Frequently Asked Questions
What does Arc Hypnosis mean?
"Arc" has several relevant meanings:
Augmenting the Reality of Consciousness (ARC), speaks to the way hypnosis harnesses the power of the subconscious mind to dissolve self-limiting thoughts, beliefs, and feelings and generate real, positive change. You can't change the cards you're dealt but you can change the way you play them.
Architecturally, an arc is an elegant and strong support, like a doorway or bridge. Similarly, hypnotherapy serves as an arc bridging the goals of the conscious mind with the feelings and beliefs of the subconscious mind. Hypnosis is a way to open the door to the subconscious where real change can take root.
What does it feel like to be in hypnosis?
Hypnosis is not a single state, but a continuum of consciousness that resides along a line between fully awake awareness and dreaming sleep. It can feel like daydreaming while relaxing on the beach and then dip deeper into a highly visual, creative state you may experience on waking from a dream.
What will my first hypnosis session be like?
For your first session we will spend extra time for you to tell me about your particular issue, your history and background, and your goals for hypnotherapy. I'll answer answer any questions you may still have about the process of hypnosis.
Will hypnosis be effective for my particular issue?
While no particular therapy is effective for all people, all of the time, hypnotherapy can provide relief for many different issues, including anxiety, weight, motivation, chronic pain, fears and phobias, bad habits, sleep problems, negative self talk, and many more.
What makes hypnosis different from other therapies?
Unlike traditional talk therapies that ultilize the analytical, logical, critical, conscious mind, hypnosis aims to bypass conscious analysis to interact directly with the emotional and sensory parts of the mind found deeper in the subconscious and unconscious. Under hypnosis those normally hidden parts of your mind are brought forward into conscious awareness, making it possible to transform old thoughts, patterns and beliefs into new ones.
How many sessions will it take to resolve my issue?
No two clients are the same, just as no issue can be addressed in exactly the same way twice, so the number of sessions required can't be calculated in advance. Success is dependent on your subconscious mind's willingness to change, and often times the subconscious needs a lot of convincing. (You wouldn't be here, otherwise!) My philosophy as a hypnotherapist is to offer a pragmatic, goal oriented approach to achieve your desired results in as few sessions as possible.
Do you take insurance?
Few health insurance plans cover alternative therapies such as hypnosis, but I am happy to provide a receipt you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
I've never been hypnotized. Will it work on me?
If you've ever been lost in a good book, daydreamed will dozing on the couch, "zoned out" while listening to music or watching TV, or been so relaxed while soaking in a tub that you lost track of the time, then you've already experienced a hypnotic trance. Most people experience hypnosis all on their own, several times a day.
Is hypnosis safe?
Hypnosis is a natural state of consciouness most people enter into on their own, several times a day. It is generally as safe as daydreaming. Hypnosis used as therapy has been practiced safely for hundreds of years.
Can hypnosis be used to manage pain?
Yes! Sufferers of chronic pain can find relief using hypnosis. In this age of the prescribed opioid many people are understandably concerned about the side effects, addictive nature, and obvious dangers of some medicines and are looking for other ways to manage their pain. Alternative medicines such as cannabis can be effective but may still have unwanted side-effects. Hypnosis techniques for pain management are side-effect free and can be used in conjunction with, or in some cases in place of, pharmaceuticals.
Please remember, physical pain is a signal from your body to your brain that something needs attention. Always seek a medical doctor's opinion and diagnosis before pursuing any alternative treatments for pain to first rule out any unknown causes. If you are seeking treatment for chronic pain I will require a signed form from your doctor agreeing that hypnosis is an appropriate alternative treatment for you. I will provide this form to you once we have discussed your pain issue in more detail.
Does hypnotherapy really work?
Yes, hypnosis is scientifically proven to be an effective therapy for many physical and mental issues and ailments. Countless people have been able to quit a habit, remove a phobia, or calm anxiety using hypnosis. It can be more effective than prescribed drugs for issues such as stress, chronic pain, and smoking secession. It is an also an excellent complimentary therapy to increase the benefits of other treatments. Hypnosis can be used before and after medical and dental procedures to reduce anxiety, increase the speed of recovery, and improve the chances for a successful outcome.
Is hypnosis for pain simply the placebo effect?
The placebo effect can be powerful medicine. Pharmaceutical companies spend billions of dollars developing new drugs that never see the light of day because they can't be proven to be more effective than a placebo. How can a pill with nothing in it still work? While the physical mechanism of the placebo effect is not well understood, the simple fact is that your belief can often be just as powerful, if not more so,than a physical drug.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural state of consciousness characterized by narrowed focus and enhanced creative thought.
Most people enter hypnosis naturally, all on their own. If you've ever driven a familiar route with no memory of the journey or "checked out" while watching TV, you've already experienced a hypnotic state.
It's also a state where deeper learning can take place.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy takes advantage of the hypnotic state's learning potential to make desired changes in thought, perception, and behavior.
Hypnotherapy works by communicating directly with deeper levels of consciousness, training the mind with new, more desirable patterns.
Changing the mind isn't achieved with conscious willpower, but with subconscious re-learning.
Why Use a Hypnotherapist?
Sometimes life's problems can feel insurmountable on your own. By working with a hypnotherapist you can finally resolve deeper issues that may have burdened you for years.
If you have self-limiting thoughts, troubling memories, unwanted habits, difficulty sleeping, anxiety or nervousness, creative blocks, or chronic pain, I can help you replace your old, unwanted patterns with new ones, allowing you to become your better you.
What is the difference between hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis?
The purpose of hypnotherapy is to use the hypnotic trance state of mind to achieve desired changes in thought or behavior. The purpose of stage hypnosis is simply to entertain.
Do you offer discounts or a sliding scale for your rate?
I don't offer a sliding scale but if you have a financial hardship such as loss of job please inquire for a reduced rate for my services.