Loosely explained, hypnotherapy is an exercise of therapy which induces a deep relaxation state of body and mind and then uses this state of mind to introduce ideas or images into the consciousness. This is also referred to as being in a deep trance like state or deep “sleep”. This deeply focused state is unusually responsive to an idea or image in its otherwise contrary form. However it is not possible to take control of the individual’s mind and free will at any given time.

A hypnotherapist can actually teach or assist a person on the fundamentals of how to master their own state of awareness, so that the individual can then affect their own functions and psychological responses. Thoughts and feelings are usually associated with the responses remembered and learnt as a result of a particular event. These are then stored in the brain, only to be repeated automatically when the identical or similar scenario presents itself. Hypnotherapy is an exercise which can manipulate these thoughts by adding or suggesting a different response to the event. All this has to be done on an individual in a deep state of relaxation or trance.