You’re planning to go to your first hypnosis session. However, you have no idea what to expect. The six tips below are designed to help you make the most out of your session. Look them over before the session and write down your intentions and any questions that you may have about hypnosis, the process, or any of the stories you’ve heard about hypnosis. The more prepared you are going into the session, the more productive the session.
Learn more about hypnosis and its benefits by visiting the “About Hypnosis” page.
1. Be Open-Minded:
The first step to making your hypnosis session more effective is to be open-minded. Trust the hypnotist’s expertise and avoid assuming you know the solution or how to conduct the session. After all, you’re paying for his or her expertise.
It’s important to avoid being overly skeptical or cynical. It’s ok to be skeptical. Most people are. In fact, skeptics make some of the best clients because they ask questions so that they can understand the process. This is a very good thing!
Being cynical on the other hand is setting yourself up for failure. Here’s a bonus tip. If you’re cynical just walk away. If you don’t believe that hypnosis will work for you it won’t. Save your time and money.
Finally, approach the session with a positive and curious mindset. This will give you the best possible experience and outcome.
2. Have a Clear Intent for the Session.
Before the session, determine what specific issue or problem you want to address. If you have multiple issues, that’s ok. Make a list and bring them to your session. Go over them with your hypnotist. Often the hypnotist will recognize that several of the issues are linked together and resolving one may clear some of the others. Then together choose which issue to focus on for the session.
3. Make Sure All of Your Concerns Are Addressed.
The most common reason that people fail to go into hypnosis is fear. Remember, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis (see What is Hypnosis?). You hypnotize yourself. If you’re afraid then you won’t follow the instructions and as a result, you won’t allow yourself to enter the hypnotic state.
Ask questions about the hypnosis process and what to expect. Seek clarification on any instructions given, so you know precisely what to do. Make sure to follow up with the hypnotist after the session to address any remaining concerns.
4. Make Sure That You Are Physically Comfortable.
Being physically comfortable during the session is crucial. Dress comfortably and in loose-fitting clothing that won’t restrict your movements or breathing. Use a comfortable chair or recliner during the session. Ensure that the room temperature is comfortable for you. If you feel cold or hot, let the hypnotist know, so they can adjust the temperature accordingly.
Using pillows or blankets if needed for support or warmth is also a good idea. Avoid hunger or thirst by eating and drinking beforehand, so your body is not distracted by physical issues. Additionally, make sure your bladder is empty before the session, so you don’t have to interrupt the session to use the restroom.
If during the session you need to adjust your body or scratch an itch, go ahead and do it. It won’t affect the hypnosis. On the other hand, allowing yourself to remain uncomfortable will distract you, making the session less effective.
5. Follow Instructions During the Session.
All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, which means that you are in control of the process. If you don’t follow the instructions, you will not move into a state of hypnosis and the session will be a waste of time. It’s that simple. Here’s a story from my early experience with hypnosis that illustrates this point
My first experience with hypnosis was listening to hypnosis recordings. These recordings did not come with any instructions so I just put them on the tape player and listened. I thought that if I passively listened to the recording “magic” would happen. It didn’t. So off I’d go an buy another recording and repeat the process. Nothing ever happened. It wasn’t until I trained as a hypnotist that I understood why the recording didn’t work. I was just lying there passively listening. What I found out was that hypnosis is a participant sport. You need to actively follow and do the instruction.
Now that you know to follow the instructions, what might prevent you from going into hypnosis, is fear. Fear is the biggest reason clients do not follow instructions (see point 3). If you have some concerns as you start the actual hypnosis process, stop the hypnotist and get your concern addressed.
After the session, follow any instructions given as “take-home” exercises. These exercises will help reinforce the positive suggestions given during the session, and they will help you continue
6. Say Yes
During a hypnosis session, the hypnotist will provide you with suggestions that are designed to help you achieve your goal. To make the most out of your session, it’s important to say “yes” to these suggestions
When you say “yes,” you are essentially giving your subconscious mind permission to accept the suggestion. Here’s an example of how this might work. The hypnotist says something like “Imagine the color red”. In your mind, you say “Yes, I’m imagining the color red” or just “Yes”. And then actually imagine the color red.
Saying yes has several benefits. First, you’ll move the suggestion into your subconscious mind which will move you toward your goal. Second, you’ll find that you go deeper into the hypnotic state (it’s very enjoyable).
Continue to say yes to all of the suggestions that you agree with throughout the session. If there is a suggestion that you don’t agree with then simply say in your mind, “NO”. You’re in total control of what suggestions you accept and reject.
One last thing, avoid using “I’ll try” and “I hope” or any variation along these lines. Why? Because both of these are “wiggle” phrases that really mean “No” as in “I’ll try to make the party” which actually means “I”m not really going to go, I just don’t want to say no”. Using these phrases or similar phrases is the same as saying NO. Don’t do it if you want your session to be successful. Only use “Yes” or “No”.
Remember “Try not. Do or do not. There is no try – Yoda”
Conclusion
There you have it, 6 tips to make your hypnosis session more effective. Now, get going and book your first session!”