What Is Hypnosis
Understanding Hypnotherapy: A Guide for Clients
Article Writer: Christina Manfredi
Psychological Counsellor; Clinical Hypnotherapist, Existential, Gestalt, & Transpersonal Psychotherapist
A Brief History
The roots of hypnosis extend back to ancient healing traditions, though its modern development began in the 18th century with the work of Franz Mesmer, who proposed the concept of "animal magnetism." While his theories were later questioned, his work ignited enduring scientific curiosity about altered states of consciousness, a curiosity that sits at the very heart of hypnosis today. At its core, hypnosis is a science of consciousness, exploring how shifts in awareness can unlock the mind and body's remarkable capacity for self-healing.
In the 19th century, Scottish surgeon James Braid gave us the term "hypnosis" and reframed it as a legitimate psychological phenomenon, moving it firmly away from mysticism. Clinicians such as Jean-Martin Charcot and Hippolyte Bernheim further advanced its study, exploring the powerful relationship between hypnosis, suggestion, and human behaviour.
The 20th century marked a defining turning point through the pioneering work of Milton Erickson, who introduced a permissive, deeply respectful, client-centred approach to hypnotherapy. Erickson moved away from authoritative direction toward genuine collaboration, honouring each client's unique inner world and experience. These principles remain foundational to ethical, effective hypnotherapy practice today and align closely with the values of contemporary psychotherapeutic care.
Hypnotherapy Today
Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are now well-researched, evidence-informed psychotherapeutic methods, widely utilised across psychology, mental health social work, medicine, and other allied health disciplines. Contemporary hypnotherapy applies clinical hypnosis techniques within a structured therapeutic framework, recognised internationally and within Australia as a safe and legitimate treatment modality.
By thoughtfully integrating established psychological and psychotherapeutic principles with insights from neuroscience and physiology, hypnotherapy uses focused attention and therapeutic suggestion to facilitate meaningful improvements in both mental and physical wellbeing.
In contemporary practice, registered psychologists and registered mental health social workers trained as clinical hypnotherapists are able to draw upon a broad range of specialised therapeutic approaches within their hypnotherapy sessions. The specific modalities applied will depend on the practitioner's advanced training, qualifications, and professional registrations, and may include:
Gestalt and Existential Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Transpersonal Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Schema Therapy
Ego/Parts Therapy
Grief Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Somatic Experiencing
Positive Psychology
Clients are encouraged to verify their clinical hypnotherapist's training and accreditation in these areas when seeking treatment.
What Hypnosis Actually Is
Growing research confirms that hypnosis, when facilitated by a trained therapist, is a safe, natural practice that gently guides you into a state of focused relaxation. In this comfortable state, the busy, analytical part of your mind quietly settles allowing your subconscious mind to become more open and receptive to positive suggestions that encourage new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving, as well as supporting your body's own natural healing processes. Research has consistently shown that all meaningful and lasting change begins in the subconscious mind.
During a professional hypnosis session, you remain completely aware and in control at all times. You cannot be made to say or do anything that goes against your values or wishes. Most people describe the experience as deeply pleasant similar to that peaceful, drifting feeling just before falling asleep, where the body is beautifully relaxed yet the mind remains gently and comfortably present.
Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy: Understanding the Difference
While the two terms are often used interchangeably, there is an important distinction worth understanding.
Hypnosis refers to the natural, relaxed, and receptive state itself , the foundation upon which all hypnotherapy is built. If hypnosis is the vehicle, then hypnotherapy is the intentional journey you take within it.
Hypnotherapy takes this receptive state one powerful step further. Clinically facilitated by a qualified clinical hypnotherapist, each session is guided by a clear therapeutic purpose and tailored thoughtfully to your individual needs and goals. Rather than being a passive passenger in the process, you and your therapist work together as co-navigators collaboratively and purposefully steering the experience toward positive transformation. This is not simply relaxation. It is intentional, structured, clinically informed therapeutic work that respects and honours your unique inner world.
Together, hypnosis and hypnotherapy create a powerful environment for meaningful change, one that works gently and purposefully with your mind, rather than against it.
Misconceptions of Hypnosis
Professional hypnosis and hypnotherapy are surrounded by a lot of misconceptions and myths, many shaped by stage shows, movies, pop culture and lack of community education. The most common myths and the real concerns behind them include:
Myth 1: “You lose control of your mind”
Myth: A hypnotist can make you do anything, even against your will.
Reality: You remain aware and in control the entire time. Hypnosis is more like a deeply focused, relaxed state, similar to daydreaming. You will not and do not do anything that goes against your values.
“Hypnosis does not control the mind, it merely frees it from the chains it has created allowing for the authentic self to bloom.”
MYTH 2: “YOU CAN GET STUCK IN HYPNOSIS”
Myth: People might not “wake up” from hypnosis.
Reality: This does not happen. Hypnosis is a natural mental state, you naturally come out of it, just like you do when you drift out of a daydream or meditation.
MYTH 3: “ONLY WEAK-MINDED PEOPLE CAN BE HYPNOTIZED”
Myth: Hypnosis works only on gullible or weak individuals.
Reality: The opposite is very often true. People with strong focus, imagination, and the ability to concentrate tend to respond better.
MYTH 4: “HYPNOSIS IS MIND CONTROL OR BRAINWASHING”
Myth: A hypnotist can implant thoughts or control your behaviour permanently.
Reality: Hypnosis can influence thinking patterns, but only with your cooperation. It’s a collaborative process, it is not control and is for a positive outcome that you choose.
MYTH 5: “IT’S LIKE BEING ASLEEP OR UNCONSCIOUS”
Myth: You’re completely unaware of what’s happening.
Reality: Most people are actually more aware and focused, not less.
MYTH 6: “IT’S MAGIC OR SUPERNATURAL”
Myth: Hypnosis involves mysterious or paranormal forces.
Reality: It is grounded in psychology, physiological, and neuroscience, related to attention, suggestion, and relaxation.
Common Fears About Hypnotherapy
Most fears and concerns about hypnosis come from misunderstanding. You are not giving up control; you are actually using your mind more intentionally.
These fears are more emotional than factual, but they are understandable:
1. FEAR OF BEING EMBARRASSED
People worry they will act in an embarrassing manner, like in stage hypnosis
In therapeutic settings, nothing like that happens, sessions are private, confidential and respectful.
2. FEAR OF REVEALING SECRETS
Some think they might “spill everything” of the secrets they have been holding.
You will not reveal anything you do not want to. Your mind still continues to filter what you say.
3. FEAR OF LOSING AUTONOMY
Many people feel anxiety about being controlled or manipulated by the hypnotherapist
A trained professional and registered clinical hypnotherapist guides you to address issues you have consented to work with and works in the service of your identified need for healing and transformation. You remain in charge.
4. FEAR OF FALSE MEMORIES
This is one valid concern. Poorly trained and unregistered practitioners can unintentionally lead clients to create inaccurate memories. If hypnotherapists have not had sufficient university psychological and clinical mental health social work training and have little or no training in how memory is encoded and reconstructed, there are risks of validating memories that are inaccurate.
This is why working with a qualified, ethical clinically trained and registered professional with university level psychology or clinical mental health social work training is important.
5. FEAR IT WILL NOT WORK (OR WILL WORK “TOO WELL”)
Some worry it is ineffective; others fear it will change them drastically. Results vary, but hypnotherapy is generally gradual and goal-oriented, it is not instant personality change, rather it allows for the authentic self to be revealed, and strengthen.
Most fears about hypnosis come from misunderstanding. You are not giving up control you are actually using your mind more intentionally.
Current Scientific Research Findings:
A growing body of research supports the efficacy of hypnotherapy, particularly when integrated with established therapeutic approaches.
Pain Management: Hypnosis can significantly reduce both acute and chronic pain, with effects comparable to or sometimes exceeding some pharmacological interventions in certain contexts.
Anxiety and Psychosomatic Conditions: Studies show moderate to strong effects in reducing anxiety, this is with anxiety in general and especially in medical settings such as surgery or cancer care.
Management and care of depression symptoms when used alongside CBT: cognitive behavioural strategies produces enhanced positive outcomes.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Gut-directed hypnotherapy has demonstrated substantial symptom improvement, with some long-term follow-up studies showing sustained benefits.
Behavioural Change: Evidence for smoking cessation and weight loss is mixed but promising when hypnosis is combined with cognitive-behavioural strategies, and other mindfulness therapies.
Enhanced Emotional Regulation and Trauma Processing: Neuroimaging research confirms hypnosis creates measurable brain changes, reducing amygdala reactivity and altering emotional processing in ways that go beyond simple relaxation. This makes hypnosis particularly effective for trauma and emotional regulation because trauma is stored subconsciously below where talk therapy alone can easily reach. The hypnotic state allows clients to access distressing memories with reduced emotional charge, making it possible to reprocess and update the emotional imprinting attached to them.
These are only some of the areas that hypnotherapy can assist with however the field is broad and research continues to establish in what areas and how hypnotherapy is supporting positive psychological and physical outcomes.
Conclusion
Hypnosis and hypnotherapy have progressed from early misconceptions to scientifically investigated therapeutic approaches. When grounded in ethical practice and client-centred care, they offer a flexible and effective means of addressing a variety of psychological and physical concerns. Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are not recommended as stand-alone treatments for medical conditions and should be used as complementary approaches alongside appropriate medical care. Ongoing research continues to clarify how and for whom hypnosis works best, reinforcing its role as a valuable adjunct and compliment in modern healthcare and psychological practice.
If you are interested in how Hypnotherapy can assist you, please contact us.
