If I had a pound for every time someone told me they were nervous about hypnotherapy because they didn’t want to embarrass themselves in front of a crowd… well, I’d have quite a few pounds.
The truth is, most people’s idea of hypnosis comes from stage shows and old films. And I completely understand why that creates hesitation. If I thought someone was going to make me bark like a dog or reveal my deepest secrets against my will, I’d be hesitant too!
So let’s clear a few things up. Here are the five myths I hear most often — and what’s actually true.
Myth 1: “You’ll be unconscious and out of control”
This is the big one, and it couldn’t be further from the truth.
Hypnosis is not unconsciousness. You won’t be “out” in any way. Clinical hypnotherapy is a state of focused, relaxed awareness — similar to the feeling of being completely absorbed in a good book, or that pleasant, floaty sensation just before you drift off to sleep. I equate it to daydreaming where you are in that relaxed trance-like state with your mind wandering from one random thought to another but if you needed to deal with something in the moment you would be back into conscious awareness in an instant!
You are aware of everything around you throughout the session. You can hear me, you can think, you can speak, and — crucially — you can open your eyes and stop at any point you choose. Nobody can hypnotise you against your will, and nobody can make you do or say anything you wouldn’t want to.
You are always, completely, in control. It’s a collaborative process, I can’t do it without your cooperation!
Myth 2: “Hypnotherapy will make me reveal things I don’t want to share”
A variation on the control myth, and equally untrue.
Your subconscious mind is remarkably good at protecting you. Even in a deeply relaxed hypnotic state, you will not blurt out secrets, confess things you’d rather keep private, or say anything you wouldn’t choose to say. The idea of hypnosis as some kind of truth serum is pure fiction.
What actually happens is that we work together, collaboratively, on the specific issues you’ve come to address. You’re a willing participant throughout — not a passive subject.
Myth 3: “Some people can’t be hypnotised”
I hear this one a lot, often from people who are a little anxious and half-hoping it gives them an excuse not to try!
The reality is that almost everyone can enter a hypnotic state. It’s a completely natural state that we all move in and out of every day — that drifty feeling on a long car journey, getting so absorbed in a TV programme that you lose track of time, daydreaming. These are all forms of naturally occurring hypnosis.
The one thing that can make hypnotherapy less effective is a genuine unwillingness to engage. If someone is absolutely determined not to be hypnotised, they’ll likely succeed in that goal. But for anyone who comes with an open mind and a genuine desire to change — and that’s the vast majority of people — it works.
Interestingly, people who describe themselves as overthinkers or highly analytical often respond brilliantly to hypnotherapy. A busy, active mind is actually an asset, not a barrier.
Myth 4: “Hypnotherapy is just relaxation — it’s not proper therapy”
I understand why people think this, and I’ll admit that deeply relaxing sessions are a lovely side effect of the work we do. But clinical hypnotherapy is far more than a glorified meditation. Relaxation is not a necessity in hypnotherapy its about focussing your imagination to solving a problem or letting go of past traumas and emotions.
During a session, we’re actively working to identify and reframe the subconscious patterns, beliefs, and emotional responses that are causing the problem. We’re building new neural pathways. We’re replacing automatic negative responses with healthier, more helpful ones.
The relaxed state isn’t the therapy — it’s the vehicle that allows us to do the deeper work more effectively. Indeed relaxation is not necessary to achieve change, Hypnosis can be done standing up and with eyes open as its just a natural trance state we can all enter. We have all that that experience of just “zoning out” whilst still awake and even walking around!
Myth 5: “The effects won’t last”
This myth probably stems from a misunderstanding of what hypnotherapy actually does.
We’re not papering over cracks or temporarily suppressing symptoms. The goal is to change the underlying patterns — the automatic responses, the deep-rooted beliefs — that are causing the problem in the first place. When that work is done properly, the changes tend to be lasting ones.
That said, I always want to be honest with clients: the results are proportional to the engagement. Hypnotherapy isn’t something that’s done to you while you sit back passively. It works best when you’re an active, committed participant in your own change.
Still have questions?
I hope that’s cleared up a few things. If you’re curious about hypnotherapy but still have reservations or questions, please do get in touch — I’m always happy to chat things through honestly and openly.
My free 30-minute consultation call is a no-pressure way to ask anything you like and get a feel for whether this might be right for you.
Peter Blake is a Registered Hypnotherapist, Master Practitioner of NLP and qualified Life Coach based in Worcestershire. He offers sessions in person and online via Zoom.
📞 07912 343265 | peterblakehypnotherapy.co.uk