No, hypnosis is NOT like stage hypnosis. While stage hypnosis does exist, it is different than hypnoTHERAPY. Hypnotherapy helps you create the changes that you want, understand the blocks that have been created, and is a tool in you creating the change you want in your life.

Hypnotherapy is a therapy that DOES require (typically*) more than one session

It is a tool to help you change, it does NOT make you change something without some work on your part. There is work that you too must do to help yourself.

There can be a resistance to entering the hypnotic state.

Everyone is hypnotized differently. What works for one person does not work for another.

You could not be hypnotized if you didn’t want to be.

* some sessions such as smoking and nail biting can be done in one session. Some clients will feel a great deal of relief after one session, but it is usually required to do more.

Typically, the side effects of hypnosis are a state of relaxation and overall wellbeing. Clients have explained coming out of hypnosis like waking up from a long nap, feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. The immediate side effects of hypnosis upon coming out of the hypnotic state can include being thirsty.

You are never in a state of being controlled. While in the hypnotic state you are 100% in control of your thoughts and feelings at all times. Even though some of the deeper depths of hypnosis can result in some amnesia after the session, during the session you are completely aware of what is going on at all times. Typically the deeper depths (or somnambulistic depths) are used for things like dental surgery.

While much of the science behind hypnosis is still unclear, it works by having a client enter into a deep state of relaxation where you are hyper-attentive to what is being said to you. The theory is that if you can have someone imagine or feel an experience in the hypnotic state that isn't there, you can also replace that image or feeling with one of deep relaxation. Hypnosis works to replace known associations in the subconscious mind with new ones that are beneficial to the changes you want to make in your life.

While in the hypnotic state, similar to when you fall asleep, your brain wave activity changes which allows you to become attentive and acutely focused on the suggestions being presented.

Each suggestion given in the hypnotic state is specially formulated for each client in order to increase the potential for acceptance within the subconscious mind. Everyone's subconscious speaks our own language, thus if the suggestion for change is not presented in a manner that is conducive to your subconscious it may reject the suggestion.

The three depths of hypnosis have varying levels of amnesia associated with them. While you may not remember all the details coming out of the hypnotic sleep you are ALWAYS aware of what is going on during the session. Recording of the sessions is available upon request. Clients sometimes come out thinking they may have fallen asleep, thereby attributing the slight amnesia to that feeling. However, they were aware of everything that was happening at the time they thought they were asleep.

While in the hypnotic state, I am able to watch your body for certain signs that alert me to which depth you are in. Since hypnosis state is on the path to falling asleep, it can happen that the client falls asleep. However, I am able to quickly lighten your state back into the hypnotic sleep through a variety of techniques.

The simple answer is yes. However, if you didn't want to be hypnotized, you would never go into the hypnotic state unwillingly. However, clients who come into my office resisting the hypnotic state, or with an unwilling attitude toward hypnosis, typically don't go into the hypnotic sleep.

Hypnosis works best with a client who has an open mind toward trying it, a willingness to participate, and good rapport with the hypnotist.

In addition, everyone is hypnotized differently. Some clients are much better with direct suggestions than metaphorical ones. For example: a metaphorical suggestion would be "your hand will feel light as a feather", while a direct suggestion would be "your hand will feel light." Learning which type of suggestions work best for you are part of the initial session and done through a series of questions specifically tailored for this purpose.

I always like to state to clients that hypnotherapy is not a magic button, and is in fact a therapy that typically does require more than one session to uncover and create the various desired shifts in behaviors. While each person is different in the required amount of sessions, I strongly recommend a minimum of two visits. Creating shifts in behavior patterns and gaining an awareness of how to produce desired change(s) are the focal points of the first session. It is very effective in gathering and garnering momentum while the second session aims to reinforce and further build our foundation as a paradigm shift begins to take place. From there, we refine and tailor our work to address specific issues that may arise or to simply bolster what we have already learned. The success of hypnosis is a self driven process that requires work from both the client and myself.

It is not uncommon that after one session a client will feel great. For others, there can be an apprehension to enter into a hypnotic state so some gentle guiding and a basic of understanding that a hypnotic state is nothing more than a deep state of relaxation is necessary before some feel comfortable letting go. I do my best to let you know exactly what will transpire as well as what to expect along the way.

There are no guarantees with hypnosis. However, with a strong will to create the changes you want, a willingness to participate, and openness to hypnosis as an alternative form of therapy, changes can happen rather quickly compared to other forms of psychotherapy.

As featured in The Psychotherapy Journal of the American Psychiatric Association, a review of 2,000 psychotherapy literatures were surveyed by Dr. Alfred Barrios in 1970 and had the following findings regarding hypnotherapy verse other forms of therapy.