There are many questions and curiosities regarding a hypnosis session. And you, probably, have wondered about some of them! 

Doubts are common especially because there is a certain spectacularization of hypnosis, which ends up becoming a “show,” what we usually call “stage hypnosis.” 

Unlike this format, therapy with hypnosis, or hypnotherapy, is a therapeutic process. 

Despite what many say, under no circumstances does a hypnosis session leave the patient “out of their mind” or in a “state from which they will never emerge.” In fact, be very cautious of myths about hypnosis! 

But, after all, how does a hypnosis session work in practice? Understand everything below! 

The stages of a hypnosis session

Basically, a hypnosis session can be divided into 6 stages:

1. Anamnesis
2. Preliminary conversation
3. Start of hypnosis
4. Therapy
5. New suggestions
6. Emergence from hypnosis

We will explain each of them below.

1. Anamnesis: time for the hypnotherapist to get to know you

Anamnesis is the “interview” that the therapist conducts before starting the process. It’s when they investigate and understand:

• What exactly the patient seeks with hypnotherapy,
• What their biggest difficulties are,
• The complexity of the challenge they seek to resolve,
• Possible causes for this problem,
• Among other questions to better understand them and their context.

This stage is very important because each case is unique. 

The technique used in a hypnosis session is the same, but the way it is applied and the manner of conducting the treatment will vary according to the patient. 

Therefore, it is also essential that the patient is 100% honest with themselves and the therapist, always remembering that they are not there to judge, but to guide you in a therapeutic process. 

2. Preliminary conversation 

This is the part where the therapist explains everything about the hypnosis session. This is the best time for the patient to clear up all their doubts and ensure they have chosen the right treatment for the goal they want to achieve.

You can debunk all those myths that have been told, from “I will be forced to do something I don’t want” to “Can I get stuck in hypnosis?”

The purpose of this stage is precisely to clarify for the patient everything that will happen during the treatment and also to provide tips on how the process can be facilitated.

This is when the patient discovers if they feel safe and confident to proceed with hypnotherapy. If so, it’s time to move forward! 

3. Start of the actual hypnosis 

Here, we begin what we call “induction,” a technique that introduces the patient to the state of hypnosis. This usually happens through a process of physical and mental relaxation. 

Many people expect something magical at this moment, but hypnosis does not induce any out-of-this-world sensation. It is a state you naturally enter and exit several times throughout the day. 

4. The therapy 

This is the moment to reframe experiences, transforming negative emotions into positive ones, thus increasing learnings and dealing more functionally with traumas. 

In therapy, we outline our goals and visualize in detail the changes we would like to have. 

It is common that at the end of this phase, patients feel a sense of relief and freedom, and this usually makes all the difference in their lives. 

5. New suggestions 

After having sufficiently explored the specific topics indicated by the patient, it is time to direct new positive suggestions, always according to what the patient expects. 

It is possible to direct positive suggestions so that the person has the opportunity to feel even better, happier, and more motivated. 

This phase of the hypnosis session usually enhances the results of the therapeutic treatment. 

6. Emergence from hypnosis 

This is the final moment of the hypnosis session. It is when the therapist helps the client to return their attention to the present moment and, consequently, emerge from hypnosis. 

Gradually, the patient exits the state of relaxation to which they were induced. 

From this point, the therapist and the patient can discuss the hypnosis session, highlight details, and much more. Everything depends on how each one works. 

The number of hypnosis sessions also varies according to each patient and professional. The most important thing is to be willing and open to the treatment! 

And remember: hypnotherapy can help you overcome various problems and challenges. Hypnosis aids in the treatment of insomnia, depression, and is even used as an ally for those who wish to lose weight. We have several contents on the blog about these topics. 

How about having your first hypnosis session? Look for therapists in your area for online or in-person appointments. Visit app.www.hipnose.com.br.

This publication is also available at: Portuguese (Brazil) Spanish