Question 1

What hours are you open?

Accepted Answer

Since we don't see "walk up" traffic, we don't post "open hours". Besides, it's fun to keep getting nagged by Yelp! because they want us to post some hours of operation. :)

Booking is by appointment only. If you visit the booking/scheduling section of the site, it will allow you to choose from the available time slots. If you can't book it, it's not open. If you can, it is.

The exception is, of course, you can mail us at anytime with questions, comments, or maybe just to talk.

Question 2

How many sessions should I expect to need?

Accepted Answer

That's a completely fair question, and I hate having to answer this way; "It depends."

Okay, now we have that out of the way, let's explore what that means. First, let's acknowledge that there are no "hypno-miracles."" With some issues, with some people, there is dramatic reduction and even elimination of the complaint during the first session. But I ALWAYS recommend at least one follow-up session, even in those cases. Some issues, like phobias, tend to see results in fewer sessions than others. From there, "it depends."

I would love to be able to say with precision; "this will be resolved in x sessions," but in most cases that is not practical. You need to know how long/how much and I don't have enough information to get there.

So, in an attempt to resolve this dilemma, here's our best bet:

Let's discuss the details around what you are facing and what you want to accomplish. Email is fine, or we can talk on the phone. Between what you offer and the answer to questions I will ask, I can usually get to the point where I can say; "At least x sessions..."

I want to give you an exact number just as much as you want that number, but anyone who quoted a number for me without knowing the specifics about me would immediately raise my suspicions.

Question 3

Who can be hypnotized?

Accepted Answer

Anyone who wants to be. If you can pay attention and follow instructions, you are going to go under. The "depth" of the trance may vary with the natural ability and experience of the subject, but hypnotic trance is natural and we all slip in and out of it daily even without a hypnotist being present.

Question 4

Do you do work with grief and loss?

Accepted Answer

I do. Grief and loss are intertwined with trauma and anxiety, both of which can be addressed with hypnosis.

The loss of a close friend, a child, spouse or another family member can one of the toughest things we will ever face. We may be well aware of the inevitability of death and to speak in terms of it ""being part of life"", but when it happens to someone close to us, there is just no way to be prepared.

Hypnosis can help to stop the spinning, falling, out of control feeling and to begin to restore some semblance of order to a mind on overload. From there, healing can begin.

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 if I want to experience hypnosis, but don't need therapy?

Accepted Answer

That's fine.

Sometimes you just want to try something. I get it. We still have to do all the required paperwork, but if you don't have anything specific to work on that's completely okay. I can demonstrate some hypnotic phenomenon, show you what real focus feels like and send you away to sleep like a baby that night.

Question 7

What types of hypnosis do you use?

Accepted Answer

I tend to use Kappasinian ""Emotional/Analytical & Physical" assessments as well as inductions, especially for the first session. Beyond that, I lean heavily into Ericksonian methods, but I am happy to choose, a la carte, as needed to ensure you respond as well as is possible.

The right kind of hypnosis is the kind that works

Question 8

Is "deep" hypnosis required for therapy to work?

Accepted Answer

No. Most change work can be done at even the preliminary levels of hypnosis.

As long as the subconscious is open to suggestion, work can proceed and that happens in even the lightest trances.

You can see one system for measuring trance depth on my "Arons Scale" page.

Question 9

Do you offer sessions by phone or online with Skype or something similar?

Accepted Answer

I do not.

I know that many now offer an online version of hypnotherapy, but I find that I have the greatest success with old-fashioned person-to-person contact.

I'm trained in body language, micro-expressions and more and I find that having my client right there in the room with me provides the best experience and results. Online is not the hypnotherapy experience I would want to receive, so I don't offer it to my clients either.

On top of that, I worry about poor connection quality and getting disconnected as well.

Recently questions about what the rules are in various jurisdictions and whether the jurisdiction I am in or the one the distant client is in is the one that matters have arisen, that make me even more skeptical of online hypnotherapy.

Question 10

What if I want the hypnosis to be over?

Accepted Answer

At any time, you can simply open your eyes and be done. Simply tell me that you don't think hypnosis is for you and I will count you out of it to make sure you are fully awake. That is your call and I won't be offended.

You can also say to yourself, out loud or in your head "One, Two, Three, Four, Five! Eyes Open! Wide Awake!" and you will end the session. I can do very little to keep you hypnotized if you don't want to be and I wouldn't anyway. If you are done, I will help you wake up.