What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnosis is a practice through which direct impact on the subconscious mind is heightened. If a problem, issue, obstacle, or condition rests in or has its roots in subconscious attitudes and behaviors, then working directly with the subconscious is an expedient way of addressing those concerns.
What sorts of things can you treat? Can you help me?
That’s a tricky question. It suggests that my focus would be on the issue or the condition rather than the client’s experience. I work with people to help them achieve their objectives.
The list of possibilities is extensive. Hypnosis has proven itself in countless scientific studies to augment and speed up healing, facilitate change, control and relieve pain, reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, facilitate weight loss, and help break habits and control addictive behaviors.
When you schedule your consultation, you and I will talk about the change you desire and I’ll better be able to know if hypnosis is a viable option for what you want to accomplish.
Is online hypnosis as effective as in person?
That depends mostly on you. The simple fact is that the more you relax in our session, the better the results. Many people are quite comfortable working online and with the added advantage of being in an environment in which they feel at home. I work with quite a number of people online and they are as successful as my in-person clients.
Doesn’t hypnosis only work on weak-minded people?
No! Hypnosis works on everyone. The key to success in hypnosis is the ability to trust the process. No matter how intelligent or analytical you may be, hypnosis can work for you. Everyone has an unconscious mind, the part of our psyche that governs automatic behaviors, thoughts, and feelings.
What does hypnosis feel like?
The feelings of hypnosis appear to differ from person to person. Some experience a kind of restful awareness like daydreaming. Others may drift in and out of awareness. While still others go so deeply that without a recording, they wouldn’t remember anything about the session. Generally, first-timers may be a bit more hesitant, which is often part of the need for several sessions.
Will you make me do silly things?
A hypnotist can't make you do anything you wouldn't do anyway. But this is therapeutic hypnosis, not a stage show. Here's a secret. Those people who go on stage for a hypnotist have volunteered knowing they'd be doing silly things. In therapeutic hypnosis, you never lose control of yourself.
Will i lose consciousness?
Although we call hypnosis “sleep,” you are never really asleep. In fact, you will likely be aware of, or think you are aware of, virtually everything I say or do in the session. You are free to pay attention or allow your mind to wander. You’ll be able to react and respond throughout the session.
Will I reveal all my secrets?
No, you won't. Hypnosis is not a truth serum. You'll never say or do anything you don't want to say or do. That being said, you should know that I do not want or need to know your secrets. The efficacy of hypnosis does rely on a certain degree of honesty. I can't help you with something if you won't tell me what it is. I can only work with what you tell me. If you are concerned about confidentiality and privacy, I suggest you also visit my privacy page.
Is Hypnosis Confidential?
Yes and no. I commit to client confidentiality and make no judgments but the communication between a clinical hypnotist and a client is not privileged. I am a mandated reporter. If a client presents a credible threat to themselves or others, or if they confess to a crime for which I may be held as an accomplice before or after the fact, I must report it. If subpoenaed to testify, I must do so.
Is hypnosis mind control?
No, in fact, the goal of a therapeutic hypnotist is to get you to be more in control of your own mind rather than taking control of it for you. Instead of just reacting with your old patterns of behavior, you learn how to create and instill new ones that better fit your goals and objectives.
I don't think I can be hypnotized.
Everyone can be hypnotized, however; you can successfully resist hypnosis. If you simply allow yourself to participate, knowing that you can stop participating at any moment, you can and will be hypnotized. You never lose self-control and given the potential benefits, it doesn't make sense for anyone to come to my office and pay me for my time, and continue to resist.
Can Hypnosis Help Recover Lost Memories or Lost Articles?
Hypnosis can possibly help you find lost articles or recall certain isolated details. Still, there is no way to know until we try and there’s no way of being sure unless corroborated by actual evidence. If you’ve never been hypnotized before, it can take several sessions with no guarantee of results. Memories are not stored as factual events but as impressions and in the recall, your mind may actually fill in gaps in details that are unverifiable. Forensic hypnosis for legal purposes must be conducted under very specific circumstances and conditions to be applicable to legal proceedings. You can jeopardize your value as a witness if hypnosis is applied without following tight legal specifications.
How much does it cost?
As of August 1, 2022, the flat fee per session is $239.00. We may need a number of sessions to meet your goals. I offer prepaid multi-session packages at about a 10% discount. Visit my Pricing page for full details.
Do you offer a sliding scale?
No. I have a limited-space program called PWYC, Pay What You Can, for those who otherwise cannot afford my services. Availability is limited and we have to have a phone or zoom consultation first before I would welcome a new client into the program. Please see my pricing page for full details.
Do you sell discounted multi-session packages?
Yes, I offer packages of three and five sessions. Many new clients opt into a three-session package after their first session. The first session is always considered a stand-alone session. No commitment to a multi-session package is offered until we complete our first session. However, purchases of multi-session packages are non-refundable. You have to use the session or lose them. If more than a calendar month passes without our conducting a session, a session of the package is forfeited.
Do you make out-calls?
I prefer to work in my office or online but occasionally agree to make out-calls, most often to hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities within the greater Pittsburgh area and usually for serious illness or end-of-life work. Only rarely will I agree to go to someone’s residence. Because of the interruption of my schedule, an outcall usually costs upwards of $1075 plus travel costs whether that is mileage if I drive or other transportation (UBER) depending on time and distance.
Do You Take Insurance?
I don't take insurance directly. Some health plans will cover hypnosis but usually when it's part of a physician's prescription. I can provide a statement with appropriate codes for reimbursement if the plan covers hypnosis/hypnotherapy and you then get reimbursement.
How many sessions will it take?
It's going to be at least three sessions, but it depends on what you want to accomplish and how readily you respond to the hypnosis and hypnotic suggestion. If we are going to be effective, I need to learn how to work with you. Each individual is different. Nothing I do comes prepackaged or off-the-shelf because each person comes with a different set of needs, conditions, and goals. I try to make our sessions as efficient as possible. Generally, however, I suggest that you plan for three to five sessions.
How frequent are the sessions?
Initially, weekly but that can be stretched to two and in some cases, three weeks. Rarely we might meet more frequently for severe issues like severe anxiety, panic attacks, or severe chronic insomnia. If more than two weeks pass between sessions, we can lose some of the progress we have made. Consistent use of recordings for relaxation or better sleep, provided by me, can preserve our progress but clients have to be diligent in listening to them.
I know someone who tried it but...
Fill in the blank with whatever you'd like. The fact remains that individual experiences with hypnosis depend on a lot of factors, two of them being the client who is seeking help and the practitioner providing assistance. The best way to know if hypnosis is the right tool to use is to discuss it with me and, if appropriate, give it a try. There is no obligation after the first visit.
What about using Pre-recorded materials?
Some hypnotists sell recordings or use prepackaged materials, often of their own design, to streamline their work and supplement their income. I've even heard of some hypnotists having clients come into their offices only to sit in a chair with headphones listening to recorded sessions. My practice is client-centered, which means that while the techniques of hypnosis may look similar to those used by most other hypnotists, the content of the sessions depends on the individual goals and conditions of the client and is designed specifically for them based on the information they provide.
I don't use off-the-shelf materials. I don't package materials to sell because I would have to create a different package for each client. As a clinical hypnosis practitioner, I am more interested in helping an individual rather than treating a condition. If you are looking for prerecorded materials to use at home, there are plenty that are reasonably priced or even free online. Try YouTube. I do have a relaxation recording, a recording for better sleep, and a simple mindfulness exercise I give to all my clients for use at home.
Do you work with children?
I do work with minors only with the expressed written consent of a parent or legal guardian and with that parent or guardian present in my office. I may also need to have additional meetings with the parent, usually, this is a brief consultation after one or more of the sessions with a minor. If I agree to work with a minor, the session may be recorded, and the recording becomes part of the session record.
Other hypnotists guarantee results, Why don't you?
Honestly, it's a matter of integrity. I can't guarantee things I can't control. Hypnosis is a wonderful tool and I'm good at what I do but the success of our collaboration depends as much on you as it does on me. Most guarantees offer follow-up or repeat service, never money back. I give that to my clients anyway. While we are working together, you can email me, and I’ll respond as quickly as I can. After we have finished, you can always come in for a tune-up. Of course, there are fees for additional sessions, but you would only schedule them if you knew they would help you, not if you thought they didn’t. Guarantees are just not the way I relate to my clients. If we discover some technique doesn't work well for you, we'll do something else. I have a lot of tools in my toolbox. I can guarantee only one thing. I pledge to give you the best individualized, attention and service, to my fullest capacity.
Do you record the session?
I don't normally record sessions unless I'm working with an unaccompanied minor or on an outcall. If you want to record the session on your phone, you are welcome to do that. You just need to set your phone to airplane mode so that the session is not interrupted and bring your charger if your battery is low. There may be occasions when it may be unproductive or even counterproductive to listen to a recorded session.
I’m too far from Pittsburgh. Do you work online?
Yes, sessions are conducted through zoom. No download is required. And if I suspect that working online would be impractical for us, I can likely find a hypnotist in your area to work in person. Fees for online sessions are identical to those held in my office.