What Is It, really? (and what It definitely Isn’t)
If the word hypnotherapy brings to mind stage shows, swinging watches, or the fear of doing something embarrassing without realising… you’re definitely not alone.
Hypnotherapy has picked up a few myths along the way — and none of them are particularly helpful if you’re genuinely looking for support with stress, anxiety, confidence, habits, or motivation.
So let’s clear things up properly. No hype, no woo — just a clear, science-informed explanation, in plain English.
So, What Is Hypnotherapy?
At its core, hypnotherapy is a practical therapeutic approach that works with the subconscious mind — the part of your brain responsible for habits, emotional responses, stress reactions, and automatic patterns of behaviour.
A simple way to think about it is this:
Your conscious mind sets intentions and makes logical decisions
Your subconscious mind runs the programmes — often very efficiently, but not always helpfully
Hypnotherapy helps you work with that subconscious part of the mind, so change feels more natural and sustainable — rather than something you have to force through willpower alone.
And no, there are no swinging watches involved.
What Does Hypnosis Actually Feel Like?
Most people are surprised by how normal hypnosis feels.
Clients often describe it as:
Calm and deeply relaxed
Focused and mentally clear
A bit like being absorbed in a good book or film
You’re not asleep, and you’re not unconscious.
In fact, if you’ve ever:
Daydreamed
Zoned out on a familiar drive
Lost track of time while scrolling your phone
You’ve already experienced a natural hypnotic state. Hypnotherapy simply uses this state intentionally and therapeutically.
Will I Lose Control?
This is one of the most common concerns — and it’s an understandable one.
The answer is no. Hypnosis doesn’t involve handing over control or being made to do anything against your will.
During hypnotherapy:
You remain aware of what’s happening
You can speak or move at any time
You stay fully in control
If hypnotherapists could genuinely control minds, we’d all be using those skills very differently.
Is Hypnotherapy Evidence-Based?
When practised properly, yes.
Research has shown hypnotherapy to be helpful for a range of issues, including:
Stress and anxiety
Phobias
Unhelpful habits
Confidence and motivation
Pain management and IBS
From a neuroscience perspective, hypnosis is linked to changes in attention, perception, and emotional processing. Brain imaging studies show altered activity in areas involved in focus, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.
In simple terms, the brain becomes more receptive to learning new, healthier responses.
Why Talking Things Through Isn’t Always Enough
Talking therapies can be incredibly valuable — but they tend to work mainly with the conscious mind.
The challenge is that many issues aren’t logical.
You might know you’re safe, yet your body reacts with anxiety. You might understand why a habit isn’t helpful, but still struggle to change it.
That’s because the subconscious mind learns through repetition, emotion, and experience — not just insight.
Hypnotherapy helps bridge that gap, allowing change to happen at a deeper, more automatic level.
What Hypnotherapy Is NOT
Let’s clear up a few common misconceptions.
Hypnotherapy is not:
Mind control
Sleep
Stage hypnosis
Brainwashing
A magic fix
What it is is a collaborative, structured process focused on helping your mind respond in calmer, more helpful ways.
Who Can Hypnotherapy Help?
Hypnotherapy may be helpful if you:
Feel stuck in negative thought patterns
Experience stress or anxiety that feels out of proportion
Want to change habits, build confidence, or improve motivation
Are juggling work, family, and life pressures and feel overwhelmed
You don’t need to be especially suggestible or particularly imaginative — you just need to be open to learning new ways of responding.
A Practical, Forward-Focused Approach
I work using solution-focused hypnotherapy, which means we focus on where you want to go — not endlessly analysing the past.
Sessions are practical, structured, and goal-oriented, helping you:
Feel more in control
Build confidence
Overcome fears
Improve motivation and clarity
The aim is lasting change that fits into real life — busy schedules included.
Final Thoughts
Hypnotherapy isn’t mysterious or dramatic — despite what TV might suggest.
It’s a practical, science-informed way of working with how the mind actually functions, especially under stress.
If you’re feeling curious, sceptical, or quietly hopeful, that’s completely okay.
Understanding your options is often the first step towards positive change.
If this resonates with you, hypnotherapy may be a helpful next step. You don’t have to decide anything right now — just knowing support is available can make a real difference. Jx