Some common anxieties and concerns answered:

Not remembering anything afterwards – There is not necessarily amnesia following a hypnosis session. Usually you will have full recollection, unless you have chosen, or it has been deemed beneficial to block specific memories.

Losing control – During hypnosis you are fully aware, and fully in control. Like the everyday trance experiences described previously, you never lose control. For example, if during a hypnosis session the subject became aware that the building was on fire, the subject would open their eyes and return to ‘normal’ without any prompting.

Not ‘waking up’ afterwards – If you are tired, you may fall asleep, however, no-one has ever been ‘stuck’ in trance. You would wake up naturally if unprompted.

Hypnosis may be dangerous – As discussed earlier, hypnotic trance can be compared to natural, everyday trance. So long as hypnosis is used by a responsible professional there should be no concerns regarding safety.

Being hypnotised against your will – It is impossible to trick someone into hypnosis or hypnotise someone who does not wish it to happen. The subject is in complete control at all times.

Being made to do something you would not normally do when hypnotised – A subject would never do anything which is against their morals or beliefs while hypnotised. A hypnotist can not make someone rob a bank, unless they wanted to rob a bank anyway!

Hypnosis might lead to unwilling disclosures – A subject will never disclose any information unless they are entirely comfortable to do so. Often it is not necessary for the hypnotist to know the exact details of the problem, so long as the subject is aware of them and the significance they may play to their treatment. Due to the confidential nature of the patient – hypnotist relationship, many people are surprised that they are happy to discuss issues which they may have never discussed before with anyone. This can happen if you have a good rapport with your hypnotist and can fully trust them.