What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation similar to the state right before falling asleep or waking up. We have all experienced hypnosis (i.e.  driving on automatic and reaching your destination without being consciously aware of much of the journey, being “glued” to the television). Hypnotherapy utilizes the trance state of hypnosis as an effective way to deal with undesirable patterns and behaviors. In the trance state we contact the subconscious part of the brain, the part that governs emotions and beliefs, and holds the patterns that allow us to function. However, most of these patterns and beliefs were developed as the results of experiences that happened at a very young age, and although some are very necessary, some are no longer needed or desired. Much like a computer, hypnotherapy is able to change the "software" of the subconscious, installing new, positive programs, and life enhancing beliefs.

 

 

The subconscious mind on the other hand, controls 90% or more of our actions. It governs emotions and beliefs. Like a computer, the subconscious mind, programmed since birth, runs the same programs over and over again until these programs are changed through techniques such as hypnotherapy. We have all felt overwhelmed by emotions in the past and have probably experienced our inability to control the emotions and subsequently the actions caused by them, consciously (i.e. using ice cream to comfort oneself after an argument with one’s spouse). Similarly, we may connect many of our present day actions to beliefs that were programmed into our subconscious mind in the past (i.e. our parents using food as a way to reward, manipulate, or comfort us). The conscious awareness of the connection between emotions, beliefs, and our programmed actions does little to create lasting change. In order to truly change we must bypass the critical factors of the conscious mind in order to directly access the the old programed beliefs and emotions of the subconscious and update the software.

 

Anyone can be hypnotized. However, for hypnotherapy to work one has to be open to it working. The conscious mind protects the subconscious mind. It will not allow the subconscious to take in suggestions outside of its program (i.e. “tuning out” a conversation one does not agree with). However, when change is desired consciously, the subconscious can easily, effectively, and completely alter its programs. This is why hypnotherapy is so effective when one approaches with the attitude that the suggestions and the process will work.

 

Contrary to what some may think, a good hypnotic subject may also have a strong mind, a high intelligence, focus, creativity, and imagination.  If you like to escape into a novel, or enjoy being immersed in a good movie, you will likely have no problem being hypnotized. In these cases you already have been.

 

I actually like to think of my work as de-hypnosis, techniques that allow one to wake up from the dream of living through outdated programs. During a hypnotherapy session a client remains completely conscious and can choose to come out of trance at any time. It is impossible to become stuck in trance. The worst that may happen is falling asleep. My work facilitates a client’s contact with his or her subconscious and together we find methods to effect change. My clients report feeling deeply relaxed, safe, and enjoy being in trance.

 

 

A session generally starts with a conversation between myself and the client during which the client describes what he or she is hoping to achieve. I ask questions to gain a detailed picture of both the current pattern of behavior and the client’s desired outcome. After I have gathered all the information I need for the trance, the client may either lay down on a massage table or sit in a chair and we start with a hypnosis induction, a means of initiating the relaxation of trance. During the core of the session I guide the client through a process designed to change outdated patterns of behavior and replace them with new options. Some processes are more interactive and require verbal input from the client, while others are simply experiential, such as with creative visualization. Because the staying power of suggestion increases with repetition, I record most sessions for my clients to take home with them. At the end of a trance I bring the client to full waking consciousness. We close the session by talking about the trance experience and if one is needed, we discuss a plan for the next session. The presenting issue determines how many sessions are needed. Many people experience substantial results after three to five sessions.

See yourself three months from now...

Hypnotherapy Rates:

 

$100 per session

$270: 3 session series

$500: 6 session series