What clinical hypnotherapy is
Clinical hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation, focused attention and therapeutic suggestion to help you engage more fully with a psychological goal. You remain awake, aware and in control throughout. You cannot be made to act against your values, reveal what you wish to keep private, or be 'stuck' in hypnosis.
It is best understood as a way of delivering therapeutic work, not as a therapy by itself. The clinical thinking behind it — assessment, formulation, treatment planning — is the same disciplined process used in any psychological treatment.
In my practice, hypnotherapy is offered as one option within a wider psychological plan, alongside cognitive and behavioural approaches, EFT (tapping) and NLP-informed techniques. It is chosen when it fits the person and the concern, never applied as a routine add-on.
What it is commonly used for
Common applications include stress and physical tension, difficulty falling asleep, habit change such as smoking or nail-biting, confidence in specific situations, performance and exam anxiety, particular fears and phobias, and emotional regulation work.
It is also used as an adjunct within anxiety and trauma-informed treatment plans, where deep relaxation and guided imagery support the wider therapeutic work.
Every application begins with assessment. If hypnotherapy is not the right tool for your situation, that is said plainly and an alternative is recommended.
What a session is actually like
A first appointment is mostly conversation: your goals, your history, your expectations, and whether the approach is suitable at all. Nothing hypnotic happens before you understand and agree to the process.
When hypnosis is used, the session typically involves settling the body and attention, a period of focused therapeutic work on the agreed goal, and a short discussion afterwards. Many clients are taught a simple self-practice technique to use between sessions — that daily practice is usually what carries the benefit forward.
People describe the experience as deep physical calm with a clear mind — closer to absorbed concentration than to sleep.
Honest limits
Hypnotherapy is not a cure, not appropriate for every person or every concern, and no responsible practitioner guarantees results or fixed timelines. It does not replace medical treatment, psychiatric care or psychological assessment.
It is not used to 'recover' memories — suggestion-based memory work carries a known risk of creating distorted memories, so it is avoided in responsible practice.
Where a serious mental health condition or medical concern is present, hypnotherapy is only ever one part of a wider, coordinated plan.
How to choose a hypnotherapist in Pakistan safely
Ask about training and supervision. A credible practitioner can name their qualifications and explain their approach in plain language. Be cautious of anyone who promises instant cures, guaranteed outcomes, or treatment for serious medical or psychiatric conditions through hypnosis alone.
Prefer a practitioner who assesses before treating, explains what a session involves before it begins, works within confidentiality, and is willing to say 'this is not the right approach for you' when it is not.
Hypnotherapy works best in trained clinical hands. The technique is simple; the judgement about when and whether to use it is what you are actually choosing.
Booking a hypnotherapy consultation
Hypnotherapy consultations are available in person in Lahore — at PCSIR Staff Colony, College Road and at Block Z, DHA Phase 3, open daily 9:00 am to 11:00 pm by appointment — and online across Pakistan for suitable presentations.
You can request an appointment through the booking form or send a WhatsApp message to discuss whether hypnotherapy fits your situation before committing to anything.
Common questions
- Will I lose control during hypnotherapy?
- No. You remain aware and in control throughout, and you can end the process at any time. Clinical hypnosis cannot make you act against your own values or reveal anything you wish to keep private.
- How many sessions are usually needed?
- It depends on the goal and the person. Focused habit or sleep work is often shorter; difficulties connected to longer-standing anxiety take more time. No specific number of sessions or outcome is guaranteed.
- Is hypnotherapy safe?
- In trained clinical hands, for suitable presentations, it is a well-tolerated technique. Suitability is assessed individually, and for some situations other psychological or medical approaches are recommended first.
- Can hypnotherapy be done online?
- Yes, for suitable presentations. Guided relaxation and focused-attention work translate well to secure video sessions, provided you have a private, quiet space.
Ready to talk it through?
A single assessment appointment with Tayyab Murtaza, Clinical Psychologist & Hypnotherapist, is the clearest way to understand what you are experiencing and what would help. Sessions are available in person in Lahore and securely online across Pakistan and internationally.
About the author
Tayyab Murtaza is a Clinical Psychologist & Hypnotherapist and Founder of Fatima Hope and Psychological Centre, offering assessment, psychological therapy, group therapy and clinical hypnotherapy in Lahore and online.
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