 I’m not sure where the idea came from that hypnosis will make someone cluck like a chicken. Many misconceptions about hypnosis stem from stage shows, where people do hilarious things. (I personally love watching these!) But a stage show is carefully crafted for the audience’s entertainment. Those participants agreed to be part of a stage show and do goofy things for laughs.
I’ve been a hypnotherapist for seven years now, and I’ve yet to have anyone request chicken impersonations as their therapeutic goal. Why People Actually Seek Hypnotherapy A few people come to hypnosis because they’ve tried it before and had success. Some come because they’ve been recommended by a friend or medical professional. But most people come to hypnotherapy when they’re out of options, when they’ve tried “everything” and nothing has worked, or out of sheer desperation, with a thought of “Why not? I’ll give it a try.” Hypnosis can seem scary because we mostly see it portrayed as a loss of control: people doing silly things, dangerous things, or in many films, horrifying things. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The Reality: Hypnosis Is a Natural State In fact, hypnosis is a natural state you experience multiple times every day: waking up, driving to work, watching a movie, falling asleep. The difference is that you’re usually entering these states unintentionally, rather than with purpose and direction. Hypnosis is a learning state, a focused state of attention where you can intentionally program your mind toward your goals. Think of it as a heightened state of concentration where your subconscious mind becomes more receptive to positive change. What Actually Happens in a Hypnotherapy Session Initial Discussion First, we’ll discuss your goals and what you hope to achieve through hypnosis. In initial sessions, I also explain how the mind works, how hypnosis works, and how you can expect to feel during a session. Most people feel physically relaxed, emotionally calm and comfortable, and mentally wide awake. This doesn’t mean you’ll catch every single word the hypnotist says. Your mind might wander, or you could find yourself thinking about other things. That’s completely normal and doesn’t diminish the effectiveness of the session. Progressive Relaxation Sessions typically move into a progressive relaxation to help your body relax and heighten your state of internal focus. You’ll be gently guided away from outside noises as you relax into a more dreamlike state. This feels very similar to meditation, prayer, or even savasana after a yoga class. Therapeutic Suggestions Once you’ve gone through the relaxation, your hypnotherapist will guide you through techniques to deepen the state, then offer what we call “suggestions.” We use this term because that’s exactly what they are: suggestions, not commands. You are always in control of your own mind, and you are always most suggestible to yourself. In my sessions, I usually add wording along the lines of “you’re open to suggestions that are comfortable and beneficial to you.” Your subconscious mind acts as a filter, accepting what serves you and disregarding what doesn’t. This is why you can’t be hypnotized to do something against your values or will. Your mind naturally protects you, even in this relaxed, focused state. Reorientation After about 15 to 20 minutes for first sessions (a bit longer for experienced clients), you’ll be gently brought back to full awareness. Any important information will be reiterated, and you’ll have time to ask questions about your experience. The Bottom Line Hypnotherapy is a powerful, evidence-based tool for personal change and healing. It’s not about losing control or doing embarrassing things. Instead, it’s about gaining greater control over your thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses. So no, you won’t cluck like a chicken unless that’s genuinely your goal. And in seven years, I’m still waiting for that first request.
0 Comments
 What if I told you that you're already practicing hypnosis every single day, but you just don't realize it?
Every time you tell yourself "I'm so stupid" after making a mistake, or repeat "I always forget things," you're actively hypnotizing yourself. The question isn't whether you're using hypnosis; it's whether you're using it intentionally to support your goals, or accidentally to reinforce patterns that hold you back. Understanding the Nature of Hypnosis Here's a fundamental truth that might surprise you: all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. Even when working with a skilled hypnotherapist, you're the one doing the work. A hypnotist is simply a guide, helping you access states and resources that already exist within you. We are always most suggestible to ourselves, which is precisely why the internal dialogue we maintain matters so profoundly. Think about it. When you catch yourself saying things like "Why am I such a dummy?" or "I forgot again! What's wrong with me?", you're not just venting frustration. You're actively programming your subconscious mind, reinforcing neural pathways that support the belief that you are forgetful, incompetent, or inadequate. Your subconscious doesn't judge these statements as true or false. It simply accepts them as instructions. This is the double-edged sword of self-hypnosis. The same mechanism that allows negative self-talk to damage our self-concept can be harnessed intentionally to create profound positive change. Programming Your Mind for Success Self-hypnosis is the practice of consciously programming your mind to align with your current goals and values. Instead of allowing random, often negative thoughts to run the show, you take the director's chair and deliberately choose what to reinforce. Want to sleep better? Reduce stress? Feel more confident at work? Build healthier habits? Self-hypnosis offers a direct pathway to communicate these intentions to your subconscious mind, the part of you that controls approximately 95% of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The Foundation: Working with a Practitioner First While anyone can practice self-hypnosis, there's tremendous value in first working with a skilled practitioner who specializes in subconscious behavior. Think of it as learning to drive with an instructor before heading out on the highway alone. A qualified hypnotherapist can help you: Achieve a reset to your authentic self. Before we internalized limiting beliefs about who we are and what we're capable of, we existed in a more natural, authentic state. Tools like Integral Eye Movement Therapy can help desensitize problematic emotions and negative beliefs, essentially clearing the slate so you can work from a healthier foundation. Develop familiarity with the hypnotic state. Many people worry they "can't be hypnotized" or won't know if they're doing it right. Working with a practitioner helps you recognize what the hypnotic state feels like in your own body and mind, making it significantly easier to access that state independently. Learn proper techniques. Just as you'd learn proper form in exercise to prevent injury and maximize results, learning self-hypnosis techniques from an expert ensures you're using methods that actually work. Address deeper patterns. Some beliefs and emotional patterns require the skilled guidance of someone trained to navigate the subconscious landscape. Once these foundational issues are addressed, your self-hypnosis practice becomes exponentially more effective. The Hidden Practice You're Already Doing Most people practice self-hypnosis all day long without any awareness of it. Every time you zone out during your commute, lose yourself in a good book, or get absorbed in a task, you're entering a light trance state. Every time you imagine a future scenario (whether positive or negative) you're engaging your subconscious in visualization. The difference between unconscious and conscious self-hypnosis is intentionality and direction. When you incorporate self-hypnosis into a mindful self-care practice, you're wielding this natural ability with purpose, directing it toward specific outcomes that support your wellbeing and goals. The Magic Hours: Leveraging Key Times of Day Your brain operates differently at different times of day, and there are specific windows when your subconscious mind is particularly receptive to suggestion. The two most powerful times are: The moments before falling asleep. As you transition from waking consciousness to sleep, your brainwave patterns shift from beta (active thinking) through alpha (relaxed awareness) to theta (the hypnotic state). This is prime time for positive programming. The first moments upon waking. Before your conscious, analytical mind fully kicks into gear, you experience a brief theta state window. What you think about and imagine during this time has amplified impact. Yet what do most of us do during these valuable moments? We ruminate about our day. We worry about tomorrow's to-do list. We replay difficult conversations or imagine worst-case scenarios. We're practicing self-hypnosis, all right, but we're programming anxiety, stress, and limitation. Imagine instead using these moments to visualize your best possible outcomes. To mentally rehearse confidence and success. To visit a future version of yourself who has already achieved your goals. This isn't just positive thinking. It's strategic reprogramming of your subconscious mind so that it works in alignment with what you actually want to create in your life. Beyond Visualization: A Holistic Approach While there are multiple methods for practicing self-hypnosis, I'm particularly drawn to approaches that integrate the emotional body, physical body, and intellectual mind. True transformation doesn't happen in just one dimension of our being. It requires all aspects of ourselves to come into alignment. An effective self-hypnosis practice might include:
When these elements work together, self-hypnosis becomes more than just mental exercise. It becomes a full-body, full-being experience that creates lasting change. The Ripple Effect of Conscious Self-Hypnosis When you commit to a regular self-hypnosis practice, the benefits extend far beyond your specific goals. You develop:
Perhaps most importantly, you reclaim power over the narrative you tell yourself about who you are and what's possible for you. Taking the Next Step If you're intrigued by the potential of self-hypnosis but unsure where to start, know that this is a learnable skill. You don't need any special abilities or talents; just curiosity, willingness, and guidance on proper technique. Learning self-hypnosis is an investment in yourself that pays dividends every single day. It's a tool you'll carry with you for life, one that grows more powerful with practice. Your mind is already creating your reality through the thoughts you think and the beliefs you reinforce. The only question is: will you take conscious control of that process, or leave it to chance? The choice, as always, has been yours all along.  Hypnosis has long been portrayed in movies as mysterious, manipulative, or even magical. But in reality, hypnotherapy is none of those things. It’s a safe, evidence-based therapeutic technique that helps you access a deeper state of awareness; empowering you to make lasting, positive changes.
Let’s clear up some of the most common myths that prevent people from discovering its real benefits. Myth 1: “Hypnosis Is Mind Control” This is one of the most enduring (and most inaccurate) beliefs about hypnosis. In truth, hypnosis actually increases your sense of control by guiding you into a state of focused relaxation. You stay fully conscious, aware, and in charge throughout the entire process. A hypnotherapist doesn’t “take over your mind”; they simply help you access the inner resources already within you. You cannot be made to do or say anything that goes against your values or beliefs. While stage hypnosis might look dramatic, it’s purely entertainment involving willing volunteers. Clinical hypnotherapy, on the other hand, is rooted in comfort, consent, and collaboration. Myth 2: “Only Weak-Minded People Can Be Hypnotized” This misconception couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, people who are imaginative, focused, and open-minded tend to respond best to hypnosis. These qualities allow you to engage deeply with guided imagery and therapeutic suggestions. If someone “can’t be hypnotized,” it’s usually because they were expecting something far more dramatic. Hypnosis often feels like a calm, familiar state, similar to daydreaming or deep relaxation. You’re not “out of it”; you’re simply tuned inward. Hypnosis is not something done to you. It’s a cooperative process that works when you choose to participate. Myth 3: “You’ll Reveal Secrets” No, you won’t suddenly start confessing your secrets under hypnosis. Your subconscious mind is naturally protective. It will only engage with thoughts and memories that feel safe and appropriate to explore. In clinical practice, most hypnotherapy sessions don’t even involve speaking while in hypnosis. Instead, you relax, listen, and process internally. Any conversation happens before or after, during the cognitive part of the session, and everything shared is held in strict confidence. What Science Confirms Modern research supports what hypnotherapists have known for decades: hypnosis works. Studies show that clinical hypnotherapy can:
Final Thoughts Hypnosis isn’t about losing control. It’s about gaining clarity, focus, and empowerment. It’s a collaborative process that uses the natural power of your mind to help you grow, heal, and thrive. If you’ve ever been curious about hypnosis, now you know: it’s not magic. It’s neuroscience in action. Embrace the Season of TransformationSpring is a season of renewal, growth, and fresh starts. Just as nature awakens from winter, we, too, can shed old patterns and step into a new chapter of our lives. But making changes—whether big or small—often requires more than just willpower. That’s where hypnosis comes in.
Hypnosis is a powerful tool that works with your subconscious mind to break through limiting beliefs and create lasting change. Whether you want to boost confidence, overcome fear, or establish positive habits, hypnosis can help reprogram your mind for success. Why Spring Is the Perfect Time for Hypnosis
If you're ready to welcome a fresh start this season, hypnosis can be your secret weapon for success. Embrace the power of your subconscious mind and start living the life you truly desire. I’ve been there—standing in the kitchen, staring at the fridge, knowing I shouldn't eat that snack or drink that glass of wine - I didn't even really WANT it, but feeling powerless to stop myself.
I tried all the things—counting calories, keto, Whole 30, even the “just drink more water” trick. Nothing stuck. And every time I “failed,” I felt worse about myself. Then I learned something that changed everything: Weight struggles aren’t about food. They’re about habits, emotions, and subconscious beliefs. How Hypnosis Makes Healthy Eating Effortless ✔ Rewires cravings so you naturally reach for healthier foods ✔ Stops emotional eating before it starts ✔ Teaches portion control without feeling deprived ✨ Client Insight: “I didn’t even realize I wasn’t thinking about sugar anymore… it just happened naturally after my sessions!” 💡 Tired of yo-yo dieting? Let’s make weight loss effortless. 📅 Book Your First Session  Chronic pain, defined as a pain that lasts for more than three months, has become one of the most persistent and debilitating health issues in the United States. In 2021, Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that “approximately 50 million U.S. adults—one in five—experience chronic pain.” This pain may be constant or recurring but always impacts our ability to manage the demands of daily life.
Although chronic pain sometimes has an obvious cause, such as an injury or illness, psychological factors can also lead to chronic pain. Some common conditions associated with chronic pain include arthritis, depression, fibromyalgia, and migraines. Chronic pain interferes with sleep, appetite, and mobility. Experiencing chronic pain also affects our mental and emotional health, increasing our stress and anxiety. In addition, chronic pain can be very isolating. People struggling with pain often hesitate to seek support because they fear being dismissed or misunderstood. Hypnosis has always been a powerful pain management tool. Most research focuses on the analgesic effect of hypnosis; however, we can also use hypnosis to improve our quality of life through better sleep, reduced anxiety, and increased self-esteem. Hypnosis for pain relief typically involves therapeutic imagery. For example, imagining a peaceful, relaxing scene in nature activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which plays a vital role in helping the body recover from physical and emotional stress. We can also use guided imagery to decrease our heart rate, lower our blood pressure, and reduce tension. Guided imagery redirects the mind away from thoughts of discomfort or distress, making room for calm, healing thoughts. This state of relaxation increases our endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers. Health coaching can also be a viable option for those struggling with chronic pain. A qualified health and wellness coach has the time and expertise to assess your unique experience with pain and determine how this pain has impacted your life. The right coach will work with you to create a wellness plan that allows you to manage your pain through the development of healthy habits such as following an anti-inflammatory diet, maintaining your physical therapy routine, or practicing mindfulness. The motivation and understanding a health coach provides will enhance the effects of a pain management plan and may reduce the need for prescription medication in the future. |
Archives
January 2026
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
HoursMonday - Friday
9 am - 5 pm |
Telephone571-248-0695
|
|