Frequently Asked Questions!
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural mental state that enhances awareness and increases receptivity to ideas, thoughts, and sensations originating from your own imagination, body, and all your senses. This state of mind is something you encounter frequently throughout the day, particularly when you’re deeply engrossed in a task and everything else seems to fade into the background.
As a skilled hypnotist, I’ve honed the ability to ease the critical barrier in the mind, which serves as a protector between the Conscious and Unconscious Mind. This relaxation is a collaborative process between us, and it serves as the gateway to powerful techniques for initiating change, conveying suggestions directly, and practicing new behaviors. All of these methods leverage the language of the unconscious mind. Through this process, rapid transformation and healing become possible, enabling you to overcome challenges and attain your desired objectives.
What if I Can't Be Hypnotized?
Hypnosis is an option available to anyone who has an interest in it. If you have no desire to be hypnotized, it’s impossible for me to induce a hypnotic state in you. However, if you are open to the idea and willing to follow my instructions, you can and will enter a state of hypnosis.
It’s important to understand that you never lose control of yourself during hypnosis, and the potential benefits of the experience make it illogical to resist the process. My role is to find the approach that resonates best with you, and I’m committed to exploring different methods until we discover one that suits you. Your willingness to actively participate is a fundamental component of this process.
If you have concerns about being a challenging subject for hypnosis, we can engage your unconscious mind by repeatedly asking yourself this question: “How can I effortlessly enter a hypnotic state and facilitate the necessary changes while thoroughly enjoying the entire process?” Please jot down any insights you receive and share them with me.
It’s important to note that different individuals may experience varying levels of depth and responsiveness to hypnosis. However, research suggests that repeated conditioning can enhance your ability to respond to hypnosis. We will work together to achieve this, and it’s worth mentioning that positive changes can occur in both lighter and deeper states of hypnosis.
Is Hypnosis Safe?
Certainly, hypnosis is completely safe, and there’s no risk of becoming trapped in it. It’s a natural state of mind that you naturally transition in and out of throughout your day, especially during the moments right before falling asleep and immediately upon waking up. Just as you can’t become stuck in a state of sleep, the same holds true for hypnosis.
Back in 1958, both the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association recognized the value of hypnosis as a beneficial technique, and there have been no documented cases of harm resulting from its use. The only time when hypnosis could pose a potential danger is if you were to listen to a hypnotic recording while operating machinery or driving. Therefore, it’s essential to avoid doing so for your safety.
How Effective is Online Video Conferencing Hypnosis?
Online hypnosis sessions have proven to be equally, if not more effective than in-person ones, and this can be attributed to three straightforward reasons.
Firstly, the hypnotic process typically involves closing your eyes and attentively listening to me. Once your eyes are closed and you’re focused on my guidance, the physical location becomes irrelevant, whether you’re in the same room or comfortably participating from your own home.
Secondly, the transformation that occurs during hypnosis primarily takes place within your mind. It’s an internal process, and therefore, it’s not dependent on the physical surroundings. Wherever your head is, we can effectively work together.
Thirdly, the challenges or issues you aim to address through hypnosis are often not confined to a specific location, such as a hypnotist’s office. These are real-life problems you encounter daily. Hence, it’s particularly advantageous that we can conduct hypnosis work in the very environment where you seek to make those transformative changes.
Will I Be Made to Do Things I Don't Want to do? Will I Lose Control?
Of course, I would never want to make you do anything you’re not comfortable with, and it’s important to remember that hypnosis operates on your terms. Your decision to explore hypnosis and the choices you make during our session are entirely within your control.
It’s wonderful to emphasize that hypnosis is not about mind control, as you might see in movies or on stage shows. In those instances, participants are simply having fun and willingly engaging in the hypnotist’s suggestions.
As a therapeutic hypnotist, my goal is to be your partner in helping you take charge of your own mind and accomplish the positive changes you desire. Together, we’ll use agreed-upon suggestions to break free from unhelpful habits and cultivate new, supportive ones that align perfectly with your goals.
Importantly, for hypnosis to be effective, it’s crucial that you genuinely desire these changes and are eager to follow my guidance. I’m here to support you every step of the way, but ultimately, you are the driver of your transformation. Your comfort, willingness, and positive attitude are always at the forefront of our sessions.
What if I’m just Curious… but Not Quite Ready to Make any Big Changes?
The timing of your decision to pursue change is absolutely crucial, and it’s a significant step that requires a true desire for transformation and a commitment to both yourself and the process. I understand that making this decision isn’t always easy.
To make the idea of using hypnosis for personal growth more inviting and comfortable, I recommend exploring our Mind, Body & Spirit Hypnotic Spa Offerings. These one or two themed sessions provide wonderful opportunities to experience hypnosis in a relaxing and supportive environment. It’s a chance to dip your toes into the world of hypnosis and discover the positive changes it can bring to your life.
What am I to Expect? What does Hypnosis Feel Like?
Throughout the entire session, you’ll remain active and alert. Your ability to hear and remember everything I say will be just like in a regular conversation. You’re free to move, cough, or scratch if needed, and you can even speak to me while under hypnosis.
Hypnosis experiences are unique to each individual. Some people may feel a sense of heaviness, while others may experience a feeling of lightness. Some might even feel a combination of both sensations, or simply a deep sense of relaxation, akin to lying in bed or resting in a comfortable chair. Additionally, you may or may not notice changes in your breathing, altered body perception, heightened awareness of sounds around you, a sensation of stillness, or shifts in your pulse.
As we proceed with the hypnosis process, I will guide you towards deep relaxation, and we’ll engage your imagination. It’s important to highlight that hypnosis is a pleasurable experience, and in my experience, everyone who has undergone it has found it to be enjoyable and beneficial. Your comfort and well-being are always a top priority during the session.
Does Insurance Cover Hypnosis?
At this time, most insurance plans do not cover hypnosis. As a result, I do not handle insurance claims. However, if your insurance policy does include coverage for hypnosis, I can certainly provide you with a service statement to support your reimbursement claim.
If you happen to have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), it’s possible that they may be used to cover the cost of your hypnosis sessions. However, I recommend checking with your FSA or HSA plan coordinator to confirm the details and eligibility for this type of coverage. They will be able to provide you with specific guidance on how to utilize your benefits for hypnosis services.
Are the Results Guaranteed?
Hypnosis is indeed a powerful process that has helped countless individuals make positive changes in their lives. However, it’s important to emphasize that hypnosis is not a form of “mind control.” Even the most skilled hypnotist cannot compel you to change your habits or behaviors against your will.
Ultimately, achieving change through hypnosis is a collaborative effort, and there is always a human element involved. Just as doctors cannot guarantee complete recovery, teachers cannot ensure that every student learns everything, and lawyers cannot guarantee victory in every case, hypnotherapists cannot guarantee a specific outcome.
Like other fields in the realm of healing and personal development, hypnosis and hypnotherapy are not exact sciences, and results cannot be guaranteed. What can be assured, however, is the delivery of the best possible service, utilizing the latest information and appropriate hypnotic, coaching, and change techniques tailored to your individual circumstances. Your active participation and commitment to the process play a vital role in its success.
What is NLP?
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a psychological approach that focuses on understanding and modeling human behavior and communication patterns. It was developed in the 1970s and is based on the idea that there is a connection between neurological processes (neuro), language (linguistic), and behavioral patterns that have been learned through experience (programming).
NLP aims to identify and analyze the mental strategies used by successful individuals in various fields and then teach these strategies to others to help them achieve their goals and overcome personal challenges. It operates on the premise that by changing the way we think, communicate, and react to situations, we can enhance our abilities, improve our relationships, and create positive changes in our lives.
NLP techniques involve observing and modeling the language and behavior of successful individuals to understand how they achieve their desired outcomes. It explores how people perceive and process information, how they communicate with themselves and others, and how they form beliefs and attitudes. NLP offers a toolkit of strategies and techniques to help individuals improve their communication skills, change unhelpful thought patterns, and achieve personal and professional growth.
Overall, NLP is a versatile and interdisciplinary approach that has been applied in various fields, including therapy, coaching, sales, education, and personal development, to help individuals better understand and manage their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors for positive change.