What is Hypnotherapy?

One definition of hypnotherapy is using hypnosis in a therapeutic environment to help clients effect a meaningful change in their lives. While it might resemble sleep, hypnosis is not sleep or relaxation, but it does create a state of deep relaxation and heightened, focused awareness in which mental stress and physical tension are greatly reduced and the unconscious mind can accept suggestions for change. In hypnosis, the mind is more receptive to the process of change. The hypnotherapist and client work together as a team to achieve the goal of resolving the client's specific needs.

Is Hypnosis Right for Everyone?

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy can be effectively used for many purposes. It's ideal for stress management, to stop smoking, weight loss, school performance, sports enhancement, pain management, self-esteem issues, and phobias. It can also be used for goal setting, some dysfunctional issues, and past lives and other regressions. Pre-hospital hypnotherapy can help prepare patients for hospital visits, reducing their anxiety. Before scheduling hypnotherapy sessions for physical or medical problems, it is strongly recommended to consult a physician. All clients learn self-hypnosis to continue their progress. Sessions are private and one-on-one, unless otherwise requested.

Some people are leery of hypnosis. Why? Mainly because they have a set of expectations they have received from what they've seen on TV or in the movies. They think they will bark like a dog or cluck like a chicken. Or, they think that the hypnotist will gain some mysterious control over them or learn their deepest dark secrets. Not so! If you want to know what hypnosis is really about, click on the "Hypnosis?" link at the top of the screen. It's a good informative piece explaining what hypnosis feels like.

Actually, being in hypnosis gives you a strong sense of well-being and vitality, and you can expect to come out of trance feeling wonderful.

How Many Hypnotherapy Sessions are Necessary?

For most people, depending on the purpose, only a few sessions are all that is necessary to effect change. Some issues may require additional sessions. Since hypnotherapy works with the unconscious mind rather than the conscious mind, change is effected at a far deeper level. Change is thereby rapid, and does not require many, many therapeutic sessions.

I have additional certifications in Emergency Pain Management. I also teach hypnosis classes through the Continuing Education Department at Hagerstown Community College, Hagerstown, Maryland.

Why Hypnotherapy?

Good question. A friend introduced me to it when I wanted to lose weight, and I found it an easy, effective way to work toward the goal I have set for myself. As I began to study hypnosis and the various techniques that are used, I became interested enough to seek professional training. Once I began my training, I found that hypnosis and hypnotherapy, while not necessarily miracle cures, can work wonders when someone wants to make a change.

What convinced me totally that this was what I wanted to pursue as a career occurred when my daughter had a bad fall in the driveway, and abraded off a good portion of her cheek. She ran screaming into the house, and her severe pain was evident. Her cheek resembled raw meat. I put her on my bed, and using a rapid induction method, had her in trance in minutes. I gave her suggestions that she could control her pain, and within a minute or two, she was no longer in pain, and rested comfortably. I gave her a simple suggestion for healing, and told her that her wound would heal 10 times faster than it would normally, and underneath would be perfect skin. The next day, the mother of one of her friends, an RN, told her that it was a terrible scab, and that it would scar. (Nice thing to tell a child!) On the third day, my daughter peeled off the scab, and underneath was perfect pink skin. She had no pain after being in hypnosis, and she healed quickly and beautifully. That's what convinced me.

If you live in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area or nearby, and would like further information about hypnosis, hypnotherapy, a brochure of my services, or to make an appointment, call (301) 947-5800 or (301) 906-5498 or leave a message. I have both evening and weekend hours. You can also send E-Mail

I look forward to chatting with you.