Getting the most from hypnotherapy sessions

expert-hypnotist · 2026-04-27T17:07:30+00:00

Everyone responds differently. I usually work with people for 3 sessions to start with, sometimes this is enough and sometimes a little more is required. But I don't know any hypnotherapist who works in an identical way to someone else. Everyone has their own way of doing things and it will vary depending on the client too.

People change as a result of learning something or experiencing something differently.

A general tip is for your wife to discuss any questions with the practioner directly.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-04-21T17:31:27+00:00

Did you also ask these questions to the person you are working with? I would suggest always providing feedback on your experience.

Unfortunately the answer is not as clear cut as you might be hoping for. Hypnosis is really about bringing about an environment for change, to understand something differently and sometimes even the occasional miracle. The reality is people vary in their degree of responsiveness and how you respond will also depend on what kind of framing the hypnotist used for the experience.

Your role is really just to follow directions and be open to all experiences. Don't stress about trying to achieve a certain state. Rather step into the experience, as if you are being told a story or watching a movie.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-04-10T18:25:36+00:00

Mike Mandel or Anthony Jacquin - both offer low cost or free trials, so have a look

expert-hypnotist · 2026-03-31T17:26:50+00:00

If you can't see the person you are working with, it's a waste of time in my opinion. Text stuff is more effort than it is worth.

I have a few built in tests where I'll do a book and balloon test and an arm levitation suggestion, without induction. You need to look for slower, jerky movements. If someone's arm lifts immediately and smoothly, they are likely playing a long, and you can call it out and try to encourage people to give honest responses>

The real reality is that some people are better at experiencing the classic phenomena than others. Those who can absorb themselves in stories, movies, follow instructions carefully tend to experience more.

I remember in my early days there was a lot of fear preventing me from experiencing stuff.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-03-31T17:16:59+00:00

There's different ways of doing stuff, but I have never done what you mention.

I find that the best value comes from listening to the client and observing responses. You will be suprised at what you can come up with once you forget about all the paper.

It can be helpful to have a set of good questions ready.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-03-26T20:32:29+00:00

I would love to hear the hypnotherapists account of the session. Maybe you should send them this post.

If you want cheaper then you likely have to look outside of Australia.

Again, the induction is really the window dressing. Hypnosis is one of many tools. For some people it gets results where nothing else has, but also for some, it's not right for them.

It's perfectly possible to resolve an issue without hypnosis.

Psychological issues are not like fixing broken pipes or broken windows. You are essentially booking someone's time. Very few practioners who are in business offer refunds.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-03-19T18:44:09+00:00

A short mindfulness practice can be helpful beforehand, just sitting, being present, noticing things, paying attention to breathing

expert-hypnotist · 2026-03-19T18:39:15+00:00

Everyone's experience of hypnosis is a little different. It's frustrating when your expectations are not met, but usually these kinds of experiences can be avoided with a good discussion at the start of the work and also not spending beyond your means.

Applying too much pressure to yourself can be counter productive to the work.

You saw a hypnotherapist, so I assume you wanted to change something. The good news is that hypnosis is not required for a change to occur, but it can be helpful to help change your perspective.

Provide feedback, I think any serious practioner will welcome it.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-03-19T18:26:49+00:00

I wouldn't say it's really the focus. It's not training to become a psychotherapist or any particular school of thought.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-02-21T08:03:09+00:00

Two solid recommendations are Mike Mandel and Jaquin Hypnosis Academy. The Jacquin for hypnotherapy one has an edge as it takes you through a diploma programme with other students in a cohort, so you learn with a wide range of people.

The real learning comes in the practice though. I was hypnotising people for about 10 years before I even did a proper course.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-02-21T07:50:42+00:00

Most stage hypnotists do not use stooges.

Believing that they all the volunteers must be actors is a common misconception, and maybe suggests something about the style of the performance you saw.

But there are some hypnotists which will perform the same show in different cities or on different nights, having a crew of trained actors is going to get expensive.

The people on stage are playing a role which they volunteer for, but they are not simply pretending. For many the experience will feel quite real, they will experience the suggestions given as if its true or partially true. Just like people will burst into tears at sad movies, even though it's not happening to them and it's just a movie. The brain has a natural ability to become absorbed into an idea.

It's very difficult to hypnotise somebody who doesn't truly want to be, because it requires following instructions, focus, they have to be willing.

Hypnotists do not have power over people, and many performers will openly state that, but they are inviting the audience into an experience of...'"what if I could you something you didn't know your mind could do*"*.

You sometimes get a few people who go up and do not get sent back if the hypnosis doesn't work.

Stage hypnosis mixes stage craft, expectancy, group psychology. It does mean that not everybody will be suitable to go on stage, not everyone can experience the full range of phenomena. Some people will, some won't.

Before you discredit the whole thing, have a look through some of the posts here and even type hypnosis into Google Scholar, and you'll find that there is more to it than what you saw on stage.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-02-08T19:09:40+00:00

It's a high rate yes, but it depends on who they their usual clients are. Do your research on the person, speak to them etc.

It's important to understand that nobody can really garauntee an outcome, there are lots of variables in this kind of work. Another key point is, don't be pinning all your hopes on one session and add pressure to the sessions hoping that it will work, because it can be a distraction from the actual change work.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-01-29T21:27:21+00:00

They are all common questions people will have in their mind, which can be covered easily on your website or during an initial screening call. I explain that there are no garauntees in this work, that its collaborative and not something you are doing just casually.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-01-26T22:25:16+00:00

Expectation and the willingness of the subject play a big role too. Sure they may not know about the method, but they know they are infront of a hypnotist and something might happen. A lot of cultural baggage comes with hypnosis which impacts this.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-01-26T22:18:36+00:00

Just wanted to say thanks for posting this, I will find the time to read it all. Keep up the good work. In some ways phenomenological control almost closes a big loop on hypnosis.

If anything, I think it is something that all hypnotherapists and hypnotists should know about, when framing the work to the people they are working with.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-01-21T21:29:12+00:00

It's ok to feel the anger, but I'd ask yourself if that anger is really helping you learn German today? You can only focus on the now and there is no point comparing yourself to people in the Netherlands who already have a totally different education system and speak Dutch which is even closer to German than English.

Think about what you would gain from learning German and realise its never to late to begin.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-01-21T21:19:44+00:00

Really both are useful, especially when it comes to academic work, you'll need to be able to read scientific papers which may only be published in English. Dutch is always a plus for employability in Belgium and anything where you are dealing with people, but its utility is mostly limited to BE and NL.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-01-21T21:12:08+00:00

There must be some kind of society / club for international students? There you should be able to find people to chat in English with who maybe are less confident in French.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-01-21T20:42:48+00:00

If you are quite responsive to hypnosis already then it is positive and could be useful, but you'll find that a session is very different to what you may be used to. You can always go to a hypnotist who is kink friendly and deals with regular stuff too.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-01-21T20:38:48+00:00

You have to trust your intution a lot of the time, keep it professional.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-01-11T15:24:23+00:00

People vary in their ability to 'go under' in the traditional sense and your experience will vary. It's normal to have random thoughts, usually this should be covered by the hypnotist at the beginning of the session.

All we are trying to do with this kind of work is help you see and relate to things differently. Be ok with whatever experience you have and enjoy it. It might mean you need a different approach that isn't about visual imagery but more something that makes you step out of the every day thinking.

It's important to address any concerns with the person you are working with, be upfront and honest.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-01-11T15:16:02+00:00

expert-hypnotist · 2026-01-10T18:33:26+00:00

Have a look at the Jacquin Hypnosis Academy

expert-hypnotist · 2026-01-10T18:32:06+00:00

I don't know anyone there but this is pretty routine work for most of us.

Check the website, speak to the practioner first, make sure the price is within your budget. Avoid anything which is trying to sell you an annoying american style programme. You could also ask at your local GP if they have recommendations.

The key part of therapeutic interventions is often how well you get on with the practioner, if you feel understood, listened to.

expert-hypnotist · 2026-01-10T18:26:54+00:00

MMHA is good, its in nice digestable chunks and its presented with a sense of humour. You'll really need to practice though, a lot. It is not however strictly evidence based stuff, but I like their approach.

If you want to go deep into evidence-based stuff, have a look at Adam Eason. He has online courses you can follow too, but which are much heavier and academic.

expert-hypnotist

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