It is a common misconception that people can get stuck in hypnosis. Hypnosis is a natural state of mind that we all experience every day, such as when we daydream or become absorbed in a book or movie. You may have experienced self-hypnosis when you have been driving and you "zone out" and all of a sudden you miss your exit. At no point are not in control but instead just in such a relaxed state that your conscious mind checks out momentarily and allows your automatic processing to take over. During hypnosis, the hypnotherapist simply guides the individual into a deeper state of relaxation and focus. Self hypnosis can be a type of mindfulness practice you may decide to use and I can walk my clients through various visualizations and daily affirmations that can help with a variety of issues.
While in hypnosis, individuals are always in control and can choose to come out of the trance at any time. In fact, it is impossible to remain in hypnosis indefinitely. Even if the hypnotist were to leave the room or fall asleep, the individual would eventually come out of the trance on their own. In fact, I have had the odd scenario where I was performing hypnotherapy virtually and the client is in a remote area with inconsistent internet. The internet cut out and we had to rejoin the call mid session. She took about a minute or two before noticing I was no longer speaking to her and her conscious brain clicked back online and reasoned that something must have happened. She opened her eyes, recognized that the call had dropped and rejoined.
It is important to note that hypnosis should always be conducted by a trained professional in a safe and controlled environment. If you have concerns about hypnosis or how it might impact you, consult with a qualified hypnotherapist who can address your questions and provide reassurance. If you have more questions you can always book a consultation call free of charge to see if hypnotherapy might be a good fit for you!