Frequently Asked Questions
For FAQ's relating to Reiki please visit this page.
For a detailed explanation on how hypnosis works, please visit this page.
The #1 Most Asked Question:
"Does Hypnosis Really Work?"
The FACTS About Hypnosis:
Hypnosis Versus Conventional Methods
A study from American Health Magazine reported:
Psychoanalysis: 38% recovery after 600 sessions.
Behavior Therapy: 72% recovery after 22 sessions.
Hypnotherapy: >93% recovery after 6 sessions.
“Hypnosis may sound like magic, but we are now producing evidence showing it can be significantly therapeutic.” -David Spiegel, Associate Chair of Psychiatry at Stanford University
Sports, Athletes, and Performance
For many years now the Olympic teams and Pro athletes have been using the tool of hypnosis to gain the mental edge on their opponents. Such as
Tiger Woods in golf - who credits the control he has over his mind as his biggest asset in golf -
as well as Wayne Gretzky for hockey. Now even amateur athletes are using hypnotherapy for
the mental aspect of the game. It has been said competition at any competitive level is 80% mental and hypnosis is the key to mental success.
Recovery from Surgery
Research by Carol Ginandes at Harvard Medical School showed that hypnosis increased the rate of recovery on patients who had undergone surgery. The research was compared to patients who received the same surgery but without hypnosis. Another study is cited where fractured ankles healed in 70% of the normal time when the patient used hypnosis. This was compared to a control group under the same circumstances, but without hypnosis.
Cromie, W.J. (2003) Hypnosis Helps Healing. Harvard University Gazette, May 8th 2003.
Quitting Smoking
After an exhaustive research project, New Scientist Magazine identified hypnosis as the most effective way to quit smoking.
Weight Loss
A dateline NBC experiment on weight management indicates hypnotherapy was more successful than any other method.
Relieving Stress
For the treatment of stress, hypnosis has been called “the most potent non-pharmacological relaxing agent known to science” by Dr Gérard Sunnen of the New York University School of Medicine.
"Will Hypnosis Work on Me?"
Sometimes phrased as: "I don't think I can be hypnotized." or "Sorry, I'm just too smart to be hypnotized!"
We hear this quite often. "I'd love to quit smoking, but I'm too smart to be hypnotized!" It seems to come from the public misunderstanding that hypnosis is some kind of mind control that only those with a weak mind are affected by. Culturally,
we understand how people get this impression. Hypnosis - in real life - is simply a natural state we enter all the time, whether it be while we go to sleep, daydreaming, or just losing yourself in a good movie.
If you are willing to follow instructions, you can be hypnotized and benefit from hypnosis. Sometimes fears or pre-conceived notions about hypnotism can inhibit clients from entering the state of hypnosis. Most hypnotists, on interviewing a new client/patient will ask the client what he or she thinks hypnosis is. Replies range from sleep, to unconsciousness, to surrender of mental powers and control, to magic, to voodoo; all are incorrect. The hypnotist and client work together to overcome the issue at hand. You are always in control, the hypnotist never has control over you. It is safe, healthy and natural. These notions and their tendency to inhibit hypnosis is exactly why our assessment and consultation is so thorough.
The greatest irony of this misconception is that the opposite is true. In my personal experience and that of all hypnotists I've interacted with; it's people who are "intelligent" (for example: good at visualizing & abstract thinking, open-minded, large vocabularies, profound thinkers, well educated, etc.) that respond the best to hypnosis. The smarter you are, the more you stand to benefit from hypnosis - in direct opposition to the "too smart to be hypnotized" myth!
Of course high intelligence is not a prerequisite for hypnosis. The fact that hypnosis works so well on children - even children that are quite young - is a testament to that.
"How Does Hypnosis Work?" / "Why Does Hypnosis Work?"
Think of it this way: our mind is made up of two parts, a conscious mind and a subconscious (or unconscious) mind. Milton Erickson, a psychiatrist who became famous for his work with hypnosis, described the relationship between the conscious and the subconscious as a horse and rider.
The rider thinks that he’s in control because he’s sitting in the saddle and holding the reins. And that’s true - as long as the horse follows his directions.
But what happens when the horse becomes startled and bolts off in a different direction? At that point, it’s the rider who’s going along for the ride.
If your thoughts, feelings or habits are out of control, it’s because your subconscious mind is “bolting off” in a direction that is different from where you consciously want to go.
The way to “tame” your subconscious mind is through hypnosis. For more details read here.
"What Happens In Hypnosis?"
Hypnosis is a completely natural and common state of mind. In fact, we go into a hypnotic trance many times during a typical day. If you’ve ever been absorbed in a good book or movie, or been driving somewhere and been surprised to have arrived safely at your destination without conscious awareness during your trip, then you’ve experienced a light state of hypnosis. It’s relaxing and feels great. Most likely, you’ll emerge from hypnosis remembering everything that occurred in the session, yet still feeling like you’ve had a good nap.
When you see a hypnotist, they will help you enter this pleasant state of mind, removes the negative programming you’ve accumulated over your lifetime, and install new beliefs that will lead you in the direction you want.
You will be aware of everything that happens, remember everything (except in rare cases) and be able to accept or reject any suggestions offered by the hypnotist. You are still in full control and can terminate the hypnotic state at any point.
I've heard people say "Hypnosis?! I don't believe in that stuff..." Fortunately, it doesn't require belief - as it's as measurable as any other hard science. If you were hooked up to an EEG (electroencephalogram) during hypnosis you could measure your brainwave activity and even SEE the hypnotic state!
Normal, waking consciousness. Engaged in work.
"Busy thinking."
Relaxing. Day Dreaming. Watching TV & Movies.
Driving Without Thinking ("Highway Hypnosis").
"The Zone" In Sports/Athleticism. Light Hypnosis.
Immediately After Waking & Before Sleep.
Deep Meditation.
The "Flow" State in Creativity/Artistry.
The Hypnosis State.
Unconsciousness.
Very Deep Sleep.
"Hypnosis? Hypnotherapy? What's The Difference?"
There effectively isn't a difference. Some simply prefer the term "hypnotherapy" because the average person understands the positive implications of the term, and it sounds more professional.
While we may use the term “hypnotherapist” or "hypnotherapy" sometimes, we do not claim to practice psychotherapy, which is an entirely different profession. The title “Consulting Hypnotist” has become popular in recent years, especially among hypnotists who want to differentiate themselves from psychotherapists. Personally, I most often try to use the term “hypnotist” because it encompasses a broader scope of practice, and I define myself as a Consulting Hypnotist.
Although some practitioners make a very specific distinction between the two titles - they are mostly interchangeable bureaucratic euphemisms.
Other Questions:
Q: "What will it cost?"
A: The cost will vary depending on the issue at hand and the plan that is decided on. Some issues can be solved within only a single session. For those needing multiple sessions, we often arrange a package for you at discounted rates. This is all discussed and arranged in-depth on your first visit, during our free consultation.
Q: "How long is a session?"
A: The standard length of a hypnosis session is 30-45 minutes - a single session.
However, hypnotic induction is required in every session to enter the hypnotic state, and this can take from 10 to 20 minutes. This means in most practices, you're only getting 10-20 minutes worth of real hypnosis per session once you factor in the induction time.
Because of this, and in the interest of practicality; I often do double-sessions (90+ minute sessions) to minimize the overall induction time and maximize the amount of positive change. This saves you time, and saves you money!
So, our standard session is 45 minutes (an hour timeslot) but often we utilize double sessions depending on the nature of the issue at hand. Regardless, please set aside about an hour and a half for your first visit to accommodate the consultation, and an hour for all subsequent appointments.
Q: "How many sessions does it take?"
A: The number of sessions needed will vary for each particular issue. Smoking, for example, can be accomplished very quickly, but may take two to three sessions. More severe issues can take up to 5-8 sessions.
Q:"Is it safe?" / "Should I be nervous?"
A: Hypnosis is completely safe! You are in complete control at all times and can terminate the hypnotic state at any time. The hypnotist never has control over you, despite what you may have seen in movies.
Q: "Will I remember what happens in the session?"
A: In a hypnotic state you will remember just as if you were in a normal state of mind, if not better. Hypnosis is a more relaxed state associated with sleep, but also a heightened state of awareness.
However it's common for people to remember less from individual sessions the further into a hypnosis program they are. As their conscious mind begins to "get the idea" of how hypnosis sessions go and trust between client and hypnotist is established. This increasingly deepened hypnotic state is, in our experience, correlated with extremely positive results for our clients.
Q: "What will the experience be like?"
A: Your first visit or online consultation will be primarily exploratory. You will learn about hypnotism and become comfortable with it. We will discuss your interests and your desires to determine if hypnosis can accomplish what you want to achieve. From there you will may be given some small tests to determine your type of suggestibility which helps adapt the hypnotherapy to you as an individual; so as to design programming personalized for you to ensure full achievement.
As per our refund policy, if you cannot be hypnotized, you will not be charged!
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Q: "What is your success rate?"
A: We can get almost all of our clients (98%+) into hypnosis. As mentioned above, if we can’t hypnotize you, we don’t charge you for the session. While our clients are not signed up to be systematically followed in a rigorously controlled, long-term scientific study to assure their success, but based on current feedback and follow-ups with our clientele, our success rate remains well above 95%.
The success rate for hypnosis - in general - is above 90%. (Note: that's much higher than every other form of therapeutic treatment)
As of time of writing, if you google "hypnosis success rate" it brings up this article and states a 93% success rate.
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Q: "Can I bring a friend/family member?"
A: Of course! If you feel more comfortable with a friend or family member attending your in-person session, we encourage you to bring somebody for support! However, please keep in mind that the session might no longer be confidential with somebody else in the room.
For online appointments (aside from initial consultations, where you are completely welcome to have a friend or family member present) we encourage you to not have anyone else in the room. In the past having another person in the room in your own space leads to too much distraction, phones going off, etc. and interferes with the session 9/10 times, even if that is unintentional on the part of your family member.
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Q: "My son/daughter/husband/wife wants to
stop smoking (get better grades/overcome a fear/etc.) Can you help?"
A: We would be honoured to help your child, spouse, family, or friends.
However, there are two important things you need to know before we can help your loved one:
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We are in the business of empowering individuals, not forcing them to do things against their will. Your friend, spouse, or child will need to phone us (or otherwise speak with us) directly and express his or her decision to start any hypnotherapy, without any pressure from you.
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Regardless of who is paying for the session, our client is the person undergoing hypnosis and his or her wishes come first. If our client indicates that he or she does not actually want to stop smoking (for example) you would be spending your money needlessly.
If these conditions are met, please contact us or ask your loved one to contact us.
Teenagers and children often respond better to hypnosis than adults, and have the imagination necessary to make the process work well; but you will need to come to the first session so that we can arrange payment and give informed consent as a parent or guardian.
Q: "I have further questions! How can I learn more?"
A: On the internet, there are several directories covering hypnotherapy in depth. This Wikipedia article on hypnosis is a very comprehensive (if a bit dry) starting point if you're interested in doing your own research. If you have any specific questions we haven’t answered here, please contact us and we’ll be happy to answer them.
We also have a dedicated hypnosis page detailing what to expect, how it works, and what hypnosis can help with here.
If you think hypnosis might be right for you, complete our form below to request a free consultation.