fully aware of what's going on.

Is deeper hypnosis better than shallow hypnosis?

Not necessarily. In the delta state (the state associated with sleep), it's almost impossible to work with a client. Theta state sits deeper than alpha, and can allow more information to surface during a session — but going deeper isn't the goal in itself; the right depth depends on what's needed for the work at hand.

Can the hypnotherapist make me do anything they want?

No. A hypnotherapist cannot make you do anything that goes against your values, or anything your subconscious hasn't given permission for.

Can I be helped in one session?

This depends on how quickly the necessary shift can happen between the conscious and the subconscious mind. It isn't a magical process — it's more like planting a seed that then grows with the right water and sunlight. Part of the work is being clear, together, about what's expected of you as the client along the way.

Will the change be permanent?

Yes — the change is effective and lasting. It takes roughly six weeks for a new habit to become embedded in the emotional brain, much like building physical fitness. Once you decide to get fit, you need to exercise regularly, or your muscles will protest. The more consistently you practise, the greater your success will be.

Give your brain the same chance to "exercise" by deciding on something you want to bring into your life. Say, for example, you decide to lose weight: think through the stumbling blocks you'll need to remove. In the short term, that might mean clearing out the fatty and sugary snacks you reach for regularly. In the long term, it means always having something light — carrots, celery, cauliflower — on hand instead. You'll need to practise cutting back on certain foods every day until healthy eating becomes a lifestyle rather than an effort, at which point your goal becomes reality.

To get there, anyone seeking therapy needs to be willing to take responsibility for their actions, commit to self-change, and build greater self-awareness.

What can hypnosis help with?

Hypnosis is well suited to working through emotional blocks and anything standing between you and your full potential — including obsessive-compulsive patterns like smoking, over-cleaning, or perfectionism. It's also often used to support spiritual growth and to help people move past self-imposed limits ("breaking the glass ceiling"). See our other FAQs for more detail.

Can hypnosis be negative?

Yes. Hypnosis works directly with the subconscious mind, and whatever you feed into it — negative or positive — can show up in your life. Your thoughts, imagination, and self-talk can work either for you or against you, so it's worth being mindful of which.

Can my mind affect my body?

Caring for the mind — which generates our emotions — is often the missing piece when it comes to caring for the body. When we feel overwhelmed by anxiety, uncertainty, depression, or stress, most of us look for comfort in very human ways: numbing out in front of the TV, scrolling for distraction online, or turning to alcohol, smoking, drugs, or food that's high in fat, sugar, or salt for quick relief.

The body never lies — it shows, in its own way, what the subconscious is struggling with. By changing how, when, and where a message registers in the brain, we can change the outcome. For example: the thought "I am useless" registers in the cortex (the thinking brain), which passes it to the limbic system (the emotional brain). In response, the emotional brain can trigger the release of cortisol — the "feel-bad" chemical — instead of serotonin, the "feel-good" one.

Is therapy right for me?

Seeking therapy is a personal choice, and people come to it for many different reasons — to work through long-standing psychological issues, anxiety, or depression; to navigate unexpected life changes like divorce or a career transition; or simply to pursue personal growth and self-exploration. Working with a therapist can offer insight, support, and new strategies for almost any life challenge (see our other FAQs for specifics). Therapy is right for anyone who wants to get more out of life by taking responsibility, building self-awareness, and working towards change.

Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle things myself.

Everyone faces challenging situations, and even if you've navigated difficult times on your own before, there's nothing wrong with seeking extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people self-aware enough to recognise when they need a helping hand — and that's something worth admiring, not something to feel that you should be too tough for. Choosing therapy means taking responsibility for where you are and committing to change. It offers long-lasting benefits and support, equipping you with tools to manage triggers, redirect unhelpful patterns, and work through whatever you're facing.

How can therapy help me?

Psychotherapy and hypnotherapy offer a range of benefits. A therapist can provide support, problem-solving tools, and coping strategies for issues like depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, unresolved childhood experiences, grief, stress, body image concerns, and creative blocks. Many people also find it invaluable for navigating personal growth, relationships, family dynamics, marriage, and the everyday demands of life. A therapist can offer a fresh perspective on a difficult problem, or help point you toward a solution — though what you take from therapy ultimately depends on how fully you engage with the process and put what you learn into practice. Read more in The Benefits of Hypnotherapy.

What is therapy like?

Every session is unique, shaped around your specific goals. Typically, sessions involve discussing the key issues and concerns in your life. Therapy can be short-term and focused on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing deeper or ongoing personal growth. You may sometimes be asked to do things outside of sessions — like reading a relevant book or tracking certain behaviours. To get the most from therapy, you'll need to be an active participant both in and between sessions, willing to take responsibility for your actions and build greater self-awareness.

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right approach — your medical doctor can help you determine what's best for you. It's well established, though, that resolving emotional and mental health challenges long-term can't be achieved through medication alone. Rather than just treating symptoms, therapy works at the root cause of the distress and the patterns holding back your progress, helping you build sustainable, lasting wellbeing alongside a qualified therapist.

Is therapy confidential?

Generally, the law protects the confidentiality of everything shared between a client and their hypnotherapist or psychotherapist — no information is disclosed without the client's prior written permission. There are, however, a few legally required exceptions:

• Suspected abuse of a child, dependent adult, or elderly person — the therapist must report this to the relevant authorities immediately.
• A credible threat of serious bodily harm to another person — the therapist must notify the police.
• A risk that the client may harm themselves.

In each case, the therapist will first do everything possible to work with the client to ensure their safety. If the client is unable or unwilling to cooperate, further action may be required.