Hypnotherapy FAQs

What does hypnotherapy treat?

This is a tough answer to keep concise. It treats a WIDE variety of issues in the physical, mental, emotional, and relational arenas. And if one is open, it can also access energetic and spiritual realms. My practice has included healing and better understanding physical pain (i.e. cysts, migraines); health anxiety; problematic patterns of behavior and addiction; body image; phobias (i.e. flying, needles); fears of death, abandonment, rejection, loneliness or success; anger; self-love barriers; self-doubt; depression and despair; relationship issues with heightened emotion; performance anxiety; perfectionism; and grief/loss of a loved one, including pets.

Hypnotherapy also treats disordered eating, childhood/birth trauma and complex trauma, but I may refer you to a more specialized professional in these arenas, as needed.

How might hypnotherapy influence my experience if I’m a religious/spiritual person? OR Does it influence my experience if I’m not spiritual at all?

I have worked with clients of many spiritual backgrounds in hypnotherapy, including Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, agnostic and atheist. Some of their faith traditions and spiritual beliefs played a prominent role in their experience, others chose to opt out of spiritual elements entirely, and still others fell in-between. There is no amount of faith or lack of faith necessary for a profound experience. And many people, of every tradition and background, have life-altering ones. I welcome clients of any spiritual leaning across the spectrum, and I welcome an open discussion of your preferences as well.

Should I practice something before coming to my first appointment?

Yes, it is advised but not required. Meditations, quiet moments of reflection, yoga, reviewing dreams or simply enjoying daydreams without stopping them short are all flexing your subconscious muscle.

Should I practice something after coming to my first appointment?

Yes, as much as you can! If you consent, we will record your session so that you can replay the experience and continue strengthening your new learning and healing messages tailored specifically for you. I also encourage notecards posted on a mirror, in your car, in your wallet, etc. of the most profound moments, so that they are accessible and visible reminders of your healing work.

Is there any way to know that I’ll be good at this without doing it before?

Potentially, yes. Even though most people (80% – 90%) can be hypnotized* without intentionally trying anything like it before, there is something known as the eye roll test, by Dr. Herbert Spiegel. It is the only known physical characteristic test reliable for hypnotizability, with an accuracy of 70%.**

*Wood, J. (2018). Not Getting Sleepy? Not Everyone Can Be Hypnotized. Psych Central. Retrieved on January 25, 2020, from https://psychcentral.com/news/2012/10/06/not-getting-sleepy-not-everyone-can-be-hypnotized/45672.html
** Spiegel, M.D., H. (1972). An Eye Roll Test for Hypnotizability. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. Vol 15, Issue 1, pgs. 25-28.

Are there any possible negative side effects?

Only in the same way there are side effects of therapy, not of being in a hypnotic state. People worry about getting stuck or losing themselves. Awareness is heightened, not lost. You are stuck in a hypnotic state no more than you are stuck in a day-dream. But the therapeutic work may become uncomfortable, with triggering memories, physical and/or emotional experiences. There may be moments of what we call abreaction – which is a release, like a good cry – that may be difficult but cathartic for healing.

Trust in the clinician is a critical addition here. Remember, trained providers are not in the business to harm, harass, or shame you. If you have trust in your clinician and their clinical know-how and intentions to help, you enter this new arena worry-free that the experience will be any more difficult than necessary for healing. And even if it is an experience you wish to stop abruptly, know that you have the power to do that, too.

What does a typical session look like?

We initially connect via email or phone to ensure that I am a good fit for your experience. This gives you a chance to learn about my practice and ask questions. Once in my office, I ensure that I have the knowledge I need about your goal for the session, and that there are no pressing needs or last-minute questions or adjustments. Next we ensure that you’re comfortable (ie, lighting, music, weighted blanket, etc.) Then we enter into a 1.5-2 hour session. The basic steps are: induction (usually talking you into a deep relaxation), going to the source of the pain/problem, clarifying the pattern through memories or metaphors, learning and healing from the experience of regression, and returning to the room in a fully conscious state. We reflect and briefly process, as appropriate. Lastly, we schedule a next session to further integrate and process, encourage outside-of-the-office practice, and/or connection to your primary therapist for integration of this experience (as applicable).

I will add, every experience for every person varies. Each time is unique, special and personally tailored – even for the same client. Like a new conversation with your best friend, no two experiences are alike or replicable.

Do you remember everything that happens?

Yes, mostly. It is most common to acutely remember the experience in full; how you felt, what you needed to learn, what you did, what you saw, etc. The term ‘posthypnotic amnesia’ – the idea that you don’t remember your experience – has been scientifically found “not to be an intrinsic element of hypnosis.”* Despite this finding, I offer the choice to my clients to make a recording of their sessions. I also encourage further review by listening/practicing with frequent repetition to reinforce the learning, healing and the experience itself.

My previous client, Michelle, graciously permitting me to share her words, answered it this way: “When you’re in it, you know everything. When you ‘wake-up’ you still recall all of your feelings but verbalizing the exact words or details might be fuzzy. I know what happened, I was in control of my responses, but listening back to the tape was like ‘oh yeah! That’s right.’ I had some of the details come back.”

* Lilienfeld, S. and Arkowitz, H. (2008). Is Hypnosis a Distinct Form of Consciousness? Scientific American Mind. Retrieved on January 25, 2020, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-hypnosis-a-distinct-form/

Have YOU done hypnotherapy yourself?

Yes; many times. Not only was it required of me to do hypnotherapy sessions in the role of client in order to gain my certification, I have also attended multiple supervision sessions beyond the requirement to further my learning in both the role of client and therapist. Now I practice on my own time to continue and further my learning. When I say that many people have life-altering experiences, I am no exception. Hypnotherapy is my calling, and it also changed the course of my life.

I think it is vitally important that I “walk my talk,” and it is also vitally important that I continue to become the best version of myself. An added bonus from my hypnotherapy explorations is that I can truly resonate and connect with my clients when they have comments, questions and realizations beyond their prior knowledge or experience thus far. I deeply understand that journey.

How do I explain what I experienced to others?

I answer this the same way with traditional therapy; in your own time, and on your own terms. Starting with a journal and a trusted therapist might feel like the right place to begin. Safety and protection of your experience matters greatly. But so does sharing your experience with a trusted person or two outside of therapy. When you’re good and ready, there’s frequently something extraordinary about sharing this learning and healing with a kindred spirit. You may in fact be surprised just how many people are open and curious about this work!