Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Hypnosis is a natural altered state of mind with numerous beneficial characteristics, including (but not limited to): smoking cessation, improvements in test taking, improved athletic performance, overcoming fears/phobias, accelerated healing and goal attainment.

Some describe trance as feeling like they're floating while others feel more like a weighted blanket is on them. Trance activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which naturally relaxes the body. Trance also tends to heighten focus to one's own thoughts, imagination and senses. 

Hypnosis is a safe procedure when done by a well-trained hypnotherapist.

To become a certified hypnotherapist, the minimum requirement is usually around 120 hours of training. Alicia has taken 400 hours of training, with 100 hours being specific to medical hypnotherapy. She is a fellow of the International Board of Hypnotherapy, which requires continuing education. 

 If you are interested in hypnosis for any diagnosed medical or mental health issue, please speak to your doctor or psychiatrist to see if it is right for you. Hypnotherapy is not an alternative to medical or mental health treatment but it can help accelerate the healing process.

Hypnotherapy is an educational and self-improvement process that facilitates access to an individual's internal resources (subconscious mind) to assist them in solving problems, increasing motivation, altering behavior patterns to create positive change and accelerate healing. Hypnotherapy is the application of self-discovery and self-improvement methods utilized during the hypnotic state that help free a person from fear-based programming and assumed limitations. 

At Alicia O. Hypno, we practice a type of hypnotherapy called Integral Hypnotherapy™. This unique style of hypnotherapy is based on a collaborative, client-centered approach to hypnotherapy. It combines classical hypnotherapy with modern methods and protocols and integrates perennial wisdom traditions, philosophical counseling and human potential training, including life skills coaching and applied mind sciences. The Integral Hypnotherapy™ approach is evidence-based and has been scientifically validated by the National Institutes of Health funded research. (See study here: )

Hypnotherapy is not a "magic pill" or an alternative to medicine, but it can help accelerate healing (with a 93% success rate) when used as an adjunct alongside a medical protocol. While hypnotherapy is an evidence-based approach, it is not a medical model approach and can not be used as a medical substitute or alternative. 

There are many myths and misconceptions about hypnosis due to the way it is portrayed in stage shows and popular culture. Listed below are some popular misconceptions about hypnosis, along with the realities.

Myth: Hypnosis is a truth serum

Reality: The ego is a protection mechanism that is present during hypnosis. This means that a person in the hypnotic state will not divulge secrets unless they choose to and they cannot be controlled. In fact, it is possible to lie/edit thoughts when speaking in hypnosis.

Myth: Hypnosis can make you 'do something' 

Reality: Hypnosis is a level of awareness that puts a person in contact with both the conscious and subconscious mind simultaneously. A person in hypnosis will not do anything that is outside of their moral code. The ego is present and so a person will not surrender his or her will to the hypnotist. 

Myth: The strong-minded cannot easily be hypnotized

Reality: People who are more intelligent and creative are usually easier to hypnotize. Hypnosis helps people resolve problems through receiving information from their own  inner mind with the processing techniques facilitated by the hypnotherapist. 

Myth: You can get stuck in hypnosis/You can lose consciousness in hypnosis

Reality: Physically, hypnosis does not make someone lose consciousness or go to sleep. Hypnosis is a natural, yet altered state of mind where the conscious mind is relaxed and selective thinking is still maintained. Hypnosis is marked by the communication between the conscious mind and subconscious mind, it is not marked by feeling relaxed, although it is common to feel relaxed in the hypnotic state. 

Myth: Hypnosis is brainwashing

Reality: Brainwashing requires entrenchment with deprivation. If a person could be manipulated in trance, hypnotherapy would be 100% effective. The senses are generally enhanced during hypnosis and the person in hypnosis is acutely aware of everything going on, oftentimes more aware than they are in a fully-awake state. 

For more detailed information on how hypnosis works, schedule a free 20-minute consultation, where I will go over the Integral Hypnotherapy™ process and answer any questions you may have.

Hypnosis is a skill. This means it may take some practice before you feel like you're able to get into the hypnotic state, but anyone who wants to be hypnotized is capable of going into hypnosis. At Alicia O Hypno, we teach everyone how to go into hypnosis in the first session. We also provide a recording of the session so even if it doesn't feel like you're experiencing hypnosis immediately, you're able to practice daily until the next appointment. This practice makes experiencing trance easier each time.