What Is Hypnosis?

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Hypnosis is a natural state of focused attention and deep relaxation where the mind becomes more open to helpful suggestions and positive change. During hypnosis, a person is not asleep or unconscious. Instead, they are calm, aware, and focused, similar to the feeling of becoming absorbed in a movie, daydream, or book (Australian Society of Hypnosis [ASH], 2026).

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Research shows that hypnosis can help people change unwanted habits, reduce stress, improve confidence, and manage symptoms such as anxiety, fear, pain, and emotional overwhelm (Elkins et al., 2015). Many people use hypnosis to support goals such as quitting smoking, losing weight, improving sleep, reducing sugar cravings, and overcoming fears or phobias.

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Unlike the myths often shown in movies or television, hypnosis does not involve mind control. You cannot be forced to do anything against your values or beliefs while hypnotised. You remain aware of your surroundings and can choose to stop the process at any time (ASH, 2026).

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Hypnosis Is a Natural State of Mind

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Hypnotic states happen naturally every day. For example, people often experience light trance states while daydreaming, driving familiar roads, meditating, or becoming completely absorbed in music, sport, or a movie.

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According to the Australian Society of Hypnosis (2026), hypnosis is a natural and safe process when guided by a trained professional. Most people can learn hypnosis and self-hypnosis techniques to help improve their wellbeing.

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During hypnosis, the conscious mind becomes quieter, allowing the subconscious mind to become more receptive to helpful suggestions. This can make it easier to replace negative thinking patterns and behaviours with healthier and more supportive ones.

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How Hypnosis Works

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Modern brain imaging studies suggest that hypnosis can influence areas of the brain involved in attention, emotional regulation, pain perception, and behavioural responses (Jensen et al., 2017). Researchers have found that hypnosis may help change the way the brain processes thoughts, emotions, fear, and discomfort.

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Hypnosis works by helping the brain form new patterns of thinking and responding. Repetition is important because the subconscious mind learns through repeated exposure and reinforcement. This is why listening to hypnosis recordings regularly can support long-term behavioural change and habit formation.

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A systematic review published in Brain Sciences found evidence that hypnosis may positively affect brain function and neural pathways involved in anxiety, fear, pain management, and emotional processing (Landry et al., 2017).

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Because of this, hypnosis is now commonly used as a supportive therapy in medical, psychological, dental, and wellbeing settings worldwide.

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What Can Hypnosis Help With?

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Research supports the use of hypnosis for many emotional, behavioural, and physical concerns. Hypnosis may help with:

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• Anxiety and stress management

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• Smoking cessation

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• Weight loss support

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• Sugar cravings and emotional eating

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• Confidence and self-esteem

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• Fear and phobias

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• Sleep difficulties or Insomnia

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• Nail biting and unwanted habits

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• Motivation and focus

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• Sports and academic performance

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• Relaxation and emotional wellbeing

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• Pain management

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• Trauma support alongside professional therapy

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Studies have shown hypnosis can be particularly effective when combined with evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as counselling, psychotherapy, or behavioural therapy (Lynn et al., 2019).

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Is Hypnosis Safe?

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Hypnosis is considered safe when practised by a trained and qualified professional. Clinical hypnosis has been used for many years in healthcare and therapeutic settings to help people improve emotional and physical wellbeing.

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The Australian Society of Hypnosis explains that hypnosis does not weaken a person’s willpower. In many cases, hypnosis may actually strengthen self-control, motivation, and confidence by helping people become more aware of their thoughts and behaviours (ASH, 2026).

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Most people describe hypnosis as a peaceful and calming experience. Some people report feeling deeply relaxed, light, or mentally refreshed after a session.

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Self-Hypnosis and Online Hypnosis

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Many people also benefit from self-hypnosis recordings that they can listen to in the comfort of their own home. Self-hypnosis allows people to reinforce positive suggestions regularly and continue working toward their goals between sessions.

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Research suggests that guided audio hypnosis can support relaxation, stress reduction, and behavioural change when used consistently (Valentine et al., 2019).

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Today, hypnosis can be experienced both in person and online. Online hypnosis sessions are becoming increasingly popular because they provide flexibility, privacy, and convenience while still being highly effective.

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Regression Hypnosis and Exploring the Subconscious Mind

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Some hypnotherapists such as Tara J Clarke, of this site, Signs of Abundance Counselling, Hypnosis and Healing, are trained in regression hypnosis, which is designed to help people explore earlier memories, emotional experiences, or subconscious patterns that may be connected to present-day issues.

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Regression approaches may include exploring childhood memories, inner child experiences, or symbolic subconscious imagery to better understand emotional patterns and behaviours.

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While some practitioners also work with past life regression in order to ascertain curiosity and the root cause of problems. Many individuals report personal insight, emotional release, or meaning-making experiences through this process. You can go to the google reviews to learn more about what clients of Tara's say about hypnosis and even past lives here. 

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For many people, understanding where emotional patterns began can help support healing, self-awareness, and personal growth. 

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Hypnosis and Negative Thinking Patterns

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From early childhood, people are influenced by family, school, culture, media, social experiences, and repeated life events. Over time, these experiences can shape subconscious beliefs and automatic thinking patterns.

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Research in psychology and neuroscience shows that repeated thoughts and behaviours can strengthen neural pathways in the brain through a process called neuroplasticity (Doidge, 2007). This means the brain can learn new ways of thinking and responding throughout life.

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Hypnosis may help interrupt negative thought cycles and support the development of healthier mental patterns by encouraging relaxation, focused attention, and positive suggestion (Jensen et al., 2017).

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What Is Hypnotherapy?

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Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are not exactly the same thing.

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Hypnosis is the relaxed trance-like state of focused attention.

Hypnotherapy is the therapeutic use of hypnosis by a trained hypnotherapist to help a person work toward positive emotional, mental, or behavioural change.

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A clinical hypnotherapist uses guided hypnosis techniques together with therapeutic methods to help clients address specific goals such as:

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• Quit smoking

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• Weight loss support

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• Anxiety and stress

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• Confidence building

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• Fear and phobias

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• Emotional wellbeing

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• Sleep support

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• Motivation and habit change

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At Signs of Abundance, Tara J Clarke is an experienced hypnotherapist offering hypnotherapy sessions online via Microsoft Teams or in person in Palm Cove, Cairns Northern Beaches in a very quiet soundproof room.

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Online hypnosis sessions allow you to experience hypnotherapy from the comfort and privacy of your own home. All you need is a quiet space, a stable internet connection, and headphones.

For those who prefer face-to-face support, in-person sessions are also available in Palm Cove near Cairns.

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Learn More About Hypnotherapy

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If you would like to learn more about how hypnotherapy may help with smoking cessation, weight loss, anxiety, stress, confidence, fears, or emotional wellbeing, visit the Hypnotherapy page to explore available sessions and programs with Tara J Clarke.

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References

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Australian Society of Hypnosis. (2026). About hypnosis. https://www.ash.asn.au

Doidge, N. (2007). The brain that changes itself. Viking.

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Elkins, G. R., Barabasz, A. F., Council, J. R., & Spiegel, D. (2015). Advancing research and practice: The revised APA Division 30 definition of hypnosis. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 57(4), 378–385. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2015.1011465

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Jensen, M. P., Adachi, T., & Hakimian, S. (2017). Brain oscillations, hypnosis, and hypnotizability. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 60(1), 27–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2017.1313022

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Landry, M., Lifshitz, M., & Raz, A. (2017). Brain correlates of hypnosis: A systematic review and meta-analytic exploration. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 81, 75–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.02.020

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Lynn, S. J., Maxwell, R., Green, J. P., & Kirsch, I. (2019). The hypnosis handbook: Contemporary clinical approaches. Routledge.

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Valentine, K. E., Milling, L. S., Clark, L. J., & Moriarty, C. L. (2019). The efficacy of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 67(3), 336–363. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2019.1613863