Frequently asked questions about hypnosis training

The best training is the one that matches your background and goals. HypnoseMentor offers accredited programs at various levels – from the international OMNI Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Training to Medical Hypnosis and multiple advanced specializations. Each course combines hands-on practice, evidence-based content, and personal guidance to help you work confidently and professionally with hypnosis.

Yes. All our programs are KTNO-accredited, and HypnoseMentor adheres to the NRTO code of conduct. Many courses are also recognized by professional associations such as VBAG, VIV, NVST, FAGT, and CAT Register Trainings (see the respective training page for current accreditations).

The cost depends on the level and duration of the training. Short specializations start at a few hundred euros, while the complete professional OMNI training is higher in price due to the number of class days, materials, and certification. You can find detailed pricing on each training page.

Absolutely. Many of our students are psychologists, coaches, therapists, or healthcare professionals who wish to integrate hypnosis into their existing practice. Our courses complement your expertise and provide effective tools to enhance your work with clients.

In the Medical Hypnosis Training you learn to apply hypnosis as a supportive method in medical contexts – for example, with pain perception, anxiety, or recovery. The course is designed for (para)medical professionals and is based on scientific research. Hypnosis is used complementarily and does not replace medical care.

This varies from one-day specializations to multi-month professional programs. Each training page specifies the duration, study load, and class format (in-person or online learning).

For the basic hypnosis training you do not need any prior experience; motivation and interest are sufficient. Advanced courses typically require the OMNI training or equivalent background. Each course page lists specific requirements.

Our trainings are held in Amsterdam and Oosterhout (NL). We also regularly organize sessions in Belgium and provide in-company programs for hospitals, schools, and organizations.

Hypnosis is a natural state of focused attention and relaxation in which you become more receptive to positive suggestions and changes in thoughts, feelings, or behavior. It is similar to being absorbed in a book or film: conscious attention narrows while the subconscious becomes more active. You remain aware and retain full control.

During hypnosis, the balance between conscious and subconscious processing shifts. Analytical networks become relatively quieter while emotion, imagery, and memory work together more closely. This helps explain deeper access to feelings and imagery in hypnosis. Research (including fMRI studies) shows changes in brain regions involved in attention, pain perception, and emotion.

Yes — hypnosis is safe when practiced by a well-trained professional. You stay aware of your surroundings and keep control at all times. There are no known lasting risks. Individuals with severe psychiatric conditions (e.g., psychosis) should consult their treating physician before starting hypnotherapy.

Most people can be guided into hypnosis. Success mainly depends on motivation, concentration, and willingness to follow suggestions. Everyone experiences brief natural trance states, for example just before falling asleep or during intense daydreaming.

They are different states. In hypnosis you are awake and alert while deeply relaxed and focused; in sleep, conscious processing is largely offline. Hypnosis resembles active meditation: the subconscious is accessible while you remain able to think and decide.

Experiences vary. Many people report deep calm, concentration, and clarity. In therapeutic work, emotions or memories may surface as part of processing. For beginners, hypnosis often feels subtle: you remain present and in control, with more intensely focused attention.

No. You always retain agency and personal boundaries. Hypnosis increases receptivity to suggestions, but you will not act against your values or limits.

Yes. Hypnosis draws on researched principles of attention, suggestion, and neuroplasticity. When applied correctly, techniques can support lasting positive change (e.g., stress reduction, confidence building). Outcomes depend on the skill of the practitioner and the client’s active engagement.

Ericksonian hypnosis (Milton H. Erickson) uses stories, metaphors, and indirect language to activate the subconscious. It is a gentle, client‑centred style that can be learned and used alongside more direct methods.

By learning what hypnosis is and isn’t, how the brain functions in hypnosis, and what its therapeutic applications are, you avoid common misconceptions (such as “loss of control”). At HypnoseMentor we combine scientific knowledge with experiential practice, so you understand hypnosis conceptually and can apply it responsibly in real situations.

Hypnosis is a natural state of deep relaxation and focused attention that makes the subconscious more accessible. It can be used on its own for relaxation, pain relief, or stress reduction.

Hypnotherapy is the therapeutic application of hypnosis. A trained hypnotherapist uses hypnosis to change underlying beliefs, emotions, and behavior patterns for issues such as anxiety, trauma, addiction, or self‑esteem.

• Anxiety and phobias – reducing anxiety responses and increasing self‑regulation.
• Addictions and habits – support with smoking cessation, alcohol, or eating patterns.
• Pain management – influencing pain perception in chronic pain or medical procedures.
• Trauma and PTSD – processing emotional memories and breaking survival patterns.
• Sleep problems – addressing insomnia and restlessness by regulating stress factors.
• Stress and burnout – restoring balance through deep relaxation and reframing stress patterns.
• Self‑confidence and self‑esteem – strengthening a positive and stable self‑image.

For medical contexts, hypnosis is used as a complementary approach by well‑trained professionals and does not replace standard care.

1. Intake: clarify goals and background; agree on a plan.
2. Induction: gradual guidance into hypnosis via relaxation or focused attention.
3. Core phase: regression, imagery, and/or (in)direct suggestions aligned with the goal.
4. Emergence & integration: returning to full alertness and translating insights into action.

Throughout the session you remain aware, alert, and in control while working more deeply with the subconscious.

Outcomes depend on the issue, client motivation, and therapist expertise. Research reports positive effects for anxiety, pain, sleep problems, and stress. Hypnosis measurably influences processes related to attention, pain modulation, and emotion. Some clients notice rapid change; others progress gradually across several sessions.

No. AI can assist with relaxation and psycho‑education, but it lacks the empathy, clinical judgment, and therapeutic attunement required for deeper change. Hypnotherapy works with the subconscious—where emotions, beliefs, and memories reside—so human insight remains essential.

Read more: The limits of AI self‑help: why human insight matters.