One of the biggest questions people have about hypnosis is whether they’ll lose control. I feel that movies, television and stage hypnosis have played a big role in creating the idea that hypnosis means giving someone else control over your mind. As a hypnotherapist, I find these portrayals frustrating because they can create false ideas and stereotypes about what hypnosis actually is. You may have seen people under hypnosis being told to do something embarrassing or act in a strange way for entertainment. That’s not what hypnotherapy is about.

When you’re under hypnosis, you’re still aware of what’s happening. You can hear my voice and you can communicate with me. You’re also able to come out of hypnosis if you choose to. You don’t become unconscious or hand over control of your mind to the hypnotherapist. You’re participating in the process. My role is to guide you through the session while you remain aware of your experience. You also don’t have to accept every suggestion given to you. If something doesn’t feel right for you, you can reject it. Your own thoughts, values and boundaries remain important during hypnosis.

Hypnosis is a state of focused relaxation. Your attention becomes more focused while you become more relaxed. This can make it easier to work with your subconscious mind and bring attention to thoughts, feelings, memories and patterns that may be connected to what you’re experiencing.

Some people may become so relaxed that they lose track of time or feel like they’re drifting in and out of awareness. Others remain very aware of everything that’s being said. Everyone experiences hypnosis differently. You may even remember the entire session afterward. Being relaxed doesn’t mean you’ve lost control or that you’ve been unaware of what’s happening. For some people, the idea of being in control is actually what allows them to relax. You can settle into the experience knowing that you’re still an active participant in your session.

If you’ve been curious about hypnotherapy but have worried that hypnosis means giving up control, you can ask me questions before scheduling a session. I’m happy to explain how the process works and help you understand what you can expect.

If you’re interested in experiencing hypnotherapy, you can contact me or fill out the hypnotherapy intake form to inquire about scheduling a session with Magically Hypnosis.