FAQs
WHAT THE HECK IS HYPNOTHERAPY ANYWAYS?
Hypnosis is a state of mind that is often described as being highly focused and deeply relaxed. It is a natural state that humans access throughout the day and is sometimes called the Theta mind or simply Theta. Through hypnosis, you decrease distractions in order to access the highly creative and powerful subconscious mind. The subconscious mind is responsible for all of your automatic behaviors, thoughts, habits, memories, and emotions as well as your automatic body functions.
The subconscious mind is a powerful ally when it comes to making positive changes in your life. Through hypnosis, you can reprogram the subconscious to support your goals and desired outcomes. This can be done for a variety of issues such as quitting smoking, weight loss, reducing stress, improving sleep, and performance enhancement.
The subconscious mind is involved in your life more than you may realize and it is estimated that it operates about 90%-97% of you are. This is what neuroscience calls top-down processing. That means a change from the conscious part can be difficult to achieve at times. We all know this effect. Hypnotherapy allows you to use your mind's power to change things like beliefs and perceptions of the world around you, in order to step into the mindset required to achieve your goals.
HOW CAN HYPNOSIS HELP ME? DOES IT REALLY WORK?
Many people who excel in their fields have been using Hypnosis to optimize their lives for years now and continues to grow in popularity. It is In 1956, the Russian Olympic team took 11 Hypnotists to the Olympics in Melbourne. And many others – including A-List celebrities, top athletes, CEOS (like Scott Oldford), actors, musicians – are sharing their positive outcomes with the world.
Each year, research institutions are exploring exactly how Hypnosis works and its many uses. There’s a reason that celebrities, winning sports teams, Olympic athletes, and successful CEOs and companies use hypnosis and have for years…because it works! Hypnosis is incredibly effective when applied properly by a skilled practitioner that you trust. A study by Alfred A. Barrios, Ph.D., which was later reprinted in American Health Magazine, revealed the following success rates: Hypnotherapy: 93% success after 6 sessions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: 72% success after 22 sessions, Psychoanalysis: 38% success after 600 sessions. Harvard Medical School conducted a study on women before surgery in order to manage their pain levels, and the results concluded that hypnosis helps surgical wounds heal significantly faster. Hypnosis is one of the easiest, most effective resources available without the use of mind-altering psychoactive substances to gently replace limiting beliefs and unwanted behaviors with positive and long-lasting change. Although hypnosis works more quickly than most traditional forms of therapy, it is not a magic quick fix and it's not something that can be done to you or for you. Your willingness is an absolute requirement.
WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO BE HYPNOTIZED?
Everyone experiences hypnosis just a little differently. While some people may not be aware of any particular "feeling", others say they experience pleasant feelings like easy, effortless breathing, enjoyably heavy or floating feelings, or tingling sensations throughout their body. There are so many ways in which people describe their trance experiences - nearly everyone states that they feel a deep sense of calm and relaxation following a hypnosis session. There is a common phrase used by professionals who practice Hypnosis is that all Hypnosis is Self-Hypnosis and once you experience it, you will know it and each time you will be able to go even deeper into the process.
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT HYPNOTHERAPIST?
I want all potential clients to feel safe and comfortable while working with their Hypnotherapists. That is why if your goals may be suited for another practitioner or you feel you need another type of protocol, I am always open to discussion and do my best to provide a connection with the right Hypnotherapist for you. That is also why I offer free 30 minute consultations so that we can connect obligation-free and you can get a good sense of how I work. It is very important to choose someone you trust in the field who is licensed and approved by the International Association of Counsellors and Therapists or the Guild of Hypnotists and by your state or province. Many healthcare providers offer these services in addition to their traditional standard practices as well. Once you have connected with the practitioner that is right for you, make sure you understand exactly how your therapist expects hypnosis to work for you as an individual. The hypnotherapist’s role is to train you to use a variety of techniques that combined relaxation and imagery to achieve a receptive, open, highly creative state of mind.
Hypnosis is known as one of the oldest forms of therapy, more than a form of entertainment. However, some Hypnotists use it strictly for that purpose only. So depending on your goals, I recommend you chose your practitioner wisely and that you feel a mutual sense of trust and safety.
CAN I BE HYPNOTIZED?
Definitely. Each individual experiences sessions differently, just as we are all unique, but like anything it takes practice. It is always important to remember that you go as deep as you want to, and your Hypnotherapist will always remind you that you are in control of your entire experience, from start to finish. Hypnotherapists are merely guide. The results you achieve are deeply tied to your level of desire for change, in other words, YOU have to be ready and willing for the shift. Hypnosis is not effective, if you are seeking change for someone else’s benefit, but does not feel aligned with your personal goals. For instance, if you wish an outcome for a loved one, that they are not themselves motivated on any level to do, you won’t see results reflected in their behaviors unless they also have the same goals.
There are many myths about Hypnosis, and one common misconception is that logical analytical people are not as easily hypnotized, but it is definitely the opposite. Those who are more intelligent, self-aware will likely be able to access the Theta brainwave states quicker as they likely already apply every day it throughout their creative processes without even knowing it.
If you have already experienced Hypnosis but were never able to access the results you were seeking - I am happy to support you! I will never use a generic process and my treatment plans are all customized to you. A large part of the Hypnotherapists work is to collaborate and create a curated strategy in order to allow you to get to where you desire to be. I like to call my process “Concierge Style Hypnotherapy”.
All sessions are different, and some sessions you may go deep into a state of relaxation often bordering on the sensation of almost falling into a nap or waking from sleep, other times you might feel tingly all over, heavy in your body, or perhaps your experience may be gently calming and light. All Hypnotheraputic techniques are grounded in the practice of relaxation. A factor to take into account is that the subconscious is always listening and will absorb everything revealed throughout the session - no matter what state you are in. I cannot go into your mind and force you to relax, nor would I want to. Hypnosis is a collaborative experience and your participation and willingness is also required.
EXACTLY HOW MUCH WILL I BE REVEALING ABOUT MYSELF DURING SESSIONS?
We all know that in order to create a compelling story, you need drama, and sadly, Hypnosis has fallen victim to mysterious plot lines in Hollywood Entertainment over the course of the last century. Luckily, through carefully conducted research through EEG technology, it is possible to measure the brainwave oscillations and what is actually happening in the mind while under Hypnosis. It is an absolute myth that one can become stuck in a Hypnotic State (thank you OFFICE SPACE), or that your Hypnotherapist applies mind control in order to give you suggestions to hand over your personal banking details or something out there rob a bank or cluck like a chicken. If that were the case, all hypnotherapists would be gazillionaires and there would be more people in the world still continuing clucking about society. Under Hypnosis you cannot be made to do anything against your will or outside of your moral code and you can even reject any suggestion the hypnotherapists make if it is not in alignment with where you are, as well as return to a fully conscious state. The way your brain works is that all states of Hypnosis always comes to an end whether by your hypnotherapist or on your own by counting from 1-5, and if anything requiring your immediate attention were to happen in your environment while under Hypnosis, you would be able easily to come back and focus on what is before you.
HOW MANY SESSIONS DO I NEED?
If you are seeking a rapid personal transformation, in my experience, 12 dedicated weeks is all it takes to truly behave and act in the ways that reflect your goals. Understandably, not everyone can take time away from family, or have appointments on a consistent basis, so I am able to accommodate your schedule in order to have the option to work together over the course of a 6-week timeline, which will definitely offer an opportunity to see immediate changes. Remember the popular study conducted by Alfred A. Barrios, Ph.D., which revealed a 93% recovery rate after 6 sessions with the use of weekly regular Hypnotherapy sessions. Some individuals love the process so much that they continue sessions over the course of a long period of time as they meet their original goals and form new ones. I am here to support you and your needs. Whichever path you chose, taking time for your nervous system to integrate between your sessions is important, between 4 and 7 days, which gives you ample opportunity to apply and act upon the resources accessed during sessions.
WHAT IS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ONLINE SESSIONS VS. IN-PERSON?
Online sessions are proven to be just as effective, even more so when the client can safely relax in the comfort of their own homes in a quiet space where they won’t be disturbed. All you need is a comfortable space, reliable internet connection, headphones, and your phone, tablet, or computer with a camera so that we can meet on Zoom.
If you would prefer appointments in person and are a Vancouver B.C. local, with proof of double vaccination, I am happy to consider any requests for a 1:1.
HOW LONG ARE THE SESSIONS?
Your initial intake will be roughly 90 minutes total, however, subsequent sessions typically average approximately 60-75 minutes. My foremost first priority is always you and your healing. Occasionally sessions may need a little less time, while others might go longer and may require a few more minutes with your process. If you have any appointments or meetings after your appointment, please let me know prior to your session so that you can achieve the full focus required throughout the duration of your session.
CAN MY CHILD PARTAKE IN HYPNOTHERAPY SESSIONS?
Absolutely! I am deeply passionate about working with children. In fact, Hypnosis is often more effective for children because, during the time in their development, they have not yet departed from their inherent creativity and are often living from their Theta and Alpha brain wave states, even while awake and moving. Hypnosis has been known to help children to resolve all kinds of habits, including bed-wetting, anxiety, self-confidence, big life challenges, outside stressors, and processing life-altering events, and more. Hypnosis can be a game-changer for kids and teens and provide the life-long skill of how to use and apply self-hypnosis and install coping mechanisms and resilience for the long haul. I do suggest that you discuss what the goals are with your child as it is important for them to equally desire the change and be open to the process as well. I am happy to provide a short introduction and consultation prior to our first session.
FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCESS?