What makes a good hypnotherapist?

A good hypnotherapist is creative, compassionate, confident, intelligent and persistent. Skill levels and training vary, so exercise caution before setting an appointment. It is recommended that you interview your hypnotherapist before an initial visit. Skilled hypnotherapists will convey their ability and talent to you during a phone interview. Ask your prospective hypnotherapists if they teach classes or write articles; communication skills for writing, teaching and hypnotherapy are very similar. For added protection and extra benefit, ask your prospective hypnotherapist if he is willing to video tape or audio tape your sessions. So my potential clients can further assess my own knowledge and skill, I encourage them to attend one of my classes or read my articles or book.

Where is your office located?

My office is at 3166 N. Lincoln Ave., Suite 206, Chicago, IL 60657, near the intersection of Lincoln, Ashland and Belmont. Street parking is easy to find during the day, and there are three parking lots located within two blocks of my office.

What are your office hours?

I maintain regular Monday through Friday daytime hours, and often schedule evening and Saturday appointments. If you truly desire hypnotherapy, weÕll be able to schedule an appointment at your convenience.

Can everyone be hypnotized?

Since I started practicing in 1983, only a few of my clients did not experience a medium or deep trance. Occasionally a client will say, "I wasnÕt hypnotized; I heard everything you said." Hypnosis is not a sleep state, so it is natural for a client to recall all or part of what was said during a trance.

Do you offer any guarantees?

Hypnotherapy requires a team effort. I guarantee that I will carry out my share of the therapeutic process. As part of my guarantee, IÕm willing to videotape our session for a $1.00 fee. If you choose to have a videotape made, you go home with the only copy. I have nothing to hide. All my words and actions are recorded on your tape.

How many sessions are required?

Clients can schedule as few or as many sessions as they like. I try to help patients accomplish as much as possible in every appointment. I assume each client does not have unlimited funds. Because hypnotherapy sessions are so intense and powerful, they usually occur two to four weeks apart. Setting appointments involves a combination of each clientÕs instincts and my own sense of when it is best to meet again.

Is it possible to strive for more than one goal at a time?

Yes. Very often clients come for help with one problem and discover hypnosis can benefit them in other ways. For example, one client came to quit smoking and her psoriasis disappeared. Another client came to lose weight and soon decided she wanted a new job. Shortly thereafter she found employment with higher pay and better benefits. Because hypnosis is good for the mind and body in general, hypnosis can help you with each of your specific problems.

Can I make an appointment with you if IÕm already seeing a therapist or medical doctor?

Yes, I often see patients who are under the care of medical doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. The purpose of hypnotherapy is to complement and support other health care professions; hypnotherapy does not replace other traditional forms of treatment. Please discuss your intention of seeking hypnotherapy with your current health care provider before setting an appointment.

Can hypnosis help reduce stress?

Yes. Physically and mentally hypnosis is the exact opposite of stress. During hypnosis, the body relaxes with decreases in blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen consumption and muscle tension, and the mind is extremely focused, which is contrary to the stress symptom of inability to concentrate.

How does hypnosis help a person lose weight?

Concentration is a characteristic of hypnosis. It takes concentration to succeed at anything, including successfully losing weight. The 20 to 30 minutes a person spends in hypnosis concentrating on eating more fresh, wholesome foods and smaller meals carries over for the remainder of the day. Repetition of weight-loss suggestions can help replace old eating habits with healthier new ones. Interactive visualization and regression help identify the source of bad dietary habits and the steps necessary to alleviate them. Hypnosis can motivate people to exercise, which is usually a key component of any successful weight loss program.

Can visualization fight cancer, the HIV virus or autoimmune diseases?

There have been 22 medical studies on visualization and healing. In 18 of those studies, the conclusion was that visualization helps fight cancer. For more information on visualization and healing, read Getting Well Again by oncologist Dr. Carl Simonton.

What is your stop-smoking success rate?

Although I cannot follow patients over long periods of time, I know my success rate is high because I make a follow-up phone call two days to two weeks after a stop-smoking appointment. I have had good success with severely addicted smokers and people with asthma, bronchitis, cancer or emphysema who have continued to smoke until our smoking-cessation appointment.

How many appointments are necessary for quitting smoking?

My goal is to help you quit smoking in one appointment. You leave my office with a cassette tape to reinforce your new, fresh, clean smoke-free behavior. You can listen to your tape as often you need to remain a happier and healthier ex-smoker. Sometimes, underlying anxiety, fear, nervousness, resentment or stress must be addressed in a quit-smoking session.

I am afraid IÕll gain weight if I quit smoking?

DonÕt let the fear of gaining weight stop you from quitting smoking. If putting on weight is a concern of yours, I will give you suggestions for eating healthier. If my suggestions work for quitting smoking, then most likely my suggestions will assist you in curbing your appetite.