We begin with an introductory discussion during which I answer any further questions you may have.  Then, when you are ready, I induce a trance that begins by asking you to take deep breaths, to relax and to focus on my voice.  This trance allows your subconscious mind to come forward and “take the lead “during the rest of our session.

You will be aware and conscious during our entire session and will remember everything that occurs.

        The hypnotheraputic trance process is unique because usually our conscious minds are in control of our interactions even though the core roots of our issues are buried in our subconscious minds. Without the hypnotherapy process, your subconscious mind usually has no way of making itself known in a helpful way.  The trance state simply allows your conscious mind to take a back seat, thus freeing your subconscious mind to finally communicate what it really needs.

       During the process itself, you will remain fully aware of everything that is being communicated and will be able to incorporate all the new information and healing tools that emerge when your session is complete.

       When you do emerge from your trance state, you will usually feel refreshed and filled with new and useful insights.  We will then have a brief follow-up session to answer any questions you have and to share my own observations with you.

This is a common misconception, and the short answer is “no”.  You will remain conscious throughout our session and will remember everything afterward. 

Additionally, as a practitioner of “Client-Centered” Hypnotherapy, I am committed to ensuring that your own subconscious “leads” the process while you are in a hypnotic trance state.  My role as your hypnotherapist is to guide, assist, and clarify, intervening only when needed to support the bridge being created between your conscious and subconscious mind.

This is also a common concern.  In reply, let me ask you a series of short questions:

• Have you ever been engrossed in a suspense or horror movie and someone taps you on the shoulder without warning? Did you jump about 5 feet and yell? 🙂
• Have you ever begun to throw a frisbee or ball for a dog who insists that you continue the game? Do you soon find yourself daydreaming, no longer noticing your immediate surroundings as you continue to repeat the throwing action automatically?
• Do you remember enduring boring classes when you were a kid—or dull staff meetings as an adult? Do you recall “zoning out” by imagining all the other places you’d rather be, until soon, your daydreams became more vivid than the voices in the room you were actually in?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you are familiar with a “trance state”.  We put ourselves into self-induced trance almost daily.  Another common example is a time you may have experienced getting into a car heading towards a familiar destination—then arriving with no memory of the actual drive!

So, essentially, most of us have little difficulty relaxing into a trance.  As a hypnotherapist, I am also trained in specific techniques effective with clients who may have slightly more difficulty achieving trance.