FAQ’s
Frequently Asked Questions About Hypnosis (updated 2026)
Answered by:
Mark Barrus, Director of Healthy Life Centers
Q: Is one-on-one hypnosis better than a group stop-smoking seminar?
A: For most people, yes. Group seminars often leave people disappointed because every smoking habit is different — while there may be similarities, no two situations are exactly alike. Think of it this way: attending a group seminar is like visiting your doctor with 50 other people in the room. It’s nearly impossible to get the personalized care you need. A one-on-one hypnotherapy session lets me focus entirely on your specific smoking habit and triggers, which is why individualized sessions tend to get better results. If you’re serious about becoming a non-smoker, start with a free consultation — call or text 888-865-1870.Q: Will I reveal personal secrets while hypnotized?
A: No. During hypnosis, you never say or do anything you don’t want to. If a suggestion ever went against your morals or beliefs, you’d simply come out of the hypnotic state on your own.Q: Will I remember my hypnotherapy session afterward?
A: That depends on how deeply you go into hypnosis. Most people remember all or part of the session. In the days after, you’ll often notice the suggestions resurfacing in your conscious mind — helping reinforce the changes you want in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.Q: Are there any side effects of hypnosis?
A: The only “side effects” of hypnosis are positive ones. Many people feel more relaxed, calm, and optimistic about their goals afterward. Hypnosis is a safe, natural state of mind — not a medical procedure with risks.Q: What does it feel like to be hypnotized?
A: Everyone’s experience is a little different. Some people feel pleasantly heavy, while others describe feeling like they’re floating. Almost everyone agrees they’ve never felt more relaxed — it’s often compared to a very deep meditation, where the mind slows down and the body fully unwinds.Q: Can someone be hypnotized against their will?
A: No. Hypnosis is always a cooperative process. A hypnotherapist can guide you into hypnosis, but only if you’re willing to go there. If you resist, it simply won’t work.Q: I tried hypnotherapy before and it didn’t work — does that mean I can’t be hypnotized?
A: Not at all. The most common reason hypnosis doesn’t work the first time is a lack of rapport with the therapist, or not being fully ready to make the change. Success with hypnosis comes down to believing change is possible and working with a hypnotherapist you trust and feel comfortable with.Q: How do I know I’ll wake up from hypnosis?
A: Nobody has ever remained in a hypnotic state permanently. Even if a session were interrupted, you would naturally and automatically return to full waking awareness on your own.Q: Do I need to remember past memories for hypnotherapy to work?
A: Not always. In some cases, repressed memories contribute to a current issue, and bringing them into awareness can help you see them in a new light. But in many cases, we can work directly on the root of the problem — like a smoking habit — without needing to revisit the past in detail.Q: Am I asleep while under hypnosis?
A: No — you remain aware of everything happening during the session. You may move through different levels of relaxation and awareness, but your unconscious mind stays fully active the entire time. That’s the part of you a hypnotherapist works with to create lasting behavioral change.
What Is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a relaxed, focused mental state in which your unconscious mind becomes more open and receptive to positive suggestions. In this state, it’s easier to tune out worries and distractions, access the subconscious mind, and reprogram it in a healthy, empowering way. Many people compare hypnosis to the deeply relaxed state between wakefulness and sleep. While in hypnosis, the conscious mind takes a less active role, allowing a hypnotherapist to work more directly with the subconscious to support lasting change — such as quitting smoking for good.What Hypnosis Is Not
Contrary to what movies and stage shows suggest, hypnosis is not mind control. Modern research confirms that you always retain free will during hypnosis — if you don’t want to do something, you simply won’t. A hypnotherapist cannot make you act against your values or wishes. Real hypnotherapy is a collaborative process: you decide to make the change, and the hypnotherapist guides you through achieving it.
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In addition to stress relief, smoking cessation, and weight management, hypnosis can also help with a wide range of other concerns. I can work with you on:
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Building self-esteem and confidence
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Reducing obsessive behaviors
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Supporting general health improvements
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Addressing sexual dysfunctions
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Changing drinking habits or alcoholism
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Overcoming drug habits and addictions
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Improving relationships and resolving marital challenges
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Managing anxiety, phobias, and depression
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Easing insomnia and improving sleep
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Enhancing memory and focus
Whatever challenge you’re facing, hypnosis offers a safe and effective way to tap into your subconscious mind and create lasting, positive change.
