short answer hypnosis works if you want it to and wont work if you dont want it to. if you are not open minded to it either consciously or unconsciously then its not going to work...the process is simple you put yourself in a state of total relaxation. some people do this on their own others do it through the process of having someone talk them (guide them) into a state of total relaxation. once you are in this state of total relaxation you work on what ever problem you are using the hypnosis for.

Here in NY hypnosis is a choice but is not generally used with working on mental disorders other than being used for relaxation purposes like anxiety, or to stop a bad habit, due to legal issues like false memory syndrome and false mental disorders, false symptoms and other legal issues.

I use it for my own relaxation/anxiety relief.

how do you know its working simplest answer its working if the problem you are using it for is progressing to a healing point. Everyone has their own way of knowing whether a treatment option is working for them or not.

example I know its working because I no longer have the desire to do the bad habit I used it for, I no longer get anxious during stressful meetings.