What Happens in a Hypnotherapy Session
People are often unsure what to expect from hypnotherapy.
The reality is calmer and far more familiar than most imagine. There is no loss of control. There is no theatrical trance. What we do is guide your attention in a deliberate way so your system can settle and work with the things that usually sit underneath the noise.
Sessions are booked for up to two hours. We may not need all of that time every week. Some sessions are focused and direct. Others need space because something deeper is ready to be explored. The structure is flexible so it supports what you need on the day.
A typical hypnotherapy session
1. We begin with steady conversation
The first part of the session is simple. We talk.
You update me on what's been going for you and what has been happening.
We look at the patterns, the pressure points, and the reactions that have shown up. Most people find that even this part of the work brings clarity. When you see why your system responds the way it does, things start to make sense again.
2. We identify what needs attention
Some weeks there is one clear theme.
Other weeks we explore a little to find the point of tension or the belief that has been pulling at you. This is why the session is unhurried. When the system feels safe, it becomes easier to work with deeper material without becoming overwhelmed.
3. We move into guided hypnotherapy
This is where hypnotherapy begins.
Hypnosis is simply focused attention. It is the same natural state you move into when you get absorbed in a thought, a memory, or a feeling. In therapy it becomes intentional. Your attention steadies. The nervous system quietens. You can access deeper processes that are harder to reach in everyday life.
Guided practice may include:
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Hypnotherapy
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Visualisation
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Breath-led steadying
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Parts work
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Memory or meaning-based techniques
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Future-self imagery
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Subconscious reframing
The style depends on what we are working on. Sometimes it is light and grounding. Sometimes it is deeper and reflective. The pace remains calm and manageable.
4. We create a strategy for the week ahead
Before the session ends, we outline a clear plan.
This might be a small daily habit, a simple exercise, or a shift in the way you respond to thoughts or emotions. The aim is to leave you with clarity, not guesswork. Change is easier when you know what you are doing and why it matters.
What a Reset Session looks like
If you are new to Mind Works, or returning after some time away, you can book a Reset Session. This is a structured one-off session that helps you understand what is happening and gives you a clear route forward.
A Reset Session includes:
• Around 60 minutes of focused conversation
We look at the patterns, emotional load, and the reasons your system has been responding the way it has.
• Around 30 minutes of guided hypnotherapy or visualisation
This helps the mind and body settle so you can work with the deeper mechanisms rather than the surface symptoms.
• A personalised strategy
You leave with a clear plan built around your goals, your energy, and the way your system works.
Reset Sessions are available online and in person.
What hypnosis feels like
Some people notice a deeper shift in awareness as the session develops. Their attention becomes absorbed in the process in the same way it might when they are reading something meaningful or recalling a vivid memory. The outside world feels a little quieter. Thoughts slow down. The system settles enough for the deeper work to begin.
Others stay lightly aware of everything around them. They hear sounds. They notice the room. They can think clearly. What changes is the quality of their focus. It becomes steadier and less reactive. This allows them to observe their thoughts and emotions without being pulled into them. It is a quieter form of hypnosis, yet often just as effective.
There is no correct way to experience this. Your mind and body will respond according to what feels safe, familiar, and manageable on that day. Some sessions feel immersive. Some feel grounded. Some feel like a simple shift in concentration. All of these responses are valid. What matters is not how “deep” the experience seems, but the clarity and ease it gives you in the work that follows.
A holistic, multi-disciplinary approach
Hypnotherapy is only one part of the work. I combine hypnosis with mindfulness, breathwork, psychological tools and The Mind Works Process of Change. This helps you understand what is happening in your system and how to move forward safely.
You are welcome to explore the pages above or book a session if you would like to talk through your situation first.
Get In Touch
If you are unsure where to start
The following pages may help:
If you prefer a conversation first, you can message me and we can look at what you are dealing with and what might help.
Contact Craig
