A Beginner's Guide to Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy | Alex Negrete

Have you ever wondered what hypnosis really is? For many, the word conjures images of stage shows, swinging pocket watches, and a mysterious loss of control. You might have asked yourself, "Is it real? Is it safe? And could it actually work for me?"

The truth is, genuine hypnotherapy is a profound and powerful tool for healing that has little to do with entertainment. It’s a safe, natural, and scientifically-grounded method for accessing your own inner wisdom to create lasting change.

This guide will serve as your complete introduction. We’ll bust the biggest myths, explain the science of how it works, and walk you through what you can expect on this transformative journey.

Hypnosis vs. Hypnotherapy: What’s the Difference?

First, let's clarify the two terms. Think of it this way: Hypnosis is the tool; hypnotherapy is the therapeutic process.

• Hypnosis is a natural state of focused concentration that allows us to bypass the critical, analytical conscious mind and communicate directly with the subconscious. You’ve experienced this state thousands of times—when driving a familiar route, watching a captivating movie, or getting lost in a good book.

• Hypnotherapy is the process of using the state of hypnosis for a therapeutic purpose—to heal trauma, change patterns, and connect with your highest potential.

How Does Hypnosis Work? The Science of Your Mind

Hypnotherapy is not magic; it’s a process of leveraging how your brain already works. Your mind operates on different frequencies, or brainwave states, and hypnosis gently guides you into the most creative and receptive ones.

• Beta: Your normal, wide-awake, analytical state.

• Alpha: A relaxed, receptive state. This is where "shower thoughts" and creative ideas often emerge. Most light hypnosis happens here.

• Theta: The state of deep relaxation, dreaming, and vivid imagery, typically experienced right before you fall asleep or just as you wake up. This is the sweet spot where the most profound therapeutic work occurs.

• Delta: Deep, unconscious sleep. The goal of hypnotherapy is to avoid this state to ensure you can consciously integrate the experience.

By quieting the conscious mind (your inner critic), we can access the subconscious—your mind’s vast, powerful operating system. I like to use the analogy of a smartphone: you see the screen, but you don’t see the electricity, Wi-Fi, and microchips that make it run. The subconscious is that hidden 95% of your mind that holds all your patterns, memories, and infinite intelligence.

Is Hypnosis Safe? Busting the Top 3 Myths

Let’s address the most common fears right away. Yes, hypnosis is 100% safe, gentle, and it’s a process that goes at your own pace.

1. The "Mind Control" Myth: This is the biggest misconception. All hypnosis is permission-based. You can never be made to do anything against your will, values, or ethics. Your mind has a powerful protective mechanism; if an unwanted suggestion were ever given, you would simply reject it or come out of the state entirely.

2. The "Revealing Secrets" Myth: You are always in control of what you share. While sensitive material can surface, it only does so for the purpose of healing, and you always have the choice to explore it or move on. A professional hypnotherapist is there to create a safe space for you to be vulnerable, not to make you uncomfortable.

3. The "Getting Stuck" Myth: It is impossible to get stuck in hypnosis. The state is as natural as relaxation or sleep. The worst-case scenario is that you become so relaxed you simply fall asleep and wake up naturally.

What Does Hypnosis Actually Feel Like?

Most people are surprised to learn that hypnosis doesn't feel "weird" or different from their normal state. You don’t feel “out of it”; in fact, many people feel more present and aware.

The best analogy is that of a lucid dream or a virtual reality experience. You are fully aware that you are safe in your chair or on your bed, but you are also having a vivid, immersive inner experience. You might see images, feel emotions, or simply have a deep sense of "knowing" as your subconscious communicates with you.

The Therapeutic Journey: A Process of Reclaiming Your Power

While every session is unique, a typical hypnotherapy journey follows a clear arc designed for deep healing and integration.

The Session Structure

A session generally consists of a few key phases:

• The Intake: A conversation to build rapport and clarify your goals for the session.

• The Induction: The gentle process of guiding you into a relaxed, receptive state.

• The "Change Work": The core of the session, where you journey into your subconscious to explore memories, release emotions, and connect with your inner wisdom.

• The Integration: Gently returning to a full waking state and discussing how to integrate the insights from your journey into your daily life.

The Goal: De-Hypnosis and a Software Upgrade

In many ways, my work is a form of "de-hypnosis." We’ve all been hypnotized by society, family, and our past experiences to believe things about ourselves that aren't true. The goal is to unwind that programming and connect with your authentic self.

I often use the analogy of a software upgrade. Your body is the hardware, but you might be running old, outdated software filled with fear and anxiety. Hypnotherapy allows you to connect to your "personal cloud"—your superconscious or Higher Self—and download the latest, most empowered version of you.

The Ultimate Outcome: Lasting Freedom and Peace

Hypnotherapy is not a magic pill, but it is a "fast lane" to doing the real inner work necessary to heal. By going directly to the root of your patterns, you can achieve in a few sessions what might take years in traditional therapy.

The benefits are profound: a state of calm, clarity, and the healing of old wounds. But more than anything, it's about reclaiming your power. It’s a process that shows you that you have all the answers within, and it gives you the tools to become the full authority of your life.

Ready to begin your journey? Watch the full 36-Minute Beginner's Guide or the in-depth 90-Minute Masterclass on my YouTube channel. You can also view ways to work with me to take a quantum leap forward on your journey today.