How to Make Hypnosis Work for You

What Helps (What to Do)

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1. Be clear on your need for change.

The strongest results come when you arrive with a real need, and not just a desire, for relief—whether that’s from pain, stress, habits, or limiting thoughts. Coming in with the attitude, “I really need this to work” is probably the best possible mindset you can have as it will cause you to really draw the greatest value from your experience.

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2. Allow yourself to be passive.

Hypnosis works best when you don’t try too hard. You don’t need to be perfect or “do it right.” Simply follow basic  instructions, let go, and allow the process to unfold naturally. Think "cooperate and allow", not "force and make happen".

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3. Relax your body, quiet your mind.

Your goal is to be comfortable and enjoy the experience. A few simple steps can help:

• Give yourself time adequate time before and after your session.

• Avoid caffeine or other stimulants.

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

• Remove shoes, jewelry, and hard contacts.

• Silence your phone completely.

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Remember, hypnosis is 'you' time. The more relaxed you are, the deeper you will go. If you find yourself experiencing intrusive thoughts, the best thing to do is not to fight them but simply acknowledge them and let them go. 

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4. Be patient.

Everyone responds differently. Some clients drop into trance rapidly, others deepen gradually over a few sessions. Every minute of calm listening increases your ability to respond and helps build depth.

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5. Expect improvements—big and small.

Positive changes may feel immediate and powerful, or subtle and natural, building momentum over time. Stay open to noticing any and all improvements. Openness allows your unconscious mind to create space for genuine transformation.

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6. Accept natural signs of trance.

Remember, there is no danger in going into hypnosis. During your sessions, it’s perfectly normal to experience various sensory distortions such as tingling, floating, heaviness, lightness, or numbness. Time may feel altered, your eyelids may flutter, and your muscles may twitch as you relax. These are all positive signs you are going deeper—it means it’s working.

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7. Let your hypnotist do the work.

Hypnosis is great because your job is to simply follow along and allow yourself to relax. If you are asked to speak or respond, you’ll find you can do so easily even as your trance continues to deepen.

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What Interferes (Avoid Doing These Things)

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1. Skepticism and resistance.

You don’t need to “believe” in hypnosis for it to work, but you DO need to be open to allowing it to work! Many clients achieve excellent results without any prior experience or belief in hypnosis. However, if you come in determined to resist, “test”, "try it", or prove it wrong, you’ll only block your own success. You won't prove your "mind is too strong to be hypnotized" simply because even a person of very low intelligence can resist hypnosis when they know they are being hypnotized. You will just waste your time and money. 

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2. Idle curiosity.

Hypnosis isn’t about analyzing or second-guessing the process. It's about allowing yourself to be in the experience so you can achieve the results you desire. It involves emotion and developing an openness to change. If you sit back with a detached, overly objective, “let’s see if this works” attitude, you are likely to keep yourself from experiencing the full benefits of hypnotic changework.

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3. Forcing or over-efforting.

Hypnosis is not a performance and neither does it have to be "perfect" in order to work. In fact, trying too hard to "do it right" can create a tension that interferes with effective trance. Simply follow basic instructions and allow yourself to let go. The hypnotic state will come naturally and easily, and often when you least expect it.

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4. Fears and anxieties.

Generally, the biggest reason why people have difficulty going into trance is simply because of a fear of relinquishing control. If you have any worries or concerns about being hypnotized, share them beforehand. Remember—this process is for you and your job is to enjoy it and get the most out of the experience.

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5. Rushing to disappointment.

Hypnotherapy involves working with the unconscious mind and its processes. That means positive change is primarily taking place below the surface of conscious awareness. In addition, everyone responds to hypnosis differently. Some people will experience seemingly miraculous 'magic wand' results after just one or two sessions, while others may only experience positive results after several months and the work is complete. Most people, however, will be somewhere in-between. If you experience dramatic positive change after your initial hypnotic sessions, that is fantastic—keep on feeding those changes with supportive positive action. If, on the other hand, you don't experience spectacular results right away, don't be disappointed; it is not uncommon for people to actualize profound improvements in their life, but then only recognize those improvements months later when they have had time to reflect on all the shifts that have occurred.

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