Hypnotherapy for stress, pain, and the habits holding you back

Yes, and the body of evidence has grown substantially in recent years. Hypnosis has been studied in randomized controlled trials and large-scale meta-analyses across dozens of applications, with particularly strong findings in chronic pain, anxiety, depression, IBS, smoking cessation, and menopausal symptoms.

A landmark 2024 review published in Frontiers in Psychology examined 20 years of meta-analyses and confirmed hypnosis as an evidence-based approach. The American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association, and the British Medical Association have all formally recognized hypnosis as a legitimate tool. The North American Menopause Society even rates hypnosis at Level I (their highest evidence designation) for menopausal hot flashes.

Neuroscience supports these findings as well. Recent brain imaging studies using EEG, fMRI, and MRS have confirmed that hypnosis produces measurable, objective changes in brain activity and neurochemistry.

Brain imaging research from Stanford University shows that hypnosis changes how key brain networks work together. Activity decreases in the default mode network, the brain’s hub for mind-wandering and self-focused thought, which quiets the mental chatter. At the same time, connectivity increases between the prefrontal cortex (executive control) and the insula (body awareness), helping the brain process and act on suggestions. Activity also decreases in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, which reduces the tendency to second-guess or critically evaluate those suggestions. In short, hypnosis helps the mind settle into focus, quiet the chatter, and tune in to the body.

Yes. Unlike pharmacological or invasive treatments, hypnotherapy invites you to take an active role in your healing, giving you practical tools and strategies for long-term success. Many people worry that hypnosis means losing control, but that isn’t the case. You can’t be made to do anything against your will, because hypnosis doesn’t override your values or moral compass. You also can’t get "stuck" in hypnosis, since you can return to full awareness whenever you choose. And it isn’t mind control. Hypnosis works by enhancing focus and openness, not by taking over the mind.

Most people are. According to research, about 2 out of 3 adults can be hypnotized, and roughly 15% are highly hypnotizable. Everyone responds a little differently, and people who are imaginative, open, and good at focusing often respond especially well. The good news is that even those who are less hypnotizable can still benefit from hypnosis.

No. Psychotherapy focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health disorders (services I do not provide). Instead, I offer supportive hypnosis, which uses guided relaxation and suggestion to help you change unhelpful habits of thought and behavior. Hypnotherapy supports your well-being alongside traditional care, but it is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment.

Yes. Hypnosis is a guided mental process that depends on your willingness to follow verbal cues into a state of focused relaxation. A voice, carefully chosen words, and a quiet space are all it needs. None of those things require you to be in the same room as your hypnotherapist. Most clients are surprised by how natural it feels, and many find that being in a familiar, comfortable space helps them relax more quickly than sitting in an unfamiliar office.

Yes, I offer in-person sessions at Very Well KC, located at 7905 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS 66204. It’s a healing arts center providing more than 20 services under one roof. Clients can book massage, chiropractic care, physical therapy, acupuncture, and holistic skincare, as well as talk therapy, hypnotherapy, and coaching. The center also hosts yoga, Pilates, meditation, and sound bath classes, and offers an infrared sauna. As one of its Integrative Care Partners, I offer sessions every Thursday, alongside practitioners whose work complements my own.

Yes. Everything you share in a session stays confidential. Online sessions are hosted by HIPAA-compliant Zoom for Healthcare, which meets strict security and privacy standards to protect your personal information. In-person sessions take place in a private room at Very Well KC. Sessions are never recorded, in audio or video, by me or by you. This keeps what you share private and off personal devices and shared accounts where it could be seen by others. You can read more about how I protect your privacy in my Client Bill of Rights.

Each session lasts one hour, split evenly between coaching and hypnosis. In the first thirty minutes, we identify what's driving your concern. We spend the second half in hypnosis, using what we've learned to address it directly.

I recommend starting with a series of three sessions. While many clients notice meaningful changes after their first visit, research shows that results are stronger and last longer with multiple sessions. I encourage clients to return whenever additional support would be helpful.

My fee is $150 for a one-hour session, or $375 for a three-session package (save $75). I accept credit, debit, FSA, and HSA cards. Sessions are self-pay, and I do not accept insurance. There are no hidden costs, no surprise charges, and no additional fees of any kind.