The Answer Is Within You

How I became a hypnotherapist and how it worked out for me is an adventure story of hope and personal awakening.

When I was 10 years old, I decided I would be a psychiatrist. Not because Bob Newhart played a psychiatrist on his show–which I absolutely adored–but because I needed for there to be a purpose in suffering. I read books about reincarnation, books about mind control, books about Theosophy, so-called channeled books, books about extraterrestrials,and books about Jesus Christ. My hypnosis story starts there.

At some point I realized that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor. I didn’t care for that. I put Psychiatry out of my thoughts and instead I focused my energy on my studies, playing piano, dancing, theater, art, and writing. I got a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in drama from New York University. How I became a hypnotherapist and how it worked out for me is a very personal journey.

A devoted life

I have always practiced yoga. As a child I taught myself–I studied philosophy, meditated,and did the breathing exercises and postures. I continued to study and practice through college and afterward. In 1992 I started teaching yoga full time in 1992–I was 27 years old. In 1999 I opened my first yoga studio named “Mama Nirvana’s New Yoga.” In 2013 I changed the name to “Nirvana Yoga.” How I became Mama Nirvana is another story.

From 1999 to 2020 I founded, owned, and co-owned three different studios which won the Valley Advocate’s “Best of the Valley” ten times. I also taught yoga teacher trainings and co-led retreats internationally.

A crisis creates an opportunity

In 2008, I had already felt restless in my career for several years. I needed something new. I loved teaching yoga but I had knowledge and talents that would never fit into a yoga career. Then, the economy took a nose-dive and I woke up. No one knew if yoga would survive the downturn. I needed a new (or additional) career.

I got the direction I was looking for from a remarkable astrologer named Robert Tkoch. A close friend had found him through another friend. She urged me (very strongly) to get a reading. As she is an older, practical Yankee lady, the advice was so out of character that I felt compelled to follow it.

This is how Robert worked: Go to Robert’s website, fill out the form, pay, and wait for recording to arrive by email within 48 hours. (Try to remember how dodgy this seemed back in 2008.) I didn’t expect much from this exercise. I figured this astrologer would have a repertoire of not-very-specific narratives that he would recycle for hisnever-to-be-seenn clientele.

Hit right between the eyes but in a good way

What I received knocked me to the floor. The scene: it’s around midnight, and I’m sitting in the dark, lit by the glowing computer screen and listening to the low, odd voice speaking to ME–to my soul. The voice tells me everything I always knew about me but didn’t know, until another human being is saying it all to me, in words and language rich with meaning, in a way so kind, so compassionate. I couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down my cheeks. Relief, recognition, truth.

I’d like to say I heard the words “You should be a hypnotherapist.” I actually heard “You will never be happy trying to attract large groups of people to you…don’t expect lots of people to share your profound relationship to yoga. Over time the world will become more and more superficial. You won’t be happy in yoga much longer. You will be much happier working one-on-one. It doesn’t matter what it is, just that it’s one-on-one.”

A Search

One-on-one sounded likea relief to me. I was tired of trying to motivate groups of people. I looked up “occupations” on the Department of Labor website: Accountant (who wants a creative accountant?) Acupuncturist (underpaid) Animal trainer (no interest), Arborist (no comment)…

Paralegal? House cleaner? Dog groomer? Financial planner? Real Estate? For each occupation I had a good reason to rule it out.

One occupation not listed was “Buddhist Meditation Teacher.” Throughout my adult years I have studied with some brilliant Buddhist meditation teachers. For a long time I was in awe of my teachers. I wanted to be like them, and do what they were doing, but for many years I felt too young and immature. Training took years and required long periods of time away from home in silent retreats. By the time I might have been ready, I had a husband, two yoga studios to operate, and an aging parent.

I knew from personal experience the life-defining power of studying Buddhist philosophy combined with daily meditation. I wondered how I could use what I knew to help people who don’t have the time, motivation, privilege or ability to do as I had done.

When I saw “Hypnotherapist” on the list I didn’t rule it out.

The decision

I continued researching, now to find out how a person goes about becoming a credible hypnotherapist. Was there such a thing? Most of the hypnosis certification programs I found were brief: a weekend or two; five days, two weeks. I became suspicious of the field because I could see no standard of training. I thought that the training should be the at least equivalent of a Master’s Degree from a university.

I found two hypnotherapy schools that gave me hope. Both required hundreds of hours of training and therefore a big commitment of time and money. One held their classes at a resort in the Bay area of California. The other was a full-time brick-and-mortar school in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I immediately decided to go to New Mexico. At the time, the possibility of spending extended time in Santa Fe was a dream come true. I was excited that I would be able to camp the entire time, which was something I loved to do. In June of 2009, I started my training at the Hypnotherapy Academy of America in Santa Fe.

The Journey

My time and experiences in the Southwest, both during and outside of training, would fill an entire book. I had expected the training to be deadly dull. What little I knew about hypnosis involved repeating scripts over and over again.

From the first morning of the course, I knew I was in the perfect place, learning the perfect lessons for me. The course challenged me on all levels. We were required to show our competence in performing each new technique–and there were dozens. We were also required to experience each one exactly as a client would. My personal growth went through the roof. I now had proof that the methods worked.

From student to master

After my initial 250 hours of hands-on supervised training, I opened my private practice. That was in 2010. My practice took off immediately and my work has been in high demand ever since. I have sought out hundreds of hours of in-person supervised training, in small groups or one-on-one. I can’t describe the feeling of satisfaction I get from doing this work. Each day I learn more. I’m still curious and passionate. I still have the drive to discover the hidden powers of the human mind to relieve suffering in myself and others.

"I've been looking for an excellent hynotherapist for many months, and am elated to have found Ruth Anne. She is a gifted practitioner, with a capacity to help catalyze change and transformation. She's also an epically great listener - able to listen deeply, and cut through the haze of conscious mind to get to the heart of what's really underneath patterns, behaviors, thoughts, and beliefs. (And with a wicked sense of humor, to boot!) Even during our first session, I had several deep "a-ha!" moments that continued to reverberate with me in the days and weeks following. I was also impressed by her ability to trace my "presenting problem" back to some core wounds from childhood - things that years of traditional talk therapy hadn't unearthed. I'm grateful to be able to continue to leverage Ruth Anne's support as I work toward continued healing and growth."--Sophie Lippert

"Ruth Anne is simply amazing.
I've had a few appointments with her over the years and she always fixes me up to feel brand new and ready to face the world again. Recently was no exception. Facing one of the biggest challenges of my life I realized I needed a consult with 'Dr Ruth' to help me gain a healthier perspective to move forward.
In a series of very simple questions she was able to hone in brilliantly ( and I don't use that word lightly, ever) on what was needed.
Through 90 mins of laughing til tears rolled down my cheeks - due to her insights, tapping into some of my life's heartbreaks ( a couple more tears), and her skillfully rebutting unhealthy baggage I needed to discard, I emerged renewed and ready to move forward with much more clarity and self-forgiveness.
I can't say enough about RuthAnne's skills as a hypnotherapist. She should be winning awards.
She was also the best yoga teacher I ever had during 20 years of practicing, til she made the switch to going even deeper and truly changing people's lives for the better.
A rare rare find in this life!
The value for the money is incredible too." --Heather W.

"I first went to Ruth Anne because I was suffering from an extreme fear of poultry. I'm being honest here because I know it's an unusual fear that most people can't relate to. However, I believe it's important for others with unique fears to know that Ruth Anne is completely non-judgmental. If you’re dealing with something that makes you uncomfortable, know that you can get help. I decided I didn’t want to live with the limitations of that fear anymore. Ruth Anne showed me that I actually have control over how things affect me.

When people ask about my experience, I tell them about the session I had years ago, which is still vivid in my mind. She gave me two simple words to use whenever I need to feel calm and confident—and they still work! Thanks to her, I no longer suffer from that fear. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I used to feel literally haunted by it. Now, I have five chickens who are actually quite sweet, and I'm thankful for the eggs they provide.

Marilyn, the hypnotherapy dog, played a significant role in making me feel safe during my sessions. Her presence was comforting; she sat on my lap, seeming to check in and be aware of how I was feeling. Running my fingers through her fur and feeling her weight was incredibly soothing. She wasn’t on my lap the whole time, but just having her in the room felt supportive, as if she was there just for me. I'm now free from my fear, and for that, I'm incredibly grateful." --Megan Smith

"She was able to do more for me in just a few sessions of hypnotherapy than in years I've spent doing talk therapy on the same subjects." ---Katherine Pangborn

“I have been working with Ruth Anne on resolving some unhealthy lifestyle habits for the past few months. After dealing with these issues since I was a child, they are now a thing of the past. I am incredibly grateful for the kindness, generosity, and patience she has shown me throughout this process. She has provided me with so much clarity and simplicity in my seemingly complicated problems. She is full of insight, wisdom, and truth. I would highly recommend Ruth to anyone trying to overcome any issue they may have,” Kacey Boos, Acupuncturist. She can be found at ShireAcupuncture.com

“Ruth Anne helped me twice, first for a gambling addiction that I thought would destroy my life, then several years later for procrastination. The answers are truly within and she can help you find them.”

— Naomi N

“Ruth Anne was recommended to me by a specialist at a Boston Brain Injury Center as I was experiencing great difficulty with migraines, memory, communication, a vision disorder, and healing after a traumatic brain injury (skiing accident). I had brain damage in 2 places and nerve damage in 4. Ruth Anne helped me move forward faster, with less pain and to a better place in life than I was pre-brain injury. She helped me get through my wedding day when I was still a wreck and between her assistance and adrenaline I experienced little to no symptoms (a typical day at that time included slurred speech, confusion, vomiting and debilitating migraines). I went to her for relief and expedited healing and was blown away at the positive results I experienced in those areas and more. She guided me to envision and find a means to results I wanted to achieve a better quality of life prior to starting a family. So grateful!”

— Rachel Monette

“My hypnosis session with Ruth Anne Lundeberg was life changing for me. I had been struggling with issues involving a colleague at work, and having sleep problems as well. I met with Ruth Anne for a hypnosis session. She was very professional, courteous, kind and empathic to my concerns. I felt very comfortable through the session, and was very pleased at how well the hypnosis worked. The session gave me a fresh new look at how to handle the issue at work, which allowed me to feel more comfortable in daily interactions with the colleague. My sleep problems have also subsided due to Ruth Anne’s guidance. I can’t thank you enough Ruth Anne!”

— Mary L.

“Peacefulness in body and mind, at a deeper level than ever before, are what I am grateful to Ruth Anne for a significant shift that has nearly stopped all tension and (tooth) grinding on only the second visit. I am confident in a full recovery from these symptoms, and others, which I am already lining up to address with Ruth Anne’s expert hypnosis support. Thank you!”

— Rachel Besserman

“I found Ruth Anne as I was searching for answers which conventional treatment would and cannot offer. I was highly interested in the power of guided hypnotism and miraculously I “stumbled” upon Ruth Anne’s practice. A few sessions with Ruth Anne opened up the gates to many locked feelings and visions which lead me to the depths of realms I was ready to submerge into. I experienced multidimensional realizations and opened up to a part of me where I could finally start searching for peace. I had led a war with my own self and digging deeper was essential for me. Ruth Anne is extraordinary, wondrous and inspiring. Her presence and aura welcome peace and balance. She led me to a much craved path of self acceptance and self love.”

— Brina

“I am a certified hypnotherapist…I wish to allay your fears about hypnosis. It is not like the entertainment you see. You will not be asked to do anything you do not wish to do. I had my doubts but found hypnosis very positive and eventually you can practice self hypnosis. I would always feel safe in her presence.”

— Edward Skwira

“Ruth Anne is an attentive listener, non judgmental and soft spoken…she inspires confidence and is very capable in the hypnosis process. I value her perspective and opinion. I trust her and have experienced success overcoming some of my issues.” A. W.”

— Awilda R.

“A friend suggested hypnosis as a way to get through a complicated emotional situation. I am very independent, never needed help before and have never taken antidepressants. I googled “Hypnosis: Northampton” and Ruth Anne’s website came up. I was skeptical that anything labeled “hypnosis” could help me. Ruth Anne helped me enormously to tap into my inner strength through the visualizations of hypnosis therapy. The office atmosphere is very comfortable and calming. Ruth Anne is exceptionally intelligent and compassionate. I am and will always be full of gratitude to Ruth Anne for her insightfulness and guidance in helping me to face events and free myself of my fear of being a victim of circumstances.”

— Northampton Resident

“Ruth Anne helped me get through a very difficult time of transition. I was in graduate school, feeling overwhelmed and scared about a lot of things. I needed to feel optimistic and strong again and she helped me get back on track. With Ruth Anne’s strength and guidance, I was able to visualize positive change and feel empowered to go after it.

I felt completely safe and comfortable during sessions with Ruth Anne, and I’d always leave her feeling more confident. I highly recommend Ruth Anne to anyone who wants to work through limiting thoughts or beliefs. She’ll help you figure out what’s getting in the way of feeling happy, safe, or energized.

She showed true commitment to helping me grow by accommodating my limited financial situation and allowing sessions to run as long as necessary to work through an issue.

Since working with Ruth Anne, I finished graduate school and have continued to conquer the fears that were overwhelming me. I’m deeply thankful for this change!”

— Briana

“Hello everyone,

When I met Ruth, I was dealing with anxiety on extreme levels that my family and I couldn’t comprehend. I went to her in hopes her techniques would be able to help relieve some of the stress. And I am happier than ever to say it has! She was able to help me break things down, come to realization, and really focus on what is most important for myself. I am now beyond happy and blessed to say I am writing this message from my new home in California, where I would not have made it without a little bit of push and help from Ruth to get here. Before I met her, I could barely even imagine going out to a restaurant. She is truly an inspiring, dedicated worker and I am very thankful for all the help she had to offer.”

— Haley B

“Last fall, after multiple life changes and losses, I began experiencing extreme anxiety that interfered with my daily life. I decided to put my vulnerable little self in Ruth Anne’s hands. She was compassionate, kind and non-judgmental. I felt safe with Ruth Anne and after a handful of sessions my anxiety decreased. Since working with Ruth Anne I’ve attained goals I would not have thought possible a year ago.”

— Kelli M.

“I came to Ruth Anne when I was feeling particularly “stuck”.

There are moments in life when I can move through challenges and come out successful but there are also times when I cannot seem to find a way out. No matter which direction I turn I cannot find a resolution or peace. In this particular place, I found Ruth Anne to not only be helpful in solving my issue, she radically shifted my ability to make different empowering choices. Through gentle hypnosis I somehow gained a deeper insight I would not have had otherwise.

Her technique-powerful, disposition-loving, approach-compassionate and clarity for resolution-spot on. Since my first visit I have returned many more times each appointment met with success. She has helped open up my life in so many ways.”

— Andrea Chesnes

“I remember my first appointment with Ruth Anne more so than any other visit. I was nervous, but was put at ease. I was scared because this type of therapy was my last resort. I was lost, confused, and had recently left an abusive relationship….I was so lost that I missed the abusive relationship. When asked “what can I do for you?” all I could think was “save me.”… All I could say was ” I don’t know.”

Ruth Anne, with a calmness that was unfamiliar to me, softly led me into trance. There, I felt peace as I’d never felt before. A peace that lasted well after the session was over. For the first time in over a year I was able to see all the good in my life, all the blessings I had and most importantly, deserved to have.

Over several sessions, Ruth Anne helped me realize how important my self worth was, that happiness is a state of mind, and that I can make a conscious choice on how I react to situations. She taught me a few life skills that I was lacking which has allowed me to take responsibility for my actions. She helped me realize that I have options and choices and that there is no shame in admitting something isn’t working and changing my approach.

Not all this was done through hypnosis. Ruth Anne is a true “life coach” with obvious experience and is graceful in her delivery to her clients.

It doesn’t surprise me that the link to this testimonial is “THE ANSWER IS WITHIN YOU”. This is how Ruth Anne can help you….she will guide you to your answers within yourself as she has done for me.

Thank you Ruth Anne.

Paula”

— Paula Della Bernarda

“I was feeling stuck regarding a decision about whether or not to finish a degree program I was in and felt ambiguous about. Through coaching and hypnosis, Ruth Anne assisted me to show myself that this was not actually where my anxiety and discomfort lay as I already knew what I wanted to do. The ‘issue’ or ‘sticking point’ lay with: not allowing myself to trust my own integrity and; believing I was not deserving of happiness, freedom and meaning in my life; both due to old and outdated beliefs about myself and the world.

Once I knew this, I was able to access my inner wisdom efficiently and accurately to help see what action steps to take and what my truth is, and how to speak it.

The result was a shift to a far more positive, compassionate and trusting self image which led to my following through on actions I had thought of in the past as ‘impossible’ as much as I may have desired them. And the result of that, joy, inner confidence and freedom.

I did not walk into Ruth Anne’s office expecting these results. I feel strongly now that if inner change is something you really want, this works quickly and effectively, and YOU are the one calling the shots. That’s part of what makes the change so organic and trustworthy, and a large part of where the inner confidence comes from.

Thank you!”

— Karen Henning

“I came to Ruth Anne originally for her Soul Guidance and Spiritual Counseling. I was feeling incomplete, as my kids were getting older my life was shifting away from being a mom and I wanted help figuring out what to do next. I thought I was asking for help figuring out a new career path, what I realized is that what I wanted “to do next” was to be happier. I quickly realized what I wanted had less to do with how I spent my time each day and more about discovering the truth about me.

The biggest improvement in my life since working with Ruth Anne is in my relationships. I communicate more clearly and honestly. My parenting comes from love not fear. I can recognize when my “stuff” is influencing how I am behaving, and still be gentle with myself.

Hypnosis with Ruth Anne is effective, safe and fun! It’s not scary and I never feel out-of-control. I experience very deep emotions, but she stays with me, is comforting and caring and I always feel better having done the work.”

— Kate Smith

“I am very happy with the results from our session together. I am still feeling the benefits of the work we did that helped me to let go of a traumatic experience. The recurring negative emotions that had come to be associated with those events for me were causing considerable distress and were detracting from my self-esteem and happiness. Talk therapy and other modalities I had explored seemed to reinforce the injustice and anger I felt. Whereas the technique you helped me put into place strongly diminished my previously painful associations, such that life has gotten much better, and those paths into bad feelings that had become well-worn are less traveled today.

Thanks!”

— Jebb Remelius

"I have had many sessions with Ruth Anne over the years and each one has left me feeling transformed and empowered. She is professional powerful and compassionate. I recommend to anyone who is seek real life changing insights to make an appointment today. You will not be disappointed." Andrea Chesnes, founder, Root Yoga.

"I have had great experiences with Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy of Westrn NE. Ruth Anne has a natural and soothing way that invites calm and healing into the session. For me, the sessions themselves were nurturing and self affirming and gave me a variety of tools and affirmations to use in my daily life. I felt that Ruth Anne was able to tune into me to help me uncover the strength and healing that was already there. I would recommend her highly." Sarah Coblyn, Yoga Instructor and Owner of Sweet Roots Gardens. She can be found at: sweetrootsgardens.com

This is my 14th year in private Hypnotherapy practice.

Hypnotherapy is my career focus, not an add-on to another type of counseling or a side business.

I have over 1,000 hours of in-person training with top teachers in the field, Tim Simmerman-Sierra and Patrick Singleton.

I have logged over 14,000 hours of clinical hypnotherapy.

I’ve helped over 1,500 people since I opened my professional practice in 2010.

I’ve worked successfully with people from all backgrounds.

I welcome LGBTQ clients.

I can help with hundreds of issues.

Certifications include Master Hypnotist, NLP Practitioner, Past Life Regression Therapist, and Inner Mind Sourcing Practitioner.

This is just a partial list. Don't worry if you don’t see your particular issue here, just ask.

● lack of interest in exercise

● sugar addiction

● anxiety

● insomnia

● gambling addiction

● fear of intimacy

● fear of public speaking

● emotional and/or physical trauma

● fear of the dentist

● fear of medical procedures like needles, surgery, anaesthesia, etc.

● fainting at the sight of blood

● hair pulling

● procrastination

● lack of motivation

● “choking” in sports

● stage fright

● testing anxiety/poor scores

● bad grades in school

● unable to finish a dissertation

● the “yips” in golf

● problems in romantic relationships

● infertility

● anxiety

● fear of heights, stairs, ledges

● fear of driving, flying, traveling away from home

● lack of prosperity

● longstanding anger/resentment

● emotional challenges due to separation/divorce

● negative self-image

● lack of confidence

● poor concentration

● grief

● writer’s block

● picky eating

● lack of following through

● time wasting

● can’t find a job

● lack of focus or purpose

● working too much

● overwhelmed/can’t say no

● Unhealthy lifestyle

● Depression

● Negativity

● Lack of motivation

● Poor athletic performance

● Work stress

● Trauma

● Recurring nightmares

● Perfectionism

● Low test scores

● Fear of losing a parent, child or spouse

● Fear of flying

● Fear of driving

● Fear of getting stuck in traffic

● Fear of leaving the house

● Fear of going more than a short distance from home

● Fear of elevators, escalators

● Fear of being outdoors

● Fear of open spaces

● Fear of small spaces

● Fear of pets, animals, snakes, insects, birds, medical/dental situations

● Fear of needles

● Fear of blood

● Fear of germs

● Fear of contamination

● Fear of throwing up, seeing someone else throw up

● Fear of Heights

● Fear of Uncertainty

● Fear of new experiences

● Fear of the unknown

● Fear of being alone

● Fear of snakes

● Fear of being evaluated

● Fear of water

● Fear of storms, thunder

● Fear of marriage

● Fear of parenthood

● Fear of being pregnant/giving birth

● Fear of being shamed

● Fear of going back to school

● Fear of dating

● Fear of taking tests

● Fear of job interviews

● compulsive/addictive behaviors:

● hand washing

● skin picking

● hair pulling

● cleaning

● tidying

● checking

● hoarding

● gambling

● gaming

● cell phone use

● social media

● tardiness

● worrying

● nail biting

● shopping

My Most Frequently Asked Questions from Thousands of Consultations:

What happens in a session?I ask you questions, and you answer them; I guide you to imagine different scenarios; I say positive things to your subconscious mind while you enjoy being in a natural healing state of hypnotic relaxation. I will explain fully as part of your free consultation.

Is the free consultation required? Yes. It will be brief and well worth your time, I promise.

What about confidentiality? Your confidentiality is guaranteed.

Will I be in a group? No. I offer exclusive, one-on-one sessions, fully customized to your needs.

I’m very intellectual. Great! So am I so we will get along just fine.

I’m still skeptical.Belief is less important than your desire to change.

Will I give up control? No. You remain in control the whole time.

What is NLP?Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP): NLP is an approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy. It emphasizes the connection between neurological processes (neuro-), language (linguistic), and behavioral patterns learned through experience (programming), proposing that these can be changed to achieve specific goals in life. While some hypnotherapists integrate NLP into the work, they are separate disciplines that require extensive training to be used effectively and ethically.

I have never been hypnotized before, will I be able to do it? Of course you will! Everyone has a different experience of the hypnotic state. It’s a natural function of the mind. I use my skills and experience to assist you in the most natural way.

My problem’s weird.Try me. Consultation.

How long does a session take?Anywhere from one to three hours.

Can I try a one-hour session and see how it goes? You could, but it may not be the be the best investment of your time and money. Let's discuss that in your consultation.

Will I be ok to drive afterward? Yes. Most people feel refreshed afterward. I recommend not scheduling anything right after your session.

I’m concerned I might not be hypnotizable.Hypnosis is not a trick but a capability we all have. I work with your mind to assist you in accessing hypnosis in the most natural way for you.

Can I bring someone with me into the session to watch?Usually, I would advise against it. However, I will consider that on a case-by-case basis.

Can I bring my pet?I already have a therapy dog in the room, so I can’t accommodate pets in my office. You might choose to work with me via zoom instead.

Where is your office?In downtown Northampton at 71 King Street (Route 5) near Main Street.

Is there off-street parking? Yes.

Is your office handicap-accessible? Unfortunately, I am not able to provide handicap accessibility. There is one set of stairs leading to my office.

Does insurance cover your services? Insurance companies can’t pay me directly, but many plans reimburse clients. Ask your carrier.

Where can I find your cancellation policy? My cancellation policy is clearly stated on my booking page, and a copy is included in your confirmation email. I will require a credit card to hold a session for you.

Do you record the session? I cannot record your session but you are welcome to record it on your own device. I make custom scripted high-quality self hypnosis recordings for clients for no additional charge as part of my introductory package.

Is there anything you can’t help with? I have the skills to assist with almost any issue. However, over my 14 years as a clinical hypnotherapist, I have learned which areas where I have consistently had the highest success rate. I don’t work with alcohol/substance abuse, past-life regression, recovering "lost" memories, sexual dysfunction, acute mental illness, personality disorders, minors under 18, and current situations involving domestic abuse, whether verbal or physical.

I won't try to "sell" you. Once we've talked you will know for yourself if my work is right for you.

I won't try to convince you to work with me. I won't quote you high prices for hours and hours of sessions.

You will be able to decide for yourself if my work will be right for you.

The consultation is how we get clear with each other about:

• Are we a good fit to work together?

• Are my services right for your needs?

• What is our goal for you?

• Exactly how much will I charge you?

• What exactly will you experience in a session with me?

• How will we know we've succeeded at helping you?

I will listen to you, explain my strategy to help you and quote you a flat price. You will have the opportunity to book your session, if you want to. I don't push for that.

I can't serve every person who wants to be a client. If I don't think I can guarantee a good outcome, I will tell you.

I will explain my cancellation policy and request a credit card to hold your appointment.

If you book, you will receive a detailed confirmation, a request to reconfirrm before the appointment, and a final reminder. These are automated messages that I can't override.

You may also receive supplementary materials including:

• An intake form to help you prepare for your session--so you can get the most out your investment.

• A professional agreement.

Zoom hypnotherapy can be as effective, or even better than in-person sessions for several reasons:

Convenience and Comfort

1. Familiar Environment: Clients are in the comfort of their own home, which can make it easier for them to relax and enter a hypnotic state.

2. Eliminates Travel: No need for commuting saves time and reduces stress, making the overall experience more convenient.

3. Flexible Scheduling: Easier to fit into busy schedules, allowing for more frequent and consistent sessions.

Effectiveness

4. Focused Attention: Online sessions can enhance focus since both the therapist and client are in a controlled environment with fewer distractions.

5. Visual and Auditory Cues: High-quality audio and video technology can effectively convey the therapist’s voice and facial expressions, essential components in hypnotherapy.

6. Privacy and Anonymity: Clients may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive issues from their private space, leading to more open and honest communication.

Technological Advantages

7. Use of Digital Tools: Integration of multimedia elements (e.g., calming visuals, guided meditations) can enhance the therapeutic experience.

8. Recording Sessions: Clients can have access to session recordings for reinforcement and practice between sessions.

9. Screen Sharing: Therapists can share resources, scripts, and visual aids directly with clients during the session.

Broad Access

10. Global Reach: Clients can access specialized therapists regardless of geographic location, ensuring they receive the best possible care.

11. Accessibility: Individuals with mobility issues or those living in remote areas can still receive quality hypnotherapy.

Consistency and Continuity

12. Regular Sessions: Easier to maintain a consistent schedule without the disruptions of travel, leading to potentially quicker progress.

13. Immediate Environment Integration: Therapists can help clients make changes directly in their home environment, such as creating a relaxing space for practice.

Cost-Effectiveness

14. Lower Costs: Savings on travel and potentially lower session fees can make hypnotherapy more affordable.

Enhanced Therapeutic Relationship

16. Personalized Approach: The intimate nature of one-on-one video calls can foster a strong, personal connection between therapist and client.

17. Adaptability: Sessions can be tailored more easily to the client’s immediate needs and circumstances.

By leveraging these benefits, Zoom hypnotherapy can offer a highly effective and sometimes superior alternative to traditional in-person sessions.

Hypnotherapy harnesses the power of your subconscious mind.

Your subconscious mind is the source of most thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Have you ever told yourself you wouldn’t indulge in something but ended up doing it anyway? Of course, we all have! Hypnosis works with the part of you that’s not responding to your will. It gets results where other methods fail. Here’s why:

Effectiveness: Hypnotherapy works for a full range of issues, including anxiety, phobias, smoking cessation, weight management, pain management, improving self-esteem, and more. It’s fast and results-driven.

Holistic: Hypnotherapy works with your entire being: mind, body, and spirit.

Non-Invasiveness: Hypnotherapy is safe, natural, and drug-free. There are no side effects.

Empowerment: Hypnotherapy is radically self-empowering. You can use it to break free from the obstacles that have been holding you back. It puts you in charge of your life today and tomorrow.

Complementary Approach: Hypnotherapy can stand alone or be used to boost other forms of therapy or medical treatment.

Lasting Results: Hypnotherapy gets to the root of the problem behavior/thought/emotion. I help you adjust at the root level. Then, the new, desired behavior/thought/emotion is natural and lasting.

Marilyn is a trained therapy dog.

She has been working with my clients since she was 8 weeks old.

She is now 5 years old.

She is a cockapoo.

She is non-allergenic.

She will interact with you only as much as you want her to.

She will be completely quiet during your session.

She will lie on your lap if you invite her.

She thrives on meeting new people.

She also helps me teach yoga.

She loves to travel and have new adventures.

She likes to swim and go kayaking.

As far as her fans are concerned, I’m just the person who walks behind and picks up the poop.

She’ll probably charm you too.

What is Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Where Did It Come From?

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a psychological approach that involves analyzing strategies used by successful individuals and applying them to reach personal goals. It relates thoughts, language, and patterns of behavior learned through experience to specific outcomes.

Origins of NLP

NLP was developed in the 1970s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Bandler, a mathematician, and Grinder, a linguist, were fascinated by the extraordinary results achieved by a few top communicators and therapists. They studied the techniques of leading figures like hypnotherapist Milton Erickson, gestalt therapist Fritz Perls, and family therapist Virginia Satir.

Bandler and Grinder identified patterns and techniques these practitioners used to achieve success with their clients. They believed these strategies could be taught and replicated, which led to the creation of NLP. The goal was to understand how language and mental imagery affect human behavior and to develop techniques for quickly changing thought patterns and behaviors.

Core Concepts of NLP

1. Modeling Excellence: NLP involves identifying and replicating the behaviors and thought patterns of successful individuals.

2. Communication and Change: It emphasizes effective communication, both with oneself and others, as a pathway to personal transformation.

3. The Mind-Body Connection: NLP posits that thoughts and physical sensations are interconnected, influencing each other in a dynamic loop.

Combining NLP with Hypnosis

Combining NLP with hypnosis can enhance the effectiveness of both techniques. Hypnosis involves guiding an individual into a state of deep relaxation and focused attention, allowing access to the subconscious mind. This state makes it easier to implement the changes and strategies developed through NLP.

Synergistic Benefits:

1. Enhanced Suggestibility: Hypnosis can increase a person's receptivity to suggestions, making NLP techniques more impactful.

2. Deeper Emotional Work: Hypnosis allows for deeper exploration of subconscious beliefs and patterns, complementing NLP's focus on conscious thought and behavior.

3. Rapid Change: The combination can facilitate faster and more profound changes, as the subconscious mind is more directly engaged in the process.

4. Holistic Approach: Using both approaches addresses issues from multiple angles, ensuring a more comprehensive and effective transformation.

Applications of NLP and Hypnosis

Together, NLP and hypnosis can be used to address a wide range of issues, including overcoming phobias, breaking bad habits, enhancing performance, managing stress, and improving overall well-being. They are powerful tools for personal development, therapy, education, business, and sports.

Conclusion

Neuro-Linguistic Programming is a powerful framework for understanding and improving human behavior. Originating from the studies of Richard Bandler and John Grinder, it offers practical tools for personal and professional growth. When combined with hypnosis, NLP becomes even more potent, providing a holistic approach to transformation and achieving lastin change. Whether for overcoming challenges, achieving goals, or enhancing communication, the synergy of NLP and hypnosis offers valuable insights and techniques for transforming one's life.