Some uses of hypnosis:

• Anger/Temper
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Bedwetting
• Blood Pressure
• Childbirth
• Concentration
• Constipation
• Dream Interpretation
• Eating Disorders
• Energy
• Exam Anxiety
• Fear
• Goal Setting
• Grinding Teeth
• Healing
• Indigestion
• Insomnia
• Incontinence
• Memory
• Migraine Headaches
• Nail Biting
• Pain Control
• Past Life Regression
• Phobias
• Problem Solving
• Procrastination
• Public Speaking
• Relationships
• Study Habits
• Self Confidence
• Sexual Issues/Disorders
• Sports Performance
• Smoking Cessation
• Stress Management
• Trauma
• Weight Reduction/Control 

Hypnosis is the intentional reaching of the deeper states of the mind for the purpose of engaging the subconscious mind. To understand what is going on, it helps to know the different brain waves that naturally occur for each of us, and that these states occur every day.

Our brains operate at certain brain waves, such as Beta, Alpha, Theta, and Delta. Everyday, each of us goes through these patterns. The Beta state is when the brain is very active. We are in the Beta state during everyday conscious activities, such as working or doing logical reasoning types of thinking. The Alpha state is when the brain waves are somewhat slower than the Beta state; the alpha state happens when we relax or day dream. The Theta and Delta states are even slower and naturally happen when we sleep. During hypnosis, the body relaxes and the brain waves slow down into the alpha state. Some people relax further and reach the Theta and/or Delta states, especially after doing hypnosis a number of times.

The Beta brain wave pattern occurs with conscious thinking; the Alpha, Theta, and Delta are associated with subconscious thinking. When you go into hypnosis, you reach the alpha (or slower brain waves) and this allow you to access the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind retains memory, is the seat of imagination and emotions, and provides the basis for inspiration. It is the part of the mind that dreams when we are asleep and imagines and visualizes things when we are awake. By accessing the subconscious mind, you can learn about yourself and effect changes in thinking, in reactions, and in behavior.

During a hypnosis session, I guide you into relaxation, both of body and of the conscious mind. The conscious mind ceases to dominate and the subconscious mind communicates and is engaged without the conscious mind interfering or criticizing. The subconscious mind responds to suggestions and imagery to help you effect a change in your life. In session with regression, hypnosis helps you access memories and work with that information to effect a desired change.

Suggestions are statements for those things you wish to implement in your life. The subconscious mind is receptive to information you especially desire. If you hear an idea that you don't agree with, the subconscious mind won't accept it. For example, the subconscious mind may reject the idea of "be vegetarian," and accept the idea of "be healthy."

Many people associate hypnosis with staged performances when people are told to cluck like a chicken or do other embarrassing behaviors. Hypnosis on a stage is different from hypnosis in a private session. During a staged performance, the hypnotist invites a lot of people to participate and then through the show, sends many back to their seats, ending up with the few individuals who are agreeable to this type of performance.

Hypnosis in a private sessions is designed around the concept to help you do the things you want and/or stop the things you don't want. The subconscious part of the mind actually guards and protects you from accepting suggestions for doing things that are against your morals, are anti-social behavior, or are merely things you don't want to do.

There is a story about Milton Erickson, a famous hypnotherapist, who tested this idea. He suggested that his client begin to get ready for bed to observe what the client would do. The client unbuttoned the top button on the collar of her blouse, but proceeded no further.

Hypnosis can't be forced on someone. Hypnosis can't make a person change. Change happens because the person wants the change to happen and because suggestions are worded appropriately for the person. Before a hypnosis session begins, you and I talk about what you desire and how I can word suggestions appropriately.

A state of hypnosis feels comfortable and focused. When a person settles into the Alpha state, the body relaxes completely and receives many physical benefits. The heart rests, the pulse slows, breathing deepens, endorphins increase, and stress hormones decrease. The mind disengages its overbearing critique and a person receives respite from ongoing mind chatter. In addition, the mind opens to the imagination, intuition, and emotions. This is a similar state to an artist involved in a painting and working with focus, perhaps aware of outside noises but not paying any attention to them. Most people are fully aware and remember images, dialoguing, and suggestions, and enjoy the content and feelings. While less common, if any uncomfortable feelings arise, I work with these ideas and offer suggestions to resolve them.

Your body relaxes and your mind is engaged. For sessions that involve imagery, some people see pictures as if it were a dream or movie where the images progress in succession. For sessions that involve information, some people report hearing sounds, smelling fragrances, or feeling things. Others observe that they just know what it is important to know. None of these is preferable to another. You may experience one or all of these responses.

Visualization is the ability to form pictures in the mind. Because of memory, everyone visualizes to a certain degree. For instance, you can probably recall the face of a loved one or find your car in a crowded parking lot. Even so, the goal in hypnosis is not visualization; rather, it is to be receptive to what your mind presents. Some people can easily see images in their minds while others do better with simply knowing information. As an example, if I asked you to think about a tree, you may remember what a specific tree looks like. Or, you might imagine an image of a type of tree. Or, you maybe know what a tree looks like without a certain picture arising in the mind. When in hypnosis, allow information to come without analyzing or trying to figure it out, just as in a dream when information proceeds of its own accord. Be open as the information from the subconscious mind has sense about it that becomes apparent as the session continues. Also, realize that visualization can improve and becomes easier the more you do it.