Are Online Hypnotherapy Sessions as Effective as Face to Face?

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to adapt and change in many different ways. Hypnotherapy is no exception. After running the majority of my hypnotherapy sessions online, I realised that online sessions were just as effective as face to face. In fact, I believe they are more effective!

However, many people feel that online hypnotherapy sessions are somehow inferior or less effective than face-to-face sessions. So if you’re wondering if online hypnotherapy is really as effective as being face to face in a room together, then keep reading.

I’ll discuss and resolve any concerns that you may have around online hypnotherapy sessions and help you decide if this is the best option for you.

In this article, I will define what online hypnotherapy is. I’ll discuss its effectiveness and how a session with an online hypnotherapist works.

I’ll discuss and resolve any concerns that you may have around online hypnotherapy sessions and help you decide if this is the best option for you.

In this article, I will define what online hypnotherapy is. I’ll discuss its effectiveness and how a session with an online hypnotherapist works.

What is Online Hypnotherapy?

Online Hypnotherapy is where the hypnotherapist delivers the session via the internet. The Hypnotherapist will use video conferencing software such as Zoom, Skype or FaceTime to deliver the session.

It’s a live real-time hypnotherapy session that follows the same format and structure as a face-to-face session.

However, instead of sitting in the same room as me, we are seeing and hearing each other on a computer or tablet instead.

Online hypnotherapy is often called virtual hypnotherapy, tele-health hypnotherapy or skypenosis.

How Effective is Online Hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis is a natural state that you can achieve without being in the same room as me. As long as you can see and hear me, you will experience exactly the same benefits as seeing me in-person.

However, for many people, their biggest concern is that an online hypnotherapy session will be less effective than a face-to-face session.

They feel that they need that face-to-face connection with the hypnotherapist to get the best results.

However, from my experience, I have found that the same level of connection (or better) can be achieved with online sessions.

The Advantages of Online Hypnotherapy Sessions

These are some of the advantages or benefits of having hypnotherapy sessions online.

No Need to Travel.

This is a big reason many people choose an Online Hypnotherapist. Driving, traffic and finding parking can be stressful and can cause you to be late for your appointment. This has happened a few times to clients in the past.

Even if you use public transport, delays and crowded buses or trains can increase stress.

Instead, you can relax at home in your favourite chair or couch, and simply click a Zoom link to join the session.

And if you’re reading this article and you don’t live in Sydney, then we can still work together without you travelling long distances to meet in person.

Your Own Familiar Environment

Face-to-face hypnotherapy sessions can feel a little daunting for some people. The clinic is new and unfamiliar. You’ve never met me personally before (although you might have seen me on YouTube!).

With an online hypnotherapy session, you can sit in your favourite chair or couch and have your creature comforts close at hand. This can help you go into a deeper hypnotic state and make the hypnotherapy session more effective.

For disabled people or those with impaired mobility, online sessions allow hypnotherapy to be available to these people.

Saves You Time and Money

Once you add on the travel costs, this can significantly increase the cost of face-to-face sessions. Costs such as tolls, parking or public transport fares can add up, especially if you have multiple sessions.

Also, hypnotherapists working in busy CBD centres often charge more because their rents are higher.

I’ve had clients see me in-person from the Central Coast or even Newcastle. In these cases, the travel time and cost were quite significant.

So with an online hypnotherapy session, you can save time and money, including that extra 15 to 30 minutes that you probably allow to ensure that you make it to my office or clinic on time.

More Hypnotherapists to Choose From!

With online hypnotherapy, you are not restricted to working with a hypnotherapist in your local area. You can find one in another state, country or continent!

I’ve run online hypnotherapy sessions for people in the US, UK, Canada, Kuwait, West Australia, Southern Highlands as well as Sydneysiders that prefer not to travel.

This is especially important if you are looking for the best hypnotherapist to help with specific issues such as Eating Disorders, IBS, OCD, PTSD, Sexual Problems or Tinnitus. Your local hypnotherapist may not be experienced enough to deal with these issues.

More Flexible Appointment Times

I can often deliver online hypnotherapy sessions as early as 7am or as late as 8pm, as I don’t need to factor in travel time to and from the clinic.

This can be very useful if you would like to see a hypnotherapist outside of normal working hours.

Totally COVID-19 Safe

With an online session, you can sneeze, cough or blow your nose without being concerned about others. You also eliminate any contact with other people in the clinic or when travelling to and from my clinic.

Often Quieter

Many hypnotherapists have their clinics in busy urban areas, so that they are easily accessible. However, noise from traffic, fire engines and construction work and sometimes be a distraction.

If you live in a peaceful suburban or rural area, you can enjoy being hypnotised whilst listening to the sounds of nature in the background!

How does Online Hypnotherapy Work?

We agree on the date and time for the session by phone or email. My preferred software is Zoom, although if you’re more comfortable with Skype, FaceTime. Teams or another platform, then happy to use that instead.

Assuming that we use Zoom, I would then send you a unique Zoom link for each session. This link is safe and secure, and only you and I have access to it.

Just before the start of the session, you would click the link and follow the instructions. You’ll be taken to a virtual waiting area and I’ll then let you in. We will then be able to see and hear each other and work together in the same way as a face-to-face session.

For payments, I use a very secure and efficient online payments platform called Stripe. I will send you a Stripe payment link and you can then pay for the session using any debit or credit card. Other options, such as PayPal or direct bank transfer, are available too.

How to Prepare for an Online Hypnotherapy Session

A little preparation will help you have an online hypnotherapy session that is equally (or more effective) than a face-to-face session.

Some of the things that I recommend include:

Telling family members or flatmates that you don’t want to be disturbed.
Shutting doors to prevent pets or children wondering in.
Closing windows (or using air conditioning) to dampen down outside noise
Wearing headphones, especially noise cancelling ones.
Putting all electronic devices into do not disturb mode.
Charging your device beforehand or connecting it to a power source.
Being able to use your device hands free (a laptop or tablet is best for this)

Common Concerns about Online Hypnotherapy Sessions

Rapport and Connection

You might be concerned that an online session will be less therapeutic. That it’s harder to achieve the rapport necessary for the very best results.

From my experience, I have been able to create the same deep level of rapport and connection in my online hypnotherapy sessions. Sometimes, the level of connection is deeper, as the client is more relaxed in their own environment.

Technology Issues

Since COVID-19, most people have adapted to Zoom, Facetime and other platforms to communicate with friends and loved ones.

However, if you struggle with technology, then I can give you guidance over the phone to help you join the online hypnotherapy session.

I’ll also help you feel at ease with the technology as you relax into the online session.

Getting Stuck in Hypnosis!

What happens if you’re in a deep state of hypnosis and the connection drops? – Well, you will naturally come back to normal waking awareness. We can then reconnect and continue. Contrary to popular belief, it is not possible to get stuck in hypnosis!

Is Online Hypnotherapy the Best Choice for Me?

Although you now realise that online hypnotherapy is as effective as face to face, you might still feel more comfortable having a face-to-face session. Some of the reasons why people prefer face to face include.

Confidentiality (especially if you live with other people)
No reliance on technology
Prefer the face-to-face connection

Sometimes, online hypnotherapy may be your only option, especially if you wish to work with a hypnotherapist that specialises in a particular issue and lives in another city, state or country.

Am I Providing Face to Face Sessions?

For the time being, I am only offering online hypnotherapy sessions. This is to allow me to work more efficiently and effectively with a wider range of people.

It also means that I can provide sessions at a lower cost, as I do not need to factor in the cost of renting clinic rooms.

To Find Out More

Go to my A-Z Treatments page for detailed information on all the issues I help people resolve.

Learn about my Fees here.

What is Your Next Step?

Call Paul on 0433 446 012 for a friendly, caring and confidential chat. Alternatively, email paul@harbourhypnotherapy.com.au.

We can talk further about how best to resolve your issue and I can help you decide whether an online hypnotherapy session is right for you.

When you get in touch, you will feel good that you’ve taken the first step in changing your life for the better.

When everything feels right for you, we can book your first session and help you make the change you desire.

Call now on 0433 446 012

I look forward to talking with you soon.

Best wishes

Paul Thomas

Online Clinical Hypnotherapist

5.0 15 reviews

Marcelle M ★★★★★
On first meeting Paul it is clear to me that he has a very strong understanding of neural pathway reprogramming and after taking a detailed history and goal setting discussion provides highly specific and clear hypnotic suggestion.
G ★★★★★
I initially booked a session with Paul not really knowing what to expect, being a little apprehensive and skeptical about the idea of hypnosis. Paul instantly put me at ease and addressed all the questions I had while making me feel relaxed … More about the whole process. By the end of the session my life long nail biting addiction seems to have gone away, nails are well on the road to recovery also. I have since been back to visit Paul regarding other issues as I was so amazed by the whole experience and result. Would highly recommend Paul and hypnosis in general, George.
George O ★★★★★
I initially booked a session with Paul not really knowing what to expect, being a little apprehensive and skeptical about the idea of hypnosis. Paul instantly put me at ease and addressed all the questions I had while making me feel relaxed … More about the whole process. By the end of the session my life long nail biting addiction seems to have gone away, nails are well on the road to recovery also. I have since been back to visit Paul regarding other issues as I was so amazed by the whole experience and result. Would highly recommend Paul and hypnosis in general, George.
Annette A ★★★★★
Paul was a pleasure to deal with. He was very practical and helped me deal with my issue. I would highly recommend Paul to anyone.
liam J ★★★★★
I cannot thank and, recommend Paul Enough.
After 12 years living with eating disorder, I was mentally strong enough, to stop the habit almost immediately. It’s been almost 3 weeks since my fist session.
I have delved deep into issues around … More the start of my issue, allowing me to take control and live freely without the eating disorder.
I’m certainly living a much healthier life, and excited to keep going with the therapy and healing.
Sarah J ★★★★★
Thank you so much for all your help Paul. It is very clear that you deeply care about the wellbeing of your clients, you have such a patient and kind approach and I really appreciated all your help. Our session recordings which you passed … More on after were also a life saver and helped to reinforce everything. Until next time!
Shane K ★★★★★
I found working with Paul to be a fantastic experience.
He is professional and personable. He provides a comfortable safe environment which that enabled me to speak freely about my issues. Establishing rapport with him came easy and we … More were able to work together to address my problems.
I felt Paul understood that people can experience a vartiety of difficulties and life can be complex at times. He therefore seeks to really know the problem and explores different approaches to reach a solution.
I found his methods to be more productive and achieved better results than when I spoke with a number of psychologists on the same matter. He really cuts through to the issues at hand, which is something that really worked for me.
I was initially a little hesitant about the idea of hypnotherapy but I have found it to be nothing but beneficial. It seemed to focus on minimising negative traits and bring out one's positive attributes. I think everyone should give it a go and would have no hesitation recommending Paul or using his services again if ever needed.
Thanks again Paul.
Mandy F ★★★★★
I've recently had a couple of session with Paul and found him to be a highly qualified and engaging hypnotherapist. Paul has helped me to re-organize my thinking and calm my thoughts through hypnotherapy. He helped me to understand … More how I can do it for myself and provided recordings of our sessions that I've re-played many times. I highly recommend Paul to others who may be considering this course of treatment.
Mel K ★★★★★
After searching the web for therapists that utilise NLP techniques I came across Paul at Harbour Hypnotherapy. We had a quick phone call then booked an appointment. From the first appointment I got immediate results with my sleep quality … More so I went back for more sessions. I'm not entirely sure how it all works but it doesnt really matter, all that matters is that since my sessions with Paul I have seen massive improvements in all areas that he helped me with. Paul is very personable and easy to talk to . I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone needing help on a range of issues. Money very well spent.