Will I lose control during hypnosis?
No. This is another misconception about hypnosis. Nobody can be hypnotized against their will. Hypnosis is not about control by the hypnotist. It is about working together so that the client can be empowered to create change in his or her life. Nobody can be forced to do anything against their will. The 'control' misconception appears to originate from stage hypnosis which, ironically enough, also involves people doing exactly what they want to be doing. Have you ever wondered what would happen if Paul McKenna told someone to walk out of the theatre and shoot someone? Of course they would refuse to accept the suggestion and would probably be very cross. Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are about empowerment and people's incredible capacity for change. If hypnosis was about control or making people do things, there would be no money left in the banks and I wouldn't be writing this.
Will I be asleep when hypnotized?
You will not be asleep when hypnotized. The word hypnosis comes from the ancient Greek word 'hypnosis' meaning sleep. It is a misnomer, however. Hypnosis is generally a very relaxed state, but it is not sleep. Some people do fall a sleep during hypnosis due to the extreme state of relaxation; this will not detract from the benefits of the hypnotic therapy.
Will I be able to wake up and come out of the trance?
Hypnosis is not about control. If you want to come out of hypnosis, you simply choose to do that. Since you are always fully aware of your surroundings, if the hypnotherapist disappeared or fell over and knocked themselves out, you would simply open your eyes. We go in and out of hypnosis and other altered states of consciousness (e.g. daydreaming) many times a day but we always come back out of them easily and naturally.
Will I blab out secret information under hypnosis?
No. You cannot be forced to say or do anything under hypnosis that you don't want to. Remember that you are completely in control and empowered. Again, if this was not the case, don't you think the police would just hypnotize their suspects and get them to 'tell the truth'?
Can anyone be hypnotized?
Some people find it easier to relax than others. By the same token, some people are able to go into hypnosis more quickly and more deeply than others. It is my belief that most people can go into at least a light trance and with most hypnotherapeutic goals that is enough, so therefore everyone can benefit from hypnotherapy to some extent.