Frequently Asked Questions
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural state of mental relaxation and focused intention where the deeper mind is receptive to positive thoughts and suggestion.
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the utilization of the hypnotic state and focused intention for the purpose of facilitating therapeutic transformation in order to resolve a specific issue, attain a goal and create positive, permanent change.
How effective is it?
A comparison study, conducted by Alfred Barrios, Ph.D., revealed the following statistics on recovery rates for these common therapeutic modalities:
Psychoanalysis: 38% after 600 sessions.
Behavioral Therapy: 72% after 22 sessions.
Hypnotherapy: 93% after 6 sessions.
Can everyone be hypnotized?
Anyone who WANTS to be hypnotized CAN be hypnotized.
Why is that?
Because ALL hypnosis is SELF hypnosis.
It is everyone’s natural ability to do so.
If you’ve ever “spaced out” or “daydreamed” for a few minutes, been in “the zone”, focused on one thing exclusively to where everything else faded into the background or held an interesting conversation while driving you have been in a trance state – naturally and on your own – your subconscious, like an automatic pilot, took over while your conscious mind operated on something else.
Can I get “stuck” in hypnosis?
NO.
Because hypnosis is a natural state of mental and physical relaxation and focus, you cannot get “stuck” in it any more than you can get “stuck” in sleep. You will naturally come back to your full awareness when you are ready to do so.
Will I be under (hypnotist’s) control?
NO.
During hypnosis you cannot be “programmed” or made to do anything that you would not normally do or that is against your own moral code.
Your subconscious and conscious mind are always in communication, even in deep trance, therefore you are always in control.
You can bring yourself out of hypnosis any time you choose.
What about those people I see on stage eating “onions” and barking like a dog?
What you see during stage hypnosis are people who volunteer to be up on stage (desire to be hypnotized), who know and accept that they will be doing something “for show” (agreement to participate), who are more than happy to do so (excited imagination) and who are up for anything the stage hypnotist asks of them (openness to suggestion).
**These are all the same things a clinical hypnotherapist needs from their client for effective hypnotherapy in a private venue – desire/agreement/excited or focused imagination/openness to suggestion.
The private client’s focus is therapeutic, the stage participant’s is exhibitionism.
You cannot be hypnotized to do something you do not want to do.
Will I tell all my secrets?
NO.
During hypnosis your conscious and sub-conscious mind are always in communication, therefore, even though you are deeply relaxed you still control the information being given at any time.
What will it (hypnosis) feel like?
Every trance is unique as is each person’s experience of trance. Some people have described their experience of trance as one of extreme relaxation accompanied by a warm, “floaty”, comfortable or even heavy sensation. Others have described it as how they feel just before falling asleep, and others have described it as lacking much of any sensation at all. The more you experience hypnosis the more clearly you will recognize your own sense of entering trance state and what that “feels” like for you.
What should I expect when I come for my first session?
The initial appointment consists of = Information – Education – Discovery .
I will explain the different aspects of the human mind, how it stores and categorizes experiences and perceptions and how and why those perceptions are able to create different thought, feeling and behavior patterns throughout a lifetime. I will discuss and dispel the common myths and misconceptions around hypnosis, explain how hypnotherapy can be used to create positive, permanent change in a relatively short period of time and answer any questions you may have about hypnosis, hypnotherapy and how I apply it in my practice. This is to ensure that you understand how the mind works and how we will use hypnotherapy, together, to quickly and easily get you the results you desire. I will then introduce you to the hypnotic state
1 – 2 times, assess and discuss your responsiveness and answer any questions you might have after each experience.
Together, we will discuss the issue(s) you would like to heal or improve upon, clarify your immediate goal desired and formulate a therapeutic program to achieve your goal. I will then guide you through a trance session utilizing positive suggestions and/or another therapeutically appropriate method in order to begin your healing process.
We will conclude the first visit with a final Q & A, payment and scheduling of any future therapeutic appointments.
How many sessions will I need?
With any therapeutic modality, the number of sessions can vary depending on the individual, the issue(s) presented and the goal(s) desired.
Fully understanding each goal allows me to recommend the most appropriate hypnotherapy technique(s) necessary in order to reach your therapeutic goal in the shortest time possible. However, individual results are directly dependent upon a client’s ability to become clear on their goal, readiness for change and willingness to allow a positive transformation to occur.
IMPORTANT
**Hypnotherapy is intended for self improvement and educational purposes only. It is not to be considered a substitute for, or the practice of, medical or psychological care. Persons with an ailment, illness, mental or physical complaint or difficulty are to see their licensed medical professional for assessment, diagnosis and initial treatment prior to making use of hypnotherapy for medical support purposes.**