Hypnotherapy FAQ

No, hypnotherapy does not cure neurological disorders but it can help with the symptoms, such as RSD, anxiety, fears, self-confidence, relationships, insomnia, weight control, etc.

The simple answer is No – Absolutely not. This is probably the biggest myth of all. You can’t be made to do anything you don’t want to do in hypnosis. In hypnosis, you retain power over your ability to act upon suggestions, although if you do allow yourself to act upon a suggestion you may feel as though the effects are happening by themselves.

Stage hypnotists seem to make people do strange things while hypnotized, but the truth is that these people are doing these things because they have the desire to be outrageous. If the stage hypnotists choose their subjects carefully, they will have willing participants. You will never do anything or accept any suggestion that violates your morals or values. If that was possible, all the hypnotists in the world could make you go rob the banks and bring back the money. We would be rich and rule the world. Obviously, this is not the case!

• Hypnosis is used in a variety of settings — from emergency rooms to dental offices to outpatient clinics.
• Clinical studies suggest that hypnosis may improve immune function, increase relaxation, decrease stress, and ease pain and feelings of anxiety.
• Hypnotherapy can reduce the fear and anxiety that some people feel before medical or dental procedures. For example, studies show that dental patients who underwent hypnosis had a significantly higher threshold for pain than those who were not hypnotized.
• Hypnosis may also improve recovery time and reduce anxiety and pain following surgery.
• Clinical trials on burn patients suggest that hypnosis decreases pain (enough to replace pain medication) and speeds healing.

Each session lasts about an hour or so, and most people start to see results within 5 – 10 sessions. We will monitor and evaluate your progress over time. Children (aged 9 – 12) are easily hypnotized and may respond after only 1 – 2 visits.

It occasionally happens that there is a sense of amnesia after the session. Most hypnotists want you to be aware of the session. You will be aware of everything around you, and remember most, if not all, that happened in the session. Usually, you will remember it better than a conversation we had because your mind is in such a focused state. I call it the focused awareness of the subconscious mind.

Yes, everybody is hypnotizable to some extent – some more than others.

In fact, to be hypnotized is often a learned trait. You can teach your body and mind to go into a trance and become more skilled as you practice self-hypnosis. Most people don’t think they are hypnotized after a session. What they do notice is that some things have changed – maybe that day, maybe the next week. Sometimes the effects are subtle and sometimes profound.

Often when the mind is really ready to make a change, it can happen quickly. Sometimes when the mind and body need to do some healing work, it happens over time. I’ve had clients that have felt a change occur during their session. One of my clients was sure that he was not hypnotized in any of the sessions, but after only 3 sessions, his lifetime of procrastination was gone. Many are considered highly hypnotizable – meaning that they can readily experience quite dramatic changes in sensation and perception with hypnosis.

The short answer is no. Although the word hypnosis is derived from the Greek God of sleep, “Hypnos,” studies have shown that hypnosis and sleep differ. Studies of brain activity have shown that although there are characteristic patterns of brain activity associated with sleep, the same has not been demonstrated in hypnosis. To observers, hypnosis might appear to be like sleep because suggestions of relaxation are commonly given as part of a hypnotic routine, but hypnotized people are in a state more similar to wakefulness (which I call a cat-nap state).

The client ALWAYS has complete control over his/her actions and whether to accept or reject any suggestions made by the hypnotherapist.

Hypnosis sometimes feels different for everybody. Many hypnotherapists (researchers & clinicians) use elements of relaxation procedures; therefore people commonly associate a feeling of relaxation with hypnosis.

Different people have all sorts of bodily responses to relaxation instructions – some feel as though their body is very heavy, whereas some can feel very light, almost as if they were floating. Mentally, people also have all sorts of responses. People typically report feeling very focused or absorbed, often effortlessly so.

Since instructions for imagery are often used, people can have very vivid imaginative experiences – many report feeling ‘as if they were there.’ I’ve had clients that fidget, move in the recliner, even go into a fetal position – while in hypnosis.)

I do not accept insurance, however, a number of my clients have been reimbursed by their insurance company for this service with a prescription from a doctor. I write a letter to your doctor requesting the proper referral with his/her diagnosis. With that prescription, a claim form, and my provider statement this can be submitted for out-of-network reimbursement. I will do everything I can to support this and communicate with your insurance company if needed.

To properly prepare a person for hypnosis, a complimentary 15-minute consultation is provided to all new clients. I educate my clients regarding some misconceptions; we discuss what is involved and answer any questions.

I believe there are only three things that can prevent a person from being hypnotized:

(1) Lack of knowledge

By scheduling a free consultation with me I will answer any questions you have regarding hypnotherapy in order to help empower you through this journey and ensure you understand the process of healing through hypnosis.

(2) Fear

It is common to be fearful of the unknown and identify the causes of our issues. However, hypnotherapy is not about focusing on the negative but rather making positive connections to our actions and implementing them into our lives. With the knowledge, I provide in our free consultation, you can release those fears and open yourself to the goal in mind.

(3) Resistance

You have already taken the first step by acknowledging and recognizing your need to heal. It is time to let go of any further resistance and know that there is a clear light in sight.

No treatment or therapy can work for you unless you take responsibility and are a willing participant in your own wellness. Just allow the process to work for you- and it will.

Yes, everybody is hypnotizable to some extent – some more than others.

In fact, to be hypnotized is often a learned trait. You can teach your body and mind to go into a trance and become more skilled as you practice self-hypnosis. Most people don’t think they are hypnotized after a session. What they do notice is that some things have changed – maybe that day, maybe the next week. Sometimes the effects are subtle and sometimes profound.

Often when the mind is really ready to make a change, it can happen quickly. Sometimes when the mind and body need to do some healing work, it happens over time. I’ve had clients that have felt a change occur during their session. One of my clients was sure that he was not hypnotized in any of the sessions, but after only 3 sessions, his lifetime of procrastination was gone. Many are considered highly hypnotizable – meaning that they can readily experience quite dramatic changes in sensation and perception with hypnosis.

During your first visit, you will be asked about your medical and personal history and what brought you in — what condition you would like to address. I will explain to you what hypnosis is and how it works. You will then be directed through relaxation techniques, using a series of mental imagery and suggestions intended to change behaviors and relieve symptoms. For example, people who have panic attacks may be given the suggestion that, in the future, they will be able to relax whenever they want.

The subconscious mind is the source of storing all information – our beliefs, habits and behaviors, and self-image.

The subconscious is a tremendous reservoir of our unrecognized strengths and knowledge.

When something happens to us, we remember it and learn a particular behavior in response to what happened. Each time something similar happens, our physical and emotional reactions attached to the memory are repeated. In some cases these reactions are unhealthy.

Hypnosis is a natural and effective technique for accessing the subconscious mind – the key to unleashing your potential. You are guided to remember the event that led to the first reaction, separate the memory from the learned behavior, find solutions to your problems and concerns, and replace unhealthy behaviors with new, healthier ones.

Expands your imagination and can enhance your mind and memory.

Yes, and it can be quite beneficial.

For many, a long time. For some, it could be from hours to weeks. It all depends on what they need, what they get out of it, and if they use it to help themselves.

Yes – it can be quite beneficial.

It can not remove, but it can place into dormancy for a long long time.

Not that I am aware of.

You cannot be hypnotized to do things against your will because you are always in charge and you know exactly what you’re doing.

Upon coming out of the state of hypnosis & deep relaxation, some experience grogginess or feeling light-headed as if waking from a profound nap.

In most cases no. Yet, there are insurance companies that honor medical hypnosis and may refund some if not most of the cost.

Yes – for those who are open and receptive.

Hypnotherapy is a tool to unlock human potential, not a magic formula. Hypnosis can help people to address both their negative habits and associated problems, but these issues can be complex and challenging both for the client and for the therapist, and hypnotherapy works for all who are willing, open, and ready to HealWithin and begin their transformation for the better.

Hypnotherapy can also be used for pain.  Here a dentist talks about using hypnosis instead of anesthetics.