Your Guide to What Hypnotherapy Is (and How It Works) — Sydney and Online

If you’ve been searching what is hypnotherapy, you’re probably looking for two things: solution that actually helps, and clarity about what you’re saying yes to. You want to know what hypnotherapy is, what it feels like, and whether you’ll be in control.

This page is here to be an educational resource first. If you’d like to talk it through after reading, you’re welcome to book a free consultation.

I work with clients in Sydney (Balmain/Five Dock) and online internationally.

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A quick personal note (because skepticism is normal)

Years ago, I was skeptical about hypnotherapy too.

A friend of mine saw a Sydney hypnotherapist for weight loss, and I remember peppering her with questions straight away: “Were you in control?” “Do you remember what happened?” “Did you feel safe?”

She reassured me immediately. She said she was aware the whole time, she could hear everything, she knew what was going on — she just felt deeply relaxed and focused.

That conversation was the moment I felt willing to try hypnotherapy for myself. And once I experienced it, and saw how effective it could be when it’s done ethically and well, it set me on the path to becoming a hypnotherapist instead of going down the clinical psychotherapy path.

And here’s the thing, it’s completely normal to feel skeptical about something you haven’t experienced, especially when it’s been portrayed as mysterious, dramatic, or a bit “woo.”

That’s why I created this guide, to explain hypnotherapy in a clear, digestible way, and to answer the questions I hear most often: what it is, how it works, what it feels like, and how you stay in control.

Looking for hypnotherapy in Sydney (Inner West)? Learn more about sessions in Balmain and Five Dock here: Sydney Hypnotherapy →

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that uses hypnosis as part of the change process.

Hypnosis is a calm, focused state of attention — the kind we naturally slip into when we’re absorbed in a great book, driving a familiar route on autopilot, or simply daydreaming. You’re still aware and in control — just calmer, more focused, and less pulled around by mental noise.

In that state, it’s often easier to notice and work with the patterns we don’t choose on purpose, the automatic reactions our mind and nervous system have learned over time. The ones that kick in before we’ve even had a chance to “think it through.”

In hypnotherapy, we use that state to work with the patterns that run automatically in the background — the stress responses, fears, and beliefs that can keep showing up even when we logically know better.

People often explore hypnotherapy for things like:

anxiety and feeling “on edge”
overthinking and mental loops that won’t switch off
self-doubt, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome
confidence and performance pressure
habits or reactions that feel hard to shift through insight alone

This isn’t about “fixing” you or making you someone else. It’s a collaborative process that helps you feel more settled and secure in yourself — so your choices feel more aligned with what you truly want, rather than being driven by old protection patterns or external pressure.

If you’re wondering how hypnosis helps with that, the next section explains what’s happening in the mind and nervous system.

How Does Hypnotherapy Work?
(What’s Actually Happening)

Most of our emotional reactions and habits run on autopilot. They’re learned through repetition, stress, life experiences, and the meaning our mind has made over time.

When we’re stressed or overthinking, the mind often stays in “analysis mode”, explaining, justifying, and scanning for what could go wrong. That can be useful… and it can also keep the same pattern looping.

In hypnosis, that analytical layer often softens. Not because you lose control, but because your nervous system settles and your attention becomes more focused. From there, we can work with what’s driving the pattern underneath the surface.

Some hypnotherapy uses more direct language, and some uses gentler, indirect language (often through stories or metaphors). Either way, it only works when it aligns with your goals and your values.

You remain in control throughout. In fact, your mind won’t “take on” suggestions that go against what you truly want because real change is the kind your system is ready to choose.

1) You shift from busy thinking into focused attention

High-functioning minds are brilliant at analysing, explaining, and pushing through. That skill can be useful — but it can also keep the same pattern looping.

In a hypnotic state, your attention becomes more focused and your inner world often feels quieter. That can make it easier to notice what’s really driving a reaction and practise new ways of responding.

2) You can access the emotional "Why" — without forcing it

Many people describe hypnotherapy as a state where they’re more honest with themselves. Not harshly, just clearly.

When your system feels safe enough to soften the guard, you can often connect with the emotional root of a pattern (the part that logic can’t always reach). We do this gently, at a pace your nervous system can handle.

3) You update learned patterns (and practise new ones)

Most patterns started for a reason. Your mind learned a response that helped you cope at the time — and it kept using it because it was familiar.

Hypnotherapy can support you to update that response so it fits your current life. This is also where concepts like neuroplasticity (the brain’s capacity to change through experience and repetition) are helpful — simply as a reminder that the brain can learn new responses through experience and repetition.

Some hypnotherapy approaches use more direct language, and some uses gentler, indirect language (often through stories or metaphors). Either way, the process works when it aligns with your goals and your values.

You remain in control throughout. In fact, your mind won’t “take on” suggestions that go against what you truly want because real change is the kind your system is ready to choose.

What Does Hypnotherapy Feel Like?

Most people are surprised by how normal it feels.

It’s often described as:

Feeling deeply relaxed in the body but present in the mind
feeling focused, like your mind is quieter
calmer, especially if you tend to live in your head
reflective, with more space between thoughts
noticing sensations, emotions, thoughts, or memories (sometimes subtle)
feeling emotionally moved but in a contained, manageable way

Many clients often say they feel rested afterwards like they’ve had a really good nap. Others feel a bit tired (especially after a big internal shift), but also lighter, like something heavy has been put down.

You don’t need to “go deep” or have a dramatic experience for hypnotherapy to be helpful. When you’re used to thinking things through and pushing on, real change arrives quietly. It lands best when it’s gentle, consistent, and integrated.

Quick Answers To Common Concerns

Will I be in control when in hypnosis?

Yes. Hypnosis isn’t something that’s “done to you.” It’s something we do with you, in collaboration.

In a professional, trauma-informed hypnotherapy approach:

you can hear what’s happening
you can speak and ask questions
you can pause, stop, or change direction at any time
you won’t be made to do anything against your values

What if I can’t relax — can I still be hypnotised?

Yes. Most people can experience hypnosis in their own way, even if they have a busy mind, and relaxation doesn’t come easily.

Hypnosis isn’t something you “perform perfectly.” It’s a natural shift in attention. Some people feel deeply calm straight away. Others feel more alert at first, and the relaxation comes gradually as the nervous system realises it’s safe.

Sometimes it takes more than one session to relax more deeply, not because you’re doing it wrong, but because it can feel easier once you’re familiar with the process and with me. It can also vary from session to session depending on what your mind and body are carrying that day.

If you’re thinking, “I’m too analytical for this,” or “My mind won’t switch off,” that’s not a deal-breaker. We work with what’s true for you, at your pace, and the process adapts to how your mind works.

A helpful way to think about it is this: you don’t need to be perfectly relaxed — you just need to be willing to follow guidance and stay engaged. Many people only realise how deeply they went once they open their eyes at the end of the session.

Do you have to remember your childhood?

Some hypnotherapy approaches do explore early experiences, and when memories come up naturally they can be useful. But no — you don’t need perfect memories of your childhood for hypnotherapy to help.

You also don’t need to tell me your entire life story or relive every detail for us to make progress.

What matters most isn’t every fact. It’s your internal experience — things like:

what you feel
what triggers the reaction
what your mind and body learned to do in response

If memories surface, we can work with them carefully and at your pace. If they don’t, we work with what’s here now — sensations, emotions, beliefs, and patterns — and you can still make meaningful shifts.

What if I can’t visualise? (Aphantasia and hypnotherapy)

It certainly helps and makes the process faster. However, you don’t have to be “good at visualising” to benefit from hypnotherapy.

Some people have aphantasia (little to no mental imagery). That doesn’t automatically rule out hypnosis. In fact I know really good hypnotherapists who have aphantasia themselves.

We can guide the process through other channels, like:

body sensations (felt sense)
emotions and mood shifts
thoughts and inner dialogue
concepts and “knowing” without pictures
sound, words, meaning, memory fragments

What matters most is willingness to engage and a process that adapts to how your mind works.

Common Myths About Hypnotherapy
(and What’s Actually True)

Myth #1

“I’ll black out and lose control.”

You’re not asleep, not unconscious, and you don’t “black out” during hypnosis. You’ll usually remember what we discussed in the session — and like any experience, some details may fade with time.

You also stay in control of what you share. You won’t reveal “secrets,” and I can’t make you say or do anything you don’t want to.

Myth #2

“Only weak-minded people can be hypnotised.”

Hypnosis isn’t about being weak-minded or easily influenced. You don’t need to be “super suggestible.” To experience hypnosis, you simply need to be willing to follow guidance and stay engaged.

And if you don’t want to go into hypnosis, you can’t be forced. It’s not something that’s done to you. It’s something you participate in.

Myth #3

“Hypnotherapy is a woo-woo.”

Hypnotherapy isn’t magic, and it doesn’t turn you into a different person. What it can do is help you work with the patterns you already have so you can respond in ways that feel more like you.

Hypnosis has been studied for decades and is described and discussed by mainstream professional and medical organisations, including the American Psychological Association (APA).

Myth #4

“If I don’t change instantly, it didn’t work.”

Change can happen in different ways. Sometimes it’s immediate. Sometimes it builds gradually over time. And sometimes it’s retrospective, when you look back and realise you’ve been responding differently without noticing it in the moment.

Hypnosis can make it easier to work with automatic patterns but you’re still an active participant in the change.

Hypnotherapy is the art of reshaping thoughts, the science of reprogramming beliefs, and the journey to rediscover the incredible power within.

Want quick answers without reading the full guide? Visit the FAQs.

Is Hypnotherapy Safe?

For most people, hypnotherapy feels calming and safe. You’re not unconscious, and you’re not “handing over control.” You stay aware, and you can pause or stop at any time.

The biggest factor is who you work with and how they work. A good session should feel steady and respectful, not rushed, not pushy, and not like you’re being talked into anything.

If you’d like a general overview from reputable organisations, you can read more here:

Better Health Channel (Australia)
NHS (UK) overview of hypnotherapy
Royal College of Psychiatrists: hypnosis and hypnotherapy

If you have a trauma history, it’s worth mentioning it early so your hypnotherapist can pace the work appropriately and make sure it’s the right fit for you. And if you’re currently experiencing severe symptoms (for example, psychosis/mania, or you don’t feel safe in yourself), hypnotherapy may not be the best first step — support from a GP, psychologist, or crisis service is usually the safest place to start.

This page is general information and isn’t a substitute for personal medical or mental health advice.

What Can Hypnotherapy Help With?

People explore hypnotherapy for all sorts of reasons, but the most common themes I see include:

anxiety that keeps returning even when life looks “fine”
overthinking that won’t switch off (replaying conversations, second-guessing decisions)
self-doubt, imposter feelings, fear of getting it wrong
perfectionism, people-pleasing, pressure, and burnout cycles
confidence, performance nerves, and speaking up
fears and phobias

If you’d like help choosing a good starting point, you can explore:

Work With Me (how we can work together)
Hypnotherapy for Anxiety & Self-Doubt

How to Know If Hypnotherapy Is Right for You

A lot of people don’t start by looking for hypnotherapy. They arrive here after they’ve tried the “logical” options — thinking it through, talking it out, pushing through — and the pattern still shows up.

In my experience, people usually arrive here for one of two reasons:

“I understand it logically, but my body still reacts.” (anxiety, panic, phobias, imposter syndrome, fear of judgement)
“I’ve tried everything I know to try, and I’m still stuck in the same loop.” (confidence, repeating habits, procrastination, people pleasing)

Signs hypnotherapy may be a good fit

Hypnotherapy may suit you if:

you’ve tried insight and strategies, but the pattern keeps returning
you can explain the issue, yet it still triggers you emotionally or physically
you want a calm, structured approach — not hype and not a “quick fix” promise
you’re open to working gently with what’s underneath the pattern (not just managing the symptoms)
you’re willing to participate in the process and apply what we uncover in real life

When it might not be the best first step

If you’re currently in crisis, don’t feel safe in yourself, or you’re experiencing severe symptoms that need specialist care, the safest first step is usually support from a GP, psychologist, or crisis service.

If you’re unsure

That’s completely normal. You don’t need 100% certainty to take a first step, just enough curiosity to have a conversation. A free consultation can help you decide whether this feels like the right fit, and you can also read What to Expect before you book anything.

Hypnotherapy in-person in Sydney vs Online
(what’s the difference?)

In-person hypnotherapy can be great if you want:

a dedicated space away from home stress
fewer tech variables
the grounding feeling of being physically supported in a calm room

If you’re in Sydney (Balmain & Five Dock) we can discuss what’s best. If you’re elsewhere, online sessions can still be a steady, supportive option.

Online hypnotherapy can be great if you want:

convenience (no travel, easier to fit into a busy schedule)
the comfort of your own space
continuity when life is unpredictable

If you’re leaning toward online support, you can read more here: Hypnotherapy Online.

Is Hypnotherapy Evidence-Based?

Is hypnotherapy "legit"? It’s a fair question, especially because hypnotherapy gets misrepresented so often.

Hypnotherapy is commonly described as evidence-informed. In plain English, that means there’s research and clinical use supporting hypnosis-based approaches in certain areas, but it isn’t a guaranteed “one-size-fits-all” solution.

A few honest things to know:

results vary depending on the person and what they’re working on
the quality of the work matters (training, ethics, and how safe you feel with the practitioner)
it’s rarely a “magic one-session fix,” even though that idea gets marketed online
progress can be immediate, gradual, or something you notice in hindsight as your reactions shift

In my work, “evidence-informed” also means we keep things practical: clear goals, a steady pace, consent, and real-life integration between sessions, so you’re not just having insights, you’re actually able to apply them.

If you’d like, we can talk in a free consultation about what’s realistic for your situation and what progress could look like for you.

What Happens in a Hypnotherapy Session at Everyday Mindset?

This isn’t a script. It’s a supportive process shaped around you.

A session usually includes:

a calm check-in (what’s been happening, what matters today)
agreeing on a clear focus for the session
a guided, relaxed state of attention (hypnosis often feels like calm, focused daydreaming)
therapeutic guidance shaped around your goal
time to come back, reflect, and decide next steps

I keep the process simple on purpose. You don’t need to understand a bunch of techniques or choose the “right method.” I’ll guide you using my toolkit of non-invasive approaches, and we’ll stick to what supports your goal and feels comfortable.

Want the step-by-step version? Read: What to Expect

Your Next Step

If you’re considering hypnotherapy and want to talk it through, I offer a free consultation.

In that call, we can:

clarify what you’re experiencing
answer any questions you may have about the process
identify what feels most important to shift
explore whether this approach fits, and what support could look like

Book a Free Consultation