The consciousness of the individual concerned separates into two streams, which are out of touch with each other. You are actually conscious and aware of only one line of thought and action at this time, while the rest is being done at an unconscious level. Working with a therapist, you may actually be aware of noises outside, the tightness of your shoes, the background music, but your awareness of these things is somehow slightly distant or removed, as you are concentrating much more deeply on what I or another therapist is saying to you, and on what you are using the hypnosis for. It is important to grasp this fact that the Trance State is a natural, everyday phenomenon. It can be a failure by the therapist to not make this point clear and allowing you to think you have not been hypnotised because it all feels so ordinary.
Expectation counts for a great deal.
The hypnotic experience has the unusual characteristic of combining concentration with relaxation, which allows you to focus on your problem, anxiety or development-need and remain relaxed. It is fortunately a fact that most people are able to achieve a much deeper state of calm and peace in the Trance State than out of it. Once in that state the mind is much better able to accept suggestions or other hypnotic interventions to work with the particular area of disturbance. Such an experience can break the link between an idea, memory or thought and its attendant anxiety and tension. It can help change what you need to change and develop what you need to develop.