Stage hypnosis uses willing participants who 'want to be seen performing'. The performer, who will have screened participants in advance of the show using a number of susceptibility tests, does not have any actual power over them other than their desire to perform.

In hypnotherapy, on the other hand, a pre-session interview is used to learn what kind of suggestions might be unsuitable for the patient (for instance it is not a good idea to use lift imagery with someone who has claustrophobia).