Hypnosis, in short, is pretty cool.

A formal hypnosis session includes getting into a trance state, which is just a state of focused awareness, and the focus might be directed internally or toward the past, or future. Trance states are a normal part of human existence, and hypnosis lets us access it on purpose to help improve our mood and goals.

Ever get home and realize you don’t remember the drive? That’s a little trance-y. Daydream about a beach vacation? Trance. Daymare about tripping in front of a cool person? Also trance, just in a probably unpleasant direction.

Hypnosis can be used to help you relax, reduce anxiety or depression, or reach goals. It can be incorporated into sessions occasionally as part of your regular therapy with me, or we can have a really focused and strategic goal for just a few sessions if you aren’t interested in or needing regular therapy.

Common uses for hypnosis:

• improving performance
• increasing relaxation
• smoking cessation
• reducing anxiety
• improving mood
• and more- just ask!

Side note: I don’t believe hypnosis can make you do anything against your will or values! You don’t have to worry about the types of things we see on tv, like hearing a trigger word or sound and suddenly acting weird or taking off your shirt or something. That ain’t it! I’ll also add, I don’t use hypnosis to ‘retrieve’ blocked memories. My perspective is that if you have forgotten memories locked away, they come out in their own time if and when needed. I don’t go looking for them.

If you’re curious about the difference between ‘hypnotherapy’ and ‘hypnosis’ or ‘clinical hypnosis,’ here’s my take: hypnotherapy and hypnosis are essentially the same thing, but ‘hypnotherapy’ is sometimes taught to and practiced by folks who are only trained in hypnotherapy, and may not be trained in a formal mental health program or licensed by a therapy/counseling/social work board. I’ve heard of great results from hypnotherapists who were not also psychotherapists. I just happen to be both!

Fill out the contact form if you’d like to get started, and let me know if you have any questions about hypnosis!