Congratulations on deciding to try hypnotherapy. Here is what you can expect from your first session.

1. The hypnotist or their secretary will ask you to fill out some forms to get more background information on yourself, your medical history and your reason for booking a session.
2. Expect to have a discussion about your history for 20 to 30 minutes. This could be longer depending on the reason you are here.
3. The hypnotist will ask you to try out a couple of exercises to determine your suggestibility and to show you the power of the mind.
4. When you are ready, you will be asked to sit or lay in a comfortable position and close your eyes. This is the beginning of trance. Expect trance to last anywhere between 20 to 30 minutes or longer depending on the length of the session booked.
5. When you wake from trance, you may remember everything or you may only remember up to a certain point. This is called post hypnotic amnesia and is common. This is due to the left thinking brain turning off during hypnosis.
6. You may have a slight headache when you wake up. Simply let the hypnotist know and they can perform an exercise to alleviate it.
7. You may not believe that hypnosis worked for you. About half of the population are emotionally suggestible and do not enter trance the way that is expected (going limp and sleep-like). Instead you may keep your eyes open or move around during the session. This is normal for 50% of people and you are still being hypnotized. It will be near session three when you begin to feel trance the way you expect to.
8. After trance, the hypnotist will have a quick chat with you about your experience and ask if you have any questions. They may assign you some reading or tasks to complete before the next session.