If you’ve never experienced hypnosis before, you may be wondering what actually happens during a hypnosis session.
Will you be asleep? Will you remember what happened? Will you lose control? What if you can’t be hypnotized?
Those are completely reasonable questions — especially because most of what people think they know about hypnosis comes from movies, television, or stage hypnosis.
A professional hypnosis session is usually much less mysterious than people expect.
You’ll generally be aware of what’s happening, able to communicate, and actively involved in the process. Hypnosis is not about surrendering control. It’s about focusing your attention in a way that can make it easier to work with thoughts, habits, feelings, and behaviors.
It Starts With a Conversation
Before we do any hypnosis, I want to understand why you’re there.
What would you like to change?
What have you already tried?
When does the problem tend to happen?
Most importantly, what would you like to be doing, thinking, or feeling instead?
This conversation matters because hypnosis isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Two people may come to me with similar goals but have very different experiences, motivations, and obstacles.
The better I understand your goal, the more specifically we can approach it.
You Don’t Have to “Clear Your Mind”
This is something I wish more people knew before their first session.
You do not have to stop thinking in order to experience hypnosis.
Your mind may wander occasionally. You may notice sounds around you. You may wonder whether you’re “doing it right.”
That’s okay.
Hypnosis is generally about focused attention and engagement, not achieving some magical state where your mind suddenly becomes completely blank.
Don’t spend the session constantly asking yourself, “Am I hypnotized yet?” Allow yourself to follow the process and experience whatever happens without trying to grade your performance.
What Does Hypnosis Feel Like?
There isn’t one universal “hypnotized feeling.”
Some people feel deeply relaxed. Others experience a strong sense of concentration or absorption. Some notice physical sensations such as heaviness or lightness. Others simply feel comfortable and focused.
You may experience hypnosis somewhat like becoming absorbed in a good movie, book, conversation, or piece of music — your attention becomes focused while other things temporarily become less important.
And sometimes hypnosis feels surprisingly ordinary.
That does not mean it isn’t working.
Will I Be Asleep?
Usually, no.
Although the word “sleep” has historically been associated with hypnosis, hypnosis and ordinary sleep are not the same thing.
During a session, you can typically hear what I’m saying and remain aware of what is happening.
In fact, your participation is important.
I’m not doing hypnosis to you. We’re working together toward a goal that you have chosen.
Will I Lose Control?
This is probably the biggest fear people have about hypnosis.
The idea that a hypnotist can simply take control of someone’s mind makes for entertaining movies, but it creates a very misleading impression of what hypnosis is.
A hypnosis session is not about giving someone else control over you.
You remain capable of thinking, responding, and making decisions.
In many cases, people seek hypnosis precisely because they want more control over something that currently feels automatic — such as a habit, stress response, confidence issue, or pattern of thinking.
The goal of hypnosis isn’t to give control of your mind to someone else. The goal is to help you become more intentional about how you use your own mind.
What Actually Happens During the Hypnosis?
The exact process depends on the person and the goal.
Generally, I’ll guide you into a more focused state of attention. From there, we may use techniques involving suggestion, imagery, mental rehearsal, reframing, relaxation, or other approaches appropriate to what you want to accomplish.
For example, someone working on confidence might mentally rehearse responding calmly and confidently in situations that previously made them uncomfortable.
Someone working on procrastination might focus on making the act of beginning a task feel easier and more automatic.
Someone interested in stress reduction might practice accessing a calmer physical and mental response.
The objective is not simply to relax for a while.
The objective is to use that focused state productively.
What If I Don’t Think I Can Be Hypnotized?
People sometimes arrive convinced that hypnosis won’t work for them because they have a busy mind, they’re analytical, or they don’t relax easily.
None of those things automatically rules hypnosis out.
You don’t need a particular personality type, and you don’t need to become completely passive.
What helps most is a willingness to participate, follow instructions, use your imagination when asked, and engage with the process.
Trying desperately to “make hypnosis happen” can actually become a distraction.
Curiosity is usually more useful than pressure.
Will One Session Fix Everything?
It’s important to have realistic expectations.
Some people notice meaningful changes quickly. Other goals require repetition, practice, additional sessions, or changes outside the hypnosis session itself.
People are different. Problems are different. Goals are different.
I don’t believe in promising that every issue will disappear instantly because someone experienced hypnosis once.
Instead, I look at hypnosis as a tool we can use strategically as part of the change process.
Online Hypnosis vs. In-Person Hypnosis
Hypnosis does not necessarily require you and the hypnotist to be physically in the same room.
I offer both online hypnosis sessions and in-person sessions.
For an online session, you simply need a comfortable, private location and a reliable internet connection where you can participate without being interrupted.
Some people prefer being physically present with a hypnotist. Others appreciate being able to experience hypnosis from the comfort of their own home.
The right choice is largely a matter of preference and circumstances.
How Should You Prepare?
You don’t need to do anything elaborate before a hypnosis session.
Come with an idea of what you would like to accomplish and be prepared to talk openly about it.
If you’re participating online, choose a comfortable location where you won’t need to drive, multitask, answer the door, or deal with unnecessary interruptions during the session.
And perhaps most importantly, don’t put pressure on yourself to have a particular experience.
There is no prize for being the “most hypnotized” person in the room.
Curious About Hypnosis?
If there’s something you would like to change, I’d be happy to talk with you about whether hypnosis may be an appropriate approach for your goal.
I offer sessions online as well as in person.
The Most Important Thing to Bring to Your First Session
You don’t need to know anything about hypnosis before you arrive.
You don’t need to know how deeply you’ll go. You don’t need to know exactly what it will feel like. And you certainly don’t need to prove that you’re a “good hypnotic subject.”
You just need something you would genuinely like to change and a willingness to participate in the process.
We can take it from there.
— Matt Connarton
Certified Hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner & Life Coach
mattconnarton.com