FAQ – Frequently asked questions
Session Process
A session begins with a detailed preliminary conversation in which we go through your concern, your goals and possible background factors together. This is followed by the actual hypnosis with individually adapted methods and suggestions. After the trance, there is a short debriefing.
Depending on the concern, the total duration is 1.5 to 2 hours. In the practice, you can choose from four relaxation chairs or loungers and select the one that feels most suitable for you.
First, you contact me by phone or online and we clarify your motivation and initial questions in a free preliminary consultation. After that, an appointment is reserved. Before the session, you receive a registration form and all important information for preparation. At the practice, there is a detailed preliminary conversation, followed by the actual hypnosis and then a short debriefing.
An intensive session with the Tewes Techniques lasts a maximum of 1.5 hours, and a non-smoking hypnosis session lasts a maximum of 2 hours. Please plan a total of about 2 to 2.5 hours for your visit to the practice so that you do not feel rushed afterwards.
Come well rested, without demanding appointments immediately afterwards and with a clear idea of what you would like to change. Before the session, you will receive a registration form by email; filling it out carefully is already part of the preparation.
On the day of the session, avoid alcohol, THC and heavy meals shortly before the appointment. A coffee in the morning is OK, but directly before the session it is not helpful.
Wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing in which you can relax well. You do not need to bring anything special; a heated blanket and relaxation furniture are available in the practice. If you get cold easily, you can bring an additional light jacket.
As a rule, you feel relaxed, rested and energized. Some people describe a very light feeling that disappears after a few minutes. If possible, take a short walk or allow yourself a quiet hour before moving on to your next appointment.
Yes, that is no problem. After hypnosis you are fully capable of acting and can drive, attend appointments or return to work.
Yes, beforehand we clarify your motivation in a free phone call and I answer your first questions. This allows you to calmly assess whether hypnosis and the practice are a good fit for you before booking an appointment.
You can book appointments here: https://www.kiez-hypnose.de/hypnose-termin-vereinbaren/
Basics of Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a natural, focused state of consciousness between being awake and asleep, where deep physical relaxation and mental clarity come together. In this state, the critical filters of the mind become more permeable, allowing unconscious patterns to become accessible and changeable.
You experience similar trance states several times a day in everyday life: while daydreaming, before falling asleep, while reading or when you are completely absorbed in a film. In hypnotherapy, I use this state specifically for change work.
Hypnosis usually feels like a pleasant, natural state of relaxation. Many people know similar states from daydreaming, dozing on the sofa, reading or being completely absorbed in a film. You are not unconscious; you hear what is being said and can calmly get to know your own personal hypnosis experience during the session.
Yes, every mentally healthy person can be hypnotized if they are willing to engage with the process and are properly prepared. The depth of trance varies from person to person, but for therapeutic change a medium depth of trance is usually completely sufficient.
At Kiez Hypnose Berlin, I deliberately invest a lot of time in preparation, the preliminary consultation and the individual induction, because this significantly increases hypnotizability.
Yes, at all times. During hypnosis you are not unconscious, but relaxed and focused. You hear every word, can speak, move and end the hypnosis yourself at any time.
In the event of a real danger, such as a fire alarm, a loud noise or a physical threat, your subconscious brings you back to full waking awareness within seconds. This is a built-in protective mechanism, and your value system also remains active.
No, that is not possible. Hypnosis is not sleep, but a natural state of consciousness from which you can return by yourself at any time. Even if a hypnotist did not actively end it, you would return to normal waking awareness on your own after a short time.
There is no documented case anywhere in the world of someone permanently remaining in hypnosis.
No. Hypnosis is teamwork and only works in cooperation. You will not reveal secrets you do not want to share, nor will you do things that contradict your values. Suggestions are only accepted by the subconscious if they align with your own will.
The kind of loss of control shown in films and stage hypnosis has nothing to do with therapeutic hypnosis.
Stage hypnosis is entertainment and works with selected, particularly suggestible participants to create spectacular effects. Hypnotherapy, on the other hand, is a therapeutic method aimed at working together with you on specific concerns such as anxiety, stress or smoking behavior.
At Kiez Hypnose Berlin, there is no stage hypnosis. My methods are based on clinical hypnotherapy according to Preetz, Yapko and Yager.
Hypnosis usually enables significantly faster access to unconscious patterns because the analytical level of the mind is bypassed. While classical talk therapy often involves many sessions over months or years, at Kiez Hypnose Berlin I work with short-term therapy using 1 to 4 intensive sessions.
Hypnosis does not replace medical or psychotherapeutic treatment for serious illnesses, but it can be highly effective as a complementary method.
In most cases, yes. You remain fully conscious during hypnosis and can remember the session afterwards. Sometimes individual passages may become a little blurred, similar to an intense daydream, which is completely normal.
I discuss important content with you during the preliminary conversation and again after the session so that nothing gets lost.
Methods at Kiez Hypnose Berlin
The Tewes Technique is an independent therapy concept developed by Bernhard Tewes that combines various modern hypnosis approaches in a clear structure. It combines cause-oriented work, resource-oriented suggestions and emotional re-linking in a structured session format.
More at www.kiez-hypnose.de/methoden/tewes-technik/.
HypnoExperience is a hypnotic-musical set by Kiez Hypnose Berlin in which brainwaves gently transition into a deep hypnotic state of relaxation. This format, which I use as standard in every hypnosis session, combines hypnosis with soundscapes and vibrations and can enable an intense experience of change through immersive trance.
Hypnoanalysis is a method for uncovering unconscious causes of current complaints. It is particularly suitable for topics whose origin is not clearly accessible to the conscious mind, such as recurring patterns, physical symptoms without an obvious cause or persistent blockages.
Flow State or active-awake hypnosis uses a hypnotic trance state created through steady movement to access your subconscious. It is often used for topics such as sports performance, creative work, concentration and stage fright.
HypnoBreathing combines conscious breathing techniques with hypnotic elements. Through breathing, the body is guided into a deep state of relaxation, which makes access to trance easier and at the same time directly regulates the autonomic nervous system.
Nonverbal hypnosis uses physical touch signals, breathing and presence instead of spoken suggestions to guide a person into trance. It can create an unusually deep relaxation experience and is suitable for people who experience language as too cognitive.
Prices and Payment
An intensive session with the Tewes Techniques costs 550 euros including VAT and lasts a maximum of 1.5 hours. The non-smoking hypnosis as a one-time session costs 850 euros including VAT and lasts a maximum of 2 hours. You can also find current prices on the page kiez-hypnose.de/preise/.
No, I currently do not offer payment by installments.
No, the sessions are not billed through statutory health insurance and must be paid privately. Although hypnotherapy is scientifically recognized in Germany, it is not routinely reimbursed by statutory health insurance providers.
Reimbursement by private health insurance is not possible because I do not bill according to the German fee schedule for non-medical practitioners (GebüH). The sessions are generally paid privately.
Payment is made at the end of each session in cash or by card (EC card and credit card).
You can cancel free of charge up to 48 hours in advance; after that, the session will be charged.
If you are unable to attend, please let me know as early as possible, ideally by phone at 030 91701944.
About Bernhard Tewes
Bernhard Tewes is a Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie, NGH-certified hypnotherapist, hypnosis trainer, speaker, author and founder of Kiez Hypnose Berlin. He developed the Tewes Technique, an independent therapy concept, and is the creator of the HypnoBox app, which was featured as App of the Day in the Apple App Store.
His book “Glimmer. Die neue Psychologie der positiven Trigger” was published by Rowohlt Polaris in November 2025.
Bernhard Tewes is a state-certified Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie and an NGH Certified Hypnotherapist (National Guild of Hypnotists, the world’s largest hypnosis association). His training includes clinical hypnosis with Dr. Norbert Preetz (Magdeburg), depression treatment with Dr. Michael Yapko (USA), Subliminal Therapy with Dr. Edwin Yager (USA), The Simpson Protocol with Ines Simpson (Canada), Melissa Tiers (New York/USA) and Mike Mandel (Canada).
He is also a certified NLP and New Code NLP Practitioner and has studied with, among others, NLP co-founders Richard Bandler and John Grinder.
Bernhard Tewes has been working full-time as a hypnotherapist since 2013. His daily focus remains the practical work with clients in his Kiez Hypnose Berlin practice at Petersburger Platz.
Bernhard Tewes received the Hypno-Innovation Award at the international hypnosis congress in Zurich in 2018. His work has been featured, among others, on Late Night Berlin (ProSieben, with Klaas Heufer-Umlauf), on Deutschlandfunk, in Galore magazine, in Brigitte and at 48forward.
In 2022, he gave a keynote at Greator/Gedankentanken: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEle9YDaubU
The HypnoBox app he developed was featured by Apple as App of the Day.
“Glimmer. Die neue Psychologie der positiven Trigger” is the book by Bernhard Tewes, published on November 11, 2025 by Rowohlt Polaris. It explores the concept of inner moments of light and how they can be used deliberately for personal change.
HypnoBox is a self-hypnosis app developed by Bernhard Tewes with professionally produced audio sessions on topics such as sleep, relaxation, self-confidence and focus. The app was featured by Apple as App of the Day and has received an innovation award.
More information at www.hypnobox.de.
Bernhard Tewes offers training for hypnotherapists and hypnosis coaches, in which he teaches his methodology in a practical way.
Information at www.die-hypnoseausbildung.de
Online Hypnosis and Languages
Yes, online hypnosis sessions are possible and are carried out regularly. They are especially suitable if you do not live in Berlin, have limited mobility or prefer a quiet setting at home.
The session takes place via video conference. You only need a quiet room, a stable internet connection, headphones and a device with a camera. You make yourself comfortable on a sofa or bed, and the hypnotic work takes place through voice and video.
I offer sessions in German and English. Spanish is currently not available.
For many concerns, yes. Hypnosis primarily works through voice, language and inner images, and these transfer well via video. For very body-oriented concerns or trauma, an in-person session may be more appropriate. We clarify what suits your concern in the preliminary consultation.
Safety, Concerns and Credibility
At Kiez Hypnose Berlin, I do not offer sessions in cases of acute alcohol, drug or medication abuse, organic brain impairments, severe or compulsive personality disorders, dementia, mental illnesses, severe obsessive-compulsive disorders and psychotic states.
In these cases, specialist medical or clinical psychotherapeutic treatment is the right path.
Hypnosis is a method with very few side effects. Some clients report more intense dreams, slight tiredness or emotional sensitivity in the days after a session. These are signs of an active processing phase and usually subside within a few days.
In the case of pre-existing psychological conditions, careful clarification in the preliminary consultation is important.
Look for a state-recognized qualification, such as Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie, Heilpraktiker, physician or psychotherapist, memberships in recognized professional associations such as DVH, BDH or NGH, transparent training, transparent prices and realistic promises without guarantees of healing.
Reputable hypnotherapists refer clients to specialist physicians or psychotherapists when a topic exceeds their area of competence.
All information from the preliminary consultation, registration form and session is subject to professional confidentiality and is treated confidentially. Data processing is carried out in accordance with the GDPR. Details can be found in the privacy policy at www.kiez-hypnose.de/datenschutz/.
Change is exactly the goal of every session, but at a pace that feels right for you. Sometimes effects are noticeable immediately after the session, sometimes they unfold over days and weeks. You do not lose any part of your personality; you usually gain more freedom of choice in your reactions.
Feel free to bring this up in the preliminary consultation or at the beginning of the session. It is common and completely normal. I take time to clarify your specific concerns and design the introduction in a way that allows you to stay in control at all times.
Uncertainty usually disappears after the first few minutes of the experience, because hypnosis feels much more relaxed and harmless than most people expect.
Topics and Effectiveness
Yes, smoking cessation through hypnosis is one of the most established areas of application in hypnotherapy. At Kiez Hypnose Berlin, non-smoking hypnosis takes place in a single session of around 1.5 to 2 hours, including detailed preparation and intensive hypnosis.
Hypnosis can be one of the most effective complementary methods for anxiety, phobias and panic disorders. It enables access to unconscious triggers and allows emotional re-linking, which can interrupt the classic avoidance and activation cycle.
Bernhard Tewes specializes in severe anxiety and panic disorders.
Yes, hypnosis addresses both stress symptoms and the underlying patterns that have led to exhaustion. Through deep relaxation, the autonomic nervous system is regulated, while we work together on the often unconscious drivers such as excessive demands on yourself or difficulties setting boundaries.
In the case of diagnosed burnout with physical symptoms, accompanying medical clarification is advisable.
Hypnosis can change the perception of chronic pain, reduce the emotional component of pain and improve quality of life. Its effectiveness is well documented for various forms of pain.
A medical clarification of the cause of the pain is required. Hypnosis does not replace medical diagnostics.
Hypnosis can support weight regulation by working on emotional eating behavior, unconscious beliefs and the relationship with your own body. It is not a miracle solution, but it supports a conscious change in eating habits.
For eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia, specialist medical psychotherapeutic treatment is necessary.
Yes, sleep disorders often respond well to hypnotic work because they are frequently connected to tension, racing thoughts or unresolved issues. You learn deep relaxation and can also use self-hypnosis techniques to improve falling asleep in the long term.
Hypnosis can be an effective tool in trauma processing when it is used carefully and professionally. In the case of complex or severe trauma, I only work in coordination with, or as a complement to, psychotherapeutic treatment.
In the preliminary consultation, we clarify together whether and how hypnosis is suitable for your concern.
Hypnosis can be used as a complement in the treatment of depressive symptoms, especially in mild to moderate depressive phases and reactive low mood. It does not replace medically diagnosed treatment for severe or clinically relevant depression.
Bernhard Tewes was trained, among others, by Dr. Michael Yapko, an international specialist in depression treatment with hypnosis.
In Germany, hypnotherapy has been classified since 2006 by the Scientific Advisory Board for Psychotherapy as a scientifically recognized method for adults, particularly for smoking cessation and pain treatment. International meta-analyses show very good effectiveness for anxiety disorders, pain, sleep disorders and somatoform complaints.
If no effect is noticeable after a session, we analyze possible reasons together and adapt the approach. Sometimes a second session is needed, sometimes another method, and sometimes it becomes clear that another therapeutic approach would be more suitable.
No one can seriously give a 100 percent guarantee of success. What I can give you is an honest assessment in the preliminary consultation and my full attention, together with my many years of experience during the work.
