The first stage of a hypnosis consultation will involve an informal chat and some questions from the hypnotist to ascertain the nature of the problem and the necessary route to overcoming it. I’ll help you to understand why hypnosis works and answer any questions you have.

I will then lead you by voice into a state where your body and mind are relaxed and where you’ll feel totally comfortable and safe.

REMEMBER that if at any time you feel uncomfortable and want to terminate the session, then you will be perfectly capable of doing so.

When under hypnosis you will experience a very relaxed, wonderful peaceful feeling. And, if we've agreed on it beforehand, I will also use some Qi Gong energy work* to unblock any congested energy points, relieve discomfort, or speed healing of specific injuries or illness. You may not feel anything while I'm doing this, or you may feel very blissful. Before I bring you up, if we're doing energy work, I will play some healing sounds for a few minutes which work to vibrate and unblock the energies in your internal organs.

You will remember everything we talk about, you will not be touched without your permission or asked to do anything you wouldn't agree to do while fully in the conscious mind. Under hypnosis you will be given suggestions that will alter the way your subconscious handles triggers that cause you to smoke, bite your nails or overeat, or to change whatever bad habit you'd like.

If you've come to hypnosis for enhancement you will be given suggestions to improve your physical well being, whether it's a better workout, a faster run, or a better night's sleep. You can also become a better studier, test taker, public speaker or researcher.

Since everyone has experienced light levels of hypnosis at different times, don't be surprised if you don't feel "hypnotized." All that is required to be hypnotized is a motivation to be hypnotized, concentration, imagination, relaxation, and the willingness to respond to suggestion. There are ways to check for the depth level of hypnosis, usually in a one-on-one session.

During hypnosis, you will remain conscious of your surroundings. Some of the sensations you may experience are:

Tingling in your fingertips or limbs

A sense of numbness or limb distortion

A sense of being light and floating away from your body

A heavy feeling like your are sinking

A sense of energy moving through your body

Feelings of emotions

Fluttering eyelids

An increase or decrease in salivation.

When you notice that you are noticing these sensations, do not become alarmed or you may shock yourself right out of your trance. Just expect the trance to occur gradually and it will. Suggestions stay with some individuals indefinitely, others need reinforcement. The effects of hypnosis are cumulative: The more the techniques are practiced and posthypnotic suggestions are brought into play, the more permanent the results become. You will be taught a self-hypnosis technique to employ whenever you want to reinforce your new suggestions, reduce stress or change an automatic response (such as blushing).

I will "count you up," bringing you gently back to your fully conscious state.

After this there is always time left at the end of the session for you to ask questions or to discuss any experiences you had while you were in the relaxed, hypnotic state.

I will give you an audiotape of our session, and ask you to reinforce your goals by listening to the tape every night as you fall asleep.

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*You may make an appointment for energy work alone. Call or email me if you would like more information.

You may be interested to know that the National Guild of Hypnotists has published a Code of Ethics & Standards and a State Law Guide. Both of these files are PDFs -- you will need Adobe Acrobat to read them (free to download).

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