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Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis in a therapeutic context. When doing hypnosis,

we use the brain’s natural ability to produce a deeply relaxed state. Deep relaxation –

what is often called a “trance” – is a powerful learning state. Your conscious everyday

mind is relaxed, and more open to new ideas, suggestions and discovery. In addition,

you often get to enjoy the added benefits of complete relaxation, improved sleep and

greater inner calm. hypnotherapist Santa Cruz

Relaxation, according to Daniel Goldman, author of Emotional Intelligence, “seems to

help people think more broadly and associate more freely, noticing relationships that

might have eluded them otherwise ...."

hypnotherapist+ Santa + Cruz

Frequently Asked Questions about Hypnosis

hypnotherapy Santa Cruz Karin Leonard

What Is It Like To Be In Hypnosis?

What Happens During Hypnosis?

Can I Be Hypnotized?

Does Hypnosis Mean A Loss of Control?

Why Is Hypnosis Effective?

Will Hypnosis Interfere With My Religious Beliefs?

What Can Hypnotherapy Be Used For?

What Is “Self-Hypnosis”?

Can We Do Hypnosis Over The Phone or per E-Mail?

What Should I Look For in a Hypnotherapist?

Can You Recommend Some Books?

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What Is It Like To Be In Hypnosis?

Pleasant, deeply relaxing and rejuvenating. Your muscles let go while your mind

focuses inward. I haven’t met anybody yet who doesn’t enjoy hypnosis! Nonetheless,

individual experiences vary greatly. Some clients go very deep even in the first session,

while others only experience a light trance. However, for hypnosis to be effective,

it doesn’t matter how deep you go.

What Happens During Hypnosis?

The human brain produces beta, alpha, theta and delta waves. In the normal waking state,

the shorter beta waves dominate. During hypnosis, brainwaves shift towards a greater

percentage of the slower alpha and maybe even theta waves. Alpha waves

characteristically produce a pleasant, relaxed, meditative state. You may see colors or

images, and have a heightened sense of awareness and body sensations. As you enter a

deep hypnotic trance, you may no longer hear anything, and you might think you are asleep.

However, hypnosis is not sleep, it is more similar to the dream state. During sleep, delta waves

dominate along with theta waves.

Can I Be Hypnotized?

Yes. More accurately, this is not a “yes or no” question, but a matter of degree, how deep

you might go in your first session. Entering varying depths of trance is a learned skill, and

you’ll probably find yourself going deeper all the time, until you reach the deeper state

of relaxation. Again, it doesn’t matter how deep you go, for hypnosis to be effective.

Trust your process, and see what happens.

Does Hypnosis Mean A Loss of Control?

Never. At any time during a hypnosis session, you could end the trance if you wanted to.

Experiencing hypnosis compares to being completely absorbed in a project or a

good movie, only that the focus of your attention is directed to your inner experience.

Why Is Hypnosis Effective?

Your mind is purposeful, and carries out suggestions that are in alignment with who you are.

Some of the programming you may have received throughout your life (especially in childhood)

may no longer serve you. Through hypnosis, we can gently encourage beliefs and behaviors

which are in your best interest, and in accordance with the goals you set for yourself.

Suggestions given during hypnosis naturally flow like water to the places within, where they will

have the greatest benefit. Hypnosis, much like natural medicine, works with your body and mind’s

innate intelligence, tapping and releasing your inner power.

Will Hypnosis Interfere With My Religious Beliefs?

Absolutely not (unless your “religion” subjects to medical or therapeutic intervention). Hypnosis is

about process, not content. Practicing hypnotherapy is about respecting the uniqueness of the

individual, and facilitating change in harmony with who you are. Just as any form of medicine,

hypnotherapy seeks to restore the best functioning of body and mind, so you may live to your

full potential.

What Can Hypnotherapy Be Used For?

You name it! Hypnosis accelerates your personal evolution, because it is a methodology

that allows you to get results more quickly. Although hypnotherapy is not a miracle cure,

you may be amazed at how rapidly you will advance. Below are a few sample applications

for hypnotherapy:

Quit Smoking	Build Professional Success
Lose Weight	Prevent Burnout
Manage Stress	Create Prosperity
Overcome Anxiety & Phobias	Increase Resilience
Accelerate Healing	Achieve Peak Performance
Enjoy Radiant Health	Have Healthy Relationships
Control Pain	Tap Creative Potential
Improve Sleep	Gain Insight & Clarity
Manage Emotions	Enhance Intuition
Enhance Athletic Skill	Grow Spiritually
Increase Self-confidence	Master Stage-Fright
Overcome Test Anxiety	Enhance Memory
Improve Study Skills

Read more under Sessions

What Is “Self-Hypnosis”?

When doing self-hypnosis, you guide yourself into trance, instead of a hypnotherapist

facilitating your experience. Actually, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. The pleasant

changes you experience while being in trance merely reflect the power of your mind.

Self-hypnosis is easily learned, is highly effective and has countless applications.

Find out about bringing a self-hypnosis workshop to your group of participants under seminars.

Can We Do Hypnosis Over The Phone or per E-Mail?

Theoretically, the ways to induce a trance are limitless, and the experience is as

ancient as humanity. However, for legal, ethical and safety reasons, I conduct full

hypnotherapeutic sessions only in person. If you live too far away from the Santa Cruz

area, or are too busy to come to my office, you have the option of working with

customized CDs. For that purpose, we conduct an intake interview on the phone or

per e-mail, and then I tailor a hypnotic recording of my voice to your needs and goals.

Also, see our list of professionally recorded hypnosis CDs & tapes or visit our store. Hypnosis CDs

are a great way to achieve a deep trance state on your own. For some samples of

guided meditations, and to hear my “hypnosis voice”, check out our meditation garden.

Private Sessions are usually conducted at my offices in Santa Cruz, CA. hypnotherapy Karin Leonard

For more information or to set up hypnotherapy sessions, register online, call

(831) 724-5400 or e-mail karin@innerevolution.com.

What Should I Look For in a Hypnotherapist?

hypnotherapist + Santa + Cruz

For hypnosis to be effective, it is very important you trust the hypnotherapist you

are working with. Make sure you are comfortable with them, and that they are a

good listener who knows how to establish rapport. Even more so than in regular

therapy, you are accessing deep areas of your mind. You are always in charge,

at all times, during hypnosis. However, if you are not at ease with your practitioner,

you might create resistance to your own success. Of course, you also want to ask

about the training they received (make sure it wasn’t just some week-end course),

how long they have been in practice, and their success rate with the goal you have.

Trust your intuition. When in doubt, ask for references or look for someone else.

Can You Recommend Some Books?

There is an abundance of great literature on hypnosis. For learning self-hypnosis,

I have a few favorites (find additional support materials at My Favorite Resources) :

Self-hypnosis: New Tools for Deep and Lasting Transformation, Adam Burke, Ph.D.

Ten Speed Press 2004

Pocket Guide to Self-hypnosis, Adam Burke, Ph.D. Freedom: Crossing Press 1997.

($6.95)

Adam is the best and most knowledgeable hypnotist I know, and also happens to

be the person I first studied hypnosis with, as well as my good friend. His book reflects

his wisdom, is easily understood and immediately applicable.

Healing Yourself with Self-hypnosis, Frank Caprio, M.D. and Joseph R. Berger

Prentice Hall Press 1998. ($12.95)

Hypnosis for Change, J. Hadley and Staudacher. San Francisco:

New Harbinger Publications 1985. ($ 6.99)

For Hypnosis in General:

Experiencing Hypnosis, Erickson, M. & Rossi. New York: Irvington, 1981.

Taproots: Underlying Principles of Erickson’s Therapy & Hypnosis, Hudson O’Hanlon.

New York: Norton 1987

Clinical Hypnotherapy, Cheek, D. & LeCron, New York: Grune & Stratton, 1968