Discover whether face-to-face or video hypnotherapy is right for you, with guidance on effectiveness, convenience and what to expect.
You may be asking yourself, can I have hypnotherapy online, or wondering whether in-person sessions are somehow better? These are questions I am frequently asked. The truth is that both options can be highly effective. Choosing between in-person and video sessions is less about the medium itself, and more about finding a therapist you trust, feel comfortable with, and know is qualified and accredited. Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each...
The Case for In-Person Hypnotherapy
In-person hypnotherapy has long been the traditional approach, and for good reason. The truth is that being physically present with your therapist can subtly enhance rapport and trust. Our brains are wired to respond to visual and physical cues: posture, gestures, facial micro-expressions, and even the rhythm of breathing all feed into a sense of connection. Neuroscience tells us that mirror neurons fire in response to observing another person’s expressions and movements. These neurons help us unconsciously empathise, synchronise with, and respond to others. In-person sessions maximise this effect, helping some clients feel safer and more understood.
There is also the matter of chemosignals, the subconscious chemical signals humans emit. While subtle, it’s also possible that these can influence comfort, trust, and emotional attunement in face-to-face interactions. Again, these are small effects compared with the verbal and visual communication in therapy, but they exist.
Other advantages of in-person sessions include a controlled, quiet environment and the immediate presence of the therapist if intense emotions arise. Some clients find it easier to relax fully and enter a deep hypnotic state in a dedicated therapy room, away from the distractions of home or work.
Once hypnosis is underway, the hypnotherapist can observe bodily signals such as relaxation, breathing and responses more clearly, which can help the hypnotherapist deepen the trance and make it more effective.
The Case for Hypnotherapy Online
So now you may be wondering, does hypnotherapy work by video? The short answer is yes. Online hypnotherapy is not just convenient; it is highly effective for most people. But I can't blame you for asking, as online therapy only became 'a thing' from 2020 onwards!
While some subtle non-verbal cues are less visible, mirror neurons do still respond to facial expressions and tone. We do have some of the effect of in-person therapy over video and this can be improved by setting up the screen and seating position correctly. Also, verbal guidance carries the majority of hypnotic effect.
So, while video calls may reduce some subtle connections, such as visual cues, mirror neuron engagement, and chemosignals, this is rarely a barrier to effective hypnosis. The therapeutic skill, your openness, and a supportive environment carry far more weight than the medium alone.
Many clients feel safer and more comfortable in their own homes, which can enhance relaxation and openness. Some clients may not even be able to leave their homes or travel because of anxieties and phobias which lead them to seek the therapy in the first place. If you live far from a clinic, have mobility challenges, or a busy schedule, online hypnotherapy also makes it easier to attend regularly.
The wonderful thing about online video sessions is that they have opened up the world to clients who can choose the right therapist for them, no matter the location. I have treated clients from all over the country and internationally.
And because the therapeutic alliance — the relationship and trust between client and therapist — is the key factor in success, video sessions are often just as effective as in-person sessions once that trust is established.
If you do opt for online sessions it is important to make sure you have a very good chance of being undisturbed, set your phone to do not disturb, turn off the doorbell and make sure your pets are quiet and happy. I’ve given hypnotherapy to people with dogs curled up next to them and I think it might have helped them to relax even more, which can deepen the trance.
Choosing the Right Approach
Consider your personal preferences, lifestyle, and what helps you feel relaxed. Some clients start with in-person meetings to establish the relationship in more depth and then move to online sessions for convenience. Some clients always choose online sessions, and some always choose in-person.
The most important factor is not whether the session is in-person or online, but whether you feel a genuine connection with your therapist. You want someone you trust, who is fully qualified and accredited, and whose style suits your needs. In other words, the therapist matters more than the format.
So, whether you are wondering you can have hypnotherapy online or weighing the benefits of walking into a clinic, rest assured that both approaches work. Hypnotherapy can help you reclaim calm, confidence, and control — online or in person. Whichever you think is right for you, please feel free to get in touch.
