Hypnotherapy: What It Is, How It Works & How It Can Help You​

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Hypnotherapy in Cairns and online is a clinical, evidence-informed approach used to support anxiety, stress, smoking cessation, weight loss, portion control for losing weight, confidence, fears, phobias and emotional wellbeing.

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Hypnotherapy is a proven, evidence-informed approach that works with the subconscious mind to create meaningful, lasting change. It is commonly used to help with anxiety, stress, smoking cessation, weight loss, confidence, and unwanted habits.

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By accessing the deeper patterns that drive thoughts and behaviours, hypnotherapy focuses on resolving the root cause—not just managing surface symptoms. Sessions are available both online and in-person in Cairns, making support accessible wherever you are.

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Hypnotherapy works differently from traditional talk therapy by accessing subconscious patterns that influence behaviour, making it particularly effective for long-standing habits and emotional responses.

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What Is Hypnotherapy?

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Hypnotherapy is a guided therapeutic technique that uses focused attention and deep relaxation to access the subconscious mind. In this state—similar to being deeply absorbed in a book or daydream—your mind becomes more open to positive suggestions and change.

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Contrary to common myths, you remain fully aware and in control during hypnosis. You cannot be made to do anything against your will.

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How Does Hypnotherapy Work?

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Many of our behaviours and emotional responses are shaped by subconscious patterns developed over time. Hypnotherapy works by:

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• Relaxing the conscious mind

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• Accessing subconscious processes

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• Identifying and reframing limiting beliefs

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• Reinforcing new, supportive patterns

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Because it works at this deeper level, hypnotherapy is especially effective for issues that feel persistent or difficult to change through willpower alone.

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What Can Hypnotherapy Help With?

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Hypnotherapy can support a wide range of concerns, including:

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• Anxiety and stress

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• Depression and low mood

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• Smoking cessation

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• Weight loss and emotional eating

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• Confidence and self-esteem

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• Fears and phobias

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Explore targeted support for each area below.

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Hypnotherapy for Specific Goals

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• Hypnotherapy for Anxiety

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• Hypnotherapy for Depression

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• Stop Smoking Hypnotherapy

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• Weight Loss Hypnotherapy

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Each service is available online or in Cairns, allowing you to choose the approach that suits you best.

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Online vs In-Person Hypnotherapy

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Both formats are effective, and the choice comes down to personal preference.

Online hypnotherapy

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• Convenient and accessible from home

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• Ideal for busy schedules or remote clients

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• Provides the same structured therapeutic process

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In-person hypnotherapy (Cairns)

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• Face-to-face interaction

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• Dedicated therapeutic environment in a sound-proof room at Palm Cove in the Cairns Northern Beaches area

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• Preferred by those who value in-room support

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What Happens in a Hypnotherapy Session?

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A typical session includes:

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• Discussion of your goals and challenges

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• Guided relaxation to enter a focused state

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• Therapeutic hypnosis

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• Positive suggestion and behavioural reinforcement

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Sessions are often described as deeply calming, focused, and empowering.

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Is Hypnotherapy Safe?

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Yes. Hypnotherapy is a safe and natural process when conducted by a trained practitioner. You remain aware, in control, and able to stop at any time.

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How Effective Is Hypnotherapy?

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Effectiveness depends on the individual and the issue being addressed. However, hypnotherapy is widely used for behavioural change, anxiety reduction, and habit control.

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Many people notice improvements within a few sessions, particularly when they are motivated and engaged in the process.

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Hypnotherapy Combined with Counselling

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At Signs of Abundance, hypnotherapy is combined with counselling techniques to provide a more comprehensive and personalised approach.

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Working with both conscious and subconscious processes allows for:

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• Deeper understanding of thoughts and behaviours

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• Practical coping strategies alongside subconscious change

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• Greater emotional support throughout the process

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• More flexible and tailored sessions

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This integrated approach is particularly helpful for complex or long-standing issues such as anxiety, depression, smoking habits, and emotional eating.

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Why Work with Tara J Clarke?

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Tara J Clarke is a Clinical Hypnotherapist and qualified Counsellor, offering a combined approach that goes beyond standard hypnotherapy.

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By integrating counselling techniques into each session, Tara helps you:

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• Explore underlying emotional patterns

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• Build resilience and confidence

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• Address both immediate concerns and deeper causes

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• Receive personalised, adaptive support

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This combination provides a more holistic and effective pathway to change.

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Common Myths About Hypnotherapy

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• You cannot be controlled or manipulated

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• You will not get stuck in hypnosis

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• You are not asleep—you are aware and focused and can communicate at any moment, you are always in control. 

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Understanding these misconceptions helps remove fear and allows you to approach hypnotherapy with confidence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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How many sessions will I need?

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Many people begin to see results within 1–3 sessions, although this varies depending on your goals. For example, if you are coming for hypnotherapy to quit smoking, Tara has a 3 session program of hypnotherapy in place. 

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Does hypnotherapy really work?

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Yes. Hypnotherapy is widely used for anxiety, habits, and behavioural change, particularly when combined with counselling approaches.

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Can everyone be hypnotised?

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Most people can experience a hypnotic state if they are willing, open, and able to focus. Hypnosis is not a special or unusual state—it is a natural form of focused attention and deep relaxation that most people move in and out of every day.

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Research in clinical psychology shows that hypnotic responsiveness varies between individuals, but the majority of people are at least moderately responsive to hypnosis. Studies suggest that around 85–90% of people can achieve some level of hypnotic trance, while a smaller percentage are highly responsive (Elkins, Jensen & Patterson, 2015).

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Factors that influence hypnotic responsiveness include:

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• Willingness to participate

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• Ability to focus attention

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• Comfort with relaxation

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• Trust in the process

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Hypnotherapy is most effective when the client is engaged and open to the experience.

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Are there any exceptions as to why someone cannot be hypnotized?

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Hypnotherapy is generally not recommended for individuals experiencing active psychosis or unmanaged schizophrenia, not because hypnosis “doesn’t work,” but because these conditions can affect perception, concentration, and reality testing.

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Clinical guidelines in psychotherapy literature advise that individuals with severe mental health conditions such as active psychotic disorders should only engage in hypnosis under the supervision of a qualified mental health team, as part of integrated care (American Psychological Association, Division 30 – Society of Psychological Hypnosis).

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For most people, however—including those experiencing anxiety, stress, habits, or emotional challenges—hypnotherapy is considered safe and effective when delivered by a trained practitioner.

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Is online hypnotherapy effective?

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Yes. Current research and clinical evidence suggest that online hypnotherapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions for many people and many presenting issues, including anxiety, stress, habits, and behavioural change.

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Hypnotherapy works by guiding you into a focused, relaxed state where the subconscious mind becomes more receptive to positive therapeutic suggestions. This process does not depend on physical location, but rather on attention, rapport, and the client’s ability to engage in the experience.

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What does the research say?

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While direct head-to-head studies comparing online and in-person hypnotherapy are still limited, broader psychotherapy research provides strong evidence that telehealth psychological treatments are generally equivalent in effectiveness to face-to-face therapy.

A large body of systematic reviews in psychotherapy and behavioural health has found that outcomes delivered via video conferencing are comparable to in-person treatment across a range of conditions, particularly anxiety and stress-related disorders (Backhaus et al., 2012; Andersson et al., 2014).

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More specifically to hypnotherapy, systematic reviews of clinical hypnosis show it is effective for conditions such as pain, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and habit change (Rosendahl et al., 2024). While these studies often do not separate delivery format (online vs in-person), they consistently highlight that outcomes depend more on hypnotic responsiveness, therapeutic rapport, and intervention quality than physical setting (Elkins et al., 2015).

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Why online hypnotherapy works

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Online hypnotherapy is effective because:

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• Hypnosis is a cognitive and attentional state, not a physical one

• Clients often feel more relaxed in their own environment

• It removes barriers such as travel stress or time pressure

• It allows continuity of care, even from remote locations

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For many people, being in a familiar space actually enhances relaxation and absorption, which are key components of hypnotic responsiveness.

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Are there any differences between online and in-person sessions?

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Some clinicians note that in-person sessions allow for more observation of subtle non-verbal cues. However, trained hypnotherapists working online can still effectively guide the process using:

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• Voice tone and pacing

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• Facial expressions (via video)

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• Real-time feedback and communication

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Importantly, research on telepsychology consistently finds no clinically significant difference in outcomes between online and in-person therapy when delivered by trained professionals in appropriate settings (Backhaus et al., 2012).

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Who is online hypnotherapy best suited for?

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Online hypnotherapy may be especially helpful if you:

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• Prefer comfort and privacy at home

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• Live in regional or remote areas

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• Have anxiety around travel or in-person settings

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• Want flexible scheduling

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However, it may not be suitable for individuals who require intensive in-person psychiatric support or those in acute psychological crisis.

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Overall, the evidence suggests that online hypnotherapy is a highly effective and accessible option for most clients. Its success depends less on physical location and more on factors such as therapeutic rapport, client engagement, and the skill of the practitioner.

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For many people, online sessions provide the same depth of therapeutic benefit as in-person hypnotherapy—with the added advantages of convenience and comfort.

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What does hypnosis feel like?

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Hypnosis is often described as a state of deep relaxation combined with focused attention. Most people remain fully aware of what is happening, but their attention becomes more absorbed and inwardly focused.

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Importantly, you are not asleep or unconscious. Instead, your mind is in a highly focused, receptive state, similar to becoming completely absorbed in a book, movie, or daydream.

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What people commonly report during hypnosis

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Research in clinical hypnosis shows that people tend to describe a cluster of similar experiences during hypnotic states, including:

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• A sense of deep physical relaxation or heaviness

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• Mental calmness or quietness

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• Heightened focus on thoughts, imagery, or the therapist’s voice

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• A feeling of “drifting” or being in-between wakefulness and sleep

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• Reduced awareness of external distractions

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• Increased vividness of imagination or mental imagery

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A review of subjective hypnosis experiences found that individuals often report “absorbed attention” and “altered awareness of the environment” as core features of hypnosis (Oakley & Halligan, 2013).

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What the research says about the experience

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Neuroscience research suggests that hypnosis involves changes in attention and awareness, rather than loss of control or unconsciousness.

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Brain imaging studies show that during hypnosis:

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• Attention becomes more focused

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• Self-monitoring can temporarily quieten

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• Mental imagery becomes more vivid

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• The brain processes suggestions in a more direct way

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However, these changes still occur within normal waking consciousness rather than sleep or unconsciousness (Jensen et al., 2017).

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This helps explain why people often say things like:

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“I was aware the whole time, but deeply relaxed and focused inward.”

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Is everyone’s experience the same?

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No—hypnosis feels slightly different for everyone.

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Some people experience it as:

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• Very calm and meditative

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• Light and dreamy

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• Deeply focused and analytical

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• Emotionally insightful

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• Almost like guided daydreaming

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Others may feel only mild relaxation at first, especially in early sessions, and the experience often deepens with familiarity and trust in the process.

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A simple way to understand it

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A helpful way to think about hypnosis is:

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You are not going unconscious—you are becoming more focused on your inner experience and less distracted by the outside world.

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Will I lose control?

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No. You remain aware and in control at all times.

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Is hypnotherapy backed by science?

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Research supports hypnotherapy for areas such as anxiety, pain management, and habit change.

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Pain management (strongest evidence base)

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One of the most well-supported uses of hypnotherapy is for chronic and procedure-related pain.

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A systematic review of clinical hypnosis found significant benefits in reducing pain intensity and improving quality of life across multiple studies, particularly for chronic pain conditions (Taylor & Genkov, 2020).

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Meta-analyses also show that hypnotherapy produces moderate to large short-term reductions in pain compared to control conditions, although effects can vary depending on study quality and condition (Bowker & Dorstyn, 2016).

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

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Clinical hypnosis has some of its strongest randomized controlled trial evidence in IBS treatment.

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A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that hypnotherapy significantly improved abdominal pain and overall gastrointestinal symptoms compared with control groups, with benefits lasting in some studies up to 1 year (Moser et al., 2014).

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Anxiety, stress, and emotional regulation

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Research supports hypnotherapy as helpful for anxiety and stress-related conditions, though the evidence is more variable than for pain and IBS.

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Systematic reviews indicate that hypnosis can reduce perceived stress and anxiety symptoms, particularly when used alongside other psychological approaches (Fisch et al., 2017).

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Neuroscience research also suggests hypnosis may influence brain networks involved in attention and emotional regulation, which helps explain its calming and focus-enhancing effects (Jensen et al., 2017).

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Habit change and smoking cessation

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Hypnotherapy has been widely studied as an aid for behaviour change, including smoking cessation.

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A review by the British Medical Association concluded that hypnosis can be considered a valid adjunctive treatment for addiction-related behaviours such as smoking cessation, although outcomes are improved when combined with other interventions (e.g., counselling or behavioural support) (British Medical Association, 1892/updated reviews cited in modern clinical summaries).

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What does this mean overall?

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Across the research, a consistent pattern emerges:

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• Hypnotherapy is most effective for pain, IBS, and habit change which includes stopping a habit like smoking or depression, fear and anxiety

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• It shows moderate effectiveness for anxiety and stress

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• Outcomes improve when combined with other therapies (e.g., counselling, CBT, behavioural strategies)

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• Results vary depending on individual responsiveness, practitioner skill, and engagement

In evidence-based medicine reviews, hypnotherapy is generally classified as a “promising complementary intervention” with good support for specific conditions, rather than a universal treatment” (Elkins et al., 2015).

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Hypnotherapy is supported by scientific research, particularly in the areas of chronic pain, IBS, and behavioural change. Evidence for anxiety and depression is growing, especially when hypnotherapy is integrated with other therapeutic approaches.

Overall, it is best understood as a clinically supported tool that works with the mind’s attention and subconscious processes to support psychological and physical wellbeing.

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Can hypnotherapy help with anxiety?

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Yes. It is commonly used to reduce anxiety and retrain stress responses.

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How quickly does hypnotherapy work?

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Research in clinical hypnosis shows that outcomes vary based on several well-established factors:

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1. Hypnotic responsiveness (suggestibility)

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People differ in how easily they enter and respond to hypnotic states. Studies show that most people are at least moderately responsive, but a smaller group are highly responsive and may experience faster results (Elkins et al., 2015).

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This is a stable individual difference, similar to how some people naturally focus or relax more easily than others.

 

2. The nature of the issue being treated

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Different concerns require different levels of psychological change:

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• Habit-based issues (e.g., smoking, nail biting): may shift more quickly

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• Anxiety or stress patterns: often improve gradually as the nervous system recalibrates

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• Long-term emotional patterns (e.g., trauma-related responses, low self-esteem): typically require more sessions

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More complex or long-standing patterns are reinforced through repeated learning over time, which is why multiple sessions are often more effective.

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3. Depth and reinforcement of learning

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Research in behavioural change shows that lasting change usually requires repetition and reinforcement, especially when modifying subconscious patterns and emotional responses.

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Hypnotherapy works by creating new associations in the brain. Like learning any new pattern, repetition strengthens and stabilises these changes over time (Jensen et al., 2017).

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4. Engagement and therapeutic alliance

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Outcomes in hypnotherapy are also influenced by:

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• Client motivation and openness

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• Trust in the process and practitioner

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• Practice of any suggested techniques between sessions

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These factors are consistently shown in psychotherapy research to significantly affect treatment outcomes across all therapeutic modalities (Wampold & Imel, 2015).

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What does the research suggest overall?

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Clinical studies and reviews consistently show that hypnotherapy outcomes vary depending on both the individual and the condition being treated, but many people experience measurable improvement within 1–3 sessions, particularly for targeted behavioural issues (Elkins et al., 2015; Jensen et al., 2017).

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More complex emotional or behavioural patterns typically benefit from a structured series of sessions to create deeper and more stable change.

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Hypnotherapy can work quickly for some people, especially when the issue is specific and the individual is highly responsive. For others, change unfolds more gradually as deeper subconscious patterns are addressed and reinforced over multiple sessions.

Both responses are normal, and both can lead to lasting results when the process is tailored to the individual.

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Start Your Hypnotherapy Journey

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If you're ready to create lasting change, hypnotherapy offers a practical and effective approach.

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With the added benefit of counselling support from Tara J Clarke, you can address both the surface challenges and the deeper patterns behind them.

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Sessions are available online or in Cairns, making it easy to get started wherever you are.

Get in touch today to begin your journey! 

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To explore how hypnotherapy can support your specific goals, you can learn more about each specialised treatment below:

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• To learn more about hypnotherapy for anxiety for reducing the anxiety and calming the nervous system, click here: Hypnotherapy for Anxiety

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• To learn more about hypnotherapy for depression and low mood for reducing depressive symptoms and feeling more happy, click here: Hypnotherapy for Depression

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• To learn more about stopping smoking to quit the habit for good with hypnotherapy support, click here: Stop Smoking Hypnotherapy

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• To learn more about hypnotherapy for weight loss and emotional eating to start living a better life, feeling lighter, happier with better choices and more grounded, click here: Weight Loss Hypnotherapy

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• To learn more about hypnotherapy for portion control (Virtual Gastric Band) click here: Portion Control Virtual Gastric Band Hypnotherapy

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• To learn more about overcoming fears and phobias with hypnotherapy to start living a better life where you are in control of your choices and more in alignment with your power and inner authority, click here: Hypnotherapy for Fears & Phobias

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See all services at the Home page here​​​

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All sessions are available online or in-person in Cairns, depending on your preference.

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Reference List

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Andersson, G., Titov, N., Dear, B. F., Rozental, A., & Carlbring, P. (2014). Internet-delivered psychological treatments: From innovation to implementation. World Psychiatry, 13(1), 27–33. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20083

 

Backhaus, A., Agha, Z., Maglione, M. L., Repp, A., Ross, B., Zuest, D., Rice-Thorp, N. M., Lohr, J., & Thorp, S. R. (2012). Videoconferencing psychotherapy: A systematic review. Psychological Services, 9(2), 111–131. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027924

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Bowker, E., & Dorstyn, D. (2016). Hypnotherapy for disability-related pain: A meta-analysis. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(4), 443–457. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105314530452

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Elkins, G., Jensen, M. P., & Patterson, D. R. (2015). Hypnotherapy for the management of chronic pain. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 63(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2014.961875

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Fisch, S., Brinkhaus, B., & Teut, M. (2017). Hypnosis in patients with perceived stress – a systematic review. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 17, 323. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-1806-0

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Jensen, M. P., Adachi, T., Hakimian, S., & Lue, K. (2017). Brain mechanisms of hypnosis in pain care: A systematic review. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 124(5), 1585–1597. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0000000000001589

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Moser, G., et al. (2014). Hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Gastroenterology, 49, 1–12. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4015203/

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Oakley, D. A., & Halligan, P. W. (2013). Hypnotic suggestion: Opportunities for cognitive neuroscience. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 14(8), 565–576. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3538

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Rosendahl, J., et al. (2024). Clinical hypnosis and mental/physical health outcomes: A meta-analytic review. Frontiers in Psychology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38268815/

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Taylor, D. A., & Genkov, K. A. (2020). Hypnotherapy for persistent pain: A literature review. Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2515690X20957075

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Wampold, B. E., & Imel, Z. E. (2015). The great psychotherapy debate: The evidence for what makes psychotherapy work (2nd ed.). Routledge.