Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is an increased state of relaxation and awareness, similar to meditation; the goal of both being to quiet the conscious part of the brain. Where hypnosis differs is that once this state is achieved, we then engage with the subconscious part of the brain, to resolve trauma and/or make desired change.

What Is Hypnotherapy?

Short answer: Hypnosis meets therapy.

Long answer: Once you’re in the relaxed, calm and safe state of hypnosis, a Clinical Hypnotherapist helps you gain access to your subconscious mind to heal, release and/or integrate whatever you are seeking to change.They also have the ability to include suggestions for self-improvement or behaviour modification that are chosen by you.

Why Hypnotherapy?

Different modalities work for different people, at different stages in their healing. Hypnotherapy fits with somatic and “bottom up” healing modalities, known for helping people access their emotions and feelings, and connecting their minds to their bodies.

For me, there was a vast disconnect between “knowing” things about myself logically, and “feeling” or “doing” anything about them. I was an over intellectualizer, and wasn’t actually feeling my emotions. So hypnotherapy was a game changer. For more on my personal story, check out my bio.

Are The Sessions Online or In Person?

I do both! The majority of my clients are via zoom. This allows you to be in the comfort of your own home.

What Is The Conscious and Subconscious/ Unconscious Mind?

Our conscious mind is the analytical, logical part of our brain, which actively engages in what you are currently thinking, feeling and sensing in the given moment. The conscious mind makes up 5% of our brains. And this can often be where people get “stuck” in their healing journeys.

The subconscious (sometimes called unconscious mind) makes up the other 95% of our brains, and contains all stored information of everything you’ve ever experienced. Some like to think of the subconscious as their computer hard-drive, where all memories are stored. It is also where all automatic functions stem from; for example, the subconscious controls our heartbeat, circulation, digestion, nerves etc. It’s the part of our mind that makes decisions, without us needing to be aware of them. It also activates trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze or fawn) and our behavioural and reactivity patterns.

By accessing the subconscious mind through hypnotherapy, we can resolve trauma at the deepest level, and achieve lasting change.

How Do I Access My Subconscious Mind?

In your daily life, your subconscious mind is accessible in the brief moments right after you wake up and right before you fall asleep. It also engages whenever you find yourself on autopilot; doing something without thought or awareness. Your subconscious can be accessed through memory recall, meditation and hypnosis. Given that it makes up 95% of our brain, just imagine what you can do when you tap into it!

I’m Scared Of What Might Be In My Subconscious. Will I Re-Live My Trauma?

The fear of “what might come up” is common for new clients. After their first experience with hypnotherapy, that worry quickly dissipates, because they realize a Clinical Hypnotherapist is specifically trained to help navigate this entire process safely. Their job is to safely and gently guide you through whatever comes up.

It’s also important to understand that the main purpose of your subconscious mind is to keep you safe and alive. It wants to protect you at all costs. So your subconscious mind will not take you where you are not ready to go, and it will not allow you to be re-traumatized.

What Is A Hypnotherapist? And How Do I Choose One?

A Clinical Hypnotherapist is uniquely certified to lead you into the calm, relaxed and safe state of hypnosis, (mentioned above) that bypasses the analytical/logical/conscious mind, allowing you access to your subconscious. They are your guide on your journey of self healing. Who you decide to work with depends entirely on who feels right to you.

Many Clinical Hypnotherapists offer a free discovery call. This is a good way to see if there is a connection, and if their area of expertise is right for you. Ask the Hypnotherapist about their training and experience, or about their own healing journey. See if their tone of voice calms you, by asking for a sample of how they speak during hypnosis (this will be different then how they speak normally). Most importantly, choose someone you feel you can build trust with.

Can I Be Hypnotized?

Anyone who wants to be hypnotized can be hypnotized. A Clinical Hypnotherapist will be able to cater their process to work for your specific needs.

Can I Be Hypnotized If I’m Neurodivergent?

Yes! Anyone who wants to be hypnotized can be hypnotized. A Clinical Hypnotherapist will be able to cater their process to work for your specific needs. My clients have included people with Austism (ASD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ ADHD), Aphantasia, Synesthesia, Misophonia, Tourette’s and traumatic brain injuries. Don’t see your Neurodivergent self reflected in that list? Please feel free to message me *HERE * to ask any questions you may have.

The most important part is choosing a Hypnotherapist who is familiar with neurodivergence, and who will take the time to learn what works best for you, making whatever accommodations you might need. (For tips on how to choose a Hypnotherapist, see “What Is A Hypnotherapist and How Do I Pick One?” above).

Will I be Asleep? What Is My Brain Frequency During Hypnosis?

The term “sleep” is often used in hypnosis, in reference to the physical body, which will be completely relaxed, while the subconscious mind stays aware. You will not be asleep, unconscious or have amnesia. You will remember everything that occurs.

Your brain will spend much of the session in Theta, the state when your brain is deeply relaxed and inwardly focused, associated with sleep and dreaming. This state is also associated with insight, day dreaming, deep meditation, learning and memory. Some may experience Delta during their session, which is the state achieved when you are in deep, dreamless sleep, and where physical healing and rejuvenation are stimulated. Delta is associated with improved immunity and longevity of life, as well as reduced inflammation and pain. Some people come to hypnotherapy just to access this restorative state!

Will I Cluck Like A Chicken?

This is a surprisingly common question! But no, you will not say or do anything during hypnosis that you wouldn’t normally do in regular life. Stage hypnosis is for fun and entertainment, and is completely different from hypnotherapy. A Hypnotherapist cannot make a client say or do anything that they do not want to, or that goes against their values.

Am I In Control?

Hypnosis is all about consent, and you are always in control, with full awareness. Your autonomy and free will are paramount. And your Clinical Hypnotherapist is your guide to help you become your own alchemist.

What Does Hypnosis Feel Like?

Clients describe hypnosis as feeling like meditation or daydreaming, or that moment right before you fall asleep or wake up. Some clients are not sure if they’ve even experienced hypnosis after the first session, because they were expecting some “odd” feeling to occur. Instead they just feel calm, relaxed, peaceful and empowered after every session.

What Can I Expect In Our First Session?

The first session is specifically tailored to help you dispel any fears and/or concerns around hypnosis itself, as well as to build comfort and trust between us as a team and with my process. For you, the first session will feel more like a guided meditation, where I do all the talking. This allows you to experience hypnosis, realize that you are always in control and safe, and go through the process start to finish, without any expectation or pressure.

On my end, I am doing tests (not ones that can be passed or failed), to help me see what type of language and imagery/ experience work best for you. Afterwards, we talk about your experience in detail; to see what worked for you and what didn’t, what you liked and what you might not have. This gives me the awareness moving forward, to cater to exactly what each individual needs.

How Long Does Hypnotherapy Take? How Many Sessions Will I Need?

This depends largely on how much you’d personally like to work on. A single hypnotherapy session can run up to two hours. Some clients need only a few sessions to feel deep change, while others like to make it a more regular part of their lives. Either way, the goal of hypnotherapy is to get you to a place of positive, abundant and lasting change, so you can live your best life, now!

Do I Need A Referral?

A referral is not required. Should you decide to start hypnotherapy, it is recommended you inform any other doctors or practitioners you are working with.

Remember…

Healing is a lifelong journey. The goal isn’t to rid ourselves of our experiences, but to understand and navigate life from a place of awareness, autonomy, safety and peace. Whether you’re just starting your healing journey, or you’ve been actively working on your mental health; whether you feel stuck, or like you’ve hit a plateau… If you’re looking for the root cause and wanting deep, effective and lasting change - lets chat!