Debunking Hypnotherapy Myths: What It Is (And Isn’t)
Think hypnotherapy is mind control? Too “woo-woo”? Or that you’ll cluck like a chicken on command? You’re not alone! In this blog, we’ll explore five of the most common hypnotherapy myths, and show you what it’s really like inside a session.
Myth #1: Is Hypnotherapy Mind Control? Debunking Common Hypnotherapy Misconceptions
This one’s probably the biggest myth of all. Many people imagine a hypnotherapist clicking their fingers and taking over your mind, à la stage hypnosis.
The truth:
Hypnotherapy is not about controlling you, it’s about helping you gain more control over your thoughts, behaviours and emotions.
You remain fully aware, in a deeply relaxed state, and can bring yourself out of hypnosis at any time. In fact, you can’t be made to do or say anything you don’t want to. You’re always in charge.
During a hypnotherapy session, if you were ever told to do something that didn’t feel right, you could simply say no or stop the session altogether. The process relies on cooperation, and you’re always an active participant.
The suggestions made in hypnosis are based on the goals you’ve agreed to beforehand. So, if your aim is to reduce anxiety, you might be guided to visualise a calming scene, or create your own inner “safe space.”
There’s no “loss” of control, in fact, hypnotherapy is all about empowering you to take back control of your mental and emotional state.
Myth #2: Does Hypnotherapy Make You Sleep? Understanding the Hypnotic State
It’s a common assumption, after all, the word hypnosis comes from the Greek word for sleep. But in reality, hypnotherapy is not about being asleep or unconscious.
The truth:
Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation paired with heightened focus. You’ll be aware of everything going on, you can hear what the therapist says, you can speak, and you could even open your eyes or stop the session at any point if you chose to.
It’s a bit like that dreamy, peaceful state just before you drift off to sleep, your body is relaxed, but your mind is still ticking over.
A helpful comparison: Think about when you’ve driven somewhere familiar and suddenly realised you can’t remember parts of the journey. You were “zoned out” but still completely capable of reacting to traffic and reaching your destination. That’s a bit like the hypnotic state, calm, focused, and present.
Hypnotherapy guides you into this naturally receptive state, where your mind becomes more open to positive suggestions and powerful inner shifts.
Myth #3: Can Only Weak-Minded People Be Hypnotised? Facts About Hypnotherapy Ability
This one couldn’t be further from the truth.
The truth:
Hypnotherapy has nothing to do with mental “strength” or “weakness.” In fact, many hypnotherapists find that people who are intelligent, imaginative, or open-minded often respond especially well. Why? Because they’re able to visualise and engage more deeply in the process.
It’s not about being gullible, it’s about being willing and open to relaxing, listening, and letting your mind explore in a focused way.
A good comparison is how elite athletes and high-performing professionals use mental rehearsal and visualisation to boost their performance.
Hypnotherapy works in a similar way, it uses the mind’s natural ability to focus and imagine to bring about real change.
So, far from being a weakness, being open to hypnotherapy is actually a strength, and people who allow themselves to relax into the process often experience profound results.
Myth #4: Hypnotherapy Is a Quick Fix
Wouldn’t it be great if one session could instantly erase years of habits, fears, or emotional patterns?
The truth:
While hypnotherapy can lead to faster results than some other methods, especially for targeted issues like phobias or smoking, it’s not a one-size-fits-all miracle cure. Lasting change usually takes time, especially for more complex challenges like anxiety, weight management, or low self-worth.
Hypnotherapy is most effective when seen as part of a longer-term journey. It helps uncover subconscious beliefs, reframe old thought patterns, and build new mental habits, but that process can’t always happen overnight.
Example: Take someone using hypnotherapy to support weight loss. A session might help them discover hidden emotional drivers for overeating, such as stress or childhood beliefs. That’s powerful insight, but real progress still involves creating new routines and behaviours in daily life. Hypnotherapy acts as a supportive tool, not a magic bullet.
So while you may feel a real shift after just one session, the most sustainable results often come with ongoing commitment and a willingness to embrace change.
Myth #5: Hypnotherapy Is Only for Smoking or Weight Loss
This is one of the most common misunderstandings about hypnotherapy.
The truth:
Hypnotherapy is much more versatile than many people realise. While it’s well-known for helping with smoking cessation or weight loss, it’s also highly effective for things like anxiety, low self-worth, sleep issues, phobias, overthinking, confidence, and more.
That said, it’s not a magic cure or instant fix. Some people may notice powerful shifts after just one session, especially for specific habits or fears. But lasting change, particularly for deeper emotional patterns, often requires more than one session, and a willingness to explore, reflect, and apply the insights that come up.
Example: Someone using hypnotherapy for anxiety might uncover hidden beliefs formed during childhood, like “I’m not safe” or “I’m not good enough.” A session can begin to rewrite those beliefs, but ongoing transformation happens when that inner shift is paired with new behaviours and supportive tools outside the session.
So, hypnotherapy isn’t just for smoking or slimming, and it works best when you’re open to the journey, not just hoping for a quick fix.
What to Expect During a Hypnotherapy Session: The Real Experience Explained
In a typical RTT® (Rapid Transformational Therapy) session, you’ll:
Have a friendly consultation to explore what you’d like to work on
Be gently guided into a relaxed hypnotic state
Uncover and reframe the root of the issue
Receive a personalised audio recording to reinforce your transformation
Get follow-up support to help embed the changes
You’re fully present, safe, and in control at all times.
RTT® combines powerful techniques from hypnotherapy, NLP, cognitive behavioural therapy, and psychotherapy to create fast and lasting change. According to the American Psychological Association, hypnosis works by accessing the subconscious mind, where core beliefs and habits are stored, making it especially effective for behaviour change and emotional healing (APA, 2011).
You’re fully present, safe, and in control at all times. In fact, research published by the National Institutes of Health confirms that people in hypnosis remain aware and cannot be made to do anything against their will (Milling et al., 2000).
The British Psychological Society also recognises hypnotherapy’s clinical benefits, especially for anxiety, trauma, and confidence-related issues (BPS Research Digest, 2020).
Still Have Questions?
Here are some of the most common RTT® FAQs:
Will I remember what happens during the session?
Yes – most people remember everything that’s said during their hypnotherapy session. You’re in a deeply relaxed but aware state, similar to a daydream. Some people describe it as “zoning out” slightly, but you’re always able to hear, speak, and recall what’s going on. The insights you gain often feel clear and vivid – and those realisations are an important part of the transformation process.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on what you’re working on. Some people notice a shift after just one session, especially for habits or phobias. For more complex or long-standing issues like low self-worth, anxiety or emotional eating, a series of sessions may be more effective. You’ll usually start with a free consultation to discuss your goals and decide the best approach for you.
What’s the difference between RTT and regular hypnotherapy?
RTT goes beyond traditional hypnotherapy by combining it with regression, psychotherapy, and powerful mindset rewiring techniques. It’s fast, focused, and deeply effective.
Want to know more about RTT® hypnotherapy?
If you’re curious about how a session actually works, what to expect, or whether it’s right for you, here are some helpful resources:
💫 Real Stories, Real Change
Wondering what RTT® can do in real life? Here are six short case studies from past clients:
RTT® isn’t just theory – it’s transforming lives every day. Here are six real client stories to inspire you:
🔹 Breaking Free from the Comfort Zone
See how RTT® empowered this client to step out of familiar limits, embrace new challenges, and thrive with renewed confidence.
🔹 Overcoming Anxiety and Negative Thinking
Discover how RTT® helped this client quiet the inner critic, ease anxious thoughts, and feel genuinely at peace again.
🔹 A Midlife Breakthrough – RTT® for Alcohol Misuse and Self-Esteem
Find out how this client transformed long-standing habits and rebuilt a healthier relationship with herself – and with life.
🔹 From Self-Doubt to Self-Worth – RTT® Hypnotherapy in Action
See how this client uncovered the root of low self-worth and stepped into a stronger, more confident version of herself.
🔹 How to Stop Thinking You’re Not Good Enough
Discover how RTT® helped this client rewrite deep-rooted beliefs and finally feel “good enough” – just as they are.
🔹 From Overthinking & People-Pleasing to Calm Confidence
See how RTT® helped this client quiet the mental noise, let go of the need to please, and step into a calmer, more confident version of themselves.
What my clients say:
I approached Joanna to help with my anxiety prior to starting a new job, I had lost confidence, suffered conflicting thoughts and was unable to stand up for myself. Joanna was so supportive and friendly throughout the process. I really appreciated the follow-up calls that took place every week for a month as part of the process as I could discuss any issues or concerns, while working on letting go of the old beliefs.She has helped me to become more aware of subconscious negative thoughts and focus on new, positive beliefs and feelings. I highly recommend Jo as the techniques she applies are very helpful in improving your way of thinking and having better outcomes in life! – Diana P, London
Joanna has been incredible in helping me with letting go of old beliefs that were no longer serving me, in fact they were holding me back. She was supportive and encouraging through the entire process and has been wonderful to work with. Di G, London
Having worked with Joanna to overcome phobias about driving over heights and down steep slopes using hypnotherapy I can highly recommend her. She is reassuring and considerate both pre and post hypnotherapy and the follow-ups have been excellent. You do need to put in some post hypnotherapy work yourself and if you are prepared to work at this then you will see a difference. Thank you Joanna. – Gill G, London
It’s such a relief to find a way of letting go of my chronic anxiety, those negative, critical thoughts playing in my head all day which were dragging me down and actually depressing me. It’s so good to know that I can change my thinking by understanding more about how I developed my old beliefs. I did not think it was possible. Thanks Joanna. – Julian, Derby
I hadn’t really realised that for all my life, I’d let other people decide how I feel. Until the session, I didn’t connect that my fears and anxiety, driven by my desire to be liked by other people, was what was holding me back. I can see this now, it is so clear to me. I thought at first people would not like the change in me, and instead I find that I get more respect now and this feels great. Thank you so much Joanna – Danny, London,
Joanna helped me to identify my negative thoughts, she showed me how my view of myself could be seen from a different perspective, this was a game changer. I’ve always thought and been told that I am a very negative person, I knew this but I didn’t know how to be any different, now I have left all that unpleasantness and difficulty behind me. I feel free, I feel wonderful – thank you! – Nat, Bromley
Joanna is just so lovely and is helping me with anxiety and a negative event that made it worse, her recording is amazing and she has such a gentle, calm voice. I wish I’d found her sooner! Highly recommend her. – Larysa, London
I’ve always believed that I was not calm and confident about anything. Ever sine I can remember my inside world felt chaotic, total chaos, as if something was missing. It was just a horrible feeling. Thanks to the session and all the follow up support I’ve turned this feeling around. I will never go back there. Amazing, thank you Joanna.– Marta, London