Learn More About Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy

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The name was inspired by the Greek god of sleep, Hypnos. People who practice hypnosis for health often appear so deeply relaxed that look like they are sleeping; hence the name 'hypnosis'.  

Hypnosis is a deeply relaxed state of being. It is completely natural and as unique to us as our own fingerprint. Hypnotherapy is the practice of working in this highly relaxed state to achieve lasting results. 

Hypnotherapy is a highly effective, non-invasive tool. It can be used on its own or as a compliment to other therapies to achieve lasting results. 

• Hypnotherapy has a 93%  success rate after an average of 6 sessions
• Behavioural Therapy has a 72% success rate after an average of 22 sessions  
• Psychoanalysis has a 38% success rate after an average of 600 sessions

Source: Barrios, Alfred A. “Hypnotherapy: A Reappraisal,” Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice (1970)  

Typically when you first begin practicing hypnosis it will feel prescriptive - like something you are doing in response to an undesirable something. 

Through practice hypnosis becomes preventative - something you are doing to proactively avoid an undesirable something from happening in the first place.  

If you are interested in learning more about how hypnosis improves ANS functions, you might find this resource of interest: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10968788

In hypnotherapy, we by-pass the critical factor of the mind to work on the subconscious level. This allows us to visit our core values, the root causes of issues, and strengthen our mind-body connection. A session might feel like a guided meditation with lasting results.  

Hypnotherapy can help with a wide range of issues, including reducing stress and anxiety, mainstream media deprogramming, smoking cessation, improving sleep quality, transforming your relationship with food, ending self sabotage, quit nail biting, quit skin picking, quit negative rumination, and much more... 

I practice a practical, collaborative style of hypnotherapy - not authoritative or gimmicky entertainment hypnosis. Throughout the past 20 years of my career I have gained hands-on experience working with the subconscious mind in a wide range of spaces. 

My Hypnotherapy Certification is issued by the world-renowned Grace Method Hypnotherapy School, which is endorsed by the IACT (International Association of Counselors & Therapists) and IHF (International Hypnosis Federation) and meets all requirements for the CHt. (Certified Hypnotherapist) designation.

See the 'About Andy' page for more information. 

I conduct in-person and remote sessions from my studio office; 24 Victoria Avenue,  Belleville, Ontario, Canada. 

Hypnotherapy in Canada is unregulated. Regulation guidelines throughout the U.S. vary by State. Certifying with a reputable organization is optional and typically academic programs do not cover hypnotherapy in school; meaning you can complete a PhD in Psychology and never take a class in hypnotherapy so it's important to do your own research when choosing a practitioner.

If you are seeing a counselor or psychologist and they haven't yet recommended hypnotherapy, don't assume it's because it won't work for you, they might not have studied it - so ask. 

When looking for a hypnotherapist, go with someone you trust and feel welcome to ask questions about their experience and qualifications. 

Please refer to the Price List & Bookings page.

My services are not covered by OHIP. 

Please check with your insurance company for details about their coverage. 

Please check with your accountant about tax rebates. 

There are 2 key reasons:

1. You need to see a licensed medical professional to obtain a diagnosis or prescribed medication. Work with your family doctor or specialist if you are pursuing a diagnosis or medication.

2. In hypnotherapy, we work with the resources you have within yourself by guiding you to connect with your subconscious and amplify the resources already available to you. 

Hypnotherapy can be used as a non-invasive method all on it's own or as a compliment to other methods you might be pursuing. For example, if you are an emotional eater and choose medication or surgery to help alleviate undesired symptoms, feelings, and/or behaviours but you have not yet addressed the emotional drivers involved in this behaviour, you might be at risk of relapsing into the same behaviour despite the medication or surgery. A quick Google search will return reports about the link between abuse and obesity, for example, or hear what Grace Smith shares about it in her MedCircle  interview by clicking below: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdeEeawHAik&t=26m45s

For some people, addressing the emotional aspects of our unwanted behaviours by connecting with the subconscious and updating the beliefs that are stored there will be enough to establish a new relationship with the undesirable - feeling, behaviour, habit, etc. If trying the least invasive option to improve your mental and physical health appeals to you, then hypnotherapy is an excellent option for you. 

Click the YouTube link below to hear Dr. Ramani discuss how she refers her patients to hypnotherapists for smoking cessation because statistically is it the most effective method AND her clients don't have to put more chemicals in their body to achieve their goals:

https://youtu.be/xdeEeawHAik?si=6-aVjzIp96fM7TIA&t=7m36s

Remember that hypnotherapy is NOT a replacement for medical attention. For example, if you break your leg you still need to go to the hospital for a cast. In addition to your cast, hypnotherapy can help reduce the pain you experience during the healing process and could help you heal faster. 

These reports provide some examples of how these methods can compliment one another:

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2003/05/hypnosis-helps-healing-2/

https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2003/11/hypnosis-heals-html