Most Common Questions

Although the term hypnosis is derived from the Greek word for sleep, hypnosis is not actually sleep. As a clinical experience, hypnosis is simply a deep state of relaxation and amplified inward focus and concentration.

When in light to medium states of hypnosis, your brain waves are in the alpha state which is similar to just before you fall asleep and when you are just waking up.

Like other states of consciousness—such as normal waking consciousness, sleep, dreaming, and intoxication from various drugs—the experience of hypnosis is unique to the person experiencing it. So although there are features of the hypnotic state that are common among people who are hypnotized, it is never exactly the same from one person to another, nor is it the same each time the same person is hypnotized. It depends highly on the client's desire to relax and choice to follow the hypnotherapist's suggestions.

The issues, behaviors and symptoms that Hypnotherapy is known to transform are endless. There is so much research to demonstrate the efficacy of hypnotherapy that it is impossible to list it all here. Please see the efficacy and research section of this website.

Research backs hypnotherapy as a treatment for physical problems such as pain management, fibromyalgia, IBS and other gastrointestinal difficulties, migraines, and much more.

It's also demonstrated effective tool to assist with accomplishing personal goals like test-taking, sports performance enhancement, confidence and self-esteem building, getting over stage fright and public speaking fears, etc., and habit changes, like quitting smoking, losing weight, stopping nail biting, etc.

Hypnotherapy is also a remarkable modality known to help client's relax, manage stress, and overcome fears and phobias, as well as increase intimacy, improve communication, and manage emotions (i.e. anger, depression or anxiety, etc).

Hypnosis allows us to bypass the critical factor in the conscious mind and access your subconscious mind where all of your learned emotional responses, unhelpful beliefs and memories are stored. In other words, hypnosis allows us direct access to uncover whatever is sabotaging your highest intentions and keeping you from living the life you desire.

Research shows that the mind is connected to the body, meaning the body immediately responds with a physiological response, or a felt sense, to both positive and negative thoughts and emotions. Hypnosis creates the perfect state for awareness of that felt sense, as the hypnotherapist also helps the client understand the cause of that felt sense. That felt sense becomes a gauge for the hypnotherapist to measure positive change during the session. The client also learns to listen to their body felt senses as a signal to address any negative thoughts and emotions before they impact their physical and mental health.

Hypnosis is a pathway to learning. Our subconscious mind has many learned negative behaviors (habits) from years of reinforcement. During hypnosis, these behaviors are deconstructed before we introduce healthier behaviors (choices) during hypnosis. We are actually creating new neural pathways after we disconnect the old negative thought loops and transform them with powerful protocols and positive suggestions and visualizations.

Hypnosis is simply a process of natural experience and learning, so most people can be hypnotized as long as they choose to relax, to learn, accept suggestions, and to be creative.

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, in that it's up to you to want change, to choose to follow your hypnotherapist's suggestions, and to choose to relax. Simply want hypnosis to work and it will.

If for some reason you are distracted or have concerns that keep you from concentrating, simply let your hypnotherapist know and they will be happy to guide you into a process of hypnosis that is more comfortable or secure for you.

Of course, mood altering drugs can affect your mind’s ability to follow directions, relax or experience hypnosis. For this reason, you should never use any mood altering drugs prior to any hypnosis session, and you should report any medications you are currently taking to your hypnotherapist.

Hypnosis purposefully induces the alpha or theta brave wave states, or light to deep states of hypnosis, depending on the issue being addressed. It is a natural, yet altered state of mind similar to a phenomena that occurs in everyone’s life like when you are just falling asleep and you know you could open your eyes and get up, but it feels so good you simply choose not to, or when you get in your car after work and drive the 30 minutes home, and then wonder if you actually stopped at all the stoplights along the way.

In this natural, yet altered state of consciousness, your mind and body are deeply relaxed, yet you will experience a hyper-focused inward focus that allows you to circumvent your conscious critical mind.

Hypnosis is a totally natural state; it is safe, effective and has no side effects. We simply utilize our mind's natural ability to create healthy bodies and make healthy decisions with natural, safe, and effective methods of problem resolution to make our lives better.

It is important to realize that all characteristics of hypnosis naturally occur all the time, for everyone throughout the day. In ordinary life, we use the creative part of the mind, we accomplish tasks by utilizing the subconscious learnings of our mind, and we experience states of relaxation. In clinical hypnosis, we are simply using the ordinary mental processes of the subconscious mind in a systemic way to solve problems that are destructive in life.

In hypnosis you are always fully aware and fully in control. You can not be made to do anything thing that would be against your morals or ethics. You can always reject a suggestion given, but all suggestions, affirmations and visualizations are co-created by the client and their hypnotherapist.

Some religious groups use trance for meditation or attaining “spiritual enlightenment,” yet in hypnotherapy, the only religious beliefs that are spoken of are that of the client's in order to meet the client from their own philosophical world view.

We simply use the natural functions of concentration, relaxation, and the natural abilities of our subconscious mind to resolve difficulties that have caused us problems in life. This is something any healthy religion would actually encourage people to do.

Our goal is to help you meet your desired goals as quickly as possible, so you can get on with your new healthy, happy life. Initially, you will be asked to commit to 3 sessions. Then you can decide if you want to schedule single follow-up sessions or purchase a package of 3, 5 or 10 at discounted rates.

Your personal relaxation, well-being, and sense of comfort are our greatest concerns. When you come for your session, you will see that we offer other wellness modalities in our center, which you are welcome to explore with a free tour at your request and convenience, with no expectations or obligations.

Your hypnotherapy session will begin as we explore the issue you would like to resolve and determine your goals. During the entire session your hypnotherapist will be glad to answer any questions or concerns you may have and will continuously explain what's happening as we go along. You will enjoy the comfort of a recliner where you will experience deep relaxation and acute inward focus from the hypnotic process, before moving through a powerful protocol.

It's important to know that every session is about your needs and desires. The Hypnotherapist's role is to guide you to realize your highest intentions and potential. Through a series of questions, your innate wisdom will surface and after a powerful healing process, your hypnotherapist will deliver your own words back to you with repetition so that your subconscious will have time to re-absorb it's own wisdom.

During the hypnotic session, the office lights may be dimmed, but they are always on and you will be offered water and a cozy throw for comfort. Anytime a restroom break is needed, just ask, no problem. Even if you are in the hypnotic state, your hypnotherapist can count you up and then return you to hypnosis.

Most first sessions are meant to gently introduce you to hypnotherapy and create momentum for powerful positive transformation. A hypnotic programming recording will be sent to you via email following the session. Follow-up sessions will depend on where you are in respect to your goals what you have observed in the time between sessions.

Hypnotherapy is completely safe. Your comfort is of the utmost importance to us. The majority of people report feeling invigorated, energetic, relaxed and happy.

Please note: If you are being treated with psychotropic medications or have certain psychiatric diagnoses, you will want to share this with your hypnotherapist, but hypnosis is generally viewed as a safe process with no side effects.

You are in full control at all times. All hypnosis is actually self-hypnosis; a hypnotist merely guides you into your own experience of deep relaxation and acute focus.

A good analogy is that of the hypnotist sitting in the passenger seat of a car, reading map directions to the driver (the client). The driver can listen and follow the suggestions given by the passenger, or they can choose to go their own way, because the driver is always in control.

A person who is hypnotized can open their eyes at any time, and the hypnotist cannot make someone do something that they otherwise would not want to do.

Larson Hypnotherapy 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.

We do not file insurance claims on behalf of our clients, however we will give you a receipt for the services we provide, and some insurance companies may reimburse you for the cost of our services. Some employers may pay for certain programs, up front or through reimbursement, however, that is something you must work out with your employer.

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

You can also check with your insurance company to see if you can use your health savings account to pay for the sessions tax free.

At Larson Hypnotherapy we value the therapeutic relationship other professionals have with their clients. When warranted we can 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, we prefer 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.

If you have a diagnosed medical issue, you will need to request a referral from your doctor if we are working on that specific symptom.