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An introduction to my Portland hypnosis / hypnotherapy counseling focus
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a proven method of treatment for conditions and symptoms that involve a mental or emotional component. If a person's attitude, expectations, beliefs, feelings, needs, or self-image factor in a way that his or her particular problem is experienced, then that problem can benefit from hypnosis.
As a clinical hypnotherapist certified by the 12,000 member National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), I practice in downtown Portland Oregon. I practice hypnotherapy for the short-term specific and immediate therapeutic relief that it can provide my clients for conditions and symptoms including those listed below.
My hypnotherapy practice is distinguished from the majority of my fellow hypnotists in several important respects: 1) my expertise in hypnosis has been recogized by NGH as qualifying me to teach and train hypnotists for certification; 2) unlike most other hypnotists, I have an extensive eduational background in psychology including not only a bachelor degree and a master degree in psychology, but also trainings in additional counseling modalities including training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming by the founder of NLP.
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a profound state of relaxation and single-pointed attention in which the mind's critical thinking faculty is relaxed so as to allow direct communication with the unconscious for the purpose of benefiting the client. It is a very
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Wondering what it's like to be in a hypnosis trance? Nothing at all like in the movies! Check out the link on the left. |
Being in a trance is an everyday phenomenon that we each experience. When we watch TV, become absorbed in a book, or when driving on a freeway and missing our exit, we are in trance. Hypnosis differs from these everyday trances in that in hypnosis you are intentionally guided into trance by the hypnotherapist for a beneficial purpose.
Common myths about hypnosis
Will I lose control without knowing it? No. A hypnotist does not possess the power to control other persons' minds. All the hypnotist does is guide you to a profound state of relaxation that you, the client, allow. That's it. If you don't want to reveal something that is private, you won't. Moreover, in fact all of your senses are heightened when in the hypnotic state.
Will I lose consciousness? Television and Hollywood have promoted this misunderstanding of hypnosis. No you will not lose consciousness. In fact you will be even more awake during hypnosis than before. You will be aware of everything I say.
Can I be made to do something against my will? Hollywood films like The Manchurian Candidate perpetuate the myth that a hypnotized person can be made to do something against her will. This is nonsense. In hypnosis, the hypnotherapist cannot make you to do anything against your will or your values. If the hypnotherapist were to give you a suggestion that was against your will or your values, then you would simply ignore the hypnotherapist or waken yourself out of the hypnotic state.
What about those performers on stage? A hypnotist who perform on stage making audience members do comic things practices stage hypnotism. The hypnotist who practice stage hypnotism is very different from the hypnotherapist who practices clinical hypnotherapy. Before the act, the stage hypnotist will "smooze" with the audience, determining which persons are suggestible and likely to be the life of the party. Later on stage, the hypnotist will select these audience members. In hypnosis, these audience members will like attention they get; they will like being 'on stage.' Whatever they may do on stage doesn't go against their innate values. Rather it complements their wanting to be the center of attention.
Can I be stuck in hypnosis? No one has ever been stuck in hypnosis. You can't be stuck in hypnosis any more than you can get stuck in a daydream. Were a person to not be emerged from hypnosis by the hypnotist, then all that would happen is that the person would fall asleep and awaken naturally.
Will I reveal my secrets? Some people believe incorrectly that under hypnosis they can be forced to reveal secrets about themselves and others. This is not true. As a client you are aware of everything while you are bieng hypnotized, and so this surely could not happen. You can talk in hypnosis, if necessary. You can fib in hypnosis just as easily.
What are some of the conditions hypnotherapy is effective in treating?
As described by the Oregon Hypnotherapy, clinical hypnotherapy has been found to be effective complementary health therapy in treating the following health, performance, and personal conditions. In providing the following list, I want to emphasize that while hypnotherapy can be very effective in treating these conditions, hypnotherapy does not always treat the client's character issues that often may be found to be the root psychosomatic cause of the conditions. Nevertheless, for very many of my clients, just healing or alleviating a distressing condition is all the relief for which they long.
| Common Complaints that Hypnotherapy Can Help | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chronic Pain | Phobias | Stress |
| Anxiety | Insomnia | Body/Mind Relaxation * |
| Weight Loss | Quit Smoking * | Self-Hypnosis |
| Panic Attacks | Public Speaking * | Stuttering |
Health Complaints that Hypnotherapy Can Help |
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| Allergies | Fibromyalgia | Pain relief |
| Arthritis | Gastro-intestinal disorders | Skin diseases |
| Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) | Impotence | Smoking cessation * |
| Candida | Insomnia | Snoring |
| Childbirth | Irritable bowel syndrome | Sports injuries |
| Chronic fatigue | Krohns disease | Tinnitus |
| Eczema | Migraines | Ulcers |
| Warts | ||
Unproductive Habits that Hypnotherapy Can Help |
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| Anger | Nervous Habits | Post-natal depression |
| Blushing | Nervous Tics | Premature ejaculation |
| Bruxism (Teeth grinding) | Obsessions | Procrastination |
| Enuresis (bed wetting) | Oversleeping | Shyness |
| Knuckle Popping | Poor self-confidence | Swearing |
| Nail biting | Poor self-esteem | Worry |
Self-Improvement Areas that Hypnotherapy Can Help |
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| Assertiveness | Expanding Awareness | Problem solving |
| Communication | Goal achievement | Public speaking * |
| Creativity | Habit removal | Sales motivation |
| Creative thinking | Handling criticism | Self hypnosis |
| Creative visualization | Memory recall | Self image |
| Creative writing | Motivation to exercise | Self improvement |
| Decision making | Overcoming blockages | Sports performance |
| Dream Interpretation | Performance | Stress reduction |
| Dream Recall | Positive thinking | Team performance |
| Effective speaking | Priority and goal setting | |
Learning Abilities that Hypnotherapy Can Help |
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| Concentration | Exam taking | Reading faster |
| Study habits | ||
Topics above that were asterisked (*) have special pages that especially discuss the application of hypnotherapy to the topic. See the "Special Hypnotherapy Topics" below. |
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What happens in a hypnotherapy session with Michael?
In a typical first hypnotherapy session, I will first take your case history. Then I will then take as much time as you need to explain hypnosis to you, so that you feel comfortable, safe, and relaxed. In order to alleviate your curiosity, I also will explain the different steps that we will take during your hypnosis experience.
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You should be to check things out without having to pay for answers to question like "Can hypnosis work for my needs?" "Is the "chemistry" right?" That's why I offer complimentary consultations. |
I then will hypnotize you. In our first session, usually this may take less than 10 minutes. Different visualizations such as a walk in a garden, a trip to the beach, or walking down a staircase may be used to deepen your hypnotic relaxation. When you are sufficiently hypnotized, then I will give therapeutic post-hypnotic suggestions that are suitable to your complaint. To make better use of your time, I also will teach you a method whereby in following sessions you can quickly enter the hypnotic state. Finally I will emerge you out of trance with suggestions that you feel wonderfully relaxed and energized.
Presuming that you give your permission, our hypnosis session will be recorded onto CD or tape as requested by you. At the end of the session, I will give you a copy of the recording for you to take home and use in self-hypnosis as a way of furthering the effectiveness of your hypnotherapy treatment.
Special Hypnotherapy Topic Discussions
For the topics that were asterisked (*) in the above table of complaints for which hypnotherapy is beneficial, I have created special extensive discussions about how hypnotherapy may be applied to benefit you. Please click below on the special topic discussion of your choice:
Stop Smoking with Hypnosis
How long is a typical course of hypnotherapy?
Typically, a course of hypnotherapy will average three sessions. Some conditions are successfully treated in one session. Others conditions slightly longer - perhaps up to 6 sessions. Rarely does the client require more than 6 sessions.
As a hypnotist who wants his clients to benefit the most from each hypnotherapy session, I try to enhance my clients' hypnotherapy experiences by providing them with CD recordings of their hypnotherapy sessions. That way you can continue to benefit from and reinforce your hypnotherapy work in the convenience of your own home and on your own time.
What distinguishes my practice from other hypnotherapists?
There is an old saying, "If the only tool you have is a hammer, you'll treat everything like a nail." Most fellow hypnotists and hypnotherapists have no training in other helping modalities. They presume to treat everything as a nail.
My hypnotherapy practice is distinguished from the majority of my fellow hypnotists in several important respects: 1) my expertise in hypnosis has been recogized by NGH as qualifying me to teach and train hypnotists for certification; 2) unlike the vast majority of hypnotists, I have an extensive eduational background in psychology including not only a bachelor degree and a master degree in psychology, but also trainings in additional counseling modalities including training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming by the founder of NLP, somatic psychology, Focusing, and other practices. I am able to bring to my work the added value of a toolkit of modalities.
Consider a free consultation
Counseling is a transformative relationship shared by two persons. So, it is important that you take the time to check out counselor with whom you might work. Is the chemistry right for you? Does the therapist's background and abilities meet your needs? Would a referral be appropriate? Because I believe that it is important that you explore such questions at no cost to you before beginning work, I offer prospective clients the opportunity to meet with me for a free 50-minute consultation.
How do I arrange a complimentary consultation or a hypnotherapy session?
The easiest way to arrange a complimentary consultation or hypnotherapy session is to use the "Book your appointment online" link in the column to the left. There you can book a consultation (or any appointment) at a day and time of your convenience. Of course this can be done by phone (503.226.2771) or email, but my busy practice may result in my not replying to you in a timely manner.
My counseling offices are located in Portland and Vancouver. Maps for and directions to my offices may be found using the "Directions to My Office" link in the left column.
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