Frequently Asked Questions about Hypnosis
Hypnotherapy is considered to be alternative and complementary medical care in most states and may be covered under your Flex Spending Account (FSA). If you plan to use your FSA card, it is advisable to check with your policy administrator before booking your first appointment just to be sure.
Hypnosis is a natural, heightened state of awareness that allows the body to relax and the subconscious mind to become more receptive to positive suggestions. Most people drift into a hypnotic state as we sit in movie theaters, laughing and crying with the actors on the screen, as though they are real people who we personally know. If you are able to get lost in your thoughts at times, whether driving, just day dreaming or drifting off to sleep, you will find the hypnotic state to be a familiar one.
We will have a counseling session to discover what you want to achieve though Hypnotherapy. While listening to music that may be described as “liquid relaxation” I will guide you with words until your body and mind attain a calm, comfortable and deeply relaxed state, where you are almost in that safe haze between sleep and wakefulness. This is when your subconscious mind is most receptive to positive suggestions and your conscious mind will simply “move aside” to allow the things you want to hear come in “loud and clear.”
Everything that has ever happened in our lives (and some believe even before this life) is stored in the subconscious mind. Associations we make as small children live with us today in our adult selves, even though our logical adult brains may “know better.” All the conscious thinking in the world cannot access the child within us, whereas, Hypnosis can access the subconscious mind and reprogram it to create a permanent, positive shift in thinking. This is the magic of Hypnosis!
Studies show that 88% of everything we do is controlled by the subconscious mind and only a mere 12% is on the conscious level. When you consider this staggering statistic, it is clear that the subconscious is the most powerful part of us. By communicating directly with the subconscious mind, I am able to create positive change in your life in a short period of time.
No, you are not sleeping. You will be in a very safe, pleasant, relaxed, and peaceful state in which all the senses are heightened. You will be awake and aware of everything that’s going on around you during your Hypnotherapy session.
You will feel relaxed, yet completely aware of your surroundings. Many clients have told me that the hypnotic state is the deepest form of relaxation they have ever experienced. You will come out of Hypnosis feeling vibrant, alert and refreshed, as though you have just had a great nap. Clients have told me that when they put their head down to go to sleep at night after a session, it was the best and most restful night’s sleep they have ever had.
Yes, everyone can be Hypnotized, but sometimes not in the same way. In getting to know you, I assess how you best receive information and then I know how to work with you for the most effective Hypnotherapy session. For example, some people are more responsive to inferred, rather than direct suggestions.
Yes. Confidentiality is my top priority.
No. You will always be in complete control and can get up and walk out of the room any time you like, although I doubt you will want to do that. If you have ever day dreamed while driving, and maybe even missed your exit, but knew how to brake and accelerate when you needed to do so, you might relate to being in complete control, yet in a deeply relaxed state.
It really varies quite a bit, depending upon the issue we are working on, how complex the situation is and the client’s commitment to change. For example, sometimes people quit smoking in the first session and for others, it may take 6 sessions. We will create an effective plan that’s personalized to your needs.
No. People will not do things in Hypnosis that they wouldn’t do in a waking state. If you have seen people do silly things in a stage hypnosis show, it is because that person is an extrovert and enjoys being the center of attention. Hypnotherapy is very different from Hypnosis for entertainment purposes and we work on creating positive change in your life through therapeutic clinical Hypnosis.
People typically remember most of their Hypnotherapy sessions when they awaken, but like a good dream, sometimes the memory fades soon afterwards, although the effects remain strong. As an added benefit, I provide clients with an MP3 recording of their session so they may review it at home and derive the maximum value from my sessions.
Almost every issue under the sun can respond well to Hypnotherapy. In general, Hypnosis provides excellent results for general self improvement issues involving smoking and weight loss, anxiety and stress reduction, increased self-esteem and confidence, overcoming fears and phobias, improved public speaking, pain management and increased motivation for success. This list is almost endless and you may view more service listings here.
This is not an uncommon situation at all and is very human. In fact, it is the fear of the unknown that keeps many of us “stuck” in careers we don’t like, relationships that are toxic, etc. Hypnosis is the PERFECT answer for situations like this and there are Hypnotherapy techniques designed specifically to get past the fear of the unknown.
We’ll talk about the reasons why you came to see me and I’ll learn a bit about your background and the issue at hand. I’ll tell you more about Hypnosis and answer any questions you might have. I’ll guide you through relaxation and provide your subconscious mind with positive suggestions to help you attain your goals. All you have to do is listen to the sound of my voice, the tranquil music and relax in a safe and nurturing environment.
