How do you know if you have been in hypnosis or can be hypnotized? There are three elements that occur in hypnosis. The first is the ability to focus (which we all have). The second is accepting or giving yourself suggestions. The third is using your imagination. When you experience these three there is usually a change in sensations. We experience these three elements throughout our lives (usually, but not always unconsciously) in positive or negative ways. When the experience is positive I call it a positive trance. People ask me for help when the trance is negative and feelings are overwhelming. Most people can be easily hypnotized. The exceptions are paranoid people who I never see, or people who think they can be controlled by the hypnotist (usually based on misinformation in movies or stage shows). People do vary as to the depth of their trances. The skill as a hypnotherapist is putting people in a trance and more importantly what you do with someone when they are in a trance. People are often in a trance and don't realize it because it is something similar to what they have experienced before or they have expectations that do not match their reality. The important thing I ask my clients is do they recognize the positive changes that have occurred since they have met with me. I hope the answer is yes.