A Few Quick Facts
Hypnosis is not mind control or truth serum.
You remain aware and in control at every moment and can end your session at any time. It's simply a suggestible state that allows greater acceptance for change to take place in the deeper areas of your mind. It cannot cause you to do anything against your will or ethics. The fact is: Hypnosis is a proven therapeutic medium that has been approved by the American Medical Association since the 1950's.
You can't get “stuck” in hypnosis.
Because of the fake (often ridiculously dramatic) way it's been portrayed in movies and TV, some are under the mistaken impression they'll be under someone’s “spell”, become a “zombie”, or be traumatized in some way if hypnotized. The fact is: Hypnosis is a safe, relaxing experience that's helped millions of people create healthy change in their lives for the past 60 years.
Therapeutic hypnosis is not the same as “stage” hypnosis.
“Stage” hypnosis is performed solely for the purpose of entertaining an audience. Rest assured, you won't be clucking like a chicken or doing the moonwalk in your session. Therapeutic hypnosis is done solely to help you make changes and improvements in your life. And in a comparative study with other major therapeutic approaches, Hypnotherapy offered the quickest results in behavioral changes (93% recovery after 6 sessions).
About Hypnosis
“What is hypnosis?”
The reason it works so well is because it’s able to bypass the critical analysis function of your mind, thereby enabling suggestions to be accepted by you at a very deep level—which then get incorporated into a new, “automatic” behavior.
A properly trained hypnotherapist understands the hidden powers of your mind and how to re-write your subconscious “programming” in order to help you make improvements in your life.
The average person usually achieves only a portion of his or her potential. Instead, they settle on recycling the same thoughts (mostly negative) over and over again. However, your mind is much more powerful than you may realize. You have a treasure chest hidden deep within your mind that can allow you to create very effective changes in your life within a short period of time.
Hypnosis is a key that can help you unlock this part of your mind. It's a powerful tool for achieving greater potential, dissolving limiting beliefs, releasing mental blocks, improving well-being, and changing behaviors that are no longer suitable in the life that you want for yourself.
“Is hypnosis safe?”
You remain aware and in control each and every moment and can end your session at any time. It’s as natural a state as daydreaming, and the results are: welcome changes in your behavior.
WHAT IT’S NOT: It's not the fake Hollywood version of hypnosis. It's not mind control. It’s not sleep. And it's not truth serum. You can’t get “stuck” in it, and it can’t cause you to do anything against your will or ethics. It’s also not the same as “stage” hypnosis, which is performed for the purpose of entertaining an audience.
Over the last 60 years, therapeutic hypnosis has helped millions of people better their lives. It is performed in a clinical setting, with your best interests in mind, solely for the purpose of helping you meet your desired outcome.
“How does hypnosis work?”
Logic, reason, analysis, and willpower are the domain of your conscious mind. But, that’s just the “tip of the iceberg”.
Your subconscious (or habitual) mind processes all your past thoughts, associations, and events to shape what you now believe to be true.
It doesn't reason. It simply directs your behavior based on your programming from your past. Generally speaking, your programming is largely responsible for your habits, self-talk, behaviors and general attitudes.
In the receptive state, known as hypnosis, a skilled hypnotherapist can communicate with your subconscious mind and introduce new ideas into your awareness. This helps you release your old programming and learn to think in new ways without conscious effort. It can quickly and easily change habits of an entire lifetime so you can begin to create a healthier reality for yourself.
The willpower of your conscious mind, without the cooperation of your subconscious mind, is often ineffective—because the capacity to actually act and make real change must occur first at a subconscious level. Once this powerful area of your mind is accessed and enabled, it will assist you greatly in what you wish to achieve.
If there’s something in your life you wish to improve, now's the time to change your mental programming with therapeutic hypnosis!
About My Profession
“What are your qualifications as a hypnotherapist?”
My certification indicates: (1) I've undergone advanced training in my profession toward obtaining a legitimate advanced diploma from an accredited institution of higher education; and that (2) I've had my education and training in clinical hypnosis reviewed by qualified peers and approved consultants to insure that it meets accepted professional standards.
“What should one consider when choosing a hypnotherapist?”
When seeking the services of a hypnotherapist, one should always consider the following:
1) Did they receive a proper education in hypnotherapy? Hypnotherapy is a specialized skill that takes a significant amount time and practice in order to become proficient. One must also undergo continuing education and advanced training to stay on the cutting-edge of the industry.
2) Did they gain enough experience (through an internship or under a mentor) before they began working with clients? True professionals go through a crucial process of apprenticeship to learn the ropes of their profession. During this time, they learn to handle the majority of challenging situations they’ll be faced with.
“Where did you receive your training in hypnosis?”
HMI is a non-profit, nationally accredited hypnosis training college and clinic of Hypnotherapy that has been servicing Southern California for over 44 years. It also holds the distinction of being America's first Hypnotherapy college to become nationally accredited (U.S. Department of Education).
Graduates of HMI's Clinical Residency Program have undergone the highest level of education possible in the field of Hypnotherapy (which includes rigorous training through classroom instruction, practicums, case studies, mentorship, and a clinical internship).
“What are the laws regarding the practice of hypnosis?”
However, each state has its own laws regarding the practice of hypnosis.
In California, the law that specifically defines my profession's legality and scope is contained in California's Business and Professions Code #2908.
Chapter 6.6 of the California Business and Professions Code relating to Psychologists states (in Part):
2908. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to prevent qualified members of other recognized professional groups licensed to practice in the State of California, such as, but not limited to, physicians, clinical social optometrists, psychiatric technicians, or psychiatric nurses who are registered nurses in the State of California and who work under the supervision of a licensed physician, or licensed psychologist, or attorneys admitted to the California State Bar, or persons utilizing hypnotic techniques by referral from persons licensed to practice medicine, dentistry, or psychology, or persons utilizing hypnotic techniques which offer vocational or avocational self-improvement and do not offer therapy for emotional or mental disorders.
“I have a diagnosed medical condition. Can hypnosis help me?”
I specialize in self-improvement and behavior modification through clinical hypnosis. For any issues which involve a possible medical etiology (or psychological disorder), I will need a referral from your medical doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist.
What is a Hypnotherapist (according to the U.S. Department of Labor)?
In 1977, the D.O.T. (through the help of Dr. John Kappas, founder of the Hypnosis Motivation Institute) defined the occupation of Hypnotherapist as follows:
079.157.101 Hypnotherapist
“Hypnotherapist: Induces hypnotic state in client to increase motivation or alter behavior pattern through hypnosis. Consults with client to determine nature of problem. Prepares client to enter hypnotic states by explaining how hypnosis works and what client will experience. Test subjects to determine degrees of physical and emotional suggestibility. Induces hypnotic state in client, using individualized methods and techniques of hypnosis based on interpretation of test results and analysis of client's problem. May train client in self-hypnosis conditioning.”
About Hypnosis and You
“How does Hypnotherapy compare to other kinds of therapy?”
• Psychoanalysis: 38% recovery after 600 sessions
• Behavior Therapy: 72% recovery after 22 sessions
• Hypnotherapy: 93% recovery after 6 sessions
As you can see, Hypnotherapy is an impressive choice in terms of (1) cost, (2) duration of therapy, and, most importantly, (3) results.
*(Alfred A. Barrios, Ph.D. in Psychotherapy Magazine, v7n1 and in Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, and Practice)
“How many sessions will it take to reach my goal?”
On average, the majority of clients (with a single issue) experience the greatest benefit from a minimum of 3 to 6 sessions that are one week apart.
However, some clients only need as little as a few sessions, while others with multiple goals may choose ongoing therapy for as long as they desire. (Many also return, after having success with a previous issue using hypnotherapy, to work on other things they'd like to change or improve.)
“I can't be hypnotized.”
Generally speaking, every normal person is “hypnotizable”. One simply just has to be willing. People who claim that they can't be hypnotized are usually just unwilling to be hypnotized.
The most common reason for failure, on the hypnotist's part, to induce hypnosis in someone is due to their being improperly trained (and using incomplete or flawed methods). Always check with a hypnotist's education and background before committing to a session.
“Can I be hypnotized against my will?”
No. Since you remain consciously aware during the hypnotic process, you cannot be put under hypnosis against your will.
You also cannot be hypnotized to do something that you really don’t want to do. For example, if your partner wants you to quit smoking but you are not ready to, your mind will block the suggestion with your own resistance and you will continue to remain a smoker after the session.
You also cannot be hypnotized to do something that you really don’t want to do. For example, if your partner wants you to quit smoking but you are not ready to, your mind will block the suggestion with your own resistance and you will continue to remain a smoker after the session.
Your First Hypnosis Session
“What happens during my first session?”
Your first session will begin with some cognitive discussion regarding the subconscious motivators of your behavior. We then actively work together to develop a new strategy for change, with the ultimate goal being a new automatic habit to replace the one that's simply not working for you.
Following a thorough evaluation of your hypnotic suggestibility, I will guide you into a comfortable, hypnotic state using inductions, deepening techniques, visualization, imagery, and post-hypnotic suggestions in order to help you become receptive to the new strategy.
In the sessions that follow, we will evaluate the behavioral changes that occurred. We will then access your subconscious programming further to reinforce the new behavior as well as help you learn to redirect your mind to even greater states of positive potential.
Following a thorough evaluation of your hypnotic suggestibility, I will guide you into a comfortable, hypnotic state using inductions, deepening techniques, visualization, imagery, and post-hypnotic suggestions in order to help you become receptive to the new strategy.
In the sessions that follow, we will evaluate the behavioral changes that occurred. We will then access your subconscious programming further to reinforce the new behavior as well as help you learn to redirect your mind to even greater states of positive potential.
“What does hypnosis feel like?”
It is a very natural state of mind. You will remain completely aware of everything that is going on during the hypnosis session.
In fact, many people experience a hyper-awareness where sensations are perceived as enriched and vivid. The ability to visualize or imagine is enhanced. Deep relaxation and an overall feeling of well-being is common.
Many describe the hypnotic state as a complete and total escape from physical tension and emotional stress, while remaining completely alert.
In fact, many people experience a hyper-awareness where sensations are perceived as enriched and vivid. The ability to visualize or imagine is enhanced. Deep relaxation and an overall feeling of well-being is common.
Many describe the hypnotic state as a complete and total escape from physical tension and emotional stress, while remaining completely alert.
”When I'm ‘under’, will I be asleep?”
The word “hypnosis” comes from Greek origin meaning a “sleep-like state”, however you will not be asleep, nor will you be unconscious.
Hypnosis is actually similar to the last waking state before you fall asleep, but it is not sleep.
You'll be aware of everything that is happening and what is being said the whole time; however, you will be so deeply relaxed that you may find yourself drifting into different levels of awareness.
Hypnosis is actually similar to the last waking state before you fall asleep, but it is not sleep.
You'll be aware of everything that is happening and what is being said the whole time; however, you will be so deeply relaxed that you may find yourself drifting into different levels of awareness.
“Will I lose control of my mind and body and do silly things?”
No. You will not say or do anything that you do not want to.
Rest assured, you will not start clucking like a chicken or break out in a tap dance. Clinical hypnosis is not the same as what stage hypnotists do for the purposes of entertaining an audience. (A stage hypnotist is skilled at selecting the best responders for his or her act by weeding through a number of volunteers on stage and finding the most “suggestible” ones that'll be okay with acting like a fool onstage.)
If you were given suggestions that you didn't morally agree with, you would simply come out of hypnosis and your mind would mentally block those suggestions.
Rest assured, you will not start clucking like a chicken or break out in a tap dance. Clinical hypnosis is not the same as what stage hypnotists do for the purposes of entertaining an audience. (A stage hypnotist is skilled at selecting the best responders for his or her act by weeding through a number of volunteers on stage and finding the most “suggestible” ones that'll be okay with acting like a fool onstage.)
If you were given suggestions that you didn't morally agree with, you would simply come out of hypnosis and your mind would mentally block those suggestions.
“Are you going to regress me to remember trauma from my past?”
Unlike what you see in the movies, a properly-trained hypnotherapist rarely uses a “regression technique” to uncover subconscious memories. It's simply not necessary.
Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool that allows you to release the associations of your past that are affecting you in present time without having to go digging around to find out the “how”, “why” and “what” that has made you who you are today.
This enables us to work on a brighter future in your personal and professional life.
Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool that allows you to release the associations of your past that are affecting you in present time without having to go digging around to find out the “how”, “why” and “what” that has made you who you are today.
This enables us to work on a brighter future in your personal and professional life.
“Will I remember everything afterwards?”
Most people do remember everything, depending on how deeply their mind goes.
After your session, you'll find that the suggestions which were given to you in hypnosis will resurface later in your conscious, thinking mind. These will be the thoughts that produce changes in your behavior or ways of thinking and feeling.
Many experience this positive shift as being so automatic, that it seems a bit difficult to explain. They simply just "don't do" what they used to anymore.
After your session, you'll find that the suggestions which were given to you in hypnosis will resurface later in your conscious, thinking mind. These will be the thoughts that produce changes in your behavior or ways of thinking and feeling.
Many experience this positive shift as being so automatic, that it seems a bit difficult to explain. They simply just "don't do" what they used to anymore.
Other Questions
“What's the difference between Life Coaching and Hypnotherapy?”
They're different in that Hypnotherapists use hypnotic techniques in a clinical setting to modify your behavior to help you reach your goals whereas Life Coaches, generally, do not.
Life Coaching, by definition, is “a process that enables learning and development to occur and thus performance to improve. To be successful, a coach requires knowledge and understanding of process as well as the variety of styles, skills and techniques that are appropriate to the context in which the coaching takes place.” (Parsloe, 1999)
So, depending on their client's goal, a Hypnotherapist is often a Life Coach. However, a Life Coach isn't always a Hypnotherapist (as they may have no hypnosis training).
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