Do You Lose Control During Hypnosis?

This is one of the most common questions I hear from new clients — especially if they’ve never experienced hypnosis before. And it’s a fair question. After all, most people’s perception of hypnosis comes from TV or stage shows, where a hypnotist clicks their fingers and suddenly someone’s strutting around pretending to be a chicken.

Here’s the truth: you cannot be hypnotised unless you want to be. Hypnosis is not mind control. You’re always in charge, and it’s impossible for a hypnotherapist to make you do something that goes against your values or that you truly don’t want to do.

So why do people act so wildly in stage hypnosis shows? At some level, those participants want to. They’re usually people who crave a moment to let go, to be the centre of attention, or to break free from the everyday. A skilled stage hypnotist is excellent at spotting the people who’ll happily play along. It’s entertainment — not therapy.

"Think of a hypnotherapist as a Sherpa guide"

Hypnotherapy, on the other hand, is a very different experience. Think of a hypnotherapist as a Sherpa guide. I don’t take control of your mind — instead, I walk alongside you, showing you the path while you do the climbing. You’re the expert on your own mind, and the answers you seek are already there within you. Hypnosis simply helps you access them.

What surprises many people is that in hypnosis your awareness actually increases. Your senses are sharper, your focus is clearer, and you’re more in control of your mind than in most day-to-day activities. Put it this way: you’re far less in control when you’re mindlessly scrolling through social media than when you’re in hypnosis.

Hypnosis is about clarity, focus, and choice — never about losing control.

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