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What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis, Trance & Quacking Like a Duck: Understanding the Differences Between :
Trance, Stage Hypnosis, and Strategic Hypnotherapy

When people hear the word "hypnosis," many conjure up images of people on stage quacking like ducks, barking like dogs, or doing something equally ridiculous. These humorous performances, often seen in entertainment shows, contribute to misunderstandings about what hypnosis is and how it works. To clear things up, it’s important to differentiate between stage hypnosis, trance states, and strategic hypnotherapy. These three are quite distinct, yet they all involve forms of hypnosis.

What Is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a natural state of focused attention or heightened suggestibility where the conscious mind becomes more relaxed, and the subconscious becomes more accessible. In this state, individuals are more open to positive suggestions, which is what makes hypnotherapy effective for behavioural changes and personal growth.

Trance: A Natural and Everyday State

Trance is a natural phenomenon that we all experience regularly. Have you ever driven home and realised you can’t remember part of the journey? Or gotten lost in a good book or movie? That’s trance. It’s simply a state of focused attention where the mind is absorbed in something else.

In the context of hypnotherapy, the trance state is induced purposefully. The individual remains fully in control, relaxed, and aware of their surroundings. This is an essential point—being in a trance does not mean being under someone’s control.

  Stage Hypnosis: Entertainment vs. Therapy

Stage hypnosis is often what comes to mind when people think about hypnosis. It involves hypnotising volunteers in a crowd to perform entertaining and sometimes outlandish acts, like quacking like a duck or pretending to be a rock star. This type of hypnosis is designed to amuse an audience. 


In these cases, participants are often very willing to comply with the hypnotist’s suggestions because:

1. They are in a public setting and often feel encouraged to “perform” for the crowd.

2. Only the most suggestible individuals, typically people who are naturally extroverted, are selected from the audience.

3. The setting of a stage hypnotist show creates an atmosphere where participants feel more comfortable letting go of inhibitions, knowing that it’s all in good fun.


Importantly, stage hypnosis relies on showmanship and cooperation from the participant. While some people may appear to have lost control, they’re actually fully aware of what they’re doing and can choose to stop participating at any time.

Strategic Hypnotherapy: A Therapeutic Approach

On the other hand, strategic hypnotherapy is designed to help individuals overcome specific challenges, such as anxiety, phobias, or negative habits. Unlike stage hypnosis, this process is therapeutic and goal-oriented. It uses the trance state to bypass the conscious mind and work directly with the subconscious to make positive changes.

During strategic hypnotherapy sessions:

  • The hypnotherapist guides the individual into a state of deep relaxation or focused attention.
  • The individual remains aware and can process suggestions to help them reach their desired goals.
  • There is no entertainment factor—strategic hypnotherapy is focused entirely on healing, personal development, and long-term change.

Unlike stage hypnosis, which plays on the willingness to entertain, therapeutic hypnosis is entirely voluntary and deeply personalised. The focus is on achieving specific outcomes tailored to the individual's needs.

Common Myths

1."I will lose control under hypnosis."  

A common myth from stage hypnosis shows is that people believe they will be under the control of the hypnotist. In reality, during strategic hypnotherapy, you remain fully in control. You are aware of what is happening and can even reject suggestions that don’t feel right to you.

2."I will reveal secrets."  

You won't spill your secrets or do anything against your will in a hypnotherapy session. Your subconscious mind still protects your deeper values, and a hypnotherapist cannot override that.

3."It’s like being asleep."  

Hypnosis feels more like a daydream or a deep meditative state, where you’re very relaxed but not unconscious or asleep.

While stage hypnosis and strategic hypnotherapy both use the power of suggestion, their goals and contexts are vastly different. Trance is a natural, everyday phenomenon that is harnessed in strategic hypnotherapy to create lasting, positive changes. On the other hand, stage hypnosis is purely for entertainment, often exaggerated to amuse an audience.

If you’re seeking hypnotherapy for real-life concerns such as anxiety, smoking cessation, or weight loss, rest assured that strategic hypnotherapy is a safe, controlled, and effective way to create meaningful changes in your life. There will be no quacking like ducks involved—unless, of course, you really want to!

If you're ready to experience the transformative power of strategic hypnotherapy, book a consultation with Strategic Hypnotherapy Melbourne today and begin your journey toward positive change.


Let me know if you'd like more information https://hypnotherapy.melbourne-victoria.au/bourne, we tailor each session to ensure the best possible outcomes for you.


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