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Does Hypnosis Work for Confidence?

Discover how hypnosis for confidence works, what science says, and why changing subconscious blocks and believes can create lasting change.

Have you ever known exactly what to say but felt your confidence disappear the moment you needed it most?

If you don’t feel the way you’d like to in certain situations, it may be due to subconscious beliefs you hold about yourself, deep patterns formed below your conscious awareness.

True confidence doesn’t come from what we own or how we appear. It isn’t about the car we drive or the clothes we wear, it’s something we naturally exude from within. Confidence is rooted in the beliefs you hold about yourself at the subconscious level.

Stick with me as we explore how hypnosis works to change these subconscious beliefs, what scientific studies say about its effectiveness, and what real results can look like.

How Do We Get “Programmed”?

Most of us are shaped early in life by influential figures such as parents, teachers, and other family members. What they said to us or how they made us feel plays a large role in shaping our confidence. This programming usually happens at a young age, before our minds are fully mature and able to form independent assumptions.
Past experiences also play an important role. Over time, these messages and experiences become beliefs. Beliefs reside in our subconscious mind — we’re not always aware of them, but we can often recognize them by noticing how we feel, the patterns in our behavior, or the way we react in certain situations.

How Hypnosis Works to Build Confidence
Hypnosis is a safe, natural state of focused attention where your subconscious mind becomes more receptive to positive suggestions. In this state, limiting beliefs can be reprogrammed, self-doubt can be silenced, and empowering beliefs can take root, helping you feel calm, confident, and capable.
We enter this state of focused attention frequently in daily life — for example, when daydreaming, getting lost in a good book or movie, or driving without consciously thinking about every turn. Think of hypnosis as purposeful meditation: a highly effective mental state where you can learn faster, make changes more easily, and see results sooner.
In a hypnosis session, you are guided to reinforce the image of the confident, empowered version of yourself. By reshaping your subconscious patterns, you influence your thoughts, emotions, physical responses, and ultimately, the way you experience the world. Retraining your mind in this way is the key to achieving lasting confidence from within.

The Benefits of the Hypnotic Approach

When it comes to building confidence and creating positive change, hypnosis offers some wonderful advantages:

Fast results: Hypnosis often works more quickly than traditional talk therapy because it goes straight to the subconscious—the part of the mind where habits, emotions, and beliefs live. Some clients notice shifts after just one session.
Empowering, not controlling: Contrary to what many imagine from stage hypnosis, all real hypnosis is self-hypnosis. You’re always in control. As Dr. David Spiegel explains, hypnosis helps you gain more control over your mind and body, not give it away.
Safe and gentle: When practiced by a trained professional, hypnosis is very low-risk and free of side effects. The worst that usually happens is that it simply doesn’t have the desired effect for someone—which is rare.

What Science Says About Hypnosis

Dr. David Spiegel: A Leading Authority on Hypnosis and the Mind-Body Connection

Dr. David Spiegel, a distinguished psychiatrist and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, is recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts on hypnosis. With over four decades of research and clinical experience, he has made remarkable contributions to understanding how the mind influences the body.

His work explores the neurobiology and clinical applications of hypnosis, focusing on areas such as pain control, stress and health, and psycho-oncology. Using advanced brain imaging, Dr. Spiegel’s studies reveal how hypnosis can create measurable changes in the brain—offering scientific validation for what many have experienced firsthand: the mind’s incredible ability to influence healing and transformation.

Research on Hypnosis for Confidence

Hypnosis isn’t just anecdotal — science shows it can effectively boost confidence by changing the subconscious beliefs that hold you back.

Key Studies

1. 2014 Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
A study published in the International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy tested hypnotherapy on people with low self-confidence. One group received confidence-boosting hypnosis, while another group received no treatment.

Results: The hypnosis group showed a significant and measurable increase in self-confidence compared to the control group. Researchers concluded that hypnotherapy is an effective tool for building self-belief.

Reference: Elkins, G., & Hammond, D. C. (2014). Efficacy of Hypnosis in the Treatment of Self-Confidence. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 14(2), 211-218.

2. 2016 Study on Ego Strengthening
In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience and Psychopathology, 30 Iranian women participated in eight 45-minute hypnotherapy sessions designed to strengthen ego and reduce negative self-talk.

Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement in ego strength and a reduction in negative self-talk compared to the control group. This suggests hypnosis can effectively reinforce positive self-perception and inner confidence.

Reference: The Efficacy of Hypnotherapy for Ego Strengthening and Negative Self-Talk in Female Heads of Households (2016)

The Bottom Line

Yes — hypnosis works for confidence. Backed by research, it goes beyond simple positive thinking to update deep-rooted subconscious beliefs, allowing you to unlock the confident, capable version of yourself that has always been there.

What to Expect in a Hypnosis for Confidence Session

I’m a firm believer in the incredible changes that can happen through hypnosis for confidence and self-esteem. Every person’s journey is unique, which is why I work one-on-one with each client to create a personalized hypnosis experience designed around your specific goals and needs.

1. Understanding Your Current Situation

We start by talking about what you’d like to improve and where you want to feel more confident—whether that’s public speaking, social situations, career growth, or simply feeling more comfortable in your own skin. This first step helps identify what’s been holding you back and sets the foundation for your confidence hypnosis journey.

2. Inner Work and Clearing Blocks

Next, we gently uncover and release the subconscious beliefs, emotions, or patterns that contribute to self-doubt or insecurity. This part of the process helps clear the inner obstacles that have been standing in your way—often linked to past experiences or outdated ways of thinking—so you can finally move forward with genuine self-assurance.

3. Mind Programming for Confidence and Empowerment

Once your mind is in the appropriate receptive state, I guide you through hypnotic suggestions designed to strengthen your self-belief and confidence. These empowering suggestions are tailored specifically to your goals, helping you feel calm, capable, and self-assured in any situation.

4. Progress Review and Ongoing Support

At the end of the session, we review your experience and discuss any shifts or insights you’ve noticed. You’ll also receive simple tools and self-hypnosis techniques to reinforce your progress at home—so your new confidence continues to grow naturally and effortlessly over time.

Ana Felice

Consulting Hypnotist CHt, Pacifica Hypnosis

About the Author

Ana Felice is a Certified Consulting Hypnotist with the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), the world’s largest and most respected hypnosis organization. With over a decade of ongoing training and experience, she helps individuals release subconscious blocks so they can achieve their goals with greater ease and confidence.

Holding advanced certifications in transformational hypnosis from both the U.S. and Europe, Ana blends deep subconscious work with practical, results-driven techniques to create real and lasting change—often faster than expected.

Through Pacifica Hypnosis, Ana works with clients locally in Miami, Florida, where she currently resides and internationally online, supporting people worldwide in letting go of limitations, reducing stress, and aligning with their best selves.