Frequently Asked Questions
Find out more about Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy, and how things are done here at MHI.
Common Questions People Ask About Hypnosis
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions. If you still haven’t found the answers you seek, please feel free to
contact MHI with any questions you may have about Hypnotherapy, Hypnosis and your sessions.
FAQ Intro
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a completely natural state that you enter, typically at least twice a day. It is a state you pass through between the sleeping and waking states. It is also a heightened state of awareness.
Have you ever been to a movie and found yourself so wrapped up in the story that you get emotionally involved, you forget it’s a movie, even if for only a moment?
How about while driving? When you get to your destination not fully remembering the trip you just took, or when missing your freeway exit?
Hypnosis can also be described as a shift in attention or a heightened state of focus. This focus is often internal focus, but can also be external.
Hypnosis is not relaxation and relaxation is not hypnosis, but you can experience relaxation during hypnosis if suggested to.
After your first Hypnotherapy session with me you may be saying, “No way was I hypnotized, I knew what was going on all the time.” Well of course! I’ll say.
Hypnosis is not a state of amnesia or lack of awareness. As I will explain to you during our first session, many clients find hypnosis to be a heightened state of awareness, where your senses may appear amplified, some hear and remember every word and sound. Other clients may drift in and out throughout the whole process only remembering pieces and some even lose track of time altogether, lose track of time or don’t recall anything.
It’s very subjective to each client.
What does hypnosis feel like?
I like the way Jason Linett described it best.
You may feel a profound sense of relaxation almost as if you were sinking into your chair, you may also discover a light floating sensation like someone would in water or today you may discover that miraculous feeling that you’re just sitting in a chair.
Whatever you’re feeling is what you’re supposed to feel. There’s not one specific hypnotized feeling.
What is a Hypnotherapist?
To best explain what a Hypnotherapist is and is not, read this quoted passage:
“Many people assume a Hypnotherapist must be a Psychologist or Medical Doctor. Hypnotherapist however, is a profession in and of itself whose scope and preparation is quite different from these other professions.”
To summarize, you don’t have to be a Doctor, Psychologist, etc. to practice Hypnotherapy.
Doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions, Psychologists diagnose and treat emotional and mental disorders, and Hypnotherapists work with vocational and avocational self improvement, or in other areas, such as pain for example, by way of medical referral.
“These are things that do not qualify as a medical disorder or an emotional and mental disorder. In the scope of the health services, these are the little things.”
Hypnotherapists are the ONLY professionals that are specifically trained to work in certain areas, such as motivation, confidence, public speaking, and sports performance among others.
“The HMI graduate has more hours, length and depth of training in hypnotherapy than any other health care professional.”
From what I have seen a typical Hypnotherapist, who underwent extensive training, like I did with HMI and the many other courses, seminars and workshops I have taken over the years, receives several times as many hours of training than the average Doctor or Psychologist is required to complete before being considered qualified to practice Hypnotherapy.
You can read the full article the quotes were taken from here What is a Hypnotherapist?
The definition of Hypnotherapist, quoted from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles*:
Induces hypnotic state in client to increase motivation or alter behavior patterns: Consults with client to determine nature of problem. Prepares client to enter hypnotic state by explaining how hypnosis works and what client will experience. Tests subject to determine degree of physical and emotional suggestibility. Induces hypnotic state in client, using individualized methods and techniques of hypnosis based on interpretation of test results and analysis of client’s problem. May train client in self-hypnosis conditioning.
*The Dictionary of Occupational Titles or D-O-T refers to a publication produced by the United States Department of Labor which helped employers, government officials, and workforce development professionals to define over 13,000 different types of work, from 1938 to the late 1990s.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is where a person trained in the use of hypnotic techniques (the Hypnotherapist) bypasses a persons critical mind allowing better access to their subconscious mind, for the purpose of allowing the client make positive changes in their life.
How Effective is Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy Compared to Other Therapies?
That’s a great question, with a lot of answers.
Based on my own personal experiences with Hypnotherapy, things I have seen and read on the subject, etc. I can say that the application of hypnosis in the right way can be far more effective in a shorter amount of time than traditional therapies for taking care of issues such as anxiety and nervous issues, depression, as well as helping to boost your confidence, quit smoking, lose weight and a whole host of other applications.
I will post links to some actual research studies once I have time to do my own research and find the best studies that have been done comparing hypnosis with other therapies.
I see several others in this industry quoting the following statement:
“Results of Comparative Study by American Health Magazine
Psychoanalysis: 38% recovery after 600 sessions
Behavior Therapy: 72% recovery after 22 sessions
Hypnotherapy: 93% recovery after 6 sessions”~ The source I often find being linked to is
http://cuncecuncecunce.blogspot.com/2007/02/does-hypnosis-work-comparison-study.html
To be completely honest with you, even though there is great evidence and testimonials from many people out there that Hypnotherapy had helped them, often way faster than other therapies or where other therapies failed to help. There is no actual hard proof that I can find to back up the above mentioned claims that many therapists are still posting on their websites.
As best as I can tell from the small amount of research I have done on the matter, people are saying that the American Health Magazine shut down many years ago, sometime in 2000. The only online references to the study I can find are on random blogs and websites quoting the results mentioned above, but not linking to the actual data from the study, who conducted it or where.
I have also seen several comments from people claiming the study was based on papers published in the 50’s and 60’s, so may not reflect current findings or more up-to-date techniques currently used for all of the above mentioned therapies.
However, the results people are actually experiencing in the real world speak for themselves!
People wouldn’t continually seek out hypnosis to solve your problems if it didn’t work now would they?
Based on the many thousands of testimonials throughout the world from successful clients who have used Hypnotherapy over the years, and many celebrities have had success in all manner of areas using hypnosis. It is abundantly clear that regardless of any actual up-to-date studies on the matter, Hypnotherapy not only works but it often works incredibly fast.
While the above mentioned statistics people are using may not currently be a 100% accurate based on any recent studies, they certainly appear to be a reasonable representation of the evidence and testimonials out there.
Will I Be Aware of Everything Going On Around Me or Will I Be Asleep?
During hypnosis you will typically be aware of everything around you and hear everything that is said to you, in fact you often have a heightened sense of your surroundings. You will typically remember about as much as you would in any normal conversation.
At no point will you be asleep in the traditional sense but you may experience dream like qualities. I will notice if you begin to get too relaxed and look like you are falling asleep and will wake you. For the session to be the most effective you need to be in a state of hypnosis and not actual sleep.
Can Anyone Be Hypnotized?
Yes. Just about everyone can be hypnotized.
So long as you are willing, have at least average intelligence and the ability to sit still and focus for a period of time.
It’s also dependent on my ability to correctly assess you, when you become my client, and use the right words and techniques in the right order, which will allow you to enter a deep state of hypnosis and allow you to make the positive changes you desire or get rid of those unwanted habits you used to have.
What if I Have to Scratch My Nose, Move, Cough, or There is a Lot of Noise?
Some people ask if this will hinder the hypnotic process or snap them out of hypnosis.
If you feel the need to change position for greater comfort, scratch an itch, cough, or anything else you may need to do, then it is perfectly OK to do so.
Should you do any of the above you will remain deeply in hypnosis and perhaps may even go deeper.
The sounds around you may at times be fully audible to you and at other times may fade away into the distance. But ultimately they will only aid you in drifting deeper into the hypnotic state.
Is Hypnosis Dangerous? Will I Be Under Someone Elses Control? Be Made to Do or Say Things I Don't Want to? Can I Get Stuck In Hypnosis?
To put simply, no.
Being as hypnosis is a very natural state that you enter in and out of on your own quite often, there is no real danger involved.
It can be said that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis and is in no way mind-control. I’m simply a guide that will assist you to allow yourself to go in and out of the state of hypnosis, while offering positive suggestions that will help you make those changes in your life you wish to make, and preparing your mind to better accept those suggestions of change.
When you visit me for a session you are agreeing to be hypnotized and know you will be in hypnosis. At all times you will be in complete control, I cannot make you do or say anything you do not want to, and you can reject any suggestions that you do not wish to take on board.
You also cannot get “stuck” in hypnosis during our session, you will naturally exit the hypnotic state on your own if I left you for a period of time. Which is subjective to each client.
Where Are Sessions Held? Can I Do Online Sessions? Can You Visit My Home?
Typically your session are conducted online using secure Zoom video calls. This alleviates the stress and hassle of driving to an office and allows you to be more relaxed and comfortable.
Clients wishing to have an in-person session in the privacy of their own home or office should contact MHI directly before booking, so we can discuss distance and any additional time and travel expenses.
Can Someone Accompany Me to My Session? Can We Have a Joint or Group Session?
While we appreciate that you may wish to bring someone with you, the session is more effective without the distraction of a friend or partner in the room.
Sessions are a personal and private matter, and with your best interests in mind, it is suggested that you have them wait elsewhere until your session is over.
As far as joint and group sessions go, unless it is stated otherwise in a specific package, program, or workshop, or agreed upon in advance, all sessions are conducted solo.
How Long Do Sessions Last?
A typical session can last anywhere from 30-90 minutes, depending on various factors.
How Much Does Hypnotherapy Cost?
We start with a program of 4 sessions for $1,497 and your total investment depends on several factors such as the issues you are addressing, the work that will be involved, and how many sessions you end up requiring. Some people may begin to see results after 1-2 sessions, most people begin to see results after 3-6 sessions, and others may require more.
Don’t think of it as a cost but rather an investment in your future.
You are working with a professional to assist you with one or more problems that are interfering with your life in some way, maybe affecting your job or even your health.
What is your future happiness and health worth to you? How badly do you wish to resolve that problem or remove that unwanted habit which used to control your life?
How Do I Pay and What Methods Do You Accept?
Payment is made at the time of purchase for packages and programs or at the time of booking for individual sessions, to secure your appointment and confirm your commitment to the process.
MHI accepts payment via most major credit/debit cards through the online booking system, get in touch if you would like to discuss making a payment via another method such as PayPal, Cash or Bitcoin.
Do You Take Insurance?
At this time MHI does not take insurance. In general, most insurance companies do not cover hypnosis, yet you could always inquire with yours to see if it is a reimbursable expense. MHI will happily provide a detailed receipt of service if needed.
Member of:
Professional Organization of Stage Hypnotists (POSH)
2016-2024
Association of Professional Stage Hypnotists
2016-2024
Association of Professional Hypnotherapists & Psychotherapists (APHP)
2016-2024
Association of Complete Mind Therapists (ACMT)
2016-2024
International Certification Board of Coaches and Hypnotists (ICBCH)
2023-2024
American Alliance of Hypnotists (AAH)
2023-2024
Certified By:
International Certification Board of Coaches and Hypnotists (ICBCH)
2023-2024
American Union of NLP (AUNLP®)
2024-2024
Awards:
Important Pages:
Copyright © 2024 Michigan Hypnosis Institute, LLC. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Results vary based on individual effort, engagement, and the application of the techniques taught. We are committed to providing the highest quality training using current knowledge and evidence-based hypnotic techniques. Our programs are designed to educate and empower individuals with skills for personal and professional growth. Success in applying these skills depends on your dedication, practice, and implementation.
While hypnosis and hypnotherapy are powerful tools for creating positive change, they are not substitutes for licensed medical or psychological care. Training and materials provided by the Michigan Hypnosis Institute are for educational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. Earnings and success in using these techniques are not guaranteed and will depend on various factors, including your commitment, market conditions, and individual aptitude.
For matters of a medical or psychological nature, always consult with a licensed healthcare professional.