Frequently asked questions

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a natural, safe and yet altered…deep relaxed state of the body and mind. Hypnosis allows access to the subconscious mind by bypassing the critical factor of the conscious mind. Hypnosis allows the power of the subconscious mind to be free and open and highly focused to receive positive suggestions, freeing you from assumed limitations.  

Clinical Hypnotherapy is adjunct to your physician's care and can help you make positive physical changes such as eliminating pain and accelerating the healing process. Hypnotherapy is a complex science and art.

Can I be controlled in hypnosis?

No.While experiencing hypnosis, you are in control the entire time.  Dr. David Spiegel, Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and a leading expert on the practice says, “it’s actually a way of enhancing people's control, of teaching them how to control aspects of their body function and sensation that they thought they couldn't." It's an interesting dichotomy, you gain control by letting go.

Can I be hypnotized?

Yes. Anyone who wants to be hypnotized and is of average intelligence or above, can be hypnotized. 95 percent of people can be hypnotized to a sufficient enough degree to enjoy the benefits offered through hypnosis.

Are there any side effects?

No. As far as we know, only positive side effects result from hypnotherapy.  It is a safe and natural form of therapy. You will feel a sense of deep relaxation, every 15 minutes in hypnosis is equivalent to approximately two hours of sleep.

Are women more hypnotizable and men?

No. Both men and women are equally hypnotizable; research has conclusively shown that on average, there is no difference between men and women in this regard.

Is it possible for me to be stuck in hypnosis?

No. As far as we know, no one has ever gotten “stuck” in a terminal state of hypnosis. It simply cannot happen. Because it is a natural state, you can come out of hypnosis any time you decide to

Will I divulge anything that I don't want to?

No. You will not divulge any secrets as hypnosis is not a truth serum. It is always your choice, as hypnosis is a doorway to self awareness; you decide what you want to share.

Will I be asked to do something silly, cluck like a chicken?

No. This is NOT performance hypnotherapy.  Clinical hypnotherapy is goal and results oriented.  The focus is to improve your well-being.  You set the goal and clearly define the purpose of the hypnosis session.

Can I be hypnotized to do something against my moral values?

No.You can reject ANY suggestion that goes against your conscience.

How effective is hypnosis?

 It has been shown by Dr. Alfred A. Barrios, Ph.D. in a survey of psychotherapy literature that the recovery rate using hypnotherapy is 93 percent with six sessions. There are three factors in this equation that make the success of this therapy so highly effective.

• You are motivated to make a change

• Use repetition to reinforce the change

• You hold a clear sense or picture of yourself with the change complete - in other words…you “see” the end result