Hypnosis FAQs

Hypnosis is a very natural state. So natural, in fact, that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. Hypnosis is actually an inside job. ☺

It’s a state of mind that you dip in and out of all of the time. Think of it as a state of focused awareness, where you can push aside the busy, judging, over-analyzing part of the conscious mind and access your subconscious mind. By doing so, you are able to lead yourself to a state of heightened suggestibility. It is here, in this focused, heightened state of mind, that it is easy to make changes. This means that you can choose how you want to react or respond to just about anything…a challenging boss, performance at work, an athletic competition, food and cigarette cravings, exams and study skills, an athletic competition, stress and anxiety, your overall wellness…the list goes on. You move between your conscious and subconscious mind multiple times a day.  Hypnosis gives your subconscious mind some new ideas and a plan to integrate these new ideas into your life…or your new way of being.

Hypnosis is a cousin to meditation, but has the added bonus of including an action plan to achieve your goals. With meditation, you’re trying to clear your thoughts, let your mind wander and see what comes to you. With hypnosis, you actually have a powerful, heightened focus of your thoughts…you focus your attention on the outcome you’re actually trying to achieve and how you’re going get there.

You are aware of everything around you, you can speak while you are in hypnosis, and you will remember everything. You’re able to come out of your relaxed state any time you wish. Remember, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis and you allow the process…no one can force you into hypnosis or to do anything that isn’t aligned with your personal value system. In other words…I can’t make you quack like a duck. ☺

Your first session is about 90 minutes. This gives me the opportunity to get to know you, understand your circumstances, and learn about your personal goals. We’ll discuss your challenges, do some coaching and hypnosis work and get you started on the right path to making the changes that you want in your life.

The coaching portion takes place with a conversation between the two of us. When you are ready, we’ll do some hypnosis based on the things we discussed earlier in our session. During that time you will be in a very relaxed, yet focused, state; you’ll do some listening, maybe some talking and be awake and fully aware of your surroundings.

During our time together, you’ll learn some new tools that will help you to feel better about yourself and your journey to the change you want in your life. You’ll also learn some self-hypnosis, which takes about 3 minutes in the morning and again in the evening. This will help you to reinforce what you experienced during our session.

I may give you some funwork to do before our next visit. Notice I said funwork not homework…promise. ☺

No, you are not asleep when you’re in hypnosis. I actually want you awake. Relaxed, yes…asleep, no. The word “hypnosis” comes from the Greek word meaning sleep; however, you are fully awake, aware of your surroundings and are able to talk and move around.

Hypnosis is a natural state of mind for all human beings. It’s that state you pass through right when you first wake up in the morning and then again right before you go to sleep at night. Tomorrow morning when you wake up, notice how nice the relaxed feeling is…you know…that feeling between your sleep state and awake state.

In fact, all of us are in and out of hypnosis several times a day. Think about when you’re so focused on watching a movie, you get so into it that you’re no longer aware of the people around you, even though you know they are all in the theater. Or, when you’re listening to music and you zone out to other things around you. Daydreaming…as your mind drifts to what you’re thinking about, you’re so focused on that, yet you are aware of your surroundings. Many people experience ‘Highway Hypnosis’. This occurs when you are driving and realize that you haven’t remembered the past few miles.

No, you can’t get stuck in hypnosis. You can actually come out of hypnosis any time you want. You can open your eyes or stand up at any time. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis and you either willingly allow the process or you don’t.

Yes…I want you to remember everything…I’m inspiring you to be your very best through the power of focused positive thinking. I want you to remember all of positive and powerful changes you’re making in your life.

No. The US Government tried this. It didn’t work.

No. If I could, I would have hypnotized my daughter to love doing her homework and cleaning her room every day. I tried…it didn’t work.

Hypnosis is not something one person “does” to another. We are all born with the ability to enter a fully relaxed and focused state. Your development and ability using this skill can be enhanced with the guidance of an experienced hypnotist. Young children, people high on drugs or alcohol, and those with developmental disabilities are not good candidates for hypnosis.

If you want to experience hypnosis and you participate and allow the process to happen, you will be hypnotized. During our first session, you will first have a short “practice session” so you feel totally comfortable and understand the state of hypnosis.

Yes, and more research is published every year. There are over 5,000 research studies on the subject. Here’s one you may find interesting:

Does Hypnosis Work? A comparison study, American Health Magazine reported the following findings from a recent study:

• Psychoanalysis: 38% recovery after 600 sessions

• Behavior Therapy: 72% recovery after 22 sessions

• Hypnotherapy: 93% recovery after 6 sessions

If you want to make a change, hypnosis will help you. It’s natural and hypnosis is the easiest way to create any change you like. Remember, it’s an allowing process, you’re in control and this process can achieve anything you set your mind to.