Hypnotherapy myths, corrected
Stage hypnosis has done clinical hypnotherapy no favours. Most of what people fear about it simply is not how it works.
The three biggest misconceptions
That you are unconscious — you are not; you hear everything and remember it. That you can be made to act against your values — you cannot; suggestions that conflict with them are simply rejected. That some people cannot be hypnotised — most can, though depth varies and depth is not what determines outcome.
- You stay aware and in control throughout
- You can speak, move and stop at any time
- Suggestions against your values do not take
- Depth of trance does not predict success
What it is genuinely good for
Phobias, habit change, performance anxiety, sleep, IBS symptom management and pain coping have reasonable support. Complex trauma needs a trauma modality alongside it, which is why EMDR is used here in combination.
What it cannot do
It cannot recover reliable forgotten memories — memory does not work that way and pursuing it can be actively harmful. It cannot force change you do not want. And it is not a substitute for medical care.
Common questions
What if I cannot be hypnotised?+
Almost everyone can reach a useful state. If not, the work simply continues without it — no session is wasted.
Will I reveal secrets?+
No. You control what you say exactly as you do in ordinary conversation.
Can it help stop smoking?+
It has decent support for habit change generally, though smoking cessation is not currently offered as a service here.
Ask the awkward questions
Bring every doubt to a free intro call — they are all reasonable.