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Frequently Asked Questions
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of being when you can experience increased focus, concentration and inner absorption. It is a natural state that we experience every day, such as when we’re daydreaming. You may be so focused, that you are unaware of the sounds and happenings around you. This hypnotic state is especially conducive to self-improvement because it allows you to access and use the subconscious which represents about 90% of your mind. The subconscious mind also acts as the storehouse for all your memories.
According to WebMD, “Hypnosis, or hypnotherapy, uses guided relaxation, intense concentration, and focused attention to achieve a heightened state of awareness that is sometimes called a trance. The person’s attention is so focused while in this state that anything going on around the person is temporarily blocked out or ignored. In this naturally occurring state, a person may focus his or her attention, with the help of a trained therapist, on specific thoughts or tasks.”
Does hypnosis really work, and how?
Yes, hypnosis can be life changing. It’s effective because we work with your subconscious mind to replace old emotions and thought patterns with healthier and happier new beliefs, that propel us toward the life you want.
Can hypnosis help me break a bad habit?
Absolutely! Hypnosis can help. Our subconscious is about 90% of our mind, and whatever our subconscious believes to be true is manifested in our lives. If your subconscious believes that smoking calms you, then you will be reliant on the cigarette to be calm. If your subconscious believes that the only way to get a break in your day is to eat something, then you will find that you crave a snack when you need a break. Whatever beliefs your subconscious mind has about unwanted habits, can be cleared and replaced with new images and beliefs that are more accurate and that allow you to be free, and to make the changes you desire.
Will hypnosis help me get to the “root cause” of a problem?
Yes, this is actually how hypnotherapy works! The root cause of any issue is stored in the subconscious. When we address and heal the underlying issue, we’re free to release the problem and create change in our lives. We’ll explore the issue during the interview (before the hypnotic part of the session), which will prepare your mind and create an “openness” that will allow you to delve deep into the issue. You may find that you continue to process the issue after the session or in dreams while you sleep. It’s for this reason, that it’s good to work on only one issue at a time.
How does hypnosis feel?
During hypnosis you may feel like you are daydreaming. Everyone is different so it varies. You will most likely feel deeply relaxed and have a greater awareness of your internal sensations. You may also experience some physical sensations like tingling in your fingers or hands. You may find that you are able to clearly focus on each word I say, or maybe you find yourself drifting deeper and missing some of my words. You may visualize everything I say or you may find that it is more of a sensory experience for you. Or, perhaps you just relax and listen to my voice. The most important thing to know is that you cannot do this wrong.
I think I’m very analytical, so it’d probably be difficult to hypnotize me, right?
If you can imagine, you can experience a trance state. I’m very analytical myself, so I get how the analytical mind works. My job is to find the best approach to guide you into hypnosis. All you have to do, is sit back and enjoy the experience. Many analytical people do very well with a guided relaxation technique because it feels so good to let your mind and body relax. Because you are analytical, you may have a more mind chatter, or random thoughts. This is perfectly fine. Just let yourself become aware of the thought, and then let it drift away. Over time, this will happen less and less.
What if I can’t be hypnotized?
Many people wonder if the hypnotic state is possible for them. If you can imagine, or daydream, and have the desire, you can achieve a hypnotic state. I can assess your hypnotic capacity and develop a plan specific to your needs. It is important to relax and let the process unfold naturally. Hypnosis is a natural process that we all experience every day, like when we are engrossed in a riveting movie, or listening to music, daydreaming or driving on autopilot.
Will I lose control or do something silly?
Entertainment hypnosis is popular in places like Las Vegas as well as the internet. Some of it is well done and funny, but in fact, it doesn’t have much to do with therapeutic hypnosis. A stage hypnotist is trained to look for people in the audience that will be comfortable being the center of attention and making people laugh. I’m trained to listen to the way you speak about your goals and determine the best way to help you achieve them.
It’s been said that about 30% of people are hypnotizable enough to go into hypnosis that deeply and that quickly. Some portion, of that 30%, would also have to be willing (because they still have the ability to choose to participate or not) to be silly on stage.
It’s important for you to know that you are in complete control and you won’t do anything you are uncomfortable with. This is one of the reasons I do an initial consultation with you. The better I understand your goals, and the better I get to know you, the better I can develop a session and suggestions that your subconscious will accept.
Is hypnosis dangerous?
No, hypnosis isn’t dangerous. Myths about hypnosis, perpetuated by Hollywood movies, urban legends and fiction books lead people to think all kinds of things about hypnosis, including that it is somehow dangerous. Some people have heard that you can go into trance and not wake up. Or that the hypnotist can make you do things you don’t want to do. These things are untrue. You are always in control, always able to “come back” to full waking state at any time, if you want or need to. The number one job of the subconscious mind is to protect you, and it is always on the job.
What if I get stuck in hypnosis?
During hypnosis, you are in control. It is not possible to get “stuck” in a trance state because brain waves are not static. For example, we don’t get stuck in sleep. If I were to stop speaking and leave the room, one of two things would happen. Most likely, after a couple of minutes you would open your eyes and wonder where I went. If you happened to be tired, you might drift into a short nap, and then you would open your eyes and wonder where I went.
Can you help me forget a terrible experience I went through?
Your subconscious will continue to remember the event. What we will do is heal the experience so that the resulting negative feelings or trauma begin to dissipate.
Will I remember what happened during hypnosis? What if I go to sleep?
I’m not sure whether you will remember the entire hypnotherapy session. Every person is different. You may remember everything, or bits and pieces or nothing at all. You don’t need to worry, though. We’re working with your subconscious brain, which will remember for you. It’s not likely that you’ll go to sleep. If you do, I’ll give you some prompts to wake
What if I recall something awful that I haven’t remembered before?
Your subconscious mind will not remember anything that you can’t handle. If something arises, it means that your subconscious feels that you are ready to deal with it. And we will do that together. This might mean that we move through what comes up and allow it to be released and healed, or if in that moment, if you prefer, we can move away from it to something that feels safer. If we move away from it, we can come back to it when you’re ready. You have complete control.
What should I expect during a session?
During the session, we’ll work together to identify your goals and the outcome you’d like to achieve. Once your goals are established, you’ll be guided into a state of relaxation. After you are deeply relaxed, I will work with your subconscious by using specific suggestions to achieve your goals. Finally, I’ll guide you back to a full state of conscious awareness.
How often should the sessions be done? How many sessions do I need?
Everyone is different, so it’s hard to predict the number of hypnosis sessions. I suggest we plan for 4-6. We may find that you’ve achieved your desired results in 2 or 3 sessions, or you may decide that you want more. I like to do the first 2 sessions within the first week, and after that we will adapt to whatever works best for your schedule and budget.
How long is each session?
The initial session usually lasts about an hour or an hour and a half. The follow up sessions generally last about 45 minutes.
Is there a guarantee? How will I know it worked?
I don’t offer a guarantee. Every journey is unique, and together, we will take that journey to completing your goal. You’ll know it has worked when you have achieved the specific goal we’ve set together.