Can anyone be hypnotised?

Yes, with very few exceptions. Very young children may have difficulty, and also people with severe brain damage. People may not be hypnotized against their will. Other than that, we find the ‘trick’ to hypnotising someone is spending time with them to find the best approach to working with them. A good therapist will not do the same procedure with everyone.

Isn’t it just a matter of having a good imagination?

The ability to imagine is unrelated to the ability to experience hypnosis. Change resulting from hypnotherapy requires only that your intent and willingness are in place.

What about people who are strong-minded, with a formidable will. Can they be hypnotised?

Only if they want to be, but not because of their relative "strength" of mind. We understand that there are parts of us that want to change, and parts of us that are happy with the way things are. While we accept that this is often the situation, we assume that if someone books a session with us, then they want our help. It would be a waste of time and money if they were to resist that help. We always tell people if we don't think hypnosis is right for them.

Do people who are hypnotised lose control?

In hypnosis, you’re perfectly capable of saying no or terminating the hypnosis session. Just as you’d refuse to jump off a bridge simply because someone told you to, so too would you reject any suggestion made to you in hypnosis that you did not agree with.

Do people forget what has happened when they 'come out' of hypnosis?

Occasionally, spontaneous hypnotic amnesia does occur after a session, however this is uncommon, and most people will remember what is said to them during a session.

Can people be made to talk about things that they'd prefer not to?

 A hypnotist cannot make you say or do anything that you don’t want to say or do.

Do people who can't relax have difficulty responding to hypnosis?

Hypnosis does not require that you are relaxed, although it is more pleasant when you are, and relaxation may be a side-effect. But the hypnotic trance can be achieved when you are standing, running, angry, hurt, sad, in shock....you get the picture.