Hypnotherapy focusses predominantly on the subconscious part of the brain. The subconscious cannot distinguish between a good habit and a bad habit; as such, we need to persuade the subconscious to change its behavioural patterns in order to overcome unwanted behaviours. Usually, unwanted behaviours are programmed into the subconscious from past experiences. In order to alter these behaviours, we need to discover the initial cause of them, and subsequently reprogram the subconscious.

A good example of an often unwanted, subconscious behaviour is smoking. A significant amount of smokers want to stop smoking, but find it extremely difficult. The underlying cause behind this difficulty is because smoking is a subconscious habit. When a smoker has their first ever cigarette it's unlikely they find it enjoyable, however they carry on practising until they become very proficient. Once you become a regular smoker, you no longer smoke at a conscious level; it has become a subconscious action. The conscious mind is no longer in control and so stopping smoking becomes extremely difficult, as the subconscious will continue the habit. Hypnotherapy has the ability to reprogram the subconscious so that smoking no longer occurs at that level. This can allow the conscious mind to regain control of the habit, and consequently stopping smoking can become far easier.