Will I Cluck Like a Chicken? Debunking Hypnosis Myths

I’m not sure where the idea came from that hypnosis will make someone cluck like a chicken. Many misconceptions about hypnosis stem from stage shows, where people do hilarious things. (I personally love watching these!) But a stage show is carefully crafted for the audience’s entertainment. Those participants agreed to be part of a stage show and do goofy things for laughs.

I’ve been a hypnotherapist for seven years now, and I’ve yet to have anyone request chicken impersonations as their therapeutic goal.

Why People Actually Seek Hypnotherapy
A few people come to hypnosis because they’ve tried it before and had success. Some come because they’ve been recommended by a friend or medical professional. But most people come to hypnotherapy when they’re out of options, when they’ve tried “everything” and nothing has worked, or out of sheer desperation, with a thought of “Why not? I’ll give it a try.”

Hypnosis can seem scary because we mostly see it portrayed as a loss of control: people doing silly things, dangerous things, or in many films, horrifying things. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

The Reality: Hypnosis Is a Natural State
In fact, hypnosis is a natural state you experience multiple times every day: waking up, driving to work, watching a movie, falling asleep. The difference is that you’re usually entering these states unintentionally, rather than with purpose and direction.

Hypnosis is a learning state, a focused state of attention where you can intentionally program your mind toward your goals. Think of it as a heightened state of concentration where your subconscious mind becomes more receptive to positive change.

What Actually Happens in a Hypnotherapy Session
Initial Discussion  First, we’ll discuss your goals and what you hope to achieve through hypnosis. In initial sessions, I also explain how the mind works, how hypnosis works, and how you can expect to feel during a session. Most people feel physically relaxed, emotionally calm and comfortable, and mentally wide awake.
This doesn’t mean you’ll catch every single word the hypnotist says. Your mind might wander, or you could find yourself thinking about other things. That’s completely normal and doesn’t diminish the effectiveness of the session.

Progressive Relaxation Sessions typically move into a progressive relaxation to help your body relax and heighten your state of internal focus. You’ll be gently guided away from outside noises as you relax into a more dreamlike state. This feels very similar to meditation, prayer, or even savasana after a yoga class.

Therapeutic Suggestions Once you’ve gone through the relaxation, your hypnotherapist will guide you through techniques to deepen the state, then offer what we call “suggestions.” We use this term because that’s exactly what they are: 

suggestions, not commands.

You are always in control of your own mind, and you are always most suggestible to yourself. In my sessions, I usually add wording along the lines of “you’re open to suggestions that are comfortable and beneficial to you.” Your subconscious mind acts as a filter, accepting what serves you and disregarding what doesn’t.

This is why you can’t be hypnotized to do something against your values or will. Your mind naturally protects you, even in this relaxed, focused state.

Reorientation After about 15 to 20 minutes for first sessions (a bit longer for experienced clients), you’ll be gently brought back to full awareness. Any important information will be reiterated, and you’ll have time to ask questions about your experience.

The Bottom Line
Hypnotherapy is a powerful, evidence-based tool for personal change and healing. It’s not about losing control or doing embarrassing things. Instead, it’s about gaining greater control over your thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses.

So no, you won’t cluck like a chicken unless that’s genuinely your goal. And in seven years, I’m still waiting for that first request.

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