Hypnosis occurs when a subject accepts a suggestion given by the hypnotist while in a focused state of attention. In that state, the client is totally aware of what is being said and what his responses are. When in this state, the subconscious mind is able to receive new confidence-building statements that can assist the individual in defeating old habits. Hypnosis is used to bypass the censorship of the conscious mind. It works through persistent pursuit and continuous reinforcement of a new, positive belief until it becomes fixed in the subconscious mind (Law of Concentrated Attention).