The term "hypnosis" comes from the Greek word hypnos, meaning "sleep." Hypnotherapists use exercises that bring about deep relaxation and an altered state of consciousness, also known as a trance. In this state, an individual’s mind is deeply focused, and particularly responsive to ideas or images. This does not mean that a hypnotist can control the person's mind or free will; on the contrary, hypnosis can actually teach people how to master their own states of awareness, allowing them to affect their own bodily functions and psychological responses.

How does hypnosis work?

During hypnosis, your body relaxes and your thoughts become more focused. Like other relaxation techniques, hypnosis lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and changes certain types of brain wave activity. In this relaxed state, you will feel physically at ease yet fully awake mentally, and may be highly responsive to suggestion. Your conscious mind becomes less alert and your subconscious mind becomes more focused. Some people respond better to hypnotic suggestion than others.

There are several stages of hypnosis:

• Reframing the problem
• Becoming relaxed, then absorbed (deeply engaged in the words or images presented by a hypnotherapist)
• Dissociating (letting go of critical thoughts)
• Responding (complying with a hypnotherapist's suggestions)
• Returning to usual awareness
• Reflecting on the experience