Hypnotherapy for Eye-Opening Focus in Record Time

Ancient Egyptian Healing Temple 

Hypnosis: Simpler (and More Powerful) Than You Think

Thanks to dramatic TV storylines and flashy Vegas stage acts, hypnosis often gets misunderstood. In reality, it's far more straightforward — and much more useful — than most people realise.

Hypnosis Has Been a Recognised Healing Method for Centuries

Hypnosis isn’t a recent discovery. Its formal history traces back to the 18th century, when Austrian physician Franz Mesmer brought it into public awareness. Mesmer dedicated much of his life to studying how hypnosis affects the human mind — though societies before him had already begun exploring its potential.

He called it “animal magnetism” or “mesmerism” — the latter term still pops up today. (And yes, that’s where “mesmerised” comes from.)

But hypnosis itself goes back even further. Ancient Egyptian records from around 1500 BCE describe trance-like healing rituals. One of the earliest known physicians, Imhotep, used special sanctuaries called Sleep Temples.

These were spaces where physical and emotional healing took place through rituals, incantations, and guided sleep — all early forms of suggestion therapy. It was believed that through a hypnotic-like state, the gods could reach patients and offer healing during sleep.

A Mainstream Therapeutic Tool

In modern times, hypnosis (more specifically, hypnotherapy) has been recognised as a legitimate medical treatment since the 1950s.

Today, more people than ever are choosing hypnotherapy to overcome fears, phobias, limiting beliefs, and destructive patterns — all without the need for medication.

So how does it work?

Hypnotherapy vs. Psychotherapy: What's the Difference?

Psychotherapy works mainly with the conscious, analytical mind — the part that evaluates, reasons, and filters information. Hypnotherapy, on the other hand, taps into the subconscious, where our emotions, habits, and deep-rooted beliefs live.

The conscious mind acts as a gatekeeper, using a filter known as the Conscious Critical Faculty (CCF).

This filter automatically rejects any new information that doesn’t match your existing beliefs or behaviour patterns.

Hypnosis gently bypasses this filter, allowing direct access to the subconscious. Once we resolve the original trigger — or what’s called the “initial sensitising event” — clients are free to create new perspectives and habits without being held back by outdated programming.

A Quick Example: The Maths Myth

Imagine someone has been told their entire life that they’re “bad at maths.” Each time they’re faced with a numbers problem, their mind reactivates that belief, convincing them they can’t succeed. This leads to hesitation, overwhelm, or failure — not because they lack ability, but because their subconscious has already decided the outcome.

Psychotherapy might take months (or years) to challenge that belief through conscious reprogramming. Hypnotherapy bypasses the CCF and updates the belief directly at its source — often in just a few sessions.*

Is Hypnosis the Same as Hypnotherapy?

Not quite.

Hypnosis is the process — the state of focused attention and receptiveness. Hypnotherapy uses that state strategically to resolve a specific issue. Unfortunately, pop culture has distorted this distinction, making hypnosis seem like mind control or stage entertainment.

In a therapeutic setting, clients stay fully aware and in control.

They’re not asleep or “under” — they're simply deeply focused. And it’s always the client who decides whether to engage in hypnosis or not. In truth, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis.

You’ve Probably Been in Hypnosis Without Realising

Ever zoned out during a long drive and suddenly arrived without remembering the journey? Or been so immersed in a book or show that you lost track of time? That’s a natural hypnotic state.

These moments happen when your conscious brain takes a back seat and your subconscious takes the wheel.

It’s the same mechanism that hypnotherapy leverages — with purpose and direction.

So, What Brings People to Hypnotherapy?

Clients come to me with a wide range of challenges — from ADHD, anxiety, and depression to behavioural issues, phobias, perfectionism, self-sabotage, performance, chronic pain, and people-pleasing. Plus, many more.

Most have already tried other approaches — sometimes for years — without meaningful change. They're not looking for a magic trick. They're looking for something that works.

And often, hypnotherapy is what finally helps them move forward.

*The number of sessions needed depends on the issue:

• Phobias often resolve in 3 sessions

• Anxiety typically requires 4–8 sessions on average

Want to Explore What Hypnotherapy Can Do for You?

Here are two easy ways to take the next step:

1. Download your free guided relaxation audio – Straight from our homepage: ndny.uk

2. Book a free 15-minute consultation – Let’s explore how we can support you: Schedule here