Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know I can be hypnotized?
Everyone is able to achieve a state of hypnosis. It is the same state you fall into just before sleep each night, and as you come out of sleep in the morning. It is the alpha level of brain wave activity. It is important, however, to have a belief, expectation, and imagination. If a person is having a psychotic experience, has been drinking alcohol prior to the sessions, or has a strong resistance, they would not go into hypnosis.
Is it dangerous? What if I don’t come out of it?
No, it is not dangerous. Hypnosis was approved by the American Medical Association in 1958 as a safe practice with no harmful side effects. To date, no one has been seriously hurt with hypnosis. Even if the hypnotherapist were to suffer a heart attack or otherwise not be present, you would come out of it naturally on your own, or you would simply fall asleep and then wake up normally.
How many sessions will I need, and how often would I see you?
The number of sessions depends on the nature of your desires for change or improvement. Generally, anywhere from 3 – 9 appointments are recommended. In most cases, the sessions are once a week with the initial program running in length from 60 – 80 minutes, with follow-ups appointments from 50 – 60 minutes.
How will I know I am hypnotized?
Everyone experiences hypnosis differently, plus each session can bring varying degrees of relaxation and feelings. Many people liken it to daydreaming. They are very relaxed both physically and mentally, yet there is mental awareness.
You may experience a floating sensation and your mind may seem to wander. Your fingers may twitch, and your eyes will show signs of REM (rapid eye movement, which is an indication of alpha brain wave activity.) These sensations are all very natural. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable, that you come with an open mind, and that you feel good with your hypnotherapist.
Will hypnosis make me do anything embarrassing?
No, you will not do anything you do not think is acceptable. That is, you cannot be made to violate your own values or accepted patterns of behavior. For example, clucking like a chicken, or barking like a dog are the types of Stage Hypnosis you would see at a carnival. Although, this is a valid form of hypnosis, it is done for the purpose of entertainment and should not be confused with the therapeutic value of clinical hypnosis.
How long have you been doing hypnosis?
I began doing hypnosis work after completing my training in 1986. Please refer to the section About Marcia for detailed information.
In reading the testimonials I noted that one of your clients did not want to stop smoking, yet she did. This seems to be a contradiction to the claim that hypnosis cannot make you do anything against your will.
Yes, I can see where that might be confusing. What happens in a case like this is that at some level of her consciousness she did desire to stop smoking. And, as indicated in her testimonial she continues to be a very Happy Non-Smoker. Many times, especially with smoking, there can be a great deal of resistance or rebellion, especially in our modern society where smoking is looked upon in a very negative way, therefore a person may insist on a conscious level that they would never stop smoking.
Do you work with children? Should the parent be present?
I will work with children who are 8 years old or older. The best work is usually done when the parent is not present. This is because the child leans on the parent as a crutch. It is important to obtain parental consent before working with children.
What if my husband (wife, sister, friend) wants to be present during my sessions?
Referencing the answer to the question above, it is best to undergo the hypnosis appointments alone. Thoughts can be transferable and, although your spouse has your best interest in mind, their influence may interfere with your positive results. Plus, you may not be able to relax as deeply with another person in the room.
Why does it take more than one session?
Generally your habits or concerns have developed and been with you for a considerable amount of time, thusly, your subconscious is accustomed to these behaviors and mindset. And, although changes and some degree of improvement are noticeable after only one session, re-enforcement, as well as the repetition of the positive suggestions has been shown to increase the benefits of long term success.
Please feel free to email me with any questions not covered above.
Monterey, CA 93940