About Hypnosis

The essence of hypnosis is your concentration on one small thing to the exclusion of everything else. When that one thing is your hypnotist's voice giving you useful suggestions, then hypnosis becomes a powerful, beneficial experience.  Many people are concerned that they may lose their control when they are in hypnosis.  Actually, the opposite is true: hypnosis gives you more control! Hypnosis accesses the power that you already have within yourself.  The hypnotist simply guides you to your inner power by facilitating the process.

The hypnotist helps you move into an altered state of consciousness, or trance, similar to when you're watching television, reading or driving. You are more able to absorb suggestions when you are in that state of deep concentration.

When in this concentrated hypnotic state you are extremely focused and paying attention to the hypnotist's words while ignoring everything else going on around you.


After the hypnotist has used words to help you enter hypnosis, you become extremely suggestible. It is at this point that the hypnotist introduces new ideas that you have chosen, to adopt as new behaviors. These ideas are absorbed by your subconscious mind and become part of your thinking. After the new ideas are secure in your subconscious and you've had a chance to visualize and rehearse them, the hypnotist will gently guide you back to your regular waking state. 

Most people are able to achieve the hypnotic state if they are willing. For you to be hypnotized you must be smart enough to achieve concentration and clever enough to do what's good for you. Your subconscious mind will not permit the acceptance of suggestions that are dangerous, or inappropriate for you. You will do only what is consistent with your belief system. If there is a suggestion that is alien to you and against your values, you'll either come out of the trance or simply not hear that suggestion--your mind will block it out.

The best subjects for hypnotheraphy are those who are bright and open minded.  Throughout the hypnotic procedure you are a willing participant being guided into and through a safe section of your mind. 

If you've ever seen hypnotism used as entertainment in a stage show, you've probably witnessed several of the myths about hypnosis in action. Legitimate clinical hypnotherapy practiced by a qualified professional is not the same process as that performed on stage.

Myth: When your under hypnosis, the hypnotherapist controls you.

Reality: Hypnosis is a heightened state of concentration and focused attention. When you are in hypnosis, you don't lose your personality, your free will, or your personal strength.

Myth: Will I get stuck in a trance and never come out?

Reality: Trance is a pleasurable state and you may prefer staying in one rather than to go back to work.  You cannot get stuck in a trance except in the movies.

Myth:  When your under hypnosis, you lose consciousness and have amnesia.

Reality:  A small number of people who go into a very deep hypnotic state experience spontaneous amnesia. However, most people remember everything that occurred under hypnosis.

Myth:  You can be put under hypnosis without your consent.

Reality: Successful hypnosis depends on your willingness to experience it. No one can force you into hypnosis!

Making Old Perceptions New

Hypnosis can give new meaning to an old situation - yes, you really can develop a strong desire to exercise, to stop evening eating or to fall asleep quickly.  Sometimes it's too difficult to reframe a situation by yourself. That's when you need a boost from hypnosis. Often with just one session, you can change your perception of a situation as one of hardship to one of pleasure. Hypnosis gives you the advantage of looking at a particular situation from a new perspective.

Clients are very active participants. When in a state of hypnosis, the client hears everything the hypnotist says and they have complete control over the suggestions they accept. To acheive the best results the client must be willing to accept the suggestions, with a desire that the suggestions work, a belief they will work, and a sense of expectancy that they will work!

In addition to suggestion work, I use other techniques, as well. Many times it is important for the client to find the root of their problem before they can solve it.  Many hypnosis techniques are available in my tool box and one or more of them will meet your specific needs.