Hypnotist: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What hypnotist is

A hypnotist performs a stage show in which volunteers take part in suggestible comedy, or leads a session for relaxation at an event. People book one for corporate events, parties and theater nights when they want a show where guests laugh and take part, with every volunteer choosing to join.

Signs you need it

  • You want a stage show that gets a room laughing with volunteers from the audience
  • You are planning a corporate event or party that needs an interactive act
  • You want a relaxed, optional session for guests who are curious about relaxation
  • Your audience is adults who have agreed to take part in a comedy show
  • You want an act that can run for a set length and then end cleanly
  • You want a performer who puts consent and volunteer comfort first

What the pro does

  • Asks about the audience, the length of the show and the venue layout
  • Explains the rules to the audience, including that volunteers can leave at any time
  • Invites volunteers and checks that each one is comfortable taking part
  • Runs the show with suggestion-based comedy or the relaxation session you agreed on
  • Brings each volunteer back to full awareness at the end of the act
  • Packs up any props and clears the stage

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of the show and the number of performances
  • Stage show or a smaller relaxation session
  • Audience size and the number of volunteers the act uses
  • The audience size and the number of volunteers the show uses
  • Whether the performer works with a host or an emcee
  • Custom material or a themed show for your event
  • Whether the performer needs a microphone and a stage

What a written quote should spell out

  • Show type, length and whether it is comedy or a relaxation session
  • Audience age range and whether the content is adult or clean
  • Volunteer rules, including how volunteers are chosen and that they can opt out
  • Stage, microphone and lighting needs and what the venue provides
  • Arrival, setup and departure times
  • What happens if the performer cannot attend

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you choose volunteers, and can guests opt out at any time?
  • What content level do you use for a corporate event or a mixed audience?
  • Can I see a video of a show with an audience like mine?
  • What is your process for bringing volunteers back to normal awareness at the end?
  • Do you run relaxation sessions, and how do you describe them to guests?
  • What happens if too few volunteers come forward?
  • Does your insurance cover stage hypnosis with audience volunteers?

Red flags

  • They pressure guests to volunteer or make fun of guests who decline
  • They say they can change behavior, cure a condition or fix a problem through hypnosis
  • They have no plan for a volunteer who becomes upset
  • They cannot describe how they end the act and bring volunteers back
  • They will not confirm the volunteer rules in writing

What you can do yourself

You can set the purpose of the event, the length of the show and the content level. You can also make clear to guests before the show that taking part is optional. Hire a hypnotist for the stage show, the volunteer handling and the ending of each act, since working with volunteers safely needs training and a clear process, and do not use hypnosis to treat a health issue, which needs a licensed health professional.

Licenses and permits

No state license is usually required for a stage hypnotist, but some states and cities have rules for hypnosis services, especially where it is offered as a health or relaxation service. Check state and local rules with your licensing agency before booking any session that is not a stage comedy show.

Hypnotist questions

Does a hypnotist need a license?

For a stage show, usually not a state license. For sessions offered as health or relaxation services, check the rules with your state or local licensing agency.

Can a volunteer be made to do something they do not want to do?

No. A responsible performer makes participation optional, lets volunteers leave at any time and does not pressure anyone.

Is a stage hypnosis show suitable for a corporate event?

It can be, with clean content and clear volunteer rules. Ask the performer for a clean version and agree on it with the event organizer.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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