What are the online platform options for hypnosis, and how does it work?

Thanks to technological advances, health and wellness services have been moving online. There are many online options for your hypnotism sessions. These practitioners highlight the popular choices and special considerations you should consider when moving your sessions online.

Zoom, Calendly, Jane App; You Have Less Control Over Their Environment

There are many platforms out there, and it can be overwhelming. But in my own search, I wanted to find an option that had a private and secure video calling option. I was also looking for an option that would support my practice – elements like scheduling and the ability to have appointment reminders automatically sent out were my top factors. I found that there are essentially two categories of options, some that offer either video calling or scheduling and then some “multi-purpose” options that have extra aspects that mean you don’t have to seek those services elsewhere.

For video calling only, Zoom is great for ease of use and the ability to record sessions, either video or just audio. But the privacy-compliant version is quite expensive. Doxy has a great secure video platform, and you get a convenient link rather than a new link each call, but it doesn’t offer the option to record sessions.

For client scheduling, both Calendly and Acuity are good. There are versions of each that include appointment reminders too, which is very helpful!

Of the platforms that are best for client privacy and adhering to national standards for personal health information, I found that platforms designed for online therapists work well and include Jane App, Owl, and Doxy. Both Jane and Owl are multi-purpose client management systems that also offer scheduling, appointment reminders, electronic charting for your client notes, and consent forms.

I personally opted for Jane because I really like how easy it is to use as a therapist. But also for my clients – they’ve all given great feedback about my switch to it.

In terms of the process, an important difference with online treatment is that hypnotists will want to have an additional component about consenting to online sessions specifically, noting that guarantees around confidentiality are a bit different than in-person. This is because we can ask clients to be in a quiet, private space for their appointments, but we can’t really control the factors on the client’s end.

I have found it helpful to create a document of tips for showing up for online sessions that I give to all my clients when we start working together. [It] includes various suggestions around privacy, a strong internet connection, and preparing for the appointment.

When you work in person, you get to create a space for your client to enter, and the effect of a serene and peaceful space can be really nice for the client. I encourage clients to set up their spaces to really support them for online sessions too. Aside from this, I have found that clients’ experience with online hypnosis is still really profound and transformative.

Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype; Put Safety Measures In Place

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy translate beautifully to online work because as a communication therapy it merely requires words and no touch. The therapeutic power of hypnosis is achieved when the client enters a deeply focused trance state called the Default Mode Network, which engages the brain’s left prefrontal cortex and main creative lobes where positive outcomes can start to be achieved.

This highly focused state is achieved when someone is deeply relaxed and comfortable, so working online from your own home, a familiar environment, can make hypnosis even easier than in a therapy clinic.

An online hypnotherapist will put in place safety measures such as taking your contact number or a number for someone in your home in case of the unlikely event that you fall asleep, have abreaction, or fail to come out of hypnosis. [They] may offer an online test run if you are new to working online. It is also recommended that you make yourself comfortable for the session, such as in a comfy chair that you can relax back in, and have a blanket to hand in case your temperature drops slightly when you relax.

Online Hypnosis is generally offered via Zoom, Google Meet, or even Skype. Finding online hypnosis can be as easy as looking on google or searching the directory of governing bodies such as the American Hypnosis Association.