FAQ About Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
What does being hypnotized feel like?
Hypnotherapy is very relaxing and comfortable for many. If we are working on powerful emotional experiences one will feel the emotions but can also resolve emotions powerfully which makes current life more comfortable. Hypnotized people feel intensely focused and report that they do not care about outside sounds. Some people report feeling very light and experiencing floating or tingling sensations, while others report that they feel so relaxed that their limbs feel very heavy. Some people report that they don't experience very many physical sensations but do experience brighter colors or images. There is no loss of personal control or awareness. Many people report feeling relaxed after a hypnosis session.
Who is it useful for?
Hypnotherapy works for most people who wish to make changes in their life, if the person wants to change and if they do not have a paranoid personality disorder, or hallucinations and delusions. Hypnosis works especially well if a person has repeatedly tried to make changes but experiences lots of arguing or turmoil in their head about making the change. Such turmoil is usually the subconscious mind wanting to keep things the same. Hypnosis targets the subconscious mind for change and the arguments and turmoil tend to decrease which makes change MUCH easier.
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Can I get stuck in hypnosis?
No. Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of mind and most people go into and come out of it on their own several times per day. Naturally occurring hypnosis includes but is not limited to daydreaming, missing an exit on the freeway because you are so occupied in your thoughts, crying at a sad movie even though you know that the movie isn't real or gotten completely engrossed in a movie or book and they felt real to you. Your mind is so used to going into and coming out of hypnosis on its own that you can't get stuck. If I hypnotized you and something happened to me, you would immediately pull yourself out of hypnosis and take care of the problem or you would drift off into a nice nap and wake up alert when you were ready.
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I don't want to give up my control of have someone control my mind. Can that happen?
No hypnotist can make you do anything you don’t want to do. In fact, hypnosis requires your participation and you have to be willing to listen to and like the suggestions the hypnotist gives you. Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of mind that most people go into and out of on their own each day. Think about it, if you are in your car and thinking so deeply about your day that you miss an exit, you are in a natural state of hypnosis. You would not cluck like a chicken or rob a bank and bring me the money during the natural state of hypnosis, and you are certainly not going to during therapeutic hypnosis. You would probably get so mad that you were paying money to hear those suggestions that you would pull yourself out of hypnosis and leave the session and I wouldn't blame you.
Can hypnosis work for anyone?
No. Hypnosis will not work for someone who doesn't really want to change or is trying to change for someone else. Hypnosis has tendencies not to work with people having a very low mental function, personality disorder, delusions, or paranoia. Hypnosis also tends not to work when people are under the influence of alcohol or mind-altering drugs. Hypnosis can work with children but is more difficult with very young children.
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Will I actually fall asleep?
No. Hypnosis is not a state of sleep but is a state of very focused concentration. Naturally occurring hypnosis does usually happen during the periods when people are slipping off to sleep but most people do not fall asleep during their sessions. I will make sure you don't fall asleep because if you do, you are not quite as likely to listen to and respond to suggestions. People who do fall asleep have paid me for a very expensive nap and neither one of us wants that. When the hypnotist tells someone to sleep they usually have a person go deeper into their own awareness.
I have been told that I'm stubborn. What if I'm too strong-willed?
Perfect! Strong-minded and strong-willed people generally have great results using hypnosis because they get to use their strong will to help themselves. Your own mind's power (and stubbornness) helps you make the changes you want to make. Hypnosis is not mind control. If a person does not want to make a change there is no way a hypnotist can make them change. The client remains in control the entire time.
Do you work with children?
Yes, typically over the age of 10 but it depends on the child.
How many sessions does it take?
This generally depends on the severity of the issues a person is being seen for. Many times, people are able to very successfully resolve issues in 2 to 5 hypnotherapy sessions. If a person experienced very severe trauma or neglect, it may take more sessions because trauma and neglect have to be addressed and resolved before many other issues can be successfully treated. If a person is undergoing active depression and/or anxiety those issues generally have to be stable or resolved before other issues such as weight loss or smoking cessation can be treated successfully.
How much does it cost?
I charge $170 for the first session and $125 for each additional session (for the same issue). My hypnotherapy sessions tend to be 90 minutes in length for the first session and 60 minutes for each following session. I make sure that your sessions are custom-tailored to meet your needs so that we can keep the sessions to a minimum for you. I do not engage in a one size fits all approach to hypnosis...They generally do not work
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Are your sessions guaranteed? Unfortunately no. I do have very good success using hypnosis, but I cannot force someone to be hypnotized and I cannot force someone to accept suggestions so I can't guarantee that it will work for you. What I will guarantee is that I will provide you with customized sessions and I will work with the issues that keep you from making changes you want to make.
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Do you accept health insurance?
Unfortunately, many of the things I use hypnosis for such as smoking cessation or weight loss are not covered by insurance. Some people are able to be reimbursed through their insurance or your health savings account (HSA). If you come to see me for weight loss or smoking and there is underlying anxiety and/or depression I can bill most insurances if you qualify under a mental health diagnosis. You may be responsible for a co-payment or meeting a deductible if we do try to bill insurance. It is your responsibility to call your insurance company to find out how much will be covered. I don't want there to be any unpleasant surprises. I can provide you with session receipts as well as superbill insurance codes for hypnotherapy that way you can check with your provider to see if reimbursement is a possibility.
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If you have a question about hypnosis and it was not addressed here please contact me. I will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you have.
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Telehealth services are also available.
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Text me at 208-242-2701 or e-mail me at debrusso3@gmail.com
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