Can I Be Hypnotised? Will Hypnotherapy Work on Me?

Most people can be hypnotised if they are willing and comfortable. Some respond faster or more deeply than others, and nobody can be hypnotised against their will. Whether hypnotherapy works for you also depends on what you want to change, so it is something we look at together. Hypnotised is the British spelling and hypnotized the American one, and both mean the same.

What does being hypnotised feel like?

Hypnosis is a state of relaxed, focused attention. You are not asleep and you do not lose control. You hear what I say, you can open your eyes at any moment, and many people notice more than usual, such as the sounds around them. You have probably been in a similar state before, for example when you were so absorbed in a film or a book that you lost track of time.

Are some people easier to hypnotise than others?

Yes. Researchers have long found that people differ in how readily they respond to hypnosis, a little like the way some people become absorbed in their imagination more easily than others. That is normal, and it does not mean you cannot benefit.

What helps hypnosis work?

1. Willingness. If you want the change, hypnosis has something to work with. If you do not, it will not work.
2. Trust and comfort. It is easier to relax with someone you feel at ease with, which is one reason I start with a free consultation.
3. A quiet setting. For a session by video, choose a room where you will not be disturbed, and use headphones if you can.
4. A clear goal. Knowing what you want to change gives the session a focus.

What can get in the way?

1. Fear of losing control. Hypnosis does not take control from you, and talking about this worry beforehand usually helps.
2. Trying too hard. Hypnosis is not something you force. Letting go works better than effort.
3. Expecting something dramatic. Many people expect to be unconscious, so when they feel only calm and focus they decide that nothing is happening. A light, relaxed state is normal.
4. Not wanting to be there. If someone else wanted you to come, it may not work until you want it yourself.

Will it work on me?

I cannot promise that it will work for everyone, and nobody honestly can. What I can say is that many of my patients report a change after their first session. People differ, and so does the way their subconscious mind responds, which is why a session lasts between one and two hours depending on the person.

Who should not be hypnotised?

Hypnotherapy is not right for everyone. In my practice I do not recommend it for people with epilepsy or for people who experience hallucinations of any kind.

If you are unsure whether it will work on you, that is exactly what the free consultation is for: you can arrange one from the home page and talk through your doubts before you decide anything.

I am Shahin Gurbanov, and I am glad to answer any question about how hypnosis feels before you decide.