ECHO THERAPIES
"There is no hypnotism, there is only suggestibility."
Read more below
Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy can be helpful for a wide range of symptoms such as;
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Social Anxiety
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Performance Anxiety
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Work-related Anxiety
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Assertiveness Skills
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Low Confidence
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Low-Self Esteem
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Creative Blocks
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Stress and Anger Management
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Fears and phobias
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Mindfulness Skills
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Join my Waiting List for early bird discounted sessions of private 1:1 Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy, opening in Spring 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of increased suggestibility, where a person becomes more responsive to suggestions. Hippolyte Bernheim, a key figure in hypnosis, described it as a mental condition that enhances this susceptibility. While hypnosis is often linked to relaxation or deep focus, its defining feature is hyper-suggestibility. Clark Hull, an early hypnosis researcher, argued that if someone does not become more suggestible, they are not truly hypnotized. Ultimately, hypnosis is best understood as an artificially induced state of heightened suggestibility.
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What does hypnosis feel like?
Hypnosis is a cognitive state linked to belief and imagination rather than a specific feeling, though various feelings may accompany it. Its experience depends on the suggestions being accepted at the time, meaning there is no single sensation that defines hypnosis. While traditional hypnosis often involves relaxation, this is largely due to suggestion. Experiences of hypnosis vary from person to person and situation to situation. Over-focusing on what hypnosis "should" feel like can create tension and hinder the process. Instead, an open-minded approach allows for a more natural experience.
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Is hypnosis like being asleep?
No. Hypnosis does not feel like sleep. While a person in hypnosis is mentally awake and aware, the term originates from the Greek word for sleep but actually refers to "sleep of the nervous system." Historically, hypnosis has been described as "lucid sleep" or "artificial somnambulism," emphasising its difference from actual sleep. The word "sleep" is often used in hypnosis as a traditional trigger to induce relaxation, not because hypnosis mimics sleep. However, in deep hypnosis, a person may experience drowsiness and drift in and out of a sleep-like state, which is normal.
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Is hypnosis an "alpha" brain state?
The idea that hypnosis is an "alpha" or "theta" brainwave state is an outdated pop psychology myth, widely dismissed by credible researchers. While some brain activity correlates with hypnosis, these are complex and depend on the specific task being performed. EEG studies show that enhanced theta waves occur during hypnosis involving concentration but not during passive relaxation. Similar findings exist in meditation research, where brainwave changes reflect concentration rather than a distinct trance state. Because hypnosis varies by task, there is no single neurological marker that definitively identifies a hypnotic state.
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Can anyone be hypnotised?
Yes, Anyone can enter hypnosis as easily as daydreaming. Since hypnosis relies on belief and imagination, simply imagining or pretending to be in hypnosis can lead to the experience itself. A person's mindset plays a key role—believing hypnosis is difficult makes it so, while believing it is easy ensures success. As Henry Ford and Virgil famously noted, belief shapes ability, which is especially true for hypnosis.
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Am I under someone else's "power" or control in hypnosis?
No. This idea comes from the comic books, cartoons, and movies. People who believe this happens in stage hypnosis are misinterpreting the experience. In hypnosis you are generally aware, and fundamentally in control of everything that happens. You choose to be in hypnosis, you choose how deeply you go into hypnosis, and you choose whether to allow yourself to respond to suggestions or not. You cannot be forced into hypnosis against your will nor compelled to do anything embarrassing or objectionable while in hypnosis. In other words: even in the deepest levels of hypnosis, you remain in control of your responses and will not accept suggestions which are in any way objectionable to you.
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Can I get stuck in hypnosis?
No, you cannot get stuck in hypnosis, just as you cannot remain trapped in a daydream, your imagination, or meditation. Over time, you will either naturally wake up or transition into regular sleep, as hypnosis is only a temporary mental state. If getting stuck were possible, there would be warehouses full of people unable to wake from hypnosis—but that has never happened.
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Is Hypnotism a form of Meditation?
No, hypnosis is not the same as meditation, though the two share significant similarities. Hypnotic trance is often compared to certain meditation practices, and historical texts, like Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, describe methods resembling self-hypnosis, such as yoga nidra ("sleep yoga"). While both can induce similar mental states, their purposes differ. Meditation, in many forms, views deep trance as an end in itself, often linked to enlightenment. In contrast, hypnosis is typically a tool for personal transformation through suggestion, making the depth of trance less important than its practical outcomes.
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What about stage hypnosis?
Stage hypnosis shares some techniques with hypnotherapy but differs greatly in style and purpose. While most participants on stage are genuinely hypnotised, hypnotherapy is focused on personal transformation, not entertainment—you won’t be asked to perform silly antics like barking or dancing. Many stage hypnotists have backgrounds in magic, incorporating illusions and sleight of hand into their performances. Reading about stage hypnosis can reveal these "smoke and mirrors" tricks, which even some hypnotherapists mistake for genuine hypnosis. One well-known illusion, the "human plank" or "full body catalepsy," does not require hypnosis but relies purely on proper body positioning.
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Where can I find current research on hypnosis?
1. The International Journal of Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis
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The IJCEH is the official publication of the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH), the American Psychological Association (APA) Div. 30 (Society of Psychological Hypnosis), and the International Society of Hypnosis (ISH). It was also founded in the 1950s.
www.ijceh.com
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2. The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis
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The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis is the official journal of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH). It was founded in 1957 by Milton Erickson.
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3. Contemporary Hypnosis
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Contemporary Hypnosis is the official publication of the British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis (BSECH).
www.bsech.co.uk