Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ answers the most common questions.

Surprisingly, this one came up twice in one week with different people:
"Are you Wiccan?"

No. If I were forced to describe my own spiritual beliefs, I'd say they are more akin to Gnosticism than anything else. I have a great respect for all beliefs, including Wiccan, Pagan, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, the Earth-based religions, and the ancient Goddesses. I believe they all contain some truths.

New to Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis?
For those unfamiliar with brainwave patterns and trance states, here's a chart of the relative states and their typical brainwave pattern.

What is Hypnosis?
Simply stated, it is a bypass of your critical factor that allows access to the subconscious. A hypnotherapist, the TV, a trauma, a shock, extreme relaxation, and even sheer repetition and boredom can bypass the critical factor.

What is a “Critical Factor?”
The critical factor is a small, but very powerful part of you. Think of it as the gatekeeper. Because the subconscious believes anything that falls in there is true (yes, anything) we have a gatekeeper that protects our subconscious from accepting things that might hurt it or that might be against its moral or ethical code. It’s a filter, but it doesn’t start forming until you’re about 5-years old and it isn’t completely formed until you’re about 10 or 12. Once the critical factor is bypassed, you’ve entered a hypnotic trance state. There are several brainwave patterns; beta is the normal waking state. You can reach a trance state in alpha, theta, and gamma brainwaves. During the trance state, the two halves of the brain are linked; therefore, more information flows between them. Nerve cells that control habits lose some of their electrical charge allowing you to become more receptive to change. Imagery and positive suggestion assist in forming new connections giving you the desired results of the changed habit.

What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is therapy that takes place during the trance state. A hypnotherapist can help you with phobias, traumas, and issues in this life not only help you replay the past. We help your subconscious reframe it and let it go so you can regain control of your life. Depending on how knotted up the issues are, we can resolve most problems in just a few sessions. Of course, the bigger your ball of knots, the more that varies.

What's the difference between a Hypnotist and a Hypnotherapist?
A hypnotist can assist you in attaining the trance state and do simple suggestion work with you.

A hypnotherapist can also help you therapeutically in the trance state. For example, if there is a past trauma in your life that you have had trouble releasing and perhaps it is causing you nightmares, we can help your subconscious release the trauma, resulting in the removal of the nightmares. Many times past traumas will manifest in our lives a physical ills and discomforts if they are not properly released.
 
Is everyone hypnotizable?
Everyone can be hypnotized as long as they meet these three criteria:

     (1)   You want to be hypnotized;
     (2)   You can and will follow the simple instructions of the hypnotherapist (there's a difference there); and
     (3)   You have an average or above IQ. 

The hypnotherapist is only the guide to help you connect with the trance state:  YOU DO ALL THE WORK! A good hypnotherapist can hypnotize anyone who meets those three criteria, even if you’re totally analytical and left-brained like this therapist!
 
How long is a typical hypnotherapy session?
The first session usually runs longer than following sessions because there is a lot to cover in your first visit. The first session runs about 2 hours. Following sessions run about 90 minutes. 
 
How long will I be in hypnotherapy?
Unlike "talk" therapies, hypnotherapy can usually bring you the results you want in a few sessions. Of course, that is highly individual and depends greatly on the client. I usually see folks for longer when we're working on weight issues (a lot is usually involved there) and personal growth issues. You WILL NOT be in hypnotherapy for 18 months or 2 years or the rest of your life! Hypnotherapy is a quick intervention tool so that we address whatever is causing you the discomfort you are experiencing in your life at this time.
What is Investigative Forensic Hypnosis?
Investigative Forensic Hypnosis is an investigative tool, just as you would use any other forensic tool, such as trace analysis or DNA matching.
 
Enforcement can use this tool to obtain more complete, better details form victims and witnesses so that their investigative units can obtain the physical evidence needed fro prosecution. Defense can use the same tool in a similar manner to obtain the physical evidence needed to clear the defendant.
 
How does Investigative Forensic Hypnosis work?
The Forensic Hypnotist places the subject in a hypnotic trance, allowing access to the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind is always there, always aware of what's going on, always aware of every little detail even if you consciously forget it. Once the subject is in the trance state, then the hypnotist returns the subject to the incident in question. The subconscious mind does not recognize time in a linear fashion as the conscious mind does:  for the subconscious mind, everything occurs NOW. So, once the subject is returned to the specific incident it is possible to have the subconscious mind slow down images, focus on images, and describe details that may or may not have come out during the conscious description of the incident.
 
The forensic hypnosis session itself also includes a detailed pre-hypnotic interview so that comparisons can be made between conscious descriptions and the detail brought out by the subconscious mind. The session is taped and a copy on VHS is supplied along with the final report of the hypnotist to the financially responsible party. The original is archived as evidence.
 
Is hypnosis a "truth serum?"
Unfortunately, no. Hypnosis is not a truth serum. The subconscious is also the seat of the persons values, so if they are inclined to tell the truth in a conscious state, they will also tell the truth in the subconscious state. This also holds true if the person is predisposed to lie.
 
Are hypnotically-refreshed memories admissible in court?
This varies from state-to-state. Currently, in Colorado, it is up to the individual judge as to whether hypnotically refreshed testimony is admissible. Its main value lies in providing enough detail for investigators to obtain the necessary physical evidence.
 
Isn't hypnosis just a bunch of hogwash?
Hypnosis occurs in more states of consciousness than most think. More and more studies are verifying its efficacy for a number of issues, and refreshing memory is actually one of the easier applications. The hardest thing for the hypnotist, if also a hypnotherapist, is to not lead the subject and to not do therapy during a forensic session.
 
Medical doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and a number of other professionals have recognized the usability of hypnosis and many are not incorporating it into their own private practicers.
 
How long is a typical forensic hypnosis session?
The length of the session depends on the case. Including the pre- and post-hypnotic interviews, several hours is typical for a forensic session and your Forensic Hypnotist will not schedule any more than one forensic session per day.


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