Question: What is hypnosis?

Answer: Clinical hypnosis is a form of intense relaxation in which a trance state is elicited in order to work on pre-identified goals through suggestion and strengthening. Hypnosis utilizes focused absorption in order to be open to change.

 

Question: Will I be out of control?

Answer: All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. You will be in control the entire time and will not (can not) be forced to see or do anything that you do not want to.

 

Question: What does hypnosis feel like?

Answer: During hypnosis, Alex will elicit a trance state to invite you to work toward goals and/or behavior or thought changes using suggestion. You are not sleeping during trance, rather your inner awareness is intensified, paving the way for subconscious work.

 

Question: What is a trance?

Answer: Trance can be very similar to meditative states, as well as mindfulness practices. More emphasis is on the subconscious rather than the conscious. Most of us have experienced a form of hypnosis in our day-to-day lives. Driving and not remembering how you got from Point A to Point B, becoming completely immersed in an activity, daydreaming, etc. A trance is an intense focus state, opening the subconscious mind and allowing it to come forward for change and growth.

 

Question: What can hypnosis help with?

Answer: Hypnosis can be used for a wide variety of concerns and can be used to treat any issue you would bring to therapy including physical, emotional, psychological, behavioral, and cognitive concerns. This lists includes, but is not limited to: smoking cessation, worry, habit changes, increased self-esteem, performance enhancement, fears and phobias, behavior change, thought change, anxiety, eating disorders, sexual functioning, healing, pain management, gain understanding of core beliefs and/or issues, anesthesia, migraines, sleep disturbances, sensitivities, test anxiety, diet change, medical anxiety, restless legs, medical issues, stress reduction, motivation, healthier living, etc.

 

Question: Does hypnosis really work?

Answer: Hypnosis has been used since the 1700s, though the hypnosis we use has been revolutionized since 1958. Essentially, yes it works. To what degree may differ from person to person. Most people can experience some benefit from hypnosis. See the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis at www.asch.net for further exploration.

 

Question: Will hypnosis remove symptoms?

Answer: It can and is often the goal. Hypnosis is not intended, however, and may not work on symptoms that are currently serving a purpose. You may need to first learn additional healthy skills before using hypnosis to remove a symptom.

 

Question: Will I remember “lost memories?”

Answer: Memories are malleable and we have the ability to “alter” memories. Rather than focusing on identifying memories, often hypnosis is beneficial because it emphasizes the belief in the subconscious to achieve or stop something. If you are specifically searching for trauma healing, Alex recommends EMDR therapy, which is effective at reprocessing traumatic memories so they no longer impact you on a day-to-day basis.

 

Question: How long does hypnosis take?

Answer: Often, hypnosis can provide results much quicker than traditional psychotherapy, though some issues, including weight loss and trauma, can take longer than a few sessions. Each session varies. Sometimes a person can complete goals in a few sessions of 5 minutes of hypnosis, though it can typically go longer. The typical range of trance time is 10-30 minutes. Each person and goals vary, so there is no way of knowing how long. Some things, like smoking cessation or stopping a behavior, such as nail-biting, may take just a couple of sessions. As a professional, Alex wants you to experience results as quickly as possible for you, but it does differ for each person.

 

Question: Is there homework?

Answer: Yes, Alex will teach you self-hypnosis techniques to enhance the process and offer skills for change following the session. Hypnosis sessions can be recorded for further use.

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For clients with insurance in Montana, Conscious Counseling Services accepts

 

○ Medicaid

○ Healthy Montana Kids

○ Healthy Montana Kids Plus

○ Blue Cross Blue Shield

○ Aetna, Allegiance

○ Pacific Source

○ United Healthcare

○ First Choice

○ Montana Health Co-Op

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Sometimes, insurance from out of state may be accepted if it is listed above. If your insurance is not listed, please contact us as there is a possibility we may be able to accept additional healthcare, though we are unable to accept Medicare. If you are located outside of Montana (or are seeking short-term hypnosis therapy only, for example for smoking cessation alone), a cash rate will be accepted. Rates are $150 per 50-minute session. Cash or check is also accepted, as well as Venmo and PayPal. A sliding fee scale may be available. Let's talk about your options.

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