Book a sessionA short definition
Hypnosis is a state of focused attention and reduced critical judgment in which the subconscious becomes more open to change. Hypnotherapy is the use of that state for psychotherapeutic work: with fears, habits, pain, anxiety, beliefs about yourself.
It is not sleep, not loss of control and not "zombification". You hear every word, remember the session and can leave the trance at any moment. If you want a familiar comparison, it is like being so absorbed in a book that you do not hear someone calling you.
What happens in the brain in trance
fMRI research at Stanford (Jiang et al., 2017) showed three changes in the brain during hypnosis: reduced activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (less monitoring and doubting), stronger connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and the insula (better control over the body), and weaker connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and the default mode network (less reflection on one's own actions).
In plain terms: in trance the conscious "critic" steps back and the channel between thought and bodily response widens. That is why hypnosis can change what logical argument cannot reach: automatic fear responses, habits, physical symptoms.
What hypnotherapy works with
Below are the areas I work with, with a dedicated page for each:
What the research shows
How a session goes
A session lasts 60–90 minutes and takes place online over Zoom. Most requests need 1 to 6 meetings.
What exactly is bothering you, when it started, what you have tried. We set a concrete goal for the session. 15–20 minutes.
Entering trance through relaxation and focused attention. Usually 5–15 minutes. No swinging pendulum.
Depending on the request: finding the root of the problem, changing responses, working with imagery and beliefs, learning self-hypnosis.
A gentle return, discussing the experience, recommendations until the next meeting.
Can everyone be hypnotized?
The ability to enter trance (hypnotizability) varies, but roughly 80–85% of people reach a depth sufficient for therapeutic work. High intelligence and skepticism do not get in the way; only unwillingness does.
Hypnosis does not work against your will. If you came to "see if it works" rather than to change, the result will be weaker. If there is a real goal, it almost always works.
How to choose a hypnotherapist
- Certification from a recognized school (mine is the International Academy of Hypnosis, London; the certificate is shown on the home page).
- Honesty about the limits of the method: if someone promises to cure everything in one session, that is marketing.
- A free first conversation: a good practitioner first checks whether your request is a fit.
- Reviews, preferably on video: they are hard to fake.
- No pressure: "today only" packages or prepayment for 10 sessions are warning signs.
FAQ
Is hypnosis dangerous?+
For a healthy person, no. Absolute contraindications: psychosis, severe epilepsy, active suicidal intent, intoxication. The full list is on the "Contraindications" page.
Will I remember the session?+
Yes. Post-hypnotic amnesia is rare and only occurs with a specific suggestion, which I do not use.
How does hypnotherapy differ from psychotherapy?+
Hypnotherapy is one of the methods of psychotherapy. Unlike talk-based approaches, the work happens at the subconscious level, so change often comes faster.
Does it work online?+
Yes. Hypnosis works through voice and attention; after years of working online I see no difference in results compared with in-person sessions.
How much does it cost and how do I book?+
Message me the code word "Restart" on Telegram. The first consultation is free; we discuss your request, the format and the price there.
References
- Jiang H., White M.P., Greicius M.D., Waelde L.C., Spiegel D. (2017). Brain activity and functional connectivity associated with hypnosis. Cerebral Cortex.
- Jensen M.P. et al. (2017). New directions in hypnosis research: strategies for advancing the cognitive and clinical neuroscience of hypnosis. Neuroscience of Consciousness.
- Thompson T. et al. (2019). The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.
- Milling L.S., Valentine K.E., McCarley H.S., LoStimolo L.M. (2019). A meta-analysis of hypnotic interventions for depression symptoms: high hopes for hypnosis? American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis.