• Stop Smoking
• Appetite Control
• Stress Reduction
• Relieve Fears / Phobias
• Alcohol Dependence
• Overcome Procrastination
• Self Defeating Behaviors
• Relieve Anxiety
• Improve Memory / Recall
• Overcome Insomnia
• Increase Self Confidence & Self Image

Hypnosis, which is sometimes referred to as hypnotherapy or hypnotic suggestion, is an altered state of consciousness. This state of consciousness is generally artificially induced and is different from your everyday awareness. When you're under hypnosis:

• Your attention is more focused.
• You're more responsive to suggestions.
• You're more open and less critical or disbelieving.

Have you ever been totally absorbed while reading a book or cooking or watching a movie? Did you zone out to the point where you didn't notice what else was going on around you? If so, you have experienced a type of trancelike state or focused attention that's similar to what happens to you during hypnosis.

The purpose of hypnosis as a therapeutic technique is to help you understand and gain more control over your behavior, emotions or physical well-being.

It's not clear how hypnosis works. However, it appears to affect how your brain communicates with your body through nerve impulses, hormones and body chemicals such as neuropeptides. Hypnotherapists say that hypnosis creates a state of deep relaxation and quiets the mind. When you're hypnotized, you can concentrate intensely on a specific thought, memory, feeling or sensation while blocking out distractions. You're more open than usual to suggestions, and this can be used to improve your health and well-being.

Hypnosis is not intended to cure disease but rather to relieve symptoms of illness. Hypnosis has been effective in relieving pain associated with surgery, paralysis, and childbirth. Also, it is widely used to control addictions to drugs, alcohol, food, and smoking. Hypnosis can reduce stress by increasing relaxation, offering positive suggestions, and eliminating negative thoughts.

No formal licensing exists in the United States to govern hypnotherapists. It is important to find a health professional with extensive training and experience in hypnotherapy. Many psychologists, counselors, doctors, and dentists are experienced in hypnotherapy.

A variety of hypnotic techniques exists. The approach used depends on what you want to accomplish. We will choose the best technique for your particular situation.

For example, in one method, a hypnotherapist leads you into hypnosis by talking in gentle, soothing tones and describing images that create a sense of relaxation, security and well-being. While you're under hypnosis, the hypnotherapist suggests ways for you to achieve specific goals - for example, reducing pain or stress or helping to eliminate the cravings associated with smoking cessation.

In another technique, once you're under hypnosis the hypnotherapist helps stimulate your imagination by suggesting specific mental images to see in your mind's eye. This conscious creation of vivid, meaningful pictures in your mind is called mental imagery, and it's a powerful way to help bring about what you want to achieve. For example, hypnotherapists can help athletes specifically visualize what they want to accomplish before they perform it physically.

Self-hypnosis is a third technique. A certified hypnotherapist needs to teach you how to induce a state of hypnosis in yourself. You then can use this skill to help yourself.

• A typical session lasts 50 minutes.
• The number of sessions can range from one to a series of several.