Hypnosis Isn’t Mind Control (Sorry, Karen).

7 Myths About Hypnosis (And What It Actually Is)

Let’s clear this up right now: I can’t make you bark like a dog. I can’t make you rob a bank. And no, I cannot turn you into a chicken (unless you’re already halfway there and just need a little nudge).

But I can help you rewire your mind so you stop living by the same tired loops of self-doubt, anxiety, and subconscious sabotage.

That’s the real magic of hypnosis—and it’s way less dramatic than Hollywood, but way more life-changing. This work isn’t about swinging watches or clucking on command. It’s about bringing the body into safety and the mind into harmony so you can finally get out of your own damn way.

“Why can’t I change?”

You’ve probably asked yourself that question more than once. You read the books. You journal. You swear this time you’ll commit to the routine, stop picking the wrong people, quit the late-night snacking, or stop going mute every time conflict shows up. But then… you don’t.

Not because you’re lazy. Not because you’re broken. Because you’re using the wrong part of your brain to do it.

Here’s what most people don’t know: Your conscious mind—the part that thinks, analyzes, and makes to-do lists—only processes about 40 bits of information per second.

Your subconscious mind? That beast takes in roughly 11 million bits per second. It stores your habits, beliefs, emotional patterns, nervous system responses, childhood programming, and even how your body reacts when someone raises their voice.

So let me ask you this: who’s really in charge?

Picture your mind like an iceberg. The part you can see above the water—that’s your conscious mind. Logical. Verbal. Determined. The part below, massive and invisible? That’s your subconscious. It’s running 88% of the show. And if the top 12% wants to make a change that the bottom 88% doesn’t believe is safe? You’re going to self-sabotage.

Not because you’re bad at change—but because your brain is brilliant at protection.

That’s where hypnotherapy becomes a game-changer. It allows you to stop yelling affirmations into the void and start speaking in the language your subconscious actually understands.

So what is hypnosis, really?

It’s a natural, relaxed state of focused attention. Think: that dreamlike zone right before sleep, or the trance you enter when you're driving and forget the last three exits. You’re not unconscious. You’re actually hyper-aware. And in that state, we bypass your critical mind (the inner editor that always needs to “figure it out”) and work directly with the part of you that holds the pattern.

Your conscious mind is like a flashlight—it shines awareness on what’s right in front of you. But your subconscious? That’s the garage where all the stories, emotional residue, and learned behaviors live.

In hypnosis, you’re holding the flashlight. My role isn’t to take control, but to help you recognize where to aim it—to guide your focus toward the patterns that are ready to shift and the inner doors that have been hiding in plain sight.

Still skeptical? Let’s break down the 7 most common myths about hypnosis.

Myth 1: “Hypnosis is Mind Control.” Nope. This isn’t The Matrix, and I’m not your puppet master. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. You have to want to go there. You can’t be hypnotized against your will. A skilled hypnotherapist doesn’t control your mind—they help you access it. You’re in the driver’s seat; I’m just adjusting the mirror so you can see more clearly. And if at any point you want to stop, you simply open your eyes. No trance trap. No black magic.

Myth 2: “You’re Asleep During Hypnosis.” Absolutely not. You may look like you’re asleep—eyes closed, breathing deep—but inside, you’re dialed in. Present. Aware. You hear everything I say. You feel more connected to your inner world.

It’s less like sleeping and more like lucid dreaming—without the unicorns and flying.

Myth 3: “You Can Get Stuck in Hypnosis.” This one’s pure fiction. You can no more get stuck in hypnosis than you can get stuck in a daydream. If you’re done, you’re done. Just open your eyes. Your nervous system is built for safety. It knows how to exit when it’s time. You're in control the entire time—not floating in some hypnotic purgatory.

Myth 4: “Only Weak-Minded People Can Be Hypnotized.” Actually, the opposite is true. The best hypnosis clients are the ones with strong focus, vivid imaginations, and a willingness to explore. Intelligence helps, not hinders.

Hypnosis isn’t about weakness—it’s about receptivity and collaboration. You’re not handing over your will; you’re choosing to work with the deeper part of it.

Myth 5: “I’ll Reveal All My Secrets.” Nope. Hypnosis isn’t a truth serum. You’re still in charge of what you say, what you feel, and how deep you go.

Your subconscious only brings forward what you're ready to work with. If something comes up, it’s because a part of you is ready to heal it—not because I “pulled” it out of you.

Myth 6: “I Won’t Remember Anything.” You will. Because you’re not unconscious, you’ll remember the whole session—often with surprising clarity. Most people report vivid imagery, strong emotions, and lightbulb moments.

And if you’re still unsure, I can even suggest you remember everything clearly and confidently. That’s one of the benefits of hypnosis—you get to shape the experience you want.

Myth 7: “I’ll Lose Control and Do Something Embarrassing." This myth comes from stage hypnosis, not real therapeutic work. In hypnotherapy, you’ll never do anything that goes against your morals, ethics, or boundaries.

Your ego doesn’t “go to sleep”—it just quiets down. If something doesn’t feel aligned, your inner brakes will kick in. This isn’t about performance. It’s about healing.

What are the benefits of hypnosis? What can it help with? Hypnosis is effective for a wide range of challenges:

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Emotional eating and weight loss

• Procrastination and habit change

• Chronic stress and burnout

• Sleep struggles and insomnia

• Confidence and self-worth

• Inner child work and trauma resolution

• Imposter syndrome and perfectionism

• Fears and phobias (public speaking, flying, etc.)

• Spiritual blocks and self-sabotage cycles

Basically, if you’ve ever said, “I know what to do, but I just can’t seem to do it”—hypnosis is likely the missing piece.

What does a hypnotherapy session with me look like?

We start with a conversation—what’s the pattern, what’s the goal, what’s in the way. From there, I guide you into a relaxed, aware, and open state using breath, body cues, and focused attention.

Then we begin the deeper work—using imagery, metaphor, and suggestion to bring the subconscious online. You don’t have to “try.” You just have to be willing.

Most clients leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more connected to what matters.

This isn’t magic. It’s you—finally aligned.

Change doesn’t have to be a grind. It doesn’t have to be earned through hustle or willpower. Sometimes it just needs to feel safe enough to unfold.

Hypnosis helps you create the inner safety that allows change to land—and stick. When the body feels safe and the subconscious gets updated, the conscious mind no longer has to wrestle with the same resistance day after day.

If you’re tired of trying harder and still feeling stuck—maybe it’s time to try smarter.

Curious if hypnotherapy is right for you? Book a discovery call here or reach out to start a conversation.

When you’re ready, I’ll help you aim the light where it matters.