• What's it like to be hypnotized?
• What happens in a hypnotherapy session?
• Can anyone be hypnotized?
• How does hypnosis actually work?
• Does hypnosis really work?
• Isn't hypnosis just an illusion, like magic?
• What's the difference between hypnotherapy and guided imagery?
• If I'm hypnotized, will a hypnotist be controlling my mind?
• What if I don't come out of hypnosis?
• What if I'm told to do something I don't want to do?
• What can be treated with hypnotherapy?
• How can hypnotherapy help with physical and medical problems?
• Why should I choose hypnotherapy?
• Shouldn't hypnotherapy be done by a licensed psychiatrist, Ph.D or M.D.?
• What if I have more questions?

• What's it like to be hypnotized?

What we call hypnosis is a state of deep physical relaxation and intense mental focus. If you have ever had the experience of being so focused on doing something that you became oblivious to everything else going on around you, you have experienced this state. It's the same state you're in when you meditate, and it's a state you pass through every night as you fall asleep.

Hypnosis is not sleep. Many people expect, when they're hypnotized, to fall completely asleep. In fact, in most cases in hypnotherapy you will be completely aware of everything that is going on around you. You may feel like you could get up and walk away at any moment. If you are very deeply relaxed, you may experience sensations of floating, or feeling very heavy.

Everyone who experiences hypnosis finds it a pleasant, relaxing experience.

• What happens in a hypnotherapy session?

When you come to me for a hypnotherapy session, we 'll meet and discuss whatever issue it is you wish to resolve and what it is you hope to achieve. Together, we'll work out a plan of action to accomplish this goal.  I will guide you into a hypnotic state, using only my voice. I don't use tricks or special devices. The suggestions or therapy we use will be things already discussed in our meeting.   Afterwards, I'll guide you back into normal awareness and we'll discuss your experience. After the session, you will feel very refreshed and calm, as if you'd just had a nice nap.

The entire hypnotic session will be recorded on audiotape.  You get to keep this audiotape for your own review and use.

I may also suggest exercises or actions you may take on your own to help you reach your goals, such as possible reading material, journaling, or other exercises.

• Can anyone be hypnotized?

Yes.  The only people who are incapable of experiencing hypnosis are those who have suffered severe forms of brain damage. Even very small children, the mentally handicapped, and people suffering from severe psychiatric disorders are able to experience hypnosis.

From time-to-time, someone will say "I can't be hypnotized." Not true. They simply didn't experience what they expected when they were under hypnosis. 

• How does hypnosis actually work?

There are many different theories about this. We know that in hypnosis, we're able to communicate with the subconscious or unconscious mind directly, the part of us that drives automatic and habitual behavior and thought patterns. While we don't know exactly where the sub- or un-conscious mind and the conscious mind begin or end, we do know that hypnosis is an effective method for making changes at the subconscious level.

• Does hypnosis really work?

Hypnosis is a documented and proven effective form of therapy. Of all the alternative therapies, hypnosis is the most scientifically studied and endorsed. Hypnosis has been in use in the medical and psychiatric professions for over 150 years and has been recognized as an effective therapy by the American Medical Association since 1958.

• Isn't hypnosis just an illusion, like magic?

No. Performing hypnotists (or "stage hypnotists") really do use hypnosis, and the people they use in their performances are not faking. Hypnosis is not a trick.

• What's the difference between hypnotherapy and guided imagery?

Actually, there is no difference. Guided imagery is just another name for hypnotherapy.

• If I'm hypnotized, will a hypnotist be controlling my mind?

No. Hypnosis is not mind control. You are always in total control. A hypnotist or hypnotherapist cannot make you do anything, nor can they use hypnosis to get any information from you that you would be unwilling to share.

You may have seen old movies where someone is made to commit a crime or reveal secrets under hypnosis. This is total fiction. Scientists have tried in laboratory experiments for over a century to get hypnotic subjects to perform potentially dangerous or harmful acts, and to reveal private and personal information. So far, not one test subject has done so.

Hypnotherapy is effective because the people who come for hypnosis treatment ask for and receive suggestions to do things they want to do and to make changes they want to make.

• What if I don't come out of hypnosis?

This doesn't happen. No one ever gets "stuck" in hypnosis. In the absolute worst-case scenario, you might drift off into natural sleep during a session. In that case, you would awaken at the end of the session feeling calm and refreshed - and the hypnosis session would still be 100% effective.

• What if I'm told to do something I don't want to do?

You cannot be made to do anything under hypnosis you would not be willing to do in normal consciousness.

• What can be treated with hypnotherapy?

A better question would be: what can't be treated with hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is used for a wide variety of emotional and medical issues, and for personal growth and self-improvement. A short list would include:
 

• How can hypnotherapy help with physical and medical problems?

The mind, body and spirit are all connected. One affects the other. All physical and medical problems have connections to emotional and spiritual issues. By resolving those issues, physical healing can be promoted.

Hypnosis can be used to manage and control symptoms such as chronic pain, nausea, anxiety or hypertension connected to physical illnesses or as side effects of treatments such as chemotherapy.

Certain stress-related or -aggravated disorders respond especially well to hypnotherapy.

• Why should I choose hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is completely safe. Unlike surgeries or drug therapies, there are no risks and no side effects.

Unlike psychotherapy, it's fast and effective. It's estimated that hypnotherapy can resolve emotional issues in half the time (or less) it would take with traditional psychotherapy.

Hypnotherapy is one of the most natural, safe, effective, powerful, scientifically-approved and pleasant therapies available. And it can be used in almost any area of life.

• Shouldn't hypnotherapy be done by a licensed psychiatrist, Ph.D or M.D.?

Some sources recommend that hypnotherapy only be practiced by a licensed mental health practitioner.

That's not necessarily bad advice. Because there are no licensing laws regarding hypnotherapists, it is possible to encounter under-trained practitioners.

However, hypnotherapy and psychology are two different disciplines, although they do overlap. Most psychiatrists/psychologists have some knowledge of hypnosis; very few are actually trained hypnotherapists.

A good hypnotherapist is trained and certified by an accredited school and has received a minimum of 100 hours of training. A good hypnotherapist will not represent him or her self as being able to work in areas in which he or she is not trained.

Speaking for myself: I received over 300 hours of training in hypnotherapy at an accredited and respected school (The Palo Alto School of Hypnotherapy); I studied pastoral counseling at a state university extension (UCSC Extension). I do not attempt to diagnose psychological disorders, do not treat mental illness or severe psychological disorders. I do not attempt any kind of psychiatric therapy outside my training. My work is a complementary therapy. If I feel I cannot provide the kind of care a client needs, I refer that client to an appropriate practitioner.

• What if I have more questions?

I've done my best to cover everything I can think of. If you still have questions or concerns about hypnotherapy, please contact me at the number above. I will be happy to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.