Before we dive in, here’s a quick story. My client Kate shares what Hypnosis actually felt like and why it wasn’t what she expected.
If you’re new to Hypnosis, it’s natural to wonder whether it really works and how you’ll know if you’re actually hypnotized.
The good news is that Hypnosis feels much more natural than most people expect.
In this article, I’ll explain what Hypnosis is, how online Hypnosis works and what to expect, and the two experiences that most often make people think Hypnosis didn’t work…when it actually did.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of focus, and quieting or softening, of the analytical or conscious mind. This allows you to more easily access your intuition and your unconscious mind, where your deeply held beliefs, habits, and behaviors are stored, to more easily make positive changes.
Rather than losing control, most people notice they feel deeply relaxed, focused, and less caught up in their usual mental chatter.
(Does Hypnosis work? Yes, read more about how it works here.)
What is Virtual Hypnosis?
There’s no discernable difference between the effectiveness of in-person and virtual Hypnosis sessions.
Zoom is used, and instead of an office setting you’re able to lie down comfortably and experience Hypnosis and relax in your own home (Bonus: take a nap after for deeper integration).
What to Expect: Don’t Be Misled By These 2 Signs
Was I asleep? It’s one of the most common questions I hear. Here’s what really happened during my client Elizabeth’s Hypnosis session.
After working with thousands of clients over the years, I’ve noticed two experiences that cause people to wonder if Hypnosis “worked.”
Interestingly, they’re completely opposite.
Here’s how to know if Hypnosis works on you:
Sometimes a client will say, “I feel really relaxed and peaceful, but I’m not sure the Hypnosis worked because I could hear everything you said during the trance.”
Other times a client will say, “I feel really relaxed and peaceful, but I’m not sure the Hypnosis worked because I don’t remember anything you said during the trance.”
So which client was hypnotized?
Both clients.
When you’re in a state of Hypnosis or trance and you hear every word the Hypnotist says, it means your conscious mind is paying close attention.
Alternately, when you don’t remember anything the practitioner said during the trance, it means your conscious mind drifted off.
Both experiences are completely normal because I’m not speaking to your conscious mind anyway. I’m speaking to your unconscious mind.
So whether your conscious mind is listening closely to every word, or drifting comfortably off, the trance state (or state of Hypnosis) usually feels quite relaxing and not dissimilar to the in-between state of wake and sleep, or the peaceful feeling during a Reiki or massage.
The unconscious mind is 90-95% of the brain, and it’s where your deeply held beliefs, patterns, and behaviors are stored. Hypnosis helps you access this part of the mind to connect to your intuition and inner wisdom to make positive changes.
Explore the 1:1 Virtual Program
How To Know If Hypnosis Works On You?
The only way to know how Hypnosis feels for you is to experience it. While everyone’s experience is unique, most people begin noticing meaningful changes after their very first session, with deeper changes building over time.
Additional things to notice during your online Hypnosis session include physical and mental changes, a distortion in time, quieting of mental chatter and overthinking, deep relaxation, and an enhancement in intuition.
If you’d like to better understand what Hypnosis feels like, here are 10 common signs you’re entering a trance.
What Issues Can Hypnosis Help With?
Hypnosis can help with a wide range of issues including: overthinking and decision making, stress relief, anxiety and depression, confidence and self esteem, insomnia, fertility and childbirth, pain relief, smoking cessation or vaping, phobias (fear of flying, heights, needles, etc.), weight loss, and public speaking and stage fright.
Client Feedback
Here’s what clients say about their experience with Hypnosis:
For Stress Relief:
I know a lot of people out there are skeptical about Hypnotherapy. I was one of them before I met Deborah. (I did a lot of research before deciding to see her.) I’ve had three sessions with Deborah so far and Hypnosis helps me feel relaxed and calm emotionally. I could never imagine myself being so relaxed and peaceful, especially in the middle of Manhattan. No way! —P.L.
For Depression & Relationship Issues:
I cannot express how amazing Deborah is and how drastically my life & outlook has changed for the better. 7 months ago, I went to see her while I was in a horrible depression as I was re-adjusting back to NYC after leaving a draining job and rekindling a negative past relationship. Within 45 minutes of my first session, I let go of lots of negative feelings from my past & present and felt so much happiness. –Sarah C.
For Weight Loss & Emotional Eating:
Many people think hypnosis won’t work for them. I encourage you to have an open mind. My nutritionist recommended Deborah and so far I’ve lost 40 pounds. I’m very pleased and I’m throwing my old clothes away because I’m convinced the changes are permanent.
I also actually enjoy our sessions a lot. I go into deep relaxation and I have Self-Hypnosis exercises I do at home to help me relax, resist eating, and have peace of mind. I thought I wouldn’t be a good subject. But I was wrong and would encourage you to give it a shot. –J.S.
For Anxiety Relief:
I struggled with anxiety for at least a decade. I tried a lot — diet, exercise, meditation, lowering stressors in my life. A friend went to Deborah for anxiety, so I decided it was worth a try.
I felt much more relaxed after my 1st session, and the anxiety symptoms didn’t return for a week. I did the Self-Hypnosis techniques and the anxiety was gone almost right away. It returned less intensely a few times after that, and each time I did the Self-Hypnosis. Now it’s been almost a year and those symptoms are (knock on wood) entirely gone. I had no idea it would work so quickly and efficiently!
Need support?
I work with high-achieving women all over the world through my virtual one-on-one Soul-Powered Breakthrough Program and we’ll use Hypnosis as part of my intuitive, multidisciplinary approach.
Continue Exploring Hypnosis
If you’re new to Hypnosis or curious to learn more, the articles below answer some of the questions I hear most often.
