Hypnotherapy Myths:

No, You Won’t Cluck Like a Chicken

When most people hear the word “hypnosis,” they picture someone on stage clucking like a chicken while a man waves a pocket watch. Fun for entertainment — but not what happens in professional hypnotherapy.

At American River Massage & Hypnotherapy in Auburn, CA, hypnotherapy is a calm, comfortable process that helps you access the most powerful part of your mind — the part responsible for habits, stress responses, and emotional patterns.

This article clears up the most common myths about hypnosis and explains what really happens during a session.

Myth #1: Hypnosis Is Mind Control

Let’s start with the biggest fear.
No one can make you do anything you don’t want to do under hypnosis. You’re always in control.

In fact, hypnosis isn’t sleep or unconsciousness at all — it’s a state of focused relaxation, similar to being deeply absorbed in a good movie or daydream. You’re awake, aware, and able to stop at any time.

Think of it as learning how to guide your own mind instead of letting stress or old habits run the show.

Myth #2: You Might Get “Stuck” in Trance

You can’t get stuck in hypnosis — it’s not a trap door in your brain.
Your mind moves in and out of light trance states all day long (like when you miss a freeway exit because you were deep in thought).

In a hypnotherapy session, your brain simply shifts into a relaxed state where your conscious mind quiets and your subconscious becomes more open to positive suggestion. If the session ended suddenly, you’d just open your eyes — probably more relaxed than before.

Myth #3: Hypnosis Is Just for Entertainment

Stage hypnosis uses volunteers, bright lights, and suggestion for showmanship.
Clinical hypnotherapy, on the other hand, is grounded in psychology and neuroscience.

Research from Stanford and Harvard has shown that hypnosis can influence brain activity in areas related to attention, emotion, and perception — which is why it’s effective for:

• Reducing stress and anxiety

• Improving sleep quality

• Supporting weight management and healthy habits

• Releasing old emotional patterns and healing trauma

• Overcoming procrastination and self-doubt

No clucking, no mind games — just evidence-based mental reset work that feels deeply peaceful.

Myth #4: You Have to “Believe” in Hypnosis for It to Work

You don’t have to believe anything.
Hypnosis is a natural brain state — you experience it every day when you get lost in thought, scroll through your phone, or drive on autopilot.

During a session, the goal isn’t to convince your mind of something; it’s to help your brain relax enough to make new connections and responses possible. The more curious and open you are, the more easily you’ll benefit.

What a Session Really Feels Like

In my Auburn office, sessions are quiet, comfortable, and personalized.
We start with a conversation about what you’d like to change — stress, sleep issues, overthinking, emotional eating, or simply wanting to feel calmer and more in control.

You’ll sit or lie back in a recliner, close your eyes, and listen as I guide you through gentle breathing and relaxation techniques.
You might feel light, tingly, or simply peaceful. You’re aware of my voice the entire time, and if you ever need to move, cough, or open your eyes, you can.

Most clients describe it as “an hour of mental reset” or “the most relaxed I’ve felt in years.”

The Science Behind Hypnotherapy

When you’re under hypnosis, your brain waves shift from beta (alert) to alpha and theta (relaxed and receptive).
In this state, your subconscious mind — where habits, emotions, and automatic responses live — becomes easier to work with.

That’s why hypnosis can help with behaviors that seem impossible to “willpower” your way through, such as emotional eating, anxiety, or repetitive thought loops.
We simply bypass the overthinking part of the brain and communicate directly with the part that drives lasting change.

Hypnotherapy in Auburn, CA: What to Expect

Every session is designed around you. Some people come for stress management, others for trauma release or mindset support alongside massage therapy.

My role is to make sure you feel comfortable and safe from start to finish. You remain fully clothed, fully aware, and in control of the process.

Many clients pair hypnotherapy with massage or mental fitness training for a whole-body approach to healing — addressing both the tension in the body and the chatter in the mind.

Common Questions

Can I be hypnotized?
Almost everyone can. If you’ve ever daydreamed or been deeply focused, you already know what hypnosis feels like.

Will I remember everything?
Yes. Some details may blur like a dream, but you’ll remember the overall experience clearly.

How many sessions do I need?
That depends on your goal. Some issues shift in just a few sessions; others benefit from consistent work, much like physical therapy for the mind.

The Real Purpose of Hypnotherapy

At its core, hypnotherapy is about helping you feel calm, capable, and in control again.
It’s not about losing control — it’s about regaining it.

Whether you’re struggling with stress, emotional eating, poor sleep, or old patterns you can’t seem to shake, hypnotherapy offers a gentle, science-backed way to reconnect with yourself and create real change from the inside out.

Ready to Learn More?

If you’ve been curious about hypnotherapy but unsure what to expect, let’s talk.
I offer a free consultation where you can ask questions, explore what you’d like to change, and see if it feels like the right fit.

📍 American River Massage & Hypnotherapy – Auburn, CA
Helping women release stress, improve sleep, and rediscover calm through massage, hypnotherapy, and mind-body care.

👉 Schedule your free consultation today.