Melanie and I (Shawn) have recently returned from the Performing Hypnosis Summit in Las Vegas. We were there wearing our business hats, representing both HypnoBiz-in-a-Box™ and the Hypnosis Education Association.

While there were important conversations about stage hypnotist business models and the realities of entertainment work, the most meaningful discussions went deeper. Again and again, the focus shifted to how business readiness, sustainability, and visibility impact the broader hypnosis space as a whole.

From the perspective of serving as President and Vice President of the Hypnosis Education Association, one thing became clear.

There is far more overlap between hypnotherapists and hypnosis performers than separation, and very little benefit in maintaining that divide. We plan to meet with performing hypnosis leaders like Grant Saunders & Israel Mandrake, and other influencers in the Performing Hypnosis space to arrange more collaboration discussions.

That awareness leads directly into something essential.

The Container Shapes the Experience

If you are not ready in your business, the hypnosis experience breaks down before it ever begins.

That is not a reflection of your skill.
It is a reflection of the container.

Even nervous system regulation alone can be life changing. But only if people can find you, understand what you offer, and feel safe engaging with you from the very first interaction.

This is why business readiness is not separate from the work.
It is part of the hypnosis experience.

The Shared Foundation of Hypnosis

Whether on a stage or in a private session, we are all working with the same core elements.

The nervous system.
Attention.
Imagination.
Safety.

Before a belief can shift, the nervous system has to settle. And that settling does not begin when a session starts. It begins when someone encounters your message, your presence, and your process.

When those elements are unclear or inconsistent, friction enters the experience. Not because hypnosis is ineffective, but because the environment is unstable.

What Happens When Regulation Is Possible

When someone is guided into regulation, something subtle but powerful often happens.

Direction replaces resistance.
Energy returns.
A new internal purpose begins to form.

You recognize that shift because you have felt it yourself.

That purpose might support emotional healing, a relationship change, a business decision, or movement around money. The outcome varies, but the mechanism is the same.

And sometimes, the doorway into that experience is laughter.

Why Stage Hypnosis Matters

For many people, a stage show is their first exposure to hypnosis. It introduces safety, curiosity, and possibility in a way that feels accessible and human.

That matters.

What we are seeing, however, is a missed opportunity.

Stage hypnotists are often approached by people who want deeper support. Most of the time, those conversations end there.

Not because there is no care,
but because there is no clear referral pathway.

At the same time, hypnotherapists are working to reach people who are already open to hypnosis but have no natural entry point.

Collaboration Is Not Optional

This is where collaboration becomes essential.

When referral relationships are intentional, the person seeking help is supported, the hypnotherapist gains a trusted channel, and the stage hypnotist has an ethical and aligned next step to offer.

The experience stays intact from first exposure through meaningful change.

That level of continuity requires readiness.

Clear visibility.
Supportive systems.
Community.
Collaboration.

These are not marketing extras. They are structural elements of a safe and effective hypnosis experience.

Why This Matters Now

Especially now.

An unregulated nervous system does not make grounded decisions, individually or collectively. The first thing we do as hypnosis practitioners is help people settle.

From that settled place, clarity becomes possible.
Change becomes sustainable.
New purpose can emerge.

That experience matters.

And it deserves containers that support it.

A Shared Space, A Shared Responsibility

We will continue sharing ideas, reflections, and real-world possibilities around how hypnotherapists and stage hypnotists can collaborate more intentionally, reach more people who are already looking for this work, and bring greater unity to a field that is at its best when it is grounded, ethical, and connected.

Not to erase differences,
but to honor the shared space we all work within.

The space of hypnosis.

What’s Coming Up

HypnoConnect

February 11, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Alyson Loney, Board Certified CHT
Present Like a Pro

This presentation is based on Alyson’s longer course for people who want to speak in public with capability, competence, and confidence. She incorporates body language and subconscious work to train the mind and nervous system so participants can overcome the fear of speaking and go out and actually enjoy it.

About Alyson
Alyson is a Clinical Hypnotherapist based in Vancouver, Canada, with a degree in Critical Analysis and a certification in Non-Verbal Communication and Reading People from the Matsumoto Institute. For the past seven years, she has worked with clients worldwide on life optimization, specializing in increasing confidence and releasing internal blocks.

Register here:
https://hypnosiseducationassociation.com/hypno-connect-register

Hypno Expo 2026 (IACT)

May 1–3, 2026
Orlando, Florida

Melanie and Shawn will be presenting at Hypno Expo 2026, hosted by the International Association of Counselors and Therapists (IACT). This annual event brings together hypnosis professionals from around the world for education, connection, and professional growth.

We’re also really looking forward to seeing our friends Linda and Robert Otto, along with so many familiar faces in the hypnosis community.

Event information:
https://www.hypnosisalliance.com/iact/conference_welcome.php

The Hypnosis Business Summit

June 6–7, 2026
Keynote: Steve G. Jones

The Hypnosis Business Summit is centered on sustainable growth for hypnosis professionals. Not hustle. Not burnout. Growth that is grounded, ethical, and built to last.

This gathering is about more than strategy. It’s about connection, shared understanding, and creating business structures that actually support the work we do and the people we serve. Clinical practitioners, performers, educators, and business owners all working within the same larger hypnosis space.

Stay in the Loop
If you would like to attend or receive updates when registration opens, please add your name here:
👉 https://hypnosiseducationassociation.com/blog

A Gift from an HEA Sponsor

As a thank you for being part of the Hypnosis Education Association community, one of our sponsors is offering a complimentary resource to support your continued growth.

Steady Clients & Reliable Income
A HypnoBiz-in-a-Box™ mini-course designed to help hypnotists gain clarity around visibility, ethical enrollment, and sustainable business foundations.

The mini-course is quick to go through, and it’ll give you the clarity you need to see what’s possible for your hypnosis practice, now and into the future.

👉 https://hypnobiz-in-a-box.com/2-steady-clients

As hypnosis professionals, the work we do matters deeply. And the way we structure our businesses, our communities, and our collaborations directly affects how accessible and sustainable that work can be. When the foundation is steady, the impact expands naturally. Our hope is that the conversations, events, and resources shared here support you in creating a practice that not only serves others well, but also supports you for the long term.

We’re grateful to be part of this shared space with you.