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When you hear the word "hypnosis," you might imagine a mysterious trance or someone losing control. In reality, hypnosis is quite different. In my practice, hypnosis is about focused attention—a special state where you tune out distractions and concentrate deeply on specific goals. This allows you to access your natural ability to change, grow, and heal, all while remaining fully in control.

How Does Hypnosis Work?

Hypnosis is a state of focused attention, which is unique because our busy minds rarely stay focused on one thing for long. During a session, you will remain fully aware, and your mind becomes more open to new ideas and perspectives. One key factor in successful hypnotherapy is your positive expectations—the belief that change is possible. This is called response expectancy, and it plays a powerful role in how effectively you respond to hypnosis.

You may hear me use terms like "sleep" during hypnotic inductions, but this doesn’t mean you will actually fall asleep or become unconscious. The word "sleep" is commonly associated with relaxation and the natural feeling of your eyes becoming tired and heavy. Words are powerful, and the associations we have with them can trigger responses that may feel automatic.

Everyone can relate to the word "sleep" and the sensation of feeling so tired that it’s hard to keep your eyes open. When I use the word "sleep," it serves as a trigger for your imagination, helping you visualise that drowsy, relaxed feeling. It’s an invitation for your mind to engage creatively, relax your body, and deepen your focus.

And while some might expect phrases like "going under," this reflects the expectations—or rather, misconceptions—that some people bring to the process. In truth, hypnosis is more about sharpening your focus than losing control. You remain an active participant—you and I work together to create suggestions that align with your personal goals.

Combining Hypnosis with CBT for Lasting Results

In my sessions, I often combine hypnosis with cognitive-behavioural principles, a method known as Cognitive-Behavioral Hypnotherapy (CBH). Research shows that blending these two approaches can lead to significantly improved outcomes and deeper, long-lasting results.

For example, if you're working on becoming more assertive, we might start with CBT exercises to help you practise being assertive in real-life situations. Then, I could guide you through hypnosis to imagine yourself confidently speaking to your boss or handling a difficult conversation. This mix of techniques helps make your progress feel more natural, and with practice, it will become second nature or feel automatic.

This is just one of many ways we can integrate hypnosis with CBT techniques to help you achieve your goals.

For more information you can read the research Green_J_P_Laurence_J_Lynn_S_J_2014_Hypnosis_and_psychotherapy

The Science Behind Hypnosis, Mindfulness, and Brain Changes

Mindfulness, with its proven benefits for mental health, is becoming increasingly popular. Scientists have found that mindfulness can support neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reshape itself and form new connections based on the habits and thought patterns we practice. Research shows that mindfulness helps improve focus and manage emotions through these changes in the brain, leading to better mental health and resilience.

Hypnosis, although it may sometimes seem almost magical, also has a solid scientific basis. For over 150 years, studies have explored how hypnosis works, from its origins with James Braid in the 1840s to modern research using brain scans to understand how hypnosis affects attention, emotion, and perception.

While hypnosis may not directly reshape the brain as mindfulness does, it can help create new mental associations and thought patterns. By focusing the mind on positive outcomes, hypnosis encourages healthier habits and more constructive responses to situations that trouble us.

Some therapists refer to this process as "reprogramming" the mind. While this is a powerful metaphor, it’s important to know that this process is actually natural and collaborative. I’d emphasize that I don’t have the power to reprogram your mind—the real power lies within your imagination, positive expectations, and commitment to practicing the skills we work on together.

Both mindfulness and hypnosis help us develop new ways of approaching our thoughts and emotions. While mindfulness is more widely studied for brain changes, hypnosis is an effective mental training that helps us respond differently to challenges.

For more information see Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity Associated with Hypnosis | Cerebral Cortex | Oxford Academic

What is My Role as Your Therapist?

As your therapist, I’m here to guide you through this process. My role is to help you use your imagination and creativity so you can achieve mental and emotional well-being. As a Cognitive Behavioral Hypnotherapist (CBH), I’ll also teach you coping strategies that you can use in your daily life to support the progress we make. These practical tools will help you manage stress, improve emotional balance, and reinforce the mental shifts we work on during our sessions.

Together, we will tailor each session to meet your specific needs, and you’ll always remain in control of the direction we take.
If you’re ready to explore how hypnosis can complement your therapeutic journey, I’m here to guide you through it. Whether we use hypnosis or not, the key point is that you’re in control, and every step we take is tailored to help you reach your therapeutic goals.