Question 1

Does everyone respond to hypnotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Anyone with even average intelligence and a bit of imagination can be hypnotized to one degree or another. Once hypnotized, if the therapist knows what they are doing, therapy can be conducted in a way that works best for the client.

There is a range of susceptibility to both hypnosis and hypnotherapy, but in general, "yes", virtually everyone will respond. In some cases, a person may be only capable of only light levels of hypnotic trance, but the good news is that most therapies can be conducted at even Stage 1 on [Arons Scale of Hypnotic Depth](https://hypnotechs.com/resources/arons-scale/).

Hypnosis almost always requires a willing participant. If you actively resist or work to prevent trance, then you would be the exception to this. You can actively resist being hypnotized and there is virtually nothing I could do about it.

Question 2

I can't be hypnotized!

Accepted Answer

It's a little known fact that hypnosis works with anyone who has average or better intelligence and even the tiniest bit of imagination. Period.

So, if you "can't be hypnotized", well, I will let you read between the lines...

When someone tells me "I can't be hypnotized!", I will admit to smirking a bit, (on the inside only). On the outside, I know what they really mean is "I haven't been hypnotized." And that is something I can work with and help them out with.

If you've managed to read this far, you CAN be hypnotized if the hypnotist knows what they need to do to reach you. The VAST majority of failures to hypnotize are the fault of the hypnotist, not the subject. Sure, as I describe elsewhere in this FAQ, you can resist and even prevent hypnosis, but assuming that you are willing to go along with the process, you will go into hypnosis just like the rest of us.

Question 3

How do I know you are qualified to help me?

Accepted Answer

That is a great question and probably the most important one in this FAQ.

There are a lot of people out there claiming to be "hypnotherapists". In Washington, the Department of Health has some very specific rules about who can use that title, but in most states, it's completely unregulated.

I recommend you view two pages on this site:

[Choosing a Hypnotherapist](https://hypnotechs.com/resources/choosing-hypnotherapist/) and [Education and Credentials](https://hypnotechs.com/about/credentials/) while you are researching this subject.

Question 4

Do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

I do not.

I'll be honest with you, I looked into it, briefly and it looked like a mountain of paperwork, especially with the changing insurance landscape these days. Maybe there's an easy way to do it and I will figure that out down the road. In most cases, the rates I charge would have to be dramatically increased so that the insurance companies could get their cut and I could cover the time for all the extra overhead. In one example, that increase would have been FIVE TIMES my normal rate. I just can't justify that.

For now, it's cash, check and pretty much every major credit/debit card you might carry.

A number of my clients have reported that they are able to submit reciepts from Hypnotechs to their insurance company for reimbursement under the "alternative medicine category". If you choose to try that, all the information you should need is on my [credentials page](https://hypnotechs.com/about/credentials/), license number, location and so on.

Question 5

What happens if something you tell me conflicts with the advice of my doctor?

Accepted Answer

You must ALWAYS follow the advice of your doctor. Hypnotherapy is considered to be an "adjunct" therapy. That is, it is designed to compliment the services of your doctor or mental health advisor, not overrule them.

If you become aware of a conflict, inform me right away so that I can correct my approach to better align with the wishes of your doctor or even ask to speak with your doctor to make sure we are "on the same page".

**The instructions of a medical doctor or mental health professional must always override those of your hypnotherapist, up to and including the discontinuation of the use of hypnosis.**

Question 6

What's this I hear about twins?

Accepted Answer

A few years back, I had the chance to have a pair of twins in my office who where interested in exploring their bond using hypnosis.

I was hooked.

I have had many couples in my office exploring hypnosis together, but I am fascinated by the bond shared by twins. I have now had many pairs in, "identical" and fraternal and while each person has left no doubt that they are unique, the connection between them, especially the identical twins is astounding.

Know some twins who would like to try something new? Have them reach out to me. Please! :)

And to that orginal pair, who were so brave as to come try it out the first time, I am in your debt.

Question 7

Is hypnosis "mind control"?

Accepted Answer

This misconception comes from what people see happening during hypnosis stage shows. It looks for all the world like the subjects are doing whatever the hypnotist tells them, no matter how ridiculous. If you look closely, however, you might notice that with almost every skit, there's at least one person who ignores the hypnotist and just sits there. That person has chosen not to participate for some reason. Usually, it's because they can't picture or imagine what the hypnotist is describing, they think it's too silly or it conflicts with something they believeÂ so they just choose to sit that one out.

The rest of the people are having a great time using their imaginations in the world the hypnotist is describing for them. They are having a great time playing along because, let's face it, playing is fun and using your imagination feels good, especially as an adult when you have practically forgotten what it's like.

In hypnosis, you are hyper-focused. There are no "hypnozombies". If you are given a suggestion you don't like, you will ignore it or even bring yourself fully awake. As hypnotists, we have to tread very lightly to avoid that by keeping our words congruent with what the subject expects otherwise they come right out of trance. That makes "mind control" impossible."

Question 8

What's the minimum number of sessions I should expect to need?

Accepted Answer

Many problems, especially most phobias are gone after one session. But, I always recommend that clients have at least two sessions. In fact, I used to bundle a second session along with the Introductory Session every time, but in thinking about that, it detracted from the no high-pressure upsell that is my policy.

But I still strongly recommend at least two sessions for everything.

Very often, a new client, especially if they have never been hypnotied before, spends much of the first session not wanting to "miss anything", and thus they don't relax as completely as they could.  That's normal. However, in the second session, the client knows what to expect and will "let go" more, so they are able to go into trance deeper and more completely.

So, while one session may be enough for relief from some issues, I ALWAYS recommend a follow up session. But it's your mind and your wallet, so I am not going to high-pressure sell you on that.

Question 9

Can I get 'stuck' in a hypnotic trance?

Accepted Answer

Nope. You cannot get stuck. In 4000 years of recorded hypnosis history, the only one who has ever gotten stuck is that guy in the movie "[Office Space](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp7EUUVdrt0)" and to be fair, he kind of needed it. In that movie, the hypnotist dies of a heart-attack while his client is hypnotized and for the rest of the movie, the client is still in trance and ultra-relaxed.

In reality, what would happen is that the client would come out of trance and try to help the dying hypnotist or he would fall into a deep, relaxing sleep and awake naturally, *then* try to help the already dead hypnotist. There is no 'stuck'.

I'll let you in on a secret. If people could get stuck, we hypnotists would create armies of "hypnozombies" to do our bidding for us, while we lived lives of luxury and pleasure. Muahhahahahahha!  Just kidding. (Or am I?). Nope, No stuck. Instead, we try to help people.

Question 10

What are your qualifications for being a hypnotherapist?

Accepted Answer

I'm glad you asked.

You can see the complete list on the [Credentials Page](https://hypnotechs.com/about/credentials/) on Hypnotechs.com.

And, the [About Section](https://hypnotechs.com/about/) has even more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the first session going to be like?

I'm too _______ to be hypnotized. Right?