What does hypnosis feel like?

Is it safe?

Is it like being asleep?

Will I be under your control?

Will I end up doing something embarrassing, like they do on stage shows?

How does hypnotherapy work?

Supposing I get stuck in hypnosis?

Will you make me tell you my deepest secrets?

There is no such thing as a “hypnotised feeling”. You will not be asleep but your body and mind will be totally relaxed. Some people report feelings of warmth or tingling in their hands or feet but everyone is different so this may or may not happen. Many people find that being in hypnosis is the most relaxed they have ever been.
In fact the hypnotic state is something we all experience many times every day, without even knowing it. Just recall a time when you were so engrossed in a wonderful book that you didn’t even hear someone come into the room. They may have had to call you repeatedly to get your attention – this is what hypnosis is: deep relaxation combined with focussed thought.

Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state and as such is completely safe.

Hypnosis is not like sleep; you will be aware of your surroundings and the sound of my voice. Your subconscious mind will remember everything it has heard.

No, it is you who decides whether to enter or remain in hypnosis. I will help you to reach that state but you will not be under my control. You cannot be forced to do anything that you would normally object to. You will be able to bring yourself out of hypnosis at any point should you wish to, simply by opening your eyes.

Definitely not. You and I will form a therapeutic alliance and the purpose of your being in hypnosis is to enable beneficial therapy to take place.
Participants on stage hypnotism shows take part because they WANT to, and for that very reason the stage hypnotist is able to use his or her skills to select the most suggestible people from the audience.

It works by enabling you to attain a deeply relaxed state whereby your subconscious mind is receptive to positive and favourable suggestions. Your subconscious mind retains all your life experience and exists to protect you.
For example a fear or phobia may become established as a result of one or more events that have occurred in your life. Your subconscious mind learns to protect you from what caused those events whether or not that fear has any rational basis.
Once we have discovered what triggered that fear, I will speak to your subconscious mind in such a way as to enable you to acknowledge that fear and let it go.

This is impossible, as it is a naturally occurring state and you can open your eyes at any time.

You have control at all times over what you choose to tell me.  You cannot be forced to do anything that you do not freely choose to do. Openness and honesty will be the most helpful way forward, however if you choose not to share particular information with me then I will respect your decision.