Typical Hypnosis Session

A typical hypnosis session begins with some relaxed deep breathing and a procedure in which the person is asked to focus their eyes on a fixation point, relax, and concentrate on the voice of the hypnotist. Deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation (tensing muscles as you breathe in and relaxing muscles as you breathe out) or focusing on a visual image.

The hypnotist then gives suggestions for further physical relaxation, focused attention, and eye closure. The hypnotist will use imagery and carefully chosen language, providing suggestions based on the client’s goal. This may include suggestions that help a person identify their triggers to current unwanted behavior, like smoking or overeating, learn positive ways to change the behavior, understand resources to effect change, disrupt old patterns, and reinforce a better alternative response.

The hypnotist then supports the client in emerging from the relaxed hypnotic state ready to positively re-engage with the world. The hypnotist may also teach you self-hypnosis techniques to reinforce the positive suggestions provided during the session.

During a hypnosis session, the client remains awake, but is in an altered very relaxed state, like the trance state a person becomes engaged in while watching a good movie or driving in the car while preoccupied with their own thoughts. Although the person is aware of their surroundings, they are far out of the person’s thought at the time. Hypnosis is not about putting the client to sleep; it is about focused relaxation and aligning with desired potential and goals.