Do you feel confused, conflicted, or stuck? Perhaps an outdated belief or past experience has a hold on you. Maybe you find yourself at odds with yourself with different parts within you pulling in opposing directions. Or you sense there’s a deeper internal knowing about your next step in life, but it stays just out of reach.
My hypnotherapy practice is rooted in the belief that deep, lasting change is possible. Hypnotherapy is a transformative journey that honors your whole self—reconciling inner conflicts, healing old wounds/memories, exploring dreams, discerning your future path, and uncovering the wisdom of your deepest Self—all in a safe, confidential, grounded space. I’ve walked this path myself and would be honored to support you as you reclaim your freedom, peace, joy, and unfettered aliveness.
I nurture healing and wholeness by blending evidence-based hypnotherapy with your sense of your spiritual essence/truest self…however you define and experience that. A typical session begins with grounding and intention-setting, followed by guided hypnosis tailored to your goals. You remain fully aware and in control throughout. Techniques may include relaxation, visualization, storytelling, dialog between conflicting inner parts of yourself, gentle somatic inquiry, emotional release, and positive suggestions aligned with your goals. Sessions close with integration and support for ongoing growth and healing.
If you feel stuck or conflicted, carry old wounds, or long to feel more whole, connected, and free—this work is for you.
Call or email me to schedule a free introductory conversation.
FAQ’s
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural state of relaxation. We experience it while losing ourselves in a great movie, or in those moments just before waking or falling asleep. In this state of relaxation, the subconscious mind takes precedence over the conscious mind. The subconscious is the reservoir of our memories, emotions, beliefs, habits and dreams. Any profound and lasting change must therefore involve the subconscious. Hypnotherapy is the practice of inducing relaxation (hypnosis) so that the subconscious mind is open to positive suggestions that promote growth, goals and healing. Because it works directly with the subconscious, Hypnotherapy can be faster, more effective and longer lasting than some traditional therapy modalities. It is safe, requires relatively few sessions, and, most importantly, utilizes your own inner resources so that progress continues long after that last session.
Will you make me cluck like a chicken?
Only if you want to. Hypnosis is a state of relaxation, but you are always in control. I can make suggestions in alignment with your goals, but your subconscious will reject any suggestion that is not authentic for you or in your best interest.
For what kinds of issues might Hypnotherapy be helpful?
Processing grief
Relieving pain and encouraging habits/thoughts that support healing
Reframing/replacing deep-seated beliefs and habitual patterns that hold you back
Reconciling conflicting parts of yourself: competing internal voices, fears, and self-sabotage
Regressing safely to an earlier painful event to release or creatively integrate aspects of it that still affect you today
Meeting the needs of your "inner child”, who is still stuck at some developmental point in the past
Creating an inner sanctuary where you connect with your Highest Self to receive guidance and healing
Working with your dreams to understand their messages for your waking life
Clarifying your life purpose and future path
Refining and gaining confidence in your discernment abilities (how you know what you know)
Can Hypnotherapy be used for medical conditions?
Hypnotherapy is not a panacea. Hypnotherapists do not diagnose, prescribe or treat any physical or mental ailment. Hypnotherapy, however, can be an effective complementary support to the care you receive from a health professional. Why? Because it works with the subconscious to align your motivation, mental focus, habits, thought patterns, and belief systems with your conscious goals for wellness and wholeness. The subconscious is key because it regulates the body's involuntary functions, carries out ingrained habits, and houses our memories, deeply-held beliefs, emotions and imagination.
How is Hypnotherapy different than Psychotherapy/Psychology/Counseling?
Psychotherapy/Psychology typically utilizes talk-based approaches, often grounded in evidence-based theories (such as cognitive-behavioral or humanistic models) to address a diagnosed mental health condition. Through structured conversations, emotional exploration, and behavioral strategies, it treats mental health issues (often stemming from family of origin issues/trauma) and develops coping skills for personal, relational, or situational challenges.
Hypnotherapists neither diagnose nor seek to treat mental health disorders. Hypnotherapy helps you access your own inner wholeness and wisdom so as to promote greater freedom, aliveness, peace, joy and thriving. While psychotherapy, psychology, and counseling typically focus primarily on conscious thought and emotional processing, hypnotherapy offers a unique doorway to the subconscious and spiritual dimensions of healing. Some find hypnotherapy to be a wonderful complement to their work with a psychotherapist/counselor or other health professional.
Hypnotherapy uses gentle, guided hypnosis to access the subconscious mind, facilitating deep inner change, accelerated healing, and lasting transformation. You remain aware and in control as you access deeper states of insight and healing. The process can feel creative, intuitive, and deeply spiritual.
What do you mean by “spiritual”?
The “s” word has been misused/overused. To me, your spirituality is your deepest, truest, most alive self or Self, however you understand, experience, and connect with it. This is not about religion. I have zero-interest in converting you to any faith tradition or promoting any sect. I do, however, believe that you have within you a living Reality than includes yet transcends everything, and this reality can be sourced to promote your growth and healing. In sessions, we will explore what this is for you and how you know it - nature, images, metaphors, memories, bodily sensations - and ground in it as a way to safely and deeply do our work together.
How is Hypnotherapy different than Spiritual Guidance?
Spiritual Guidance is an open-ended exploration of your unfolding spiritual path. While problems and issues are explored, the focus is not on achieving goals, but rather using real-life situations as opportunities to deepen and integrate your spiritual aliveness. Sessions occur about once a month and are ongoing.
Hypnotherapy is goal-focused and channels the healing resources of your psyche to effect a specific, intentional change, growth or healing. Sessions are usually weekly (or every other week) and conclude after a limited amount of time, although some find it helpful to continue to meet on a less frequent basis for ongoing support.
While I often weave hypnotic techniques into Spiritual Guidance sessions, those clients may also wish to engage in a short-term course of Hypnotherapy to address a particular issue. Conversely, those who complete their Hypnotherapy sessions may wish to explore the spiritual questions/awakenings that arose during our sessions through ongoing Spiritual Guidance sessions. The door is open either way!
What is your training?
I received my Hypnotherapy certification from the Hypnotherapy Training Institute, which is one of the oldest and most highly regarded schools of hypnotherapy in the country. The Hypnotherapy Training Institute is licensed by the State of California and approved by the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners, the professional organization through which I also have certification as a hypnotherapist.
How long do sessions last?
After an initial phone interview to make sure we are a good fit to work together, the initial session is generally 60-90 minutes. The initial session is primarily a discussion about the issue you want to work on and may or may not include hypnosis. Most subsequent sessions are 60 minutes with the exception of regression sessions and “parts” work (see above), which require at least 90 minutes. At that first meeting, we would discuss how many sessions we might have, how frequently we meet (weekly or every other week), and the length of each session.
Are sessions confidential?
Yes, everything you say in a session is confidential (with, of course, the rare exceptions mandated by law). This is my commitment to you so that our work together can be honest, deep and not waste time beating around the bush. Confidentiality is also part of the professional code of ethics for hypnotherapy.
Where do sessions take place?
At my office in San Rafael, California, which is located in the center of town between Sun Valley and the West End. Because hospitality is an important part of any therapy, water and hot tea are always available. For those who live outside the Bay Area or for whom it is more convenient, we can meet via Zoom or another online platform.
What is the cost?
$90 per session for a 60 minute session. $135 for a 90 minute session. $180 for a 120 minute session.
Sliding scale is available for those with fixed/low incomes.
Unlike psychotherapy, sessions tend to be far fewer in number.
What have clients said about working with you?
Check out my page of testimonials.
For more information and to set up and appointment, contact me.