What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a natural state that we all experience every day. It's that drowsy, in-between place you slip into as you are falling asleep - that moment when you are drifting off but could quickly become alert if disturbed by a noise. You also experience it as you wake up; slowly drifting to the surface of consciousness as you become aware of where you are, what day it is, and whether you can sleep in a little longer. And in this state, you have direct access to your subconscious mind. 

What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic medium that uses the power of positive suggestion to reach the subconscious mind. In traditional hypnotherapy, a trained hypnotherapist spends time learning where you want to make changes in your life and then plans with you for how those changes can occur. The hypnotherapist will then hypnotize you and give your subconscious mind the suggestions you have agreed upon, setting the plan in motion. Each time you meet with your hypnotherapist, you discuss your progress as you continue to work together to bring your subconscious script into alignment with your goals. It is a collaborative process designed to help you move forward at a pace that is comfortable for you.

How does Lora incorporate hypnotherapy into talk therapy sessions?

Not every session will include hypnotherapy techniques and hypnosis. I use it as needed and with the clients who are open to using it. I use it to access different parts of the client’s mind such as their inner child, survivor, victim, protector, etc. so that we can dialogue with that part to learn from it. Sometimes I use it to help a client to relax in session or when teaching meditation and grounding techniques to help manage anxiety.

How do I know if I can be hypnotized?

Almost everyone can be hypnotized if they choose to be. Because hypnosis is a natural state, the only thing that would prevent you from achieving hypnosis in a session would be if you consciously decide you do not want to be hypnotized. 

How do I know if I've been hypnotized?

There are many techniques that a qualified hypnotherapist utilizes to facilitate this process. After a few sessions, you will learn to recognize when you are going into hypnotic state and will even be able to catch yourself doing it naturally in your daily life. 

Will someone else have control over me while I'm hypnosis?

Absolutely not! You are always in complete control. Hypnosis is simply a focused state of mind while the body is relaxed. You can talk, smile, cry, and scratch an itch in hypnosis. I take special effort to make sure you feel safe and secure while in state. If you experience discomfort and want to stop the hypnotic process, I safely bring you back to an alert state. Again, you always have complete control.

Someone tried to hypnotize me before and it did not work. 

Not all hypnotherapists receive the same level of training and some programs are more rigorous than others. It is possible that the person hypnotizing you was unaware that we each receive information a little differently. Suggestions given in hypnosis must be tailored to the way you process information, which allows your subconscious to accept them.  There is also a possibility that you were feeling some resistance to being hypnotized and that is why you did not achieve state. As aforementioned, you have to want to be hypnotized for it to happen. 

What qualifies Lora to be a Hypnotherapist?

I trained at the Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI) in Tarzana, CA. HMI is the first nationally accredited college of hypnotherapy in the United States. I was required to complete 720 hours of combined coursework and supervised internship hours over the course of a year to earn my certification. 

 Why are hypnotherapists certified instead of licensed?

There is currently no license for hypnotherapy. A hypnotherapist is a certified counselor. Some licensed medical and mental health professionals choose to become certified in hypnotherapy. For example, my license as a Marriage and Family Therapist is separate from my hypnotherapy certification.