Should I pay for hypnotherapy?

We live in an age where information is readily available at our fingertips. With the likes of Google, Siri, Alexa, and countless other apps, we are inundated with a wealth of knowledge. People all over the world are taking on the roles of our tradespeople when it comes to having a go at fixing our electrical devices, such as washing machines, dishwashers, laptops, and many more. And why wouldn’t they, when watching a five-minute video tutorial could save them from pricey call-out fees or the need to replace the items. It’s got to be worth a try, right? 

I’m sure it won’t surprise anyone that hypnotherapy tracks can also be downloaded or streamed online. A simple search on Google or YouTube and you will get dozens of tracks covering a whole range of topics, such as anxiety, relaxation and insomnia. 

So if the choice is to listen to a free track off the Internet or paying to see a qualified hypnotherapist, why would you choose to spend your money on this? 

While these recordings can be very successful for some, for others, they may fall short of the mark. This may lead people to come to the conclusion that they are not susceptible to hypnotherapy and therefore, rule it out as a potential solution. When actually, listening to a generic session, in conditions that are not optimised for hypnotherapy, may actually be the problem. 

How does this process differ, if you were to pay for hypnotherapy treatment instead?

Well, first of all, clients tend to choose a hypnotherapist that they have some sort of connection with. Rapport will start to form even before you have spoken to them; gaining a vital first impression from their photo or their website, for example. You may have phoned around and spoken to several people before making a choice. And when it comes to therapy of any type, price is definitely not the only contributing factor for prospective clients. 

I guess you have to ask yourself, how much will this change benefit your life? And if the answer is significantly, then is it worth scrimping and saving on.

People want to feel safe and so they choose the person who they feel most connected to. Establishing trust is key to the process. Especially if you are unsure about hypnotherapy, or have doubts about whether you can be hypnotised. 

Working with a hypnotherapist

The therapist will discuss with you the process, detailing what it will feel like to be in a hypnotic state. It’s a common misconception that people are unaware of what is going on, that it’s something that is done to them and that they are there in body only. But this is not the case. Instead, it is simply about inducing a state of relaxation that enables your conscious mind to rest. 

When people experience the reality of hypnotherapy and find it differs from their expectations, they can often assume that it didn’t work – that they are not susceptible to hypnosis. And they lose trust in the process. Whereas, discussing what to expect before you start, can really help you to recognise when you reach this hypnotic state. 

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns. And in doing so, it will help you to feel more at ease and build further trust between you and the hypnotherapist. Remember, if at any point you don’t feel comfortable, you have the right to terminate the session and leave. 

Another common misconception about hypnotherapy is that you should lie down and relax. And so many people will take to their beds while listening to a recording. However, while it is very important you relax and feel comfortable, your bed is for sleeping in. And sleep is not conducive to hypnosis. Your mind needs to absorb the suggestions that are being made to it, instead of wandering off into a world of dreams. 

So when you pay for hypnotherapy, the therapist will talk you through how to sit comfortably for the session. They will create a quiet and calming space for you to be in. This may be in their own therapy room, or if the session is being conducted online, they will talk you through recreating this space for yourself.   

But most importantly, the therapist will tailor the session to meet your needs. The more we can relate to what is being said to us, the more we will positively respond to these suggestions. 

Tailored hypnotherapy sessions

Firstly, we all have different levels of susceptibility to hypnosis. Here the therapist will be observing your body language during the session. As we enter into a deep state of relaxation, they will notice a change in your breathing, or a flickering of your eyelids, for example. For some of us, this may take longer to achieve than others. And so, therefore, for these people, they will extend the introductory Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) part of the session. They may even use what is known as a Deepener technique, to help you to reach the optimum state needed for hypnosis to be successful. 

The hypnotherapist will also want to know what your preferred modality is, whether you favour visual, auditory, or kinaesthetic styles. This is often used to optimise somebody’s ability to learn by engaging them with tools and techniques designed to meet their specific learning style such as a demonstration, a podcast or actually trying out what they have learned. 

When you pay for hypnotherapy, the therapist will talk you through how to sit comfortably for the session… But most importantly, the therapist will tailor the session to meet your needs.

Some therapists may ask you to complete a questionnaire to establish what your preferred modality is, while others may just observe your language. If you say things like, “I can imagine…”, you are a visual person. If you say things like “I feel…”, they will identify that you are kinaesthetic. And this can then be incorporated into the language used in the session. Helping you to visualise, hear or feel what they are saying; bringing their words to life.

While many of us have a mix of modalities, we all have a prominent one. So the therapist can ensure that while engaging all of your senses into the session through their choice of words, your preferred style is favoured within the suggestions that they present to you. 

The session can also be personalised by bringing in the elements that are important to you. This may be by introducing loved ones into what they’re saying. Or maybe symbols that are influential in your life. Even using certain terms or language that you use can be really powerful for change.   

And ultimately, all of our thoughts and behaviours, even the negative ones, have been put in place by our mind in response to some sort of trigger. While we may have these thoughts and behaviours in common with other people, the trigger is unique to us. It may have been in response to something our parents said or did. Or maybe a trauma of some description. But by tailoring the solution to treat the problem as a whole rather than just addressing the issue that you want to change, you can increase the chances of success.   

So while I am all for saving my money on unnecessary spending – well OK, maybe not all unnecessary spending – I guess you have to ask yourself, how much will this change benefit your life? And if the answer is significantly, then is it worth scrimping and saving on? 

Have more questions? Read about the cost of hypnotherapy, and what to expect from sessions in our FAQs. And if you’re ready to contact a hypnotherapist, we have over 1,000 therapists working online and across the UK, waiting to hear from you.

If you found this useful, you can read Melanie’s other articles, Can hypnotherapy work on Zoom?, and Does hypnotherapy really work?.