Can You Be Hypnotised? What 30 Years of Practice Has Taught Me

The Question I Am Asked More Than Any Other

In over thirty years of practising clinical hypnotherapy in Wilmslow, there is one question that comes up more than any other. It arrives in phone calls, in emails, and in the first few minutes of almost every initial consultation. Sometimes it is asked directly, sometimes nervously, and sometimes as an afterthought just as the person is about to book their first session:

"Can I actually be hypnotised?"

It is a perfectly reasonable question. Most people have never experienced clinical hypnotherapy, and their only frame of reference is what they have seen on television, in films, or at stage shows. Based on those impressions, hypnosis can seem like something that only works on certain types of people — those who are suggestible, compliant, or somehow wired differently from the rest of us.

After working with thousands of clients since 1994, I can tell you that the reality is far more encouraging than most people expect. The short answer to the question is: yes, the vast majority of people can be hypnotised. But let me explain what that actually means, because it is probably quite different from what you are imagining.

What Being Hypnotised Actually Means

Before we talk about who can be hypnotised, it is worth clarifying what hypnosis actually is. Because the word carries a lot of baggage, much of it inaccurate.

Clinical hypnosis is a state of focused attention and deep relaxation. It is not unconsciousness. It is not sleep. It is not a loss of control. It is a natural state that you have almost certainly experienced before without realising it — that absorbed, focused feeling you get when you are deeply engaged in a book, lost in a daydream, or so focused on a task that the world around you fades into the background.

During clinical hypnotherapy, I guide you into this naturally occurring state using relaxation techniques and focused attention. Once you are in this state, your subconscious mind becomes more receptive to positive suggestions and therapeutic work. You remain aware throughout. You can hear everything I say. You can open your eyes and stop at any time. You are always in control.

When I say that most people can be hypnotised, what I mean is that most people can achieve this state of focused relaxation. It is not a special ability that some people have and others do not. It is a natural capacity of the human mind.

5 Myths About Who Can Be Hypnotised

Over three decades, I have heard every variation of "I don't think it will work on me." And in the vast majority of cases, the person's concern is based on a myth rather than a reality. Here are the five most common ones.

Myth 1: "I Am Too Strong-Willed to Be Hypnotised"

This is one of the most persistent myths about hypnosis, and it gets the reality completely backwards. Being strong-willed does not make you resistant to hypnosis. In my experience, people with strong willpower and determination often respond very well to hypnotherapy.

Here is why. Hypnosis requires focus and concentration. It requires the ability to direct your attention and hold it steady. Strong-willed people tend to be good at exactly these things. They are decisive, focused, and capable of committing to a process once they have decided it is worthwhile.

The confusion arises because people associate hypnosis with submission or compliance — as though being hypnotised means giving up control. It does not. Hypnosis is a collaborative process. You are not surrendering your will to someone else. You are using your willpower to focus your mind in a therapeutic direction. Strong will is an asset, not an obstacle.

Myth 2: "I Am Too Analytical to Be Hypnotised"

If I had a pound for every time an engineer, accountant, scientist or lawyer has sat in my chair and said "I don't think this will work on me — I'm too logical," I would have retired years ago.

Analytical people often assume that because they live in their heads, because they question everything, because they like evidence and reason, they will somehow be immune to hypnosis. The reality, once again, is quite different.

Analytical minds are often excellent at following structured processes. They appreciate understanding how something works. They are able to concentrate deeply. And once they understand that hypnotherapy is not about switching off their intellect but about using their considerable mental abilities in a different way, they often engage with the process very effectively.

I find that when I explain the process clearly and logically to analytical clients — what will happen, why it works, what they can expect — they approach it with the same rigour they apply to everything else in their lives. And that focus and commitment serves them well.

Myth 3: "I Tried Hypnotherapy Once and It Did Not Work"

A previous unsuccessful experience with hypnotherapy does not mean you cannot be hypnotised. There are many reasons why a previous session might not have produced the results you were hoping for.

Perhaps the approach used by the previous therapist was not suited to your particular issue or personality. Hypnotherapy is not a one-size-fits-all discipline. Different practitioners use different techniques, and what works brilliantly for one person may not resonate with another.

Perhaps the therapeutic relationship was not right. Trust and rapport between therapist and client are essential for effective hypnotherapy. If you did not feel comfortable or safe with a previous practitioner, it would naturally have been more difficult to relax into the process.

Perhaps you were not ready at that point in your life. Timing matters. Sometimes people try hypnotherapy before they have truly committed to making a change, or when other factors in their life are working against them.

In my practice, I combine clinical hypnotherapy with EFT, NLP and CBT, which gives us a much broader range of tools than hypnotherapy alone. If one approach is not quite clicking, we can adjust and try a different route. This flexibility is one of the reasons I invested in training across multiple disciplines.

Myth 4: "You Have to Be Gullible to Be Hypnotised"

This myth suggests that only naive or easily fooled people can be hypnotised. It is simply not true.

Research consistently shows that hypnotic responsiveness is associated with qualities like imagination, concentration and absorption — the ability to become deeply engaged in an experience. These are not characteristics of gullibility. They are characteristics of a rich, active inner life.

In fact, people who are genuinely gullible — who accept anything they are told without question — may actually struggle more with hypnotherapy than those who approach it thoughtfully. Effective hypnotherapy requires engagement, not blind acceptance. You need to be actively involved in the process, working with the suggestions rather than passively receiving them.

Some of my most successful clients have been people who came in sceptical, asked probing questions, and then committed to the process with informed, deliberate intent. Scepticism is welcome in my practice. All I ask is that you give the process a fair chance.

Myth 5: "You Lose Control When You Are Hypnotised"

This is perhaps the most damaging myth of all, and it is the one that prevents many people from even considering hypnotherapy. The idea that hypnosis involves surrendering control — that the therapist can make you do things against your will, reveal secrets, or act in ways that embarrass you — is completely false.

During hypnosis, you are always in control. You are aware of what is happening. You can hear everything that is said. You cannot be made to do anything that goes against your values, beliefs or wishes. If I were to make a suggestion that you found uncomfortable or unacceptable, you would simply reject it — your subconscious mind has its own protective mechanisms that remain fully active throughout.

You can open your eyes and end the session at any point. You cannot get "stuck" in hypnosis. And you will not reveal anything you do not choose to share.

I understand where this fear comes from. Stage hypnosis shows, films and television have done an excellent job of portraying hypnosis as a form of mind control. But clinical hypnotherapy bears very little resemblance to what you see on stage. You can read more about this distinction on my FAQs page.

What Actually Happens When You Are Hypnotised

Rather than the dramatic portrayals you may have seen in the media, here is what actually happens during a typical session at my practice.

You sit in a comfortable chair in a quiet, private room. I guide you through a relaxation process, which usually involves focusing on your breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualisation. Gradually, your body relaxes and your mind settles into that focused, absorbed state I described earlier.

Most clients describe the experience as deeply pleasant. Words I hear regularly include "peaceful," "calm," "warm" and "safe." Some people feel a heaviness in their limbs. Others feel a lightness. Some are aware of every word I say. Others drift in and out of conscious awareness — which is perfectly normal and does not affect the effectiveness of the session.

Throughout this process, your subconscious mind is receptive to the therapeutic suggestions and techniques we are using to address your particular issue. We might work with visualisation, positive suggestion, regression, reframing, or a combination of approaches tailored to your needs.

Afterwards, most people feel refreshed and relaxed — similar to how you might feel after a particularly restorative nap, even though you have not been asleep.

Signs You Are a Good Candidate for Hypnotherapy

While most people can be hypnotised to a therapeutic degree, there are certain qualities that tend to predict a good response. You may be a particularly good candidate if:

• You can concentrate. The ability to focus your attention is the single most important factor in hypnotic responsiveness. If you can become absorbed in a book, a film, a piece of music, or a task, you can almost certainly achieve a therapeutic level of hypnosis.

• You have a good imagination. People with vivid imaginations tend to respond well to the visualisation techniques used in hypnotherapy.

• You are motivated to change. Hypnotherapy is not something that is done to you. It requires your active participation and genuine desire for change. The more motivated you are, the more effective the work tends to be.

• You are willing to trust the process. You do not need to believe in hypnotherapy for it to work. But you do need to be willing to engage with the process with an open mind, rather than actively resisting it.

• You can follow instructions. Hypnotherapy is a guided process. If you are able to listen to and follow gentle directions — "take a deep breath," "imagine a peaceful place," "allow your eyes to close" — you have everything you need.

What If You Are Nervous About Trying Hypnotherapy?

Feeling nervous before your first session is completely normal and nothing to be concerned about. In fact, I would say that the majority of my new clients feel at least a little apprehensive. This is natural — you are about to try something unfamiliar, and you may be dealing with an issue that feels deeply personal or distressing.

Here is what I want you to know: your nervousness will not prevent hypnotherapy from working. I am experienced in helping nervous clients feel safe and comfortable, and I will never rush you or push you beyond what feels right.

Your first session will begin with a thorough conversation about your issue, your history, and what you hope to achieve. This gives us both a chance to build rapport and for me to understand your situation fully. It also gives you the opportunity to ask any questions and get a feel for whether you are comfortable working with me.

I will explain everything that is going to happen before it happens. There are no surprises. You will know exactly what to expect at every stage.

And here is something that often reassures nervous clients: I have been hypnotised myself many times. I know exactly what it feels like. I would not ask you to do anything that I have not experienced and that I do not know to be safe and comfortable. My own experiences of being hypnotised have made me a better therapist, because I understand the process from both sides of the chair.

My Own Experience of Being Hypnotised

I think it is only fair, given that I am asking you to trust this process, that I share my own experience. I have been hypnotised on numerous occasions throughout my career, both during my training and as part of my ongoing professional development.

The experience has always been deeply relaxing and genuinely pleasant. I have never felt out of control. I have never done or said anything I did not want to. I have never felt "under someone's power." What I have felt is profoundly calm, focused, and receptive — open to new ways of thinking and feeling in a way that my busy, everyday conscious mind does not always allow.

These personal experiences are part of why I am so confident in recommending hypnotherapy to my clients. I do not simply believe it works because I have seen it work with thousands of people over thirty years. I believe it works because I have experienced it working myself.

You can learn more about my background and qualifications on my about page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of people can be hypnotised?

It is generally accepted within the profession that the vast majority of people can achieve a level of hypnosis sufficient for therapeutic work. A small number of people may find it more challenging, but this is often related to anxiety about the process, difficulty relaxing, or simply needing a different approach. In my experience, with the right technique and a comfortable therapeutic relationship, almost everyone can benefit.

Can children be hypnotised?

Yes, children can be hypnotised and often respond very well to hypnotherapy. Children tend to have vivid imaginations and are naturally good at entering states of focused absorption, which makes them excellent candidates. I work with children from around the age of seven upwards, always with parental consent and involvement.

What if I fall asleep during hypnosis?

Some people drift into a very deep state of relaxation that may feel similar to the edge of sleep. This is perfectly normal and does not prevent the therapy from being effective. Your subconscious mind continues to process the therapeutic suggestions even in a very deeply relaxed state. If you were to fall fully asleep, I would simply guide you back to a lighter level of relaxation.

Can I be hypnotised online or does it have to be in person?

Both work. I see clients in person at my practice on Nursery Lane in Wilmslow, and I also offer fully effective online sessions via video call for clients who prefer to work from home or who live further afield. Online hypnotherapy is just as effective as face-to-face appointments — you choose whichever suits you best, and you can mix and match between sessions.

How quickly will I know if hypnotherapy is working for me?

Many clients notice a difference after their very first session. For some issues, such as phobias, significant improvement can occur within one to three sessions. For more complex issues, three to six sessions is typical. I always review progress with you and adjust our approach as needed.

Is there anyone who should not try hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is not generally recommended for people with certain serious psychiatric conditions, such as psychosis or severe personality disorders. If you have any concerns about whether hypnotherapy is appropriate for you, please discuss them with your GP and feel free to raise them with me during our initial conversation. I am always honest about when another form of support might be more suitable.