FAQ

frequently asked questions

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a state of superconsciousness with physical relaxation and focused concentration. Hypnosis is the science related to brain wave activity, a state between sleep and awake with lowered conscious brain wave activity. 

Hypnosis is a natural state of mind, experienced by every person, several times a day. You’ve experienced it when driving down the highway and lose yourself in thought. You live it when you are in the dreamlike state just before you fall asleep, while exercising, in the shower, dancing, daydreaming, or while meditating. 

While in a hypnotic state, your mind is more receptive to positive suggestion for your own greatest good and highest benefit. To work on behavior modification, trauma work, and transformation. Hypnosis can be used to help you gain control over undesired behaviors or to help you cope better with anxiety or pain. It’s important to know that although you’re more open to suggestion during hypnosis, you don’t lose control over your behavior. Hypnosis opens your mind to manifest positive change.

What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy allows bypassing of the rational, critical mind and increases one’s capability to release emotions, revealing self-limiting misconceptions, and make lasting personal transformations.

It’s entirely unlike stage hypnosis which is for comedy and entertainment. Hypnotherapy is an empowering process, and people retain their power of choice/free will throughout. 

No matter how direct or authoritative the suggestions received from a therapist, a therapist cannot put a client into hypnosis without the client’s desire to enter that state. So, all hypnosis is actually self-hypnosis.  And motivated, willing participants achieve meaningful success.

Is it possible to get stuck in hypnosis?

No. It is impossible, just like trying to stay asleep for an extended period. Your body just wakes up or falls asleep, they are natural states. A person can drift off to sleep from the delta brainwave state (the deepest level of hypnosis). If that happens, you would wake up as you normally do after falling asleep.

Is hypnosis dangerous?

No, hypnosis is a natural state we experience every day. Thats like saying meditation, daydreaming, or positive self talk is dangerous. It’s a non invasive modality and approach. with any other profession, the person behind the tool can be dangerous. Is the person qualified and trained? Is the practitioner unethical, reckless, or negligent? Work with a practitioner that you trust and makes you feel comfortable, and you will have a wonderful experience. 

Are there any side effects of Hypnosis? 

  Some clients may experience coming out of hypnosis a bit groggy, the same way that you may feel after having slept all night. Drinking water before and immediate after your session will help clear this up quickly.

is hypnosis contrary to religious beliefs?

Hypnosis is a science, so it works regardless of your belief system. Just like gravity. You can not believe in it, but it still works.  Every single person experiences a certain degree of hypnosis every day of their life – regardless of personal religious belief. Today, most religious groups accept the proper ethical use of hypnosis for helping people.  I work respectfully with any religion, spiritual belief, or lack thereof. 

Is hypnosis a form of mind control?

This is a common fear. It’s not a form of mind control, but it is a form of mind power. You can’t force someone to be hypnotized. You are helping them bring something out of them they already have. Empowering the client to empower themselves to create the tools they want. It’s a self empowerment tool. Any suggestion that is not in alignment with your belief system will not be received. 

Will my personality change if/after I’m hypnotized?

Even if you wanted to change your personality, you wouldn’t be able to. You are who you are, but we can change behavior. How you smoke, behave, act, or procrastinate. Your personality is established by the time you are 6. The conscious mind is behavior, the subconscious is your personality. We are changing conscious behaviors. 

Can I be hypnotized against my will?

Yes and No.  All hypnosis is essentially self regulated, you have to be a participant in the process. No one can make you asleep if you decide to stay awake. If at any time a suggestion is made that goes against your beliefs, morals, or is something you are against, your conscious mind will instantly snap you wide awake. In hypnotherapy I ask for permission and a binding contract. I need you to be a participant and want to be hypnotized for an effective session. Can you hypnotize someone without consent, yes. Chances are you have been hypnotized with marketing or certain repetitive politicians. There are people out there that choose to use it maliciously. 

Will I remember anything?

About 70% remember the session in their entirety, or most of it.  About 30% of people experience complete amnesia, with no recollection what so ever. This has nothing to do with depth of hypnosis or what brain state you are in, it is a switch that some people have and it may be appropriate for you to not consciously remember everything on that session. Regardless the subconscious mind will remember.

What does hypnosis feel like?

In my office I often use progressive relaxation techniques and guided imagery. You will feel comfortable and relaxed, yet quite aware. It feels a lot like the experience you have when you are focusing on something you really enjoy and have pushed aside the distractions of the day. 

Will I be asleep during my session?

No, you will actually be in an alpha, theta, or delta brainwave state. They are states of lowered conscious brain wave activity, the states between being awake and asleep.  If you were asleep you would just dream away and would never benefit from your session.  The word sleep is a stage hypnotist term because it is easily understood, but we are not asking you to actually sleep. 

Will I be aware?

Hypnosis is actually a state of heightened awareness. You will always know where you are, you will always know who you are with, and you will always have all faculties about you. I will be teaching you hypnotic methods, and you will practice these techniques and I will give you feedback.

How long will my results last?

No way to really tell since everyone responds differently.  We cant predict human behavior. Hypnotherapy is one of the most if not the most effective because we work so intimately with the subconscious mind where the problems originate. Clients often see rapid, long lasting, and in most cases permanent results.  I also specialize in block removals, removing any blocks you have to success has also added to lasting results. 

Do you offer a guarantee?

No, because I cannot predict human behavior.  This process takes two. Just like with a gym membership and personal trainer, you have all the tools, but you have to show up and do the work. If you come with a strong why, and follow instructions, you will be successful. 

What if I cant be hypnotized?

Everyone can be hypnotized, and generally the people who don’t believe they can, go the deepest and the fastest. It is a natural state that you experience every day. Children above 2 can be hypnotized. 

How many sessions will I need?

Once I assess you and get to know your needs and a picture of what is going on, I can recommend a package for you. There may be underlying issues that need to be addressed prior to addressing your main goal.  Many times, hypnosis is a last result, and a client may have been in therapy for decades or tried multiple modalities. In comparison, hypnosis certainly will be more rapid results. Until we start working together we don’t know how strait forward it is or if there is an underlying cause. Typically for anyone issue, generally no more than a handful of sessions is required. 

Results of a comparative study by American Health magazine found:  Psychoanalysis: 38% recovery after 600 sessions. Behavior Therapy: 72% recovery after 22 sessions. Hypnotherapy: 93% recovery after 6 sessions. 

Do I have to come every week, over and over again?

Hypnosis is not something I do to you, it is something I do with you and teach you. My goal is for you to succeed with the skills you learn, so that you can apply them all day every day without being in my office. Autonomy is a central goal, and I usually see people for 3-6 sessions on average. I want you to live hypnotically!  You will be learning self-hypnosis so that you can take the learnings of our sessions into your real world.

Can I bring a friend to my session?

Actually you can, if that person is supportive of you goals and you chose to permit them. Sometimes couples and friends share the same goals, in which case I can also do the session with you and your partner or friend (a couples discount can be applied for two or more people in a session). West Coast Hypnosis Center can also be done in small groups for corporate wellness and other purposes.

If I purchase a package of sessions, do they have an expiration date?

Sessions may be used up to one year after purchase. 

Can I gift my sessions to friends and family?

Yes absolutely!  Just let me know they are authorized to use your sessions and how many. Many families purchase packages and share who uses them. 

Can I gift my free referral sessions?

Yes of course!  You may gift your earned referral sessions to anyone you like, just let me know who will be redeeming the sessions. They also must be redeemed within one year of earning them. 

Do you offer services besides hypnotherapy? 

Yes, I still offer clairvoyant energy readings and healings for those that are interested.  I can even combine it with hypnosis for an even deeper impact. This is also a wonderful alternative to regression and timeline work. 

Do you offer Law of Attraction services?

Yes, absolutely!  This is one of my favorite topics, and it has given me profound personal results. 

I have heard that hypnosis can help you improve your intuition, is that true?

Intuition is natural to all of us. It is an innate function of the right brain hemisphere which is most active during childhood. Just like you can lose muscle when you don’t use it – and you can build it back up again when you exercise, you can lose and regain your intuition. Many self-hypnosis techniques that involve imagery, visualization and imagination, stimulate right-brain functioning so it is natural for your intuition to improve over time. I also have sessions specific to increasing your intuition. 

How do virtual or phone hypnosis sessions work?

Not much differently than in-person sessions other than you’re not in the same physical space. In most cases, you just need to be able to hear my voice. While it is helpful for me to be able to see you, I may ask you to nod your head, or look for cues for how deeply hypnotized you are, it’s not a requirement to see you. 

are hypnosis sessions confidential?

West Coast Hypnosis Center will release no information about our clients or their sessions to anyone without the client’s express written permission. We treat your information just as any doctor’s office would – with strict confidentiality.

As a registered nurse, I am a mandated reporter and exceptions include: 

• Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately. 
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim. 
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are required of me by law in order to ensure their safety.

can hypnosis treat my _________?

Hypnosis is not a substitute for appropriate medical attention. Statements and services offered on this web site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness. When dealing with a physical illness or disease always consult a qualified physician. Although hypnosis is recognized as a first line intervention, I ask that you have seen a physician first and been properly diagnosed, especially for pain, medical, and psychological disorders. For certain medical hypnosis sessions, I may ask for the go ahead from your treating physician.

Do you take insurance?

I do not offer insurance billing services. I do work with a third party biller if you would like assistance. Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Some employers may pay for certain programs, up front or through reimbursement, however, that is something you must work out with your employer. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:

• How much is my coverage for an out-of-network provider?
• Do I have mental health insurance benefits?
• What is my deductible and has it been met?
• How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

All services provided must be paid in full, in advance, unless prior arrangements have been made. We accept cash, money orders, Master Card, Discover Card, Visa, American Express, PayPal, and Venmo.

can I get a tax credit for smoking cessation or weight loss?

You Can Get 100% Reimbursement for your Weight Loss and/or Smoking Cessation Hypnotherapy Programs with an I.R.S. Tax Credit! Tax laws passed for 2003 onwards mean you can get a tax credit that reimburses you 100% for money paid for smoking programs. You can also be reimbursed 100% for weight loss programs if you were advised by a physician to lose weight. This is a tax credit – not a tax deduction, so that means 100% credit on your taxes!

The information below is presented as a courtesy and is quoted from pages 12 and 15 of IRS Publication 502 year 2003. It is your responsibility to consult your tax preparer for updates.

Stop-Smoking Programs: You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay for a program to stop smoking. However, you cannot include in medical expenses amounts you pay for drugs that do not require a prescription, such as nicotine gum or patches that are designed to help stop smoking.

Weight-Loss Programs: You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay to lose weight if it is a treatment for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes or heart disease). This includes fees you pay for membership in a weight reduction group and attendance at periodic meetings. You cannot include membership dues in a gym, health club, or spa as medical expenses, but you can include separate fees charged there for weight loss activities.

How to Report: To claim the credit, complete Form 8885, Health Coverage Tax Credit, and attach it to your Form 1040 or Form 1040NR. Report the credit on Form 1040, line 67, or Form 1040NR, line 62, and check box c. You cannot claim the credit on Form 1040A or Form 1040EZ.

You must attach invoices and proof of payment for any amounts you include on line 2 of Form 8885 for which you did not receive an advance payment. If you file your return electronically, attach the invoices and proof of payment to your Form 8453. Proof of payment may include a pay stub if insurance is through a spouse’s employment, a bank check, or bank statement for premiums that are automatically deducted from your account.

If you claim this credit, you cannot take the same expenses that you use to figure your health coverage tax credit into account in determining your: Medical and dental expenses on Schedule A (Form 1040) Self-employed health insurance deduction, or Archer Medical Savings Account (MSA) distributions.

Do you work with other providers of healthcare?

At West Coast Hypnosis Center we value the therapeutic relationship other professionals have with their clients. We work with other professionals collaboratively to help resolve specific issues. We do not offer services that are a substitute for medical, chiropractic, dental or psychological care, instead preferring to work collaboratively with those who refer to us, and we refer clients who need additional care beyond our scope of practice to other licensed professionals.

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