Hypnosis has long appeared on stages as a form of entertainment, where willing participants respond in surprising ways to suggestions. While stage hypnosis can be playful and dramatic, it also reveals something remarkable: our minds are incredibly responsive in relaxed, focused states. Hypnotherapy builds on this same principle—not for performance, but for healing and personal growth. Unless that growth does include performing of some kind--such as public speaking, acting, or singing or playing instruments for a performance!
Hypnotherapy is a process of focused inner work. It's about learning how to use the power of your own subconscious to move toward real, lasting change. And like any healing or growth modality, it deserves to be understood without the fog of misinformation.
Key Takeaways:
- Hypnosis is not mind control; you remain aware and in control at all times.
- Anyone with a willingness and focus can experience hypnosis—it's not about gullibility.
- Hypnotherapy is not a magical fix but a powerful and collaborative process.
- Myths often stem from outdated portrayals or misunderstandings about the subconscious mind.
- Hypnotherapy supports a wide range of goals from stress reduction to healing habits to sports and other performance arenas, and requires your participation.
Christine Brodmerkel, CMS-CHt, FIBH
Board Certified Medical Support
Clinical Hypnotherapist
Now let’s explore the myths and misconceptions about hypnotherapy
Myth #1: Hypnosis is Mind Control
This is the most pervasive myth, likely fueled by stage performers and fictional plots. But clinical hypnosis is the opposite of mind control. In fact, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis—you, the client, are the one deciding to engage, focus, and receive suggestions.
Studies show that during hypnosis, people are highly focused and alert (Oakley & Halligan, 2013). You can choose to accept or reject any suggestion. You won’t do anything that goes against your values or instincts. In therapeutic settings, hypnosis is a consent-based, collaborative experience.
Myth #2: You Get Stuck in Hypnosis
It’s simply not possible to get stuck in hypnosis. Hypnosis is a natural brain state you pass through daily—like when you're absorbed in a book or drifting to sleep. In sessions, if the hypnotherapist stops talking, you’ll either open your eyes or fall asleep.
You remain in control of your body and mind the entire time. It’s more like a gentle inner dive with a skilled guide than being "under" a spell.
Myth #3: Only Gullible or Weak-Willed People Can Be Hypnotized
In truth, most people can be hypnotized if they are open and willing. Research has shown that hypnosis is linked more to imaginative capacity and focus than to suggestibility or weakness (Jensen et al., 2015).
If you've ever cried during a movie or become completely engrossed in a novel, you've already experienced a hypnotic state. Many people have experienced "highway hypnosis," or simply become lost in a day dream. It's about receptivity and focus on the internal state, not gullibility.
"While responsiveness varies, however, most people can benefit from hypnosis to some degree, said Gary Elkins, PhD, ABPP, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University. “People in the higher range may respond more quickly, but almost anyone can be a candidate for clinical hypnosis,” he said. “If people are in the lower range, they may just need more sessions or more practice to achieve the same results"
American Psychological Association. (2024, April). Uncovering the new science of clinical hypnosis. APA Monitor.
Myth #4: Hypnosis Is a One-Time Fix or a Magic Wand
Hypnotherapy isn’t a miracle overnight cure. It’s a process, and like any therapy, the depth of your results depends on your participation, your readiness, and the complexity of what you’re addressing.
While some people do notice big changes after one session, sustainable shifts usually unfold over multiple sessions. It’s more like planting and tending a garden than flipping a switch.
Myth #5: Hypnotherapists Can Make You Reveal Secrets or Past Traumas
You won't say anything you don't want to. Hypnosis doesn't override your ethics or boundaries. Your critical thinking remains intact, and ethical hypnotherapists never push for disclosures.
In sessions, the focus is on creating internal alignment and planting positive suggestions—not digging up the past without consent.
More Misconceptions Worth Busting
- Hypnosis is sleep. (Nope. Brain scans show active attention and awareness.)
- Hypnosis is just placebo. (It’s not—fMRI studies show real neurological changes.)
- You must be unconscious for it to work. (You’re usually more mentally alert than usual.)
- It’s only for quirky or mystical people. (Hypnotherapy is used in hospitals, cancer centers, sports training, and more.)
- Hypnotherapy always accesses past lives. (Only if that’s your intention—it’s optional and not core to most practices.)
- It’s unsafe. (With a trained practitioner, it's no riskier than guided meditation.)
- It’s only for habits like smoking. (It can help with anxiety, grief, childbirth, chronic pain, and much more.)
- You’ll forget everything that happened. (Most people remember the session clearly.)
- It’s not science-backed. (It is. My methodology is evidence based through a NIH funded study. And Organizations like the American Psychological Association recognize its clinical value.)
So, What does Hypnotherapy help with?
Hypnotherapy is versatile and grounded in real results. Some of the most common uses include:
Stress Management: Calm the nervous system and shift reactive thought loops.
Smoking Cessation: Address cravings and subconscious patterns.
Weight Loss: Increase motivation, explore and rewire emotional eating and shift body image.
Trouble Sleeping: Promote relaxation and address the root causes of sleep disturbances, to achieve the deep, restorative sleep you need to thrive.
Pain Management: Hypnosis is used in surgery prep, labor, and chronic pain clinics.
Confidence and Self-Esteem: Replace self-doubt with empowering internal language and imagery.
Alleviating Bad Habits: Cultivate mindset, motivation, and explore past triggers, to shift habits and unwanted behaviors.
Dealing with Fear: Gently and calmly explore the source of fears to neutralize and rewire your nervous system.
Athletic Performance and more: Sharpen focus and increase resilience for athletes, performers, and professionals.
Hypnotherapy for Labor and Birth: Prepare for conception, labor and birth by tapping into relaxation of mind and body to relieve pain and anxiousness.
Past Life Regression: Explore and receive valuable understanding about relationship dynamics, personal challenges and historical affinities that shape you.
Medical Issues such as Over-Active Bladder and many others: In collaboration with medical teams, hypnotherapy is an adjunctive therapy to support the resolution of a variety of health challenges.
Hypnotherapy is wonderfully versatile and highly personalized so it can be customized to your specific needs and goals. I'm always getting the question, "Can Hypnotherapy help with (fill in the blank)?" I find that I can answer most of the time, "Yes!"
Final Thought: The myths and misconceptions are busted
The subconscious mind isn’t some mysterious chamber locked away from you. It’s your inner compass, waiting to be engaged with care and skill. Hypnotherapy helps you access that wisdom—not by taking over, but by walking alongside you.
Curious to find out more? Book a 30-minute consultation with me for just $19. We’ll talk through your questions, goals, and whether this is the right step for you.
FAQs About Hypnotherapy
Yes, hypnosis is a safe and natural process. A qualified hypnotherapist will prioritize your comfort and well-being throughout the session.
The number of sessions needed varies depending on your individual goals and challenges. Some issues may be addressed in a few sessions, while others may require more ongoing sessions.
Yes, there is growing research supporting the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for various conditions.
Hypnotherapy can be beneficial for a wide range of issues, including stress management, pain relief, phobias, smoking cessation, weight management, sleep disorders, confidence building, and habit modification. See my hypnotherapy services page.
Look for a hypnotherapist who is certified by a reputable organization and has experience working with your specific needs. Learn more about Christine Brodmerkel.
Yes. You'll need to satisfy a few conditions so that your session is private, quiet, and the lighting is good. Ask your hypnotherapist for more details. Learn more about virtual sessions.
Remember: Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool for personal growth and positive change. If you're curious about how it can help you, schedule your consultation with me to discuss your individual needs and goals. Learn more about me at Christine Brodmerkel Hypnotherapy.
Additional "What is Hypnotherapy?" Articles
Hypnotherapy's Benefits and Limitations: Unveiling the Potential for Positive Change
Hypnosis for Weight Loss Online: From Willpower to Wisdom for Sustainable Weight Loss Success
What is the Success Rate for Hypnosis for Quitting Smoking?
Definition and History of Hypnotherapy: Time and Science Come Together
