What Is Hypnosis?

First, you should know that hypnosis is a natural state. You’re in a hypnotic trance whenever you tune in to your favorite podcast or Netflix series, and during that time, you forget the world and people around you as you give all your focus to the show.

In the simplest terms, hypnosis is a state of focused awareness (or consciousness) that allows you to detach from your immediate environment, and in this state, your awareness can shift to focus on emotions, sounds, patterns and imagery. In this natural state, we are less critical and open to suggestion, which allows us to create new neural pathways.

By the way, your brain is full of neural pathways that are activated by specific stimuli, and this instantly and subconsciously creates a response in your body and mind. Our goal with hypnosis is to change the negative responses by creating a new and more resourceful neural pathway. If that sounds woo woo, just know that new neural pathways are created every time you learn something new; this is all natural!

Thanks to neuroscience and mind mapping via electroencephalograph (EEG), studies have shown that hypnotic procedures alter the brain activity that is associated with allowing someone to be more open to helpful suggestions. During hypnosis, brain activity slows, and you can cycle from beta wave activity (alert, working, problem solving) to alpha wave activity (relaxed), and theta wave activity (meditative and drowsy).

As hypnosis allows you to drop into your alpha and theta brain waves, you’ll feel as if you’re in a meditative state. You’ll feel relaxed during hypnosis, but it’s a misconception that you’ll be asleep during your session. In this super relaxed state, you can speak, respond and remember. Most importantly, you have full control over your mind and body, and you will not do or say anything that’s out of alignment with your values.

While hypnosis may allow for a very spiritual experience, the process is more scientific than most assume. Neuroscience is at work here. During your waking, problem-solving state (beta) you’re naturally inclined to focus on what’s wrong in your life instead of what’s right. This phenomenon is also known as negativity bias. While experiencing hypnosis, we are less critical and open to helpful suggestions which means our brains actually have a chance to change, and we can change our lives for the better. The more you access this new neural pathway, the easier it will be for you to unpack fears and old beliefs to begin editing the reasoning, emotions and behaviors that have not been serving you.

During our sessions, we will specifically use hypnosis for change and therapeutic purposes, which is known as hypnotherapy. In my process called a Hypnotic Journey, we will may also apply the healing applications of sound, metaphor, movement, and NLP coaching. My goal is to help you reduce anxiety, ease pain, eliminate phobias, and assist you with emotional distress and unwanted habits by creating helpful, new neural pathways.