We can all be hypnotized to varying degrees. Hypnotisability follows a normal distribution curve, so a small proportion of people fall into the ‘high’ category', a small proportion into the 'low', and the majority of us fall somewhere in between. Part of my job as a hypnotist is to assess a client’s needs and receptivity to hypnosis and adjust my technique accordingly. I relate to a healthy level of skepticism about hypnosis and spend as much time as is necessary answering questions. I’ve also learned that skepticism has nothing to do with hypnotizability. In fact, a curious mind is preferred for hypnosis. Clients direct their experience through the questions they ask themselves: ‘how do i know my body is relaxing’, ‘how will I know I’m hypnotized?’ ‘what will it look and feel like to be successful’

**As a rule, we do not hypnotize people who are under the influence of alcohol/drugs, who have an IQ under a certain threshold and who have certain mental health diagnoses associated with psychosis.

Absolutely! Regardless of where you fall on the continuum, the benefits of the hypnosis and self-hypnosis are both cumulative and self-reinforcing. The more you do it, the quicker and deeper into hypnosis you allow yourself to go.

Hypnosis is a highly internal and individual experience. Clients' descriptions differ from each other and even from session to session. Practitioners usually use relaxation techniques to guide clients into hypnosis, so the most common association people have with a hypnosis is a feeling of deep relaxation. People describe that relaxed feeling in different ways as well — some feel very heavy and grounded, while others feel light and floaty. Similarly, I have had clients who have had trouble visualizing things, they just ‘sensed’ them and clients who create such vivid scenes they feel as if they were really there. One of the coolest things about this work is how much freedom there is to customize it based on the needs of an individual or group. You can imagine that a pain management session differs greatly from a session geared toward a successful job interview from a session designed to relieve a fear of crossing bridges.

Short answer here is ‘no’, though I consider it part of my job to be certain that a client who is otherwise sleep deprived doesn’t drift off. People look so relaxed during a session, it would be understandable for an observer to believe that hypnosis is just like sleep — but truthfully the mind is very active during a session and clients report all kinds of physical experiences, as well.

Absolutely, we like to say that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. One of my favorite aspects of this process is how much it empowers the client. The entire blueprint for the session is drawn from the client’s goals. Once a client has relaxed into a hypnotic state they retain full power over their ability to act upon suggestions. It should be noted that if you do allow yourself to act upon a suggestion it may feel as though the effects are happening by themselves.

Hypnosis is the most accessible, natural, non-invasive, gentle, drug-free mode of self-healing you never knew existed. Once learned, it is an empowering, portable, flexible, lifelong tool that can be used to help you feel better, healthier and happier at any age. It is a holistic approach to accessing and aligning all parts of the mind with the body, heart and spirit.

I liken this work to personal training for the whole person — their mind, heart, nervous system, body and spirit. Like fitness training, a client comes to me with a desired outcome, only in this case it’s likely a more regulated, flexible, resilient nervous system. I listen and learn about what the client’s whole self brings with them to the session: any injuries, sensitivities, strengths, desired results. I use my expertise and experience to guide the client through new ways to ‘exercise’ in furtherance of their goals. The work we do when we’re together is valuable because I’m there to guide, gain feedback, answer questions, assess results and plan for future sessions. But all of it is actually done by the client and is established as a basis for work the clients can eventually do on their own, in challenging circumstances, when faced with a trigger, etc. 

The process is unique to each client and circumstance though most client protocols range from 3 - 6 sessions. Sometimes a client requests a more intensive protocol which is available in certain circumstances. Learn more on the Individual Sessions page.

This is a bit like asking if personal training will work or if a financial advisor can guarantee results. Results are ultimately achieved through the client’s own personal engagement in the process and ongoing efforts at applying these techniques over time — for which each client must accept full responsibility. What I do guarantee is that each client will have 100% of my focus, expertise and attention during our time together. Learn more on the About page.

Even before Covid I was hosting sessions for clients on Zoom. While I enjoy being in the same room with a client and there are a few techniques better done in person, I find the difference between in-person and virtual to be negligible. With a solid internet connection and some earbuds, the experience can be just as productive and effective, sometimes more so because you are in the comfort of your own space.