If that's what you're thinking, you're not alone. It's one of the first questions people ask when they're considering online sessions. And it's a fair question. Hypnotherapy feels personal, intimate even. Why would something that seems so connected to being in the same room work through a video call?
The short answer? It does work. Just as effectively as me sitting across the room from you.
Let me explain why.
Yes, Online Hypnotherapy Works - Here's Why
Your subconscious mind doesn't know the difference between in-person and online.
When you watch a film that moves you to tears, your brain responds as if what you're watching is real. When you listen to a guided meditation through headphones, your body relaxes just as effectively as if someone were in the room with you.
Hypnotherapy works with your subconscious mind through focused attention, guided relaxation, and carefully chosen language. All of this works just as effectively through video. My voice reaches you. The techniques work. The therapeutic relationship forms.
I've been delivering online hypnotherapy sessions since 2020, working with clients across the UK and internationally, from Europe to the USA, Mexico, Australia, and Africa. The results? Identical to in-person work. People overcome anxiety, release old patterns, build confidence, and heal from trauma, all from the comfort of their own homes, wherever in the world that happens to be.
What the Research Says
You don't have to take my word for it. Research backs this up.
Studies conducted during and after the COVID-19 pandemic consistently showed that online hypnotherapy produces the same outcomes as face-to-face sessions. Clinical effectiveness remains high across the board.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends hypnotherapy for conditions like IBS. Their guidelines don't specify in-person only, because the evidence shows online delivery is just as effective.
What Actually Happens in an Online Session
Let me guide you through it, so you can picture what it's really like.
You're at home. In your most comfortable chair, or on your sofa, or even lying in bed if that's where you feel most relaxed. You're wearing whatever feels comfortable. There's no journey to get there, no unfamiliar waiting room, no wondering if you parked in the right place.
You might choose to put your headphones in. The video call connects. I use a secure, confidential platform designed for therapy. We have a brief chat to check in. How are you feeling today? What's been happening since we last spoke? What do we want to focus on? Do you have any questions before we start?
Are you ready to be hypnotised?
Then we begin. I guide you into a relaxed state, just as I would in person. Your eyes close. Your breathing deepens. You turn you attention inwards that deepens into a comfortable, focused state where the real work happens.
Using specific therapeutic techniques, I work with your subconscious mind to shift anxiety and old protective mechanisms, or release old patterns of behaviour and unhealthy habits, allowing you to build your self-confidence and motivation as you regain control. Your subconscious mind is engaged, receptive, doing exactly what it would do if we were in the same room. It’s only your conscious logical mind that thinks we should be in the same room.
Then I gently bring you out of trance and help you reorientate to the here and now, giving you time to readjust from the feeling of being in a deeply relaxed state. For some people, they feel like they have awoken from a deep sleep even though they remember everything; some feel like time has distorted like the just closed their eyes or for others it seems ages when it’s just been a short while; other clients feel like they have just been relaxing with their eyes closed listening to me. However, you feel, being home or in your chosen spot means you don’t have to drive or navigate public transport and can take your time to get back to everyday life.
The Advantages You Might Not Have Considered
Online hypnotherapy isn't just "as good as" in-person. For many people, it's actually better.
No travel time or costs.Whether you're in London, Manchester, Cornwall, the Scottish Highlands, or halfway around the world, you have access to the same quality of therapy without spending hours on the road or hundreds of pounds on travel.
More appointment flexibility. No need to factor in commute time. A lunchtime session is actually possible. Evening appointments don't mean getting home at 10pm.
Perfect for those with mobility issues, chronic conditions, or caring responsibilities. No physical barriers to accessing support.
You can work with the right therapist for you. Not just whoever happens to be local. You choose based on approach, specialisation, and connection - not geography.
Common Concerns Addressed
Let me answer the questions people ask before booking their first online session.
"What if my internet drops?"
It happens occasionally. We simply reconnect. You're safe. Nothing dramatic occurs. You don't stay "stuck" in hypnosis. That's a myth. If the call drops, you either continue relaxing peacefully or you naturally come out of the focused state on your own. We pick up where we left off. I've worked with clients from rural Scotland to parts of Africa where internet connectivity can be unpredictable. We simply work around it and schedule sessions when the connection is most reliable.
"What if I can't relax at home with distractions?"
ou don't have to be at home. As long as you have good internet, you're safe, and your body is properly supported throughout the session, you can choose wherever works for you.
I've had several clients do sessions in their cars during work breaks, parked somewhere quiet, headphones in, fully private. In fact, for people working on driving-related phobias or habits, the car can be the perfect location. You're literally in the environment where the issue shows up, which makes it easier to break old patterns and create positive anchors in that exact context.
The key is having a space where you won't be interrupted, where you feel safe enough to close your eyes and go into trance, and where your body is comfortable and supported. That might be home. It might be your car. It might be a quiet office with the door locked. You decide what works best for you.
"Is it as personal as meeting face-to-face?"
Yes. The therapeutic relationship still forms. You still feel heard, understood, and supported. Connection happens through presence, attention, and empathy, not physical proximity. Many clients tell me they feel online sessions are more intimate because they're inviting me into their personal space, rather than entering an unfamiliar therapy room.
"What if I need something urgently during the session?"
You're always in control. You can open your eyes at any moment. You can speak up. You can pause. Hypnosis isn't something done to you. It's a collaborative process. If you need to stop for any reason, you simply do.
"When will I notice results?"
This is where hypnotherapy works differently than you might expect. Often, I'll make a suggestion during the session: "I don't know whether in a week, a month, or a year, you'll suddenly realise that you haven't felt or wanted (whatever you wanted to change) anymore."
The freedom comes from that realisation. You're not consciously checking whether the anxiety is gone or whether the craving has disappeared. You're just living your life. And then one day, could be next week, could be months from now, you notice. You haven't had that panic attack. You haven't reached for a cigarette. You haven't replayed that conversation in your head.
Whatever we released doesn't bother you anymore. Not because you've been fighting it or managing it, but because it's simply gone. The pattern was released, and you're free of it without even noticing the exact moment it left.
When Online Might Not Be Right
I'm not going to pretend online hypnotherapy works for absolutely everyone in every situation. Being honest about this builds trust.
If you don't have a private, quiet space where you won't be interrupted, online sessions become difficult. Hypnotherapy requires focus and privacy.
If you're in the middle of an active crisis particularly one involving immediate safety concerns, you may need more intensive, in-person support first. That said, I've worked with many clients who were in crisis, and online therapy was exactly what they needed. It depends on the nature of the crisis and what support you require.
If you have specific needs that genuinely require in-person support, I'll be honest with you about that during our consultation.
The Technology Side (It's Simpler Than You Think)
You don't need to be tech-savvy. If you can make a video call, you can do online hypnotherapy.
I use a secure, confidential platform. It works on your phone, tablet, or computer. You'll receive a link. You click it. We connect. That's it.
A quick note on devices: Whilst sessions work on phones, tablets, or computers, a laptop or tablet is ideal. During the session, I need to see your hands and observe how you're responding to the therapeutic work. This helps me adjust the pace and approach in real-time. Phones can work. Many clients have used them successfully. But positioning can take a bit of juggling to get the angle right. If you're planning to do sessions in your car, a phone mount or propping your device on the dashboard usually does the trick.
If you're nervous about the technical side, I'm happy to do a brief test call beforehand. We'll make sure everything works and get the positioning right, so you feel confident when it's time for your actual session.
How to Know If It's Right for You
Hypnotherapy, whether online or in-person, is particularly effective for:
Some issues, like phobias or specific fears, often shift within 2-3 sessions. Habits usually 2-4 sessions. For deeper patterns like anxiety, confidence, or stress, most people notice real change within 3-6 sessions. Complex trauma or deeply embedded patterns may need 6-10 sessions.
The best way to know if online hypnotherapy is right for you? Let’s have a chat. Book a free consultation. We'll talk about what you're struggling with, what you've tried before, and whether this approach could help.
There's no pressure. No obligation. Just an honest discussion about whether we're the right fit for each other and whether hypnotherapy can address what you're dealing with.
Your Next Step
If you've read this far, chances are you're genuinely curious about whether online hypnotherapy could help you.
The only way to know for certain is to try it.
Book a free consultation. Let's talk about what's bringing you here. What you've been struggling with. What you want to change. I'll be honest about whether I think hypnotherapy is the right approach for your situation.
No pressure. No hard sell. Just a conversation between two people about whether this work could support you in finding the freedom, peace, or clarity you're looking for.
Sometimes the hardest part is reaching out. But you've already done the research. You've read this article. You're considering whether to take the next step.
That step is simpler than you think. Get in touch. Let's see if online hypnotherapy is right for you.
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