Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy for Your Well-Being and Personal Growth
My Hypnotherapy practice offers a proven complementary health method of working with 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.
What is hypnosis?
Trance is defined as an altered state of focused attention. Being in a trance is an everyday phenomenon that we typically experience several times a day. For example, when we watch TV, or when driving on a freeway and missing our exit, we often are actually in a trance.
Hypnotic trance differs from these everyday trances in that it happens intentionally, and it is applied to a therapeutic purpose. Wondering what it's like to be in a trance? Nothing at all like in the movies! Check out the What is it like to be in a hypnosis trance?.
You experience trance as both profound relaxation and also focused attention. Together this relaxation and focus quiets the critical thinking ability which in turn allows your mind's magnificent powers to be elicited, motivated, and directed to bring relief to your client's concerns. Specifically how it works, can be found here >> "How Hypnosis Works".
Common myths
Thanks to the movies and television, many misconceptions exist about what hypnosis is and what it can and cannot do. Let me debunk some of those myths:
Will I lose control without knowing it? No. I do not possess the power to control other persons' minds. All that I do is guide you to a profound state of relaxation wherein therapeutic change can occur. All of your senses are present; you know are aware of everything.
Will I lose consciousness? Television and Hollywood have promoted this misunderstanding. No you will not lose consciousness when you are in trance. In fact it is normal, natural, and correct that you hear everything I say.
Can I be made to do something against my will? Hollywood films like The Manchurian Candidate would have you think so, but that's nonsense. In hypnosis, you cannot be made to do anything against your will or your values. If the therapist were to give you a suggestion that was against your will or your values, then you would simply ignore it, or bring yourself out of trance.
Can I be stuck in trance? No one has ever been stuck in trance. You can't be stuck in trance any more than you can get stuck in a daydream. Were a client to not be emerged from trance, then all that would happen is that the client would fall asleep and awaken naturally.
Will I reveal my secrets? Some people believe incorrectly that when in trance 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 in trance, and so this could not happen against your will. You can talk in trance, if necessary. You can fib just as easily.
With which conditions and issues can hypnotherapy help?
There are so many therapeutic applications for this powerful complementary health modality. A list of some of the more common issues and complaints with which I have worked can be found here >>> "Which conditions and issues can hypnotherapy help?"
In addition, there are some very popular applications which have their own discussion pages. They include these topical links:
What happens in a session with Michael?
In a typical first 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 session.
Then I will guide you into trance. Usually this may take less than 10 minutes. I will then give you therapeutic suggestions that are suitable to your complaint.
At the end of the session, I will give you a CD recording of your session for you to take home. Each time you listen to your recording, you will go into trance, thereby compounding the effectiveness of your work. That way you can continue to benefit from and reinforce your inner work in the convenience of your own home .
How many sessions will it take?
Typically, our working together will average three sessions. Some conditions are successfully worked with in one session. Others conditions slightly longer - perhaps up to 6 sessions. Rarely would a client require more than 6 sessions.
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 of my fellow practitioners have no training in other helping modalities. They can only address every client symptom as a nail.
My practice is distinguished from the majority of my fellow practitioners in several important respects. Unlike my fellow practitioners, my educational background includes not only a bachelor degree and a master degree in psychology, and trainings in additional counseling modalities (see "About Michael").
Consider a free consultation
I believe that it is important that you have the opportunity to explore your interest in hypnotherapy at no cost to you. Therefore I offer prospective clients the opportunity to meet with me for a 50-minute complimentary consultation.
The easiest way to arrange a consultation or hypnotherapy session is to use this "Online Appointment Booking" link. There you can book your appointment at a day and time of your convenience. Of course this can be done by phone (503.226.2771) or email, but given my busy practice, I may not reply to you in a timely manner.
Directions and maps to my near-downtown office may be found using this "Portland office location" link.
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