Frequently Asked Questions

• What is hypnosis? 

Hypnosis is defined as a focused state of relaxation wherein the subconscious mind bypasses the analytical mind and is thereby open to positive, resonant suggestions.  There are different levels and states of hypnosis.  Hypnosis can occur while thumbing through a magazine, driving down the freeway, listening to the radio, or watching the billboards zoom by.  You can be hypnotized while watching television or scrolling on your cellphone.  In fact, most people spend much of their waking life in various states of hypnotic trance.  The power of hypnosis actually lies in one’s own willingness, trust, and curiosity, thus all hypnosis is ultimately self-hypnosis.

• What is a trance state?

A trance state is considered any state other than the beta state of wakefulness which is alert and analytical.  In hypnosis and hypnotherapy, most people experience dreamy trance states of deep relaxation in which one’s awareness of inner processes is heightened.

• How do I know that I’m not making it all up during a trance journey and it’s not just my imagination? 

This may be the most common question I hear, and my response is in three parts:

1. 1. Metaphor is the language of the subconscious mind.  The subconscious mind does not distinguish between outer, waking reality and dreams.  How often have you had a dream and awakened believing that the events of the dream actually had occurred in waking life?  That is the power of dreams: they often seem real whether they be night dreams, daydreams, or trance dreams.  Everything that we perceive and experience – all our memories, feelings, and habits all of which are stored in the subconscious mind and are filtered through layers of conditioning in our conscious awareness.  It is largely through the experience of intentional, positive dreams during hypnosis that healing can occur.  We get what we rehearse!
   2. You may want to ask yourself:  How do I know that anything I might experience isn’t just my imagination?  Yes, it’s true that much of  perception of outer reality is supported by consensus, but what about your unique personal perceptions, discernments, and choices?  How often have you heard disagreement from others and yet you know what is true for you.  This is a subjective inner knowing which was known as gnosis in Classical Greece.  This kind of knowing cannot typically be measured or verified by data but it’s the kind of knowing that is undeniable when you tune into inner wisdom.
   3. Why do we tend to give imagination such a bad rap?  After all, imagination is what sparks creativity, wonder and awe!  The imagination is active and free in young children, at least before socialization teaches them to be more rational, ie linear, analytical, and focused.  The imagination is associated with a natural innocence and curiosity which sadly tends to become jaded and suppressed as we become adults.  Paradoxically, the state of hypnosis is a “focused state of relaxation” which utilizes the imagination for the purpose of healing, wholeness and greater well-being.  There is much for us to discover, learn, remember, and reclaim through actively steering the imagination.  As the familiar Biblical quote goes “Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.”  And there’s also the adage…”It’s never too late to have a happy childhood!”  Alchemical hypnotherapy can be an empowering path in reclaiming your true self.

• What happens in a typical Alchemical hypnotherapy session?

After we’ve talked a bit and it’s clear what you want to work on, I will guide you into your inner world through a gentle interactive process.  This process will assist you in accessing your subconscious mind and help you to free yourself of whatever is blocking you from realizing your goals.  From this place of heightened self-awareness, you can tap into the power of your imagination and the wisdom of your inner resources to assist you in making wiser choices and activating positive changes.

• What types of issues are responsive to Alchemical hypnotherapy?

Alchemical hypnotherapy is an empowering process that is useful for transforming any unwanted habitual thought, feeling, or behavior into a healthier awareness and behavior.  It is also very effective for making difficult decisions, clarifying values, and gaining a much broader perspective on your life.  Alchemical hypnotherapy is good for anyone who wants to have greater self-awareness, self-confidence, inner peace, and self-love.

• What are the benefits or advantages of hypnotherapy as opposed to regular talk therapy?

Talk therapy certainly has its place and can be useful for gaining insights into your patterns.  However, oftentimes insights are not enough to create lasting change.  That’s because an insight occurs primarily at the level of the conscious mind while the subconscious mind is still driven by the same complexes as before.  In Alchemical hypnotherapy we discover the root cause of the issue.  I support you through any necessary catharsis and guide you as you discover untapped resources and even Inner Guides who assist you in deeply and fully imagining and experiencing a healthier and happier scenario and outcome.  This process produces positive results because the subconscious mind experiences the imaginal dreams as if it’s reality.   New inner resource states are discovered, utilized, anchored, and ratified as new healthy mental pathways are created.

• What if I can’t be hypnotized?

As mentioned above, all hypnosis is ultimately self-hypnosis.  The most important ingredients are curiosity, the willingness to trust your own inner wisdom, and your motivation to change and grow.  A touch of imagination helps to make it fun and the more you do it, the more you will want to do it because it gets results!  The inward focus of hypnosis enables you to discover the place of inner safety and self-trust from which the guidance of your own inner wisdom can emerge.  From various states of consciousness, you become more able to access your emotions, unconscious memories, insights, and intuitions, as well as your creativity, motivation, and receptivity to empowering, positive suggestions.  Your wise mind actually already knows what is needed for your healing, growth, and self-actualization.  That is what ultimately awakens you to what lies beyond your limited sense of self.

• What if I like to be in control?

Throughout the process of a trance session – even in the deepest states of hypnosis – you always have complete freedom of choice in how you select and utilize the positive suggestions offered.  In other words, you are in the driver’s seat and you are in control!