Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation, combined with heightened suggestibility and concentration.  It is a direct way to reach the subconscious, which governs our habits and behavior.  While you are deeply relaxed, your hypnotherapist makes positive suggestions about what changes you are ready to make in your life.   You visualize these changes and, after the session is complete, you naturally act on the suggestions to achieve your goals.   Hypnosis works to help you change your life through the power of your mind!

And yes, hypnosis really works! Check out the comments from satisfied clients on my Testimonials tabs.

Hypnosis is a state of relaxed awareness.  There are three different states of hypnosis.  In a “light state”, you consciously hear everything I’m saying.  In a “medium state”, which is the most common, you may find yourself daydreaming during hypnosis.  You’ll hear me say certain things, then you’ll daydream, then you’ll bring yourself back to what I’m saying, and so on.  In a “deep state”, you don’t hear much of the hypnosis on a conscious level, but your subconscious mind hears everything.  Hypnosis works just as well no matter what state of relaxation you are in.  It varies, too.  Sometimes you may be in a light state, and other times you may be in a deep state or a medium state.

When you go into hypnosis, it feels very similar to the first few minutes when you are falling asleep.    You may be aware of your surroundings and simply listening to me in a very relaxed state.  You probably won’t want to open your eyes or move, but you know that you could if you wanted to.  You are always in complete control during hypnosis.

No.  You are simply in a state of relaxed awareness during the session.  You are always in control.  No hypnotist can ever make you do anything you don’t want to do. People volunteer to go on stage during a comedy show, and they know they will be asked to do silly things. If they really don’t want to follow the hypnotist’s suggestions, though, they don’t.  It’s the same for clinical hypnosis.  If a hypnotherapist makes a suggestion for something you don’t want to do (such as join an exercise class, if you prefer to ride a bike) then you would reject that exercise class suggestion.  You are more likely to accept the bike-riding suggestion, if that’s what you prefer.  Your clinical hypnosis is customized for you.

Dreaming, daydreaming, and experiencing “highway hypnosis” (when you’re driving down the highway and all of a sudden find yourself at your exit) are all examples of being in a hypnotic state.  Just about anyone can be hypnotized.  Whether the hypnosis works depends mostly on how motivated you are to change that aspect of your life.

My mp3 downloads are customized for each client’s specific needs and goals. Since the recordings are personalized to fit your intentions and lifestyle, they are very powerful and effective.

The Smoking/Vaping/Dipping Cessation, Weight Reduction, and Better Sleep hypnotherapy programs also include a supplementary Affirmations recording.

I offer in-person and virtual therapy.  If you are seeing me for hypnotherapy, here is how it works: Hypnotherapy has two parts, counseling and hypnosis. We do in-person, video, or phone counseling first. After the session ends, I create your customized hypnosis recording. Please note that the hypnosis part of the session is not conducted live or in “real time”. I create the recording later in the day, and send it to you as an mp3 download.

Yes! I have actually been offering virtual counseling and hypnotherapy since before the pandemic, and it works remarkably well! My clients have been very pleased with the results.

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis.  Simply find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed, and play your recording.  Hypnosis is so easy, all you have to do is sit back, relax, and listen!

Do not listen to your mp3 download while driving your car or operating machinery of any kind.

Some clients notice immediate results, although it typically takes about 3-4 weeks to notice significant changes to your thought patterns, habits and behavior.  Therefore, I recommend my clients listen to their recording every day, or every other day, for at least 3-4 weeks.  You can then listen to it as needed after that.  My clients have reported that for some programs, including weight reduction and reducing bruxism, they do best when they continue to listen to their hypnosis regularly.

Hypnosis works at the deepest part of your mind to help you change your lifestyle and habits.  Sometimes, excessive stress may cause some people to revert back to old habits, but that is rare.  If you do “fall off the wagon”, you can always listen to your personalized hypnotherapy recording to help you return quickly to the lifestyle you desire.  Or you can return for a booster session if you want fresh material, or if you want to improve your life in another way.

I understand that confidentiality is important to you, and that is one reason why I have chosen to be an out-of-network provider. Insurance companies require a diagnosis code in order for the clinician to be reimbursed. To enhance the quality of my services, I also choose to spend more time with clients, rather than communicating with insurance companies.

I am a seasoned therapist with over 25 years of experience.  Counseling is $125 per session, and counseling/hypnotherapy is $175 per session.  Payment is due at time of service, and  I accept MasterCard, Visa and some HSA cards.

When asked, I can provide you with a superbill, which is a form required by insurance companies for potential client reimbursement.  This will have a mental health diagnostic code on it, as insurance requires.  Please note that many clients choose not to file with their insurance company in order to preserve their confidentiality.

Under the No Surprises Act effective January 1, 2022, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your mental health care will cost.

Clients who don’t have insurance, or who are not using their insurance, will receive an estimate of the expected charges for therapy services.  The cost of services depends on a number of factors including your provider’s fee, frequency of services, and duration of treatment.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.  Make sure to save a copy of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises

Hypnosis can be a very effective weight reduction tool, as it works at the deepest level of your subconscious mind.  You must be ready to make a permanent lifestyle change involving eating healthy/moderately/mindfully, coping with stress in healthy ways, and being active.  Keep in mind that hypnosis doesn’t just melt the fat away and is not a quick fix.  Your hypnotherapist is not a Registered Dietician or Medical Doctor.  It may not work for you if there is a medical, medication or metabolic reason for the weight issue.  If the weight issue is caused by overeating and/or not exercising, then hypnosis may help you to reach your healthy weight goals.

Hypnosis works at the deepest part of your subconscious mind.  You will experience a lifestyle shift from being a smoker to a nonsmoker, and you will do different activities instead of smoking.  This program is very behavior-oriented, so your hypnotherapist needs to know what you want to do behaviorally instead of smoking in the car, with your coffee, etc.  Something has to “click” inside of you, at which time you decide once and for all that you are ready to be a nonsmoker.  If you are ambivalent about wanting to quit, it probably won’t work.  You must be serious about becoming a nonsmoker.

“When I went to see Amy I was smoking 4 packs of cigarettes a day.  I smoked everywhere – in the tub, in the car – I was a walking furnace.  Thanks to her and hypnotherapy I am smoke free for over 10 years.  Thank God.  I am around smokers at the bar and restaurant but it doesn’t bother me whatsoever.  Thank you, Amy, for helping me leave cigarettes and nicotine and poison behind and becoming healthier every day.”
– DA

Hypnosis works to change your habits on a subconscious level.  It is very powerful and does not rely on a temporary chemical substitute.  Instead of providing you with an alternate source of nicotine, hypnosis works at a deep level within your mind to help you become a nonsmoker.

Yes. hypnosis can help you stop using all of these items.

If you are in urgent need of assistance, help is available!
You may text the word HOME to the number 741741 to reach a crisis counselor by text.
Or you can call the Behavioral Health Help Line at 800-418-2065, call 911, or present at your nearest emergency room.
Or contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988, texting 988, or chatting 988lifeline.org