Hypnosis is an state of inward attention and focused concentration. It is often referred to as trance or as an altered state of consciousness. When the mind is concentrated and focused, people are better able to tap into and utilize their inner resources, to make personal changes, and learn how to better govern their own lives . Because hypnosis and self-hypnosis allow people to use more of their potential, they gain more self-control (it is a myth that people loose control during hypnosis).

Everyone has experienced hypnosis or trance, although it may not be referred to by that name. If you’ve ever been absorbed in thought, reading a book or watching TV, and failed to hear someone talking to you—-you were in a trance-like state. Perhaps you have been watching a movie at the theater, and lost track of the fact that there are dozens of people nearby—another hypnotic-like state of mind. These very focused states of attention are, in fact, everyday experiences of what is called hypnosis. Clinical hypnosis is different only to the extent that you will be experiencing it with the guidance of your Hypnotherapist, rather than spontaneously.

Source: National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists