HYPNOTHERAPY Q&A:
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
If you’ve been curious about hypnotherapy but have questions or hesitations, you’re in the right place.
What exactly is hypnotherapy? Is it like what I see on stage or on TV?
This is probably the most common misconception about hypnotherapy and it’s worth addressing directly.
Stage hypnosis is entertainment. The people on stage have self-selected — they’re highly suggestible, willing participants who want to perform for an audience. What you see there has almost nothing to do with therapeutic hypnosis.
Therapeutic hypnosis is simply a deeply relaxed state of focused attention. You’ve actually experienced it many times without realizing it. Have you ever been so absorbed in a book or a film that you lost track of time? Have you ever driven somewhere familiar and arrived without remembering the journey? That’s hypnosis. We move in and out of these natural trance states every day.
Think about television commercials — they work precisely because our minds are in a relaxed, receptive state when we watch. Hypnotherapy simply uses that same natural state with intention and purpose.
Will I lose control of my mind? Will you be able to make me do things against my will?
No. This is perhaps the most important thing to understand about hypnosis.
You are always aware and always in control. You cannot be made to do, say, or reveal anything that goes against your values or your will. If I suggested something that felt wrong to you, you would simply dismiss it — just as you would in any normal conversation.
Hypnosis is a collaborative process. I can only guide you to where you’re willing to go. The work happens because you want it to.
I’m a person of faith and I’ve heard that hypnosis can be spiritually dangerous. What do you say to that?
I respect this concern deeply and I never dismiss it.
What I can tell you is what science tells us: hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of focused awareness. Brain imaging studies show that during hypnosis the brain enters a state similar to deep meditation — increased focus, reduced inner chatter, and greater openness to positive suggestion. There is nothing supernatural or spiritually invasive happening.
You are not surrendering your will, your consciousness, or your spirit to anyone. You remain completely yourself throughout — simply more relaxed and more focused than usual.
If this concern is present for you, I’d invite you to bring it into our discovery call conversation. It deserves a thoughtful discussion, not a dismissal.
What does hypnosis actually feel like?
Most people describe it as one of the most deeply relaxing experiences they’ve ever had.
You’ll be aware of everything around you. You’ll hear my voice clearly. You may feel a pleasant heaviness in your body, a quieting of mental chatter, and a sense of calm that can feel quite profound.
At the end of every session I bring you back to full wakefulness feeling refreshed, relaxed, and positive. Most women tell me they feel wonderful afterwards — lighter, clearer, and more at ease than when we began.
Will I remember what happened during the session?
It varies from person to person. Some clients remember everything clearly. Others remember very little, similar to how you might not remember every detail of a vivid dream. Both experiences are completely normal and neither affects the results.
What matters is what shifts — and that happens regardless of what you consciously remember.
Can I get stuck in hypnosis?
No. Hypnosis is a temporary state and it always passes naturally on its own. Even if a session were somehow interrupted, you would simply drift into natural sleep and wake up normally. You cannot remain in hypnosis indefinitely.
Does hypnotherapy work for everyone?
Hypnotherapy works best for people who genuinely want change and are able to focus their attention. The ability to concentrate is key — hypnosis is essentially directed focus, and without it the process is less effective.
When I Won’t Work With a Client
There are some situations where I won’t work with a client. I don’t see clients who are under the influence of alcohol or substances during a session, as the inability to concentrate means the work simply won’t take hold. I also carefully assess each person’s situation before we begin — hypnotherapy is not appropriate for everyone, and I will always tell you honestly if I feel another approach would serve you better.
If you’ve tried hypnotherapy before and felt it didn’t work, it’s worth having a conversation. There are many factors that affect responsiveness, and a different approach may make all the difference.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on what you’re working on.
Some issues — a specific fear, a single limiting belief, performance anxiety — can shift significantly in just one or two sessions.
For more deeply rooted patterns like weight loss, smoking cessation, and substance use, I typically recommend four sessions. This allows enough time for the subconscious shift to take hold, integrate, and become the new normal.
For weight loss I also offer virtual gastric band hypnosis — a specialized technique that creates a powerful subconscious experience of physical restriction. In a recent group program, women using this approach lost an average of eleven pounds over four weeks.
What do I need for an online session?
Just three things:
- A quiet, private space where you won’t be disturbed
- A reliable internet connection
- Headphones — strongly recommended for the best experience
Online hypnotherapy is just as effective as in person. Being in your own familiar, comfortable space often allows for even deeper relaxation than a clinical setting.
How do I get started?
The first step is a free discovery call. We’ll talk about what you’re hoping to work on, whether hypnotherapy is the right fit, and what working together would look like.
There’s no pressure and no obligation — just an honest conversation between us.
Begin Your Homecoming —