Hypnosis is a process to bypass the conscious mind, the part of our brain we use to interpret information, weigh our options, and make rational decisions. You use your conscious mind when you decide what clothes to wear or what you want to eat for lunch.

Hypnosis provides a means of direct communication between our conscious mind and our unconscious mind, which is the part of ourselves responsible for our intuition and the split-second decision-making that we do naturally in an emergency. Some people refer to their unconscious mind as a "gut feeling" or "Spidey-senses." Your unconscious mind is the source of your emotions. It takes over to guide your actions when you sense danger. Your unconscious mind is responsible for the automatic reaction to leave a building when you hear a fire alarm, or to reach out and stop a young child who's about to touch a hot dish that's just come out of the oven. Your unconscious mind compels you to act in accordance with your deeply held beliefs and your ethos--your sense of right and wrong, your sense for safety and preservation-of-life--which we refer to as your "model of the world."

Hypnotherapists must respect every person's individual model. We honor your beliefs.

Our unconscious minds like to learn through stories, images, sounds, and emotional associations. The unconscious learns and remembers by attaching meaning to things around us. For example, imagine you have a friend who is a natural scientist. One day they invite you to a nature center where they work, and they show you a beautiful berry bush covered with flowers and hard little red berries. Your friend explains to you that when the berries are red and firm, they're toxic to humans. But when they ripen to a rich dark purple color they're safe and delicious to eat. Your friend laughs when they tell you that early scientists figured out the berries were toxic because anyone who ate them got uncontrollable diarrhea.

Now that you've experienced this story, your unconscious mind has created some images or physical sensations, it has attached a narrative to berry bushes growing in the wilderness, and your unconscious mind has a very strong emotion--the desire to survive, the desire to avoid an experience where you poop your pants--all of this now exists within your instinctive mind. And the next time you see berries growing on the side of the road your unconscious mind will perform a rapid check for you, asking you to consider if those berries are safe for you to eat. Your unconscious mind will protect you from harm or embarrassment because it learned a lesson through story. It wants the best for you. It's your best friend who wants you to survive and thrive. It's always looking out for you.

Sometimes the unconscious mind is taught stories that don't align with our values, or stories that no longer serve to protect us. When the unconscious mind is performing check-ins that don't help us, or maybe too many check-ins that make us feel anxious or fearful... that is where a Hypnotherapist can step in to help you write new stories for your unconscious mind which better reflect your current self.

As therapists we guide patients into easier communication with your unconscious mind. We use the language and symbols and sounds your mind prefers. We guide you in accordance with your model of the world, so that your instincts and emotions and reactions all become aligned to the larger goals and dreams you have for yourself. Engaging your unconscious mind along with your consciousness makes it easier for you to understand where your emotions come from, and easier for you to take action on the things that are important to you.

Chances are you've already been practicing self-hypnosis for most of your life. So you will find it very easy and comfortable to experience a trance state during a Hypnotherapy Session.

If you've ever laid in bed and imagined something you wanted in vivid detail--that's hypnosis. If you've sat in the backseat of a car while someone else is driving and stared out the window, not really looking at anything, and let your mind wander into a daydream--that's hypnosis. If you've done yoga and experienced shavasana, the relaxation and mindfulness at the end of your yoga practice--that's hypnosis.

Dr. Milton Erickson wrote that "All hypnosis is self-hypnosis." Your Hypnotherapist is your coach helping you achieve a trance state on your own terms, in your own timeframe, according to what helps you feel most comfortable and in-control of your therapeutic experience.

No one can hypnotize you without your knowledge, consent, and active participation.

You're familiar with allowing your mind to freely go where it wants. You can guide your mind towards specific images, situations, or outcomes that you desire. And you know how to maintain comfortable awareness of your surroundings while relaxing deeply. That's all you need to have a productive and enjoyable hypnotherapy experience.

Therapeutic Hypnosis or 'trance' is a pleasant, comfortable experience where you are in control.

In a light trance, you will be aware of your surroundings and environment. It's similar to having a daydream or 'zoning out.' Light trance can feel like riding on a bus and staring out the window. You can still hear other people on the bus, hear the engine, hear the names of the stops being announced. You can see which road the bus is driving on. You can sense other people around you getting on or off the bus. And you're aware of your personal items like the weight of a backpack in your lap or a cold bottle of water in your hands. As you zone out, your mind is engaged in a pleasant fantasy, focused on something enjoyable you're going to do when you arrive at your destination. Time on the bus seems to pass more quickly because your mind finds this daydream pleasing. This type of light trance is the most common experience for Hypnotherapy patients.

In a deeper trance, you may feel slightly drowsy. Your head or limbs may feel heavy… which is why we recommend you sit or lie down in a comfortable position when receiving therapy. Many patients prefer to lay on their couch at home or even put on their pajamas! Whatever makes you comfortable is the right way to receive Hypnotherapy. You might notice that you move or speak more slowly than usual. You might breathe from your belly, taking deeper calming breaths. Deep trance is a calm and comfortable state where time seems to fly by. The sensation is similar to napping, slipping in and out of a light sleep, while a tv show plays in the background. When you wake up, you may not necessarily remember the tv show in detail; however the next time you watch the episode you fell asleep to, the scenes and dialogue feel very familiar. That's because your unconscious mind heard what was happening around you while you were drifting off and saved that information for you to use or form opinions about later, when you woke up.

Hypnosis utilizes the unconscious mind's ability to store much more information than you could memorize or recall consciously.

If you do not achieve deep trance, that does not make you a bad Hypnotherapy patient! Everyone’s mind is unique and we each receive information differently; your brain may prefer light trance or deep trance for any number of reasons. Our hormones and stress levels can also play a role in trance, such as elevated blood sugar or cortisol. As a Hypnotherapy patient and active participant in your Treatment Plan, you will notice over time what internal conditions or exterior environmental factors have a positive impact on your trance experience.

The more you practice trance, the more you'll learn about your body and your unconscious mind, and figure out your optimal conditions for deeper trance.

Your therapist will be able to make adjustments to best suit your needs.

Hypnosis can only ever encourage what you already feel, ideas or goals which you already want for yourself, and things you already know to be true.

A Hypnotist cannot "convince" you to do anything you don't want to do or say anything you don't believe to be true. Your beliefs, ethics, and morals are completely intact in a trance state. Your free will is not interfered with in any way. As a Hypnotherapy patient working with a certified therapist, you are always 100% in control of your session. You are in the driver's seat at all times.

You will only say or do that which you would say or do in a normal state and of your own free will.

Therapeutic Hypnosis is focused on helping you, never making you look silly or feel embarrassment about anything you've said or done during your session. The most physical movement you may expect during your session is a simple check of your situational bodily awareness, such as touching your finger to your nose or folding your hands together in your lap.

Stage hypnotists select participants who have what we refer to as "high suggestibility:" someone who already trusts the hypnotist based on social proof or perceived power, and who enthusiastically wants to participate in a stage show, meaning that they have some latent interest in performing or being silly in front of other people.

In contrast, Hypnotherapists work primarily with patients whose ability to trust may have been harmed as a result of negative interpersonal experiences (trauma) or unpleasant interactions with health care providers--we take extra time and consideration to help you understand the ins and outs of your specific Treatment Plan. Alongside providing your treatment we also teach you to do these techniques for yourself... so there is no mystery and no confusion. You will have complete clarity and oversight throughout your Treatment Plan.

Your sessions are between you and your therapist.

You are welcome to have an observer, friend, family member, or care-giver of your choosing with you for any of your sessions--providing that person understands what behaviors would be disruptive to your treatment, and will remain in an observing role unless you experience a situation where you need their help (such as wanting assistance to get up to use the bathroom).

Open Door Coaching & Therapy currently does not accept interns, associate practitioners, or trainees, and we have no plans to change this policy.

We believe this is the best practice for the privacy, comfort, and progress of our patients.