Hypnosis is something we all naturally and spontaneously experience several times a day. It is a process where information from the senses bypasses the logical, analytical mind and enters the emotional space of the subconscious. Have you ever driven your car along the highway and missed your exit because you were focused on something else, or watched a movie and not heard certain noises in the room or your name being called because you were so focused on the movie? Have you ever worried about something? These are all examples of everyday hypnosis, and all hypnosis is self hypnosis, meaning it is not something someone does to you. Rather, you give yourself permission to let go and experience.

In hypnotherapy, we offer specific techniques and tools for individuals to discover clarity in their lives and reach specific goals promoting behavior change. Unlike worrying, we utilize the subconscious space in a way that serves you and enhances what you do want rather than what you don't want to happen. You will be conscious and awake, aware and in control throughout the entirety of the process.

Hypnotists are not licensed, but they should be certified. It is important to do some research in finding the person that most resonates with you. When searching amongst practitioners, look at their overall background and how many training hours they received specifically in hypnosis as there is wide variety within the field (some hypnotists only receiving a weekend long training), and how much experience the facilitator has. Research where the individual completed his/her training and if it is a style that most resonates with you. I practice and teach transpersonal, client-centered hypnosis which is certified through IACT.

It is recommended you also find someone who is fully certified in basic and advanced hypnosis techniques and is a member in good standing with a reputable professional organization such as the International Association of Counselors and Therapists. This will at least ensure the individual is meeting minimum qualifications of adhering to ethical guidelines and continuing their education.

Yes. I am fully certified in basic and advanced hypnosis as well as spiritual regression (past life regression and Life Between Lives Hypnosis through the Newton Institute) and maintain membership, in excellent standing, through the International Association of Counselors and Therapists. I am also a certified instructor of hypnosis and teach hypnosis certification training programs in all of these modalities.

No. Nobody can make you do or say anything you are uncomfortable with or anything which goes against your morals and values. You are fully aware, conscious and in control throughout the entire session and can open your eyes anytime you wish. It's just like when you drive a car and daydream. You are aware of where you are and in control, but you're also experiencing something else in your mind at the same time.  You will not share any secrets you do not wish to share. If you have seen hypnotists snap fingers or use other techniques to get individuals to behave in seemingly embarrassing ways, please know this is not real in the sense you may think it is. Some people are more suggestive than others, which means they are more willing to play along. What you see on stage or television is done by skilled stage hypnotists and is only for the purpose of entertainment.

The process of hypnotherapy does require a bond and trust between hypnotherapist and client so that the client may fully relax and gain the full benefit and experience of a session, but you are in full control of your actions and words the entire time.

No. Hypnosis is different from psychotherapy, though some psychotherapists may use hypnosis as a tool.  Hypnotherapists do not diagnose or utilize psychotherapy tools in a conscious state to promote change, and only work with functional individuals who desire change and/or clarity in life. In hypnosis, conversation is taken place while allowing the subconscious mind to come into an individual’s awareness. Hypnosis is typically used as an effective and short-term tool to promote behavior change and spiritual exploration. If psychotherapy is needed before pursuing hypnotherapy, or in combination with psychotherapy, I do network with several psychotherapists and will make recommendations for that. I reserve the right to refuse to guide hypnosis sessions if I suspect an individual is not mentally stable or at a place in their life where they are able to respond positively to the process of hypnosis. Safety is my priority for you. If you experience borderline personality disorder or another clinical diagnosis, I will request a referral note from a psychiatrist or psychotherapist, as it is important to me that I follow ethical guidelines. With your permission, I do often collaborate with other psychotherapists to create the best program for you. 

The state of NC, where I reside, does not allow those practicing as certified hypnosis practitioners to take insurance, but hypnosis is a qualifiable reimbursement through FSA and HSA plans to process through many types of issues. If you would like to use your HSA or FSA account, please talk to me and I will help guide you through the information you need.

Everyone is able to experience self hypnosis. We all do it spontaneously and naturally every day. If you fall asleep or wake up, you experience hypnosis. Hypnotherapy does require a trusting bond between hypnotherapist and client, although it is you, the client, who really allows yourself to experience hypnosis with my guidance. I value every individual I work with and hold great respect for your process. There is a very small percentage of the population that has difficulty being guided  by another person, but this is rarely the case and if that occurs, some practice and mindfulness instruction can often assist an individual with such difficulties. I will work with you to determine what is the most effective way to enable you to relax. It is natural to feel nervous and unsure if you can be guided to experience hypnosis. I assure you that all sessions are individualized and we will work together to find the tools that are most beneficial to you.

Yes. All sessions are 100% confidential, with the exception of coming to know an individual’s safety is at risk. If I discover you intend to harm yourself or another being, or that you are being harmed by someone else, I am required to report this to the appropriate authorities in order to keep everyone safe, which is the same limitation of confidentiality a psychotherapist has. Inappropriate behavior toward me is not tolerated and will be reported if necessary. However, this has never been the case, and I don’t ever expect it to be so. I feel honored to work with and guide the people I have been able to do so for over a decade. 

Please contact me via phone or email as soon you as you know you will not be able to make it as I try to offer the best availability I can for clients and my schedule often books ahead some. There is a 50% nonrefundable deposit when booking a session. If you have an illness or emergency, the amount paid for the deposit will be applied to a rescheduled date. 

This rarely happens, because I ask all clients to do some practice with materials I send you prior to your session. This way, we have the best way of knowing ahead of time if there might be any challenges and practice allows you to experience the most success. Therefore, while it can happen, it is extremely rare that someone is not able to have an experience or is blocked. If you experience a block, I will offer you a general clearing/stress management session during your scheduled appointment, or we can work on a specific issue if desired in place of the past life regression session. However, refunds are not issued once a session has begun.

Prior to practicing hypnosis, I was a school psychologist early in my career and yoga therapist, so I do have experience working with kids and teens in a variety of settings. I do offer hypnosis to children and teens but the kinds of issues I work with are specific and if therapy is needed, I will refer to others and recommend that in the best interest of your child. Every circumstance is unique but it is extremely important that your child/teen recognizes there is an issue they would like to change, and that they want to be there. If they are only there because you want them there, this process will not work. Hypnotism for kids and teens is a different process than hypnotism for adults but can be very supportive to help them with life experiences. 

Hypnotherapy is very effective as a short-term tool to support emotional and behavioral change. Most clients experience change and/or relief within just 1-2 sessions, but ultimately, it depends upon the individual and the reason for hypnosis. Past life regression sessions are just one session unless an individual chooses to experience more than that. Other types of sessions may be 1-4 sessions. I recommend to book just one session and if you want more, you can get them individually or put the initial session toward a package. Not everyone needs more than 1 session. Clients who choose to see me more often or long-term are usually individuals interested in seeking ongoing guidance with relaxation and stress management or mindfulness and integrative coaching. Though this support can be gained from just a few sessions, some individuals enjoy the personal support of ongoing guided relaxation.

No. It is important for individuals to receive the appropriate care needed to be in a healthy mind state and free from dependency on substances. That said, if an individual has received such care and has been sober for at least a year, I am happy to work with him/her in other ways to meet that person’s goals, though I may ask for a referral note from a licensed psychotherapist. I have experience offering mindfulness practices with those who experience substance abuse. However, this kind of session is different than a hypnosis session and still requires a person be sober for an extended amount of time with psychotherapy experience. This is important for your safety because there is a time and place for these methods and types of sessions. Too early on, and challenges you experience can be re-triggered, so I am sensitive to utilizing them at the most appropriate and safe time for you. I do have a network of therapists if you are needing a referral for support and guidance.

I will not work with an individual who is under the influence of mind altering drugs or alcohol. If I suspect this is the case, I have the right to refuse the session and a refund will not be issued. 

We leave that up to you to decide. As a hypnosis facilitator, I am working with perception. An event can happen with ten people present and all ten people can walk away with a different perception of what happened. How that impacts you in your life going forward is what I find most important. I have assisted individuals with memory recall, but will not do so specifically for the purposes of finding out if one was abused or experienced something traumatic. If this is discovered in session, I will refer you to the appropriate individual for more long-term mental/emotional and or/medical treatment. Hypnosis is not admissible in court and there is no way to verify if any memories are completely accurate or not. I have had some clients verify experiences that came to them during spiritual sessions such as past life regression and Life Between Lives Hypnotherapy. 

I accept cash and all credit cards. I can utilize Paypal or Venmo if necessary.  I am also able to process payment through the use of your Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account card, if the session is for stress management/anxiety, emotional struggles, behavior change, weight loss (dr. recommended only) or pain management. Sometimes your HSA company may ask for further documentation from a physician recommending hypnotherapy. Please be sure you can receive this if you plan to use your HSA or FSA account. If you plan to use HSA or FSA plans, please let me know ahead of time so I can discuss the documentation you might need first. 

Yes! Every person on this planet experiences self hypnosis on a daily basis. It's just that there many misconceptions of what this actually is. You can learn how to consciously hypnotize yourself in a way that is helpful for you. Please let me know if you would like to learn self hypnosis and we can take a session to teach you how to do that at home.

Yes, I do offer hypnosis certification training and I am also a certified and experienced international hypnotherapy training instructor. However, depending on the state and country you reside in, what you can call yourself will vary. Not everyone can call themselves a hypnotherapist, nor will you diagnose or treat any diagnose-able conditions unless you are licensed in the area you reside. The techniques we teach can be practiced by anyone, but who you work with will be different than who a psychotherapist can work with if you are unlicensed. You can receive more information on how to become a hypnotist and hypnotherapist by contacting me here.