Why Hypnosis Doesn’t Work for Some People (And Why That Doesn’t Mean It Won’t Work for You)

By Kendall, Island of the Mind Hypnosis & Tarot

“Hypnosis Didn’t Work for Me.”

I hear this often. Someone books a consultation and says, “My friend tried hypnosis and said it didn’t work.” Or, “I tried it once and nothing changed.”

It’s a fair concern, but it’s also a misunderstanding. Just because hypnosis didn’t work for one person, doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. More often than not, the issue isn’t that hypnosis failed. The problem lies in how hypnosis is approached, what happens after the session, and whether the right practitioner was involved.

Let me explain, because I’ve been on both sides of the process.

My First Hypnosis Experience: Skeptical, Curious, and Completely Changed

I first tried hypnosis in 2016. An acquaintance of mine was completing their training and needed practice hours. I was curious but skeptical. At first, I felt like giggling. The serious tone, the quiet space, the whole setup felt foreign to me. I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I stayed open to the idea that it could help.

As the sessions continued, I experienced something I didn’t expect. Emotional releases started to surface. I discovered triggers from my childhood that I had never identified. I became more self-aware.

At the time, my goal was to break an unhealthy emotional attachment to someone who was not valuing me. In one of my sessions, I visualized placing that emotional baggage onto an airplane and sending it off to travel the world. The plane would only return if I ever chose to call it back. That visualization stayed with me. It was my first release from that unhealthy attachment. To this day, I still do not have contact with that person.

It took about three sessions before I started noticing changes in my daily life. The work didn’t happen overnight, but the shift was powerful and lasting. That’s the piece many people don’t understand about hypnosis.

Why Hypnosis “Didn’t Work” For Some People

I’ve worked with many clients who came to me after previous experiences where hypnosis didn’t seem to work. Some of the reasons they shared include:

• They weren’t able to relax

• They didn’t feel comfortable with the practitioner

• The environment didn’t feel safe or calming

• The session felt rushed or awkward

  
  

In some cases, people simply need more time to feel safe enough to relax. Others may need a different practitioner whose style matches their needs. When I hear this feedback, I adjust my approach. I slow down the relaxation process and openly invite feedback about anything that didn’t feel quite right.

Finding a hypnosis professional who works for you can be similar to finding a good therapist or coach. You may need to meet a few before finding the one who makes you feel supported, safe, and understood.

The Work Doesn’t End After The Session

The most common misunderstanding about hypnosis isn’t about getting into trance. It’s about what happens afterwards. Hypnosis can be a deeply relaxing and insightful experience, but lasting change happens through daily reinforcement.

This is why I give many of my clients a small notebook after our sessions. I ask them to write down at least one thing each day that contributes to their goal or reflects progress. It could be a positive thought they had, a moment of awareness, or a behavior they successfully shifted. This creates a record of progress they can reflect on.

Without this type of reinforcement, old patterns can start creeping back in. Hypnosis opens the door to change, but you have to walk through that door and keep moving forward.

I often explain it like hiring a personal trainer. You can learn the perfect form for a squat, but if you go home and eat junk food every day, you won’t get the results you want. Hypnosis works the same way. It gives you the tools and head start, but you must take action afterwards to support your growth.

Common Myths About Hypnosis

Many people worry they won’t be able to relax or focus enough to be hypnotized. I hear things like:

• “I have ADHD, I can’t focus.”

• “I don’t do well with quiet.”

• “What if I fall asleep?”

• “I can’t shut my mind off.”

  
  

I understand these concerns. I have ADHD myself and know what it’s like to struggle with focus. The good news is that hypnosis doesn’t require a perfectly silent mind. You don’t have to be fully still or mentally blank. In fact, many clients experience a gentle flow of thoughts during hypnosis, and that is completely normal.

You won’t fall asleep because hypnosis is not sleep. You’ll remain aware throughout the session, even if you enter a deeply relaxed state. If anything feels uncomfortable or distracting, that feedback is welcomed so adjustments can be made.

Another important point is this: I am not here to convince anyone to try hypnosis. If you’re not at least open to the process based on your own research or curiosity, I won’t try to sell you on it. I want my clients to feel empowered, informed, and ready to take part in their own healing. If you are not invested in yourself, hypnosis likely won’t give you the outcome you’re hoping for.

The Role of Follow-Up Sessions

Some people expect one hypnosis session to completely resolve years of patterns. While one session can create powerful shifts, follow-up sessions are incredibly valuable for reinforcing new thought patterns and behaviors. Each session builds on the last, creating deeper awareness and stability.

Hypnosis is not a magic wand. It’s a tool for self-awareness and personal empowerment. Lasting success comes from consistent attention to your mindset and choices, which is why multiple sessions and post-session homework are so helpful.

Finding The Right Hypnosis Practitioner

Just like with other personal growth professionals, finding the right hypnosis practitioner takes consideration. Look for someone who:

• Welcomes feedback and adjusts their approach based on your comfort

• Focuses on empowerment, not dependency

• Provides tools for continued growth after the session

• Is transparent about how hypnosis works and what you can expect

• Respects your individual pace and needs

  
  

When you find the right fit, hypnosis can become one of the most rewarding tools you’ve ever used to shift your mindset, break limiting patterns, and improve your life.

Ready to Explore Hypnosis For Yourself?

If you’ve heard that hypnosis didn’t work for someone you know, remember that their experience does not define what is possible for you. Hypnosis is deeply personal and depends on your openness, your commitment, and your practitioner’s approach.

If you are ready to explore this work in a supportive, judgment-free space, I offer private hypnosis sessions both in person in Southwestern Ontario and virtually by video chat. Every session is custom tailored to your needs, your goals, and your pace.

You can learn more or book your consultation at: https://www.islandofthemindhypnosis.ca/book-online

With love & light,

Kendall

Island of the Mind Hypnosis & Tarot