Frequently Asked Questions
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The general sensation of hypnosis is similar to that of the feeling right when you wake up in the morning - your body is very relaxed, you are aware of your surroundings, thoughts start to trickle into your mind, and your sense of time may be skewed.
People expect to be hypnotized and wake up an hour later with zero recollection of what happened. That is not true – hypnosis simply creates a state of heightened awareness. You will be aware of every thought and sensation in your body and will be consumed by the content of our session. Seemingly, random thoughts, images, or memories will pop up in your mind as I prompt you with questions or guide you through a visualization exercise. The subconscious associates meaning to everything, so I assure you every message presented is for a reason. The random messages will most likely click a few days after the session.
It is similar to the feeling of watching a really good movie or reading a really good book – you are so consumed with the content, you haven’t thought about anything else except the characters/plot, time was no concept, but you’re aware that your on your couch, in your living room, and get up for a snack if you wanted to.
There may be some instances where you drift in and out of awareness, where you will hear my voice but miss some of the words. This sensation is very similar to when you start falling asleep when watching a movie. You hear characters talking in the background but you are not fully cognizant of the conversation. Rest assured, your subconscious mind hears everything and will continue to work in the background. It is important to note that your subconscious remains in control throughout the entire session and only accepts suggestions that is in its best interest.
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No, you do not lose control in hypnosis. Hypnosis is a collaborative effort, and you cannot be hypnotized unless you want to. If for any reason you wanted to end the session early, you can bring yourself back to your normal resting state at any moment.
Your subconscious mind remains in control throughout the entire session and only accepts suggestions in its best interest. The hypnotherapist is merely a guide on how to connect you to the part of your mind that holds all the answers to your problems, and offers suggestions and new perspectives. Your subconscious can reject any and all suggestions offered if it does not resonate with it.
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Some studies show that 4-6 sessions are the average number of sessions required to create significant change. Other studies state that 12 sessions are the “tipping point” for lasting transformation. I recommend waiting ~1 week in between sessions to allow things to naturally come up between sessions.
The number of sessions required for YOU will depend on how deep rooted the habit is, how motivated you are to change, how open you are to the experience, and how much work you’re willing to do outside of each session.
Most habits are produced in childhood and strengthened through experiences as an adult. Depending on your age, habits could be 10+, 20+, 30+ years in the making. The patterns in your brain are so strong and automatic – and therefore will take time and dedication to unlearn the old and learn anew.
We live in a world of instant gratification. We want immediate results with minimal effort. I want to be very clear that it takes time to see results. Whenever you feel like giving up, ask yourself – how bad do you want to feel good?
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You will know its working when you notice shifts in thought, experience, and feelings. To set clear expectations, it is not likely that you will walk out of a session feeling like a brand-new person. The change happens in subtle shifts, as follows:
• Shifts in thought. You may have revelations on the topic or old memories will resurface. You gain awareness over the recurring thoughts you have related to the topic – and notice just how poorly you speak to yourself on a daily basis.
• Shifts in experience. For the first few weeks, you will likely continue behaving the same way you’ve always done. The difference is that you will start reflecting on your behavior after the event; you are creating a thought loop of experience and reflection. The next few experiences, you may start to notice your behavior in the moment. Next thing you know, you’ll be in a situation where you behaved completely different than in the past, no thinking required.
• Shifts in your body. You stop feeling anxious before a social event; you don’t feel nervous presenting to your client; you stop feeling stressed to meet work deadlines; you love looking at yourself in the mirror; you wake up feeling excited to start your day.
It is important to note that you can successfully integrate a new habit and still react as your old self occasionally. This does not mean all your hard work meant nothing – it means you are human and bound to react or behave poorly at times. Celebrate the self-awareness, reflect on how you can act differently next time, give yourself some grace and move on.
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All purchases are non-refundable. If you purchase a package of 5 sessions, any unused sessions will not be refunded. There is no time limit on when you have to book a credited session.
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No, I do not directly accept insurance. However, I can provide an itemized receipt that you may submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement. Insurance coverage for hypnotherapy varies significantly, with most insurers classifying it as "complementary," "alternative," or "experimental" services, which may limit coverage. It is important to verify with your insurance provider to see if they cover hypnotherapy services, and if so, the requirements for reimbursement (e.g., itemized receipt, signed doctor's referral).
Alternatively, you can often use Health Saving Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) to pay for hypnotherapy services, as these accounts typically cover a broad range of wellness services. Please check with your insurance or benefits provider to better understand your options.