Is it Hypnosis?
If it looks like a duck …
and it sounds like a duck …
Have you ever wondered… is this actually hypnosis? Or better yet—is everything hypnosis?
This question has come up time and time again over the years, especially when people ask, what’s the difference between meditation, therapy, and hypnosis? The lines often blur—and honestly, I’ve seen sessions where even the practitioners don’t realise they’re using hypnosis techniques. Justine Lette from Hypnosis New Zealand and I were chatting recently, and we both agreed: hypnosis is everywhere.
You might’ve seen this too—practitioners guiding people through sessions that are clearly hypnotic in nature, yet they’ll never use the word. Even respected figures in the industry shy away from calling it hypnosis. But when you watch what’s happening—focused attention, guided imagination, powerful suggestion—what else could it be?
The Power of Authority and Trust
As Justine put it beautifully, the power of hypnosis lies in authority and trust. When someone trusts you enough to let you guide their mind, and you combine that with knowledge and confidence, the subconscious is wide open.
Think about it: you walk into a doctor’s office feeling unsure or vulnerable, and with just a few words and a confident presence, that doctor can completely change how you feel—because you trust them. That’s hypnosis at work. Not in the formal sense, maybe, but the process of suggestion and belief is absolutely there.
Hypnosis Is Happening Everywhere
We’re not saying everyone is running around doing formal hypnotherapy. But the power of suggestion and imagination is so deeply embedded in human communication that we see it everywhere: in coaching, in spiritual practices, in shamanic journeys, even in entertainment.
I’ve been watching some modern-day shamanic practices, and honestly—it’s not that different from what we do as clinical hypnotherapists. People using imagination, ritual, and guided journeys to shift perception, explore emotions, and heal. It’s ancient, it’s effective, and yes… it’s a form of hypnosis.
It Can Be Used for Good—or Not
But it’s not always used with good intentions.
We’ve also seen it used in more manipulative ways. You might’ve heard of so-called “healers” claiming they can remove your illness or demons—for a price. These people wield authority over vulnerable individuals, telling them their condition is a result of not believing enough. That if they just had more faith (and maybe paid more money), they’d be healed. And some people genuinely experience physical reactions—convulsions, tears, euphoria—because they believe so deeply.
But when the effects wear off, when reality sets back in, they’re told it’s their fault—that they didn’t believe hard enough. This misuse of belief and suggestion can be incredibly damaging.
Hypnosis in Unexpected Places
Justine recently shared a scene from the show The Leftovers that illustrates this beautifully. In the story, millions of people mysteriously vanish, leaving others devastated. A psychologist in the show sees people so deep in grief that she devises a plan: her son pretends to have the power to take away people’s pain—simply by hugging them.
And it works.
People believe so strongly in his gift that they cry, they heal, and they go on with their lives. Later, it’s revealed the entire story was fabricated. But the effect was real, because the belief was real. The mind accepted the suggestion—and transformation followed.
So… Is It Hypnosis?
In our world, we know that the mechanics of imagination, suggestion, trust, and authority are the backbone of hypnosis. Whether it’s a clinical setting, a spiritual practice, a TV show, or even a heartfelt hug… those same mechanisms are often at play.
So, is it hypnosis?
If it looks like hypnosis, feels like hypnosis, and works like hypnosis—then maybe, just maybe, it is.
And once you start to notice it, you’ll see it everywhere.
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While both hypnosis and meditation involve deep relaxation and focused attention, hypnosis typically includes guided suggestion with a specific therapeutic goal. Meditation is more about self-awareness and mindfulness, whereas hypnosis uses intentional language and imagery to create change on a subconscious level.
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Not everything is formal hypnosis—but the principles of hypnosis (suggestion, imagination, focus, and trust) are found in many areas of life: therapy sessions, spiritual practices, doctor visits, and even everyday conversations. Once you understand how hypnosis works, you’ll start to notice it everywhere.
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Yes! Many people unknowingly use hypnotic techniques—especially those in healing, coaching, or spiritual roles. If someone is guiding another person using imagination, suggestion, and emotional influence, they may very well be using hypnosis, even if they don’t call it that. But don’t confuse this with some magic ability of “mind control”.
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Authority builds trust, and trust opens the door to the subconscious. When someone believes you have knowledge or power (like a doctor, therapist, or spiritual leader), they’re more open to your suggestions. This enhances the effectiveness of any intervention—hypnotic or otherwise.
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Hypnosis itself isn’t harmful, but misusing the power of suggestion can be. Some self-proclaimed “healers” or spiritual figures manipulate vulnerable people with false promises or blame, using belief and authority for personal gain. Ethical practice is key to ensuring hypnosis is a safe and empowering experience.
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Hypnosis taps into the power of the mind—especially imagination and belief. When guided by a skilled practitioner, hypnosis can help reframe experiences, release emotional pain, and create lasting change. Even symbolic gestures (like a hug or a story) can produce real healing when someone believes in the process.
