If most of what you know about hypnosis comes from television, it is natural to feel unsure about booking a session. Stage shows are made to entertain, so they give a very different picture from what happens in a therapy room. A real hypnotherapy session is quiet, unhurried and something you take part in, not something that is done to you.
This guide walks through a typical session from start to finish, so you know what to expect before you arrive.
Before your first appointment
Most people start with a short phone call. At Hypnotherapy Newcastle this first conversation is free and there is no obligation to book. You can explain what you would like help with in your own words, ask any questions and get a feel for whether this is the right approach for you.
The call also helps us check that hypnotherapy is suitable. If it seems that a GP, another health professional or a different kind of therapy would serve you better, we will say so. You do not need to prepare anything for your first session. Wear something comfortable and allow a few minutes so you do not arrive feeling rushed.
How does a hypnotherapy session start?
Every session begins with a conversation, not with hypnosis. In your first appointment we will ask about what has been happening, how it affects your day-to-day life and what you would like to feel or do differently. It is a relaxed discussion rather than an interview, and you only share what you are comfortable sharing.
This part matters more than many people realise. Clear goals make the rest of the session more relevant to you. They also give us both a way to notice progress later on.
What does hypnosis actually feel like?
When you are ready, you will be guided into a relaxed, focused state. You usually sit or recline in a comfortable chair, close your eyes and listen to a calm voice inviting you to slow your breathing and let your muscles loosen.
People describe the feeling in different ways. Some feel heavy and deeply relaxed. Others feel light, or simply calm and absorbed, a little like the moment just before you fall asleep or when you are lost in a good book. Many people are surprised by how ordinary it feels. There is no sudden switch and no strange sensation, just a gradual easing into calm.
You are not asleep and you are not unconscious. You can hear everything, and you can open your eyes whenever you choose.
What happens during the therapy itself?
Once you are relaxed, the work is shaped around the goals you agreed at the start. Depending on what you are working on, this might include:
- positive suggestions that support the changes you want to make
- visualising a situation going calmly and well
- looking back at a difficult experience from a safer, calmer distance
- rehearsing how you would like to respond the next time a trigger appears
Sessions often combine approaches. Techniques from NLP or EFT may be woven in if they suit you, which is why no two sessions are quite the same.
Will I stay in control?
Yes. This is the question people ask most, and the answer is reassuring. Hypnosis cannot make you do or say anything that goes against your wishes or values. You remain aware throughout, and if a suggestion does not feel right, you simply will not accept it.
You can also speak, move or stop the session at any point. Feeling safe and in charge is part of what makes hypnotherapy work, so we will always explain what is going to happen before we begin.
How the session ends
At the end of the hypnosis, you will be guided back to full alertness, often by counting up or by a simple invitation to open your eyes. Most people feel calm and refreshed. A few feel pleasantly drowsy for a minute or two, and that soon passes.
We then talk about how it felt and what you noticed. You may leave with something simple to practise at home, such as a breathing exercise, a short self-hypnosis routine or a relaxation recording.
How long is a hypnotherapy session?
Most sessions last between 60 and 90 minutes. The first one is often at the longer end, because it includes time to talk through your background and goals. Stop smoking sessions are usually a single extended appointment of around 90 minutes.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on you and what you would like to change. Some people come for a small number of sessions, while others prefer a longer piece of work. We talk about this openly and review it as we go, and you are never tied into a fixed number of appointments.
It is wise to be cautious of anyone who promises a guaranteed result in a set number of sessions. People respond in their own way and at their own pace.
Can I have hypnotherapy online?
Yes. Online sessions follow the same structure as sessions in the clinic. You will need a quiet, private room where you will not be disturbed, a comfortable chair and a reliable internet connection. Headphones help you hear clearly and settle more easily. Many people find it easy to relax in their own surroundings.
Is hypnotherapy right for me?
Most adults can experience hypnosis to some degree, and it tends to come more easily when you feel comfortable and want to take part. Hypnotherapy is often used for stress, anxiety, confidence, fears, sleep and unwanted habits, but it is not suitable for everyone.
A note on your health. Hypnotherapy is a complementary approach, not a replacement for medical care. If you have symptoms that have not been checked by a doctor, or you are being treated for a mental health condition, please speak to your GP and tell us during your first call.
Questions to ask before you book
Whoever you choose to see, it is reasonable to ask a few questions first:
- What training and qualifications do you hold?
- Are you on a voluntary register, such as the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)?
- How do you usually work with concerns like mine?
- What happens if hypnotherapy turns out not to be the right fit?
A good practitioner will be happy to answer all of these. If you would like to know more, read about hypnotherapy at Hypnotherapy Newcastle or see how our sessions work.