What is Hypnosis

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness. We move in and out of hypnosis naturally throughout the course of our days. An example of naturally-induced hypnosis is when you are driving down a familiar road and your mind is a million miles away and yet your body is automatically handling the physical functions of driving the car. You may find yourself at your destination without any conscious memory of how you got there. This is called highway hypnosis. Daydreaming of any type is a form of naturally-occurring hypnosis.

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis to help people make positive changes in their lives. A well-trained hypnotherapist uses suggestion and/or gentle touch to encourage a state of hypnosis through relaxation. In hypnosis, your subconscious mind is more accessible and therefore easier to change.

How could I benefit from hypnotherapy?

When we try to make a change in our lives, sometimes we are successful and sometimes our efforts are blocked.

Imagine that you are trying to load new software onto your computer. Each time you go through the installation process, an error message comes up and you realize that your hard drive is not configured in a way that can accept the new software. The subconscious mind is like the hard drive of a computer in that it is in control of our attitudes, behaviors and beliefs. If, for whatever reason, your subconscious blocks the change you are trying to make, you will not be successful. Hypnotherapy can re-wire the subconscious to accept the positive changes you want to make.

What can I expect from my hypnotherapy session?

Generally, the first few sessions would include what I refer to as direct hypnosis. In direct hypnosis, I use my voice to encourage your relaxation in body and mind. I often include progressive relaxation (check-out free Progressive Relaxation download in the Essential Relaxation Store), a counting backward from 10-1, and a pleasant scene for your conscious mind to enjoy, and then positive suggestions that we have agreed upon together. Each of my direct hypnosis sessions is customized for the individual client and recorded onto a CD the client takes home for his/her use. The CDs are usually anywhere from 20 to 35 minutes in length. Daily use of the direct hypnosis CD optimizes the process of positive change. The most common “side effects” of direct hypnosis are improved sleep and a greater sense of wellbeing.

Interactive hypnosis offers the opportunity for the client to speak with me while in trance. Over the years, I have developed a number of very effective avenues for getting the most out of interactive hypnosis sessions I call these interactive hypnosis techniques Essential Healingtm because they allow access to the essence of certain issues. The interactive hypnosis sessions are not recorded.

What is Essential Healingtm and how can it help me?

Essential Healingtm is my signature technique to help clients get to the essence of certain issues. Essential Healingtm is transformative hypnotherapy at its best. Often Essential Healingtm will open the door to accessing and healing childhood issues, even past-life influences. Since the subconscious has no sense of time and cannot distinguish what is real from what is imagined, hundreds of my clients have learned that it is never too late to have a happy childhood.

Essential Healing is particularly helpful in identifying and healing emotional components of physical conditions and issues. Imagine the benefit of actually dialoguing with the part of you that the subconscious has put in charge of the cancer, the IBS, the Fibromyalgia. Remarkable sessions yield remarkable results.

Common Misconceptions About Hypnosis

• Under hypnosis, I have no control over the process or myself.
  Incorrect! You are always in control over the process and yourself.


• Under hypnosis, I can be made to do or say things against my will.
  Incorrect! You cannot be made to speak or behave in any way that's contrary to your own values and/or beliefs. You are always in control.


• Hypnosis is a mysterious, frightening process.
  Incorrect! Hypnosis is a state of consciousness that we naturally move in and out of several times a day. Daydreaming is a form of self-hypnosis.


• Hypnosis doesn't work.
  Incorrect! The American Medical Association approved the use of hypnosis as a therapeutic tool in 1958.


• Hypnosis is a magic wand.
  Incorrect! It is simply a highly effective tool for personal and professional development.