FAQ

“A Positive Life Begins with a Positive Mind.”

Q: How does hypnosis work?

A: Check out the newest study (2016) that shows how hypnosis works! http://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/28/youre-getting-very-curious-scientists-discover-how-hypnosis-actually-works.html

Q: Will I lose control? Is hypnosis “mind control”?

A: No, absolutely not! Actually, you are in complete control and can hear and respond to everything while under hypnosis. In fact, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. You give yourself permission to go into hypnosis, which then allows the skilled hypnotherapist to guide you to help facilitate the changes you desire.

I understand your concern with “control”. You may have seen or heard about hypnosis stage shows where the individuals who were hypnotized acted in strange or silly ways, and when they were awakened, they did not remember a thing! This may be entertaining, and it is real hypnosis; although, it is a misconception and should not be confused with skilled hypnotherapy which offers a process that can help you achieve your goals, your dreams and your desires. Your mind is very powerful. It is the greatest asset you have. Think about something in your life that you really wanted, and nothing and no one was going to stop you from attaining it. You were driven by a strong desire, and you put your mind to achieving that goal.

Believe in yourself and the power of your own mind, and you will discover a new level of control that you can tap into. You can now take control of your life!

Q: Will I bark like a dog or cluck like a chicken?

A: No, not unless you want to! In other words, you cannot and will not do or say anything while under hypnosis that conflicts with your personal, ethical or moral standards and/or desires.

Q: Is hypnosis like a stage show or make-believe?

A: Some hypnotists certainly do conduct stage shows for entertainment purposes, as mentioned above. No, it is not make-believe, it is real. The individuals involved actually had a subconscious desire to behave in the ways they did. This type of hypnosis should not be confused with skilled hypnotherapy. (See “Will I Lose Control?” above).

Q: What does hypnosis feel like?

A: Everyone experiences the hypnotic (trance) state differently. There is no way to predict how you will feel or react, but most people feel completely relaxed and comfortable. Some people have said they feel like they’re floating on a cloud, feel a tingling sensation, feel a heaviness, or it feels euphoric. Others say it feels like a deep sleep. Hypnosis is a natural state of deep relaxation and calmness. Your physical body becomes very comfortable and your mind is more alert and receptive than in your normal state of awareness. You are actually in a heightened awareness. In fact, most people experience their senses being more heightened and sensitive while under hypnosis. Hypnosis also helps you discover your inner wisdom, giving you direction and clarity in your life.

Q: I’ve never been hypnotized before. Are you sure this can work?

A: Actually, you have been – you just might not have known it! Everyone goes in and out of different states of hypnosis (trance) dozens or even hundreds of times a day! Here are some examples:

(1) Have you ever watched a movie or program, become so “mesmerized” by what you were watching that it brought up emotions and you may not have noticed what was going on around you? Your mind does not know the difference between whether or not you are actually experiencing those events that brought up those emotions, or if you’re just sitting back watching.

(2) Have you ever day-dreamed and your mind took a little vacation? Your mind has opened up another avenue of energy. That span of time that your mind has taken you to is a form of hypnosis.

(3) Have you ever been driving along the highway and either missed your off-ramp or arrived at your destination without remembering getting off the exit and not sure how you arrived?

Those moments that are unaccounted for – that are suspended without conscious thinking – is your mind taking you into a different dimension. That’s a form of hypnosis. As you can see by these examples, hypnosis, the trance state, is a very natural state to be in.

4) You can be hypnotized if you are ready and willing to make changes in your life; and if you, not someone else, are wanting these positive changes for yourself. There is a small percentage (about 5% of the population) that cannot or will not go under hypnosis for various reasons. Some medications/drugs may also interfere with the hypnosis process.

Q: Is hypnosis like a placebo? Do you have to believe in it in order for it to work?

A: Some professionals compare the use of placebos as a form of hypnosis, but there is a difference between

placebos and hypnosis. It has been scientifically and medically proven that placebos work because the patients have been convinced and believe in their minds that the pills are going to help them, and in many cases they do help. It’s a matter of “believing” in it. Although, if those same patients find out later that the pill was nothing but a placebo, many times the disease or condition returns.

You do not have to “believe” in HOW hypnosis works in order for it to work. A simple example is: You do not have to believe in how electricity works; you just know it works and you rely on it. Otherwise, why would you pay your electric bill every month? If you have a strong desire to want to create changes or enhance your life, hypnosis will work for you. It’s simply mind over matter. Just believe in yourself and the power of your own mind. I will help you and guide you to achieve your goals, your dreams and your desires.

Q: How will I know if I am hypnotized?

A: If you feel more relaxed than usual; sense a change in your breathing; feel a tingling sensation; experience your senses being heightened; and/or if you feel any change of ‘state’, you are hypnotized.

Q: How many hypnotherapy sessions will I need to achieve my goals?

A: Depending on what you want to change or enhance in your life, will determine the number of sessions recommended to achieve your goals. Everyone is an individual and responds in a unique way, therefore, making human behavior hard to predict. Many people feel and see significant changes occurring after just one session, while others need a series of sessions and experience gradual, significant and effective changes. In my experience, here are some recommendations:

(a) Smoking cessation program: 4 individual or group sessions over a 4-week period. The majority of my clients stop smoking after the first session, but they continue with me for reinforcement to ensure lasting results.

(b) Weight reduction and control program: 12+ sessions over a 12+ week period (with a desired weight loss of 25 lbs. or more).

Q: How long will the results last?

A: The results are life-long, when you follow all of my suggestions in and out of the sessions. Many of my clients come back periodically for a ‘tune-up’, especially if something traumatic or significant has happened in their lives, and they need a little boost!

Q: Will I have to do anything on my own after and in between my sessions?

A: Yes, I expect client participation and cooperation for true success. I will give you 100% of my effort and expertise in your sessions, while you will be expected to follow my suggestions in your ‘conscious awareness’ in your everyday life. This is teamwork between you and me. Here is an example: If you wanted to become a great golfer and someone gave you lessons and taught you all the techniques and skills you needed, you would still have to ‘practice’ until you learned the techniques and skills yourself. Even after you have learned something, you can always improve by practicing more. Our minds and bodies learn by repetition. Hypnosis gives you the motivation to want to ‘practice’. So, yes, I expect you to participate in your “vital home actions” for optimum results.

Q: What is NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)?

A: As you get involved in hypnotherapy, you will become very aware and mindful of the words you think and the words you speak about yourself and others. By being mindful, you can change your communication, whether verbal or nonverbal, and in turn change your neurological system to achieve the results you want. With practice, you can create these changes instantly! This is what I and many of my peers refer to as NLP – Neuro Linguistic Programming.

I know – that’s a mouthful! By breaking it up a bit, you might be able to better understand it:

A: Neuro: Our neurological/nervous system through which our experiences are processed through the five senses: visual, auditory, kinesthetic (what we feel; our physical movements/sense of touch), olfactory (what we smell) and gustatory (what we taste).

Linguistic: The words we use and how these words affect the neurons in our bodies. This is our verbal language and nonverbal communication, such as body language, which are the systems through which our neurological representations are given meaning. These systems include pictures, sounds, feelings, smells, tastes and the words that we think to ourselves and speak.

Programming: Empowering you with the ability to discover and utilize the programs that you run through your senses in your neurological system to reach the specific and desired results you want.

Through implementing NLP, you will also begin to see the world through new eyes, so to speak. NLP helps you broaden your horizons and create changes on a cellular level in your own system, body and mind.