RESUME
Harley Sears
Award-winning hypnotherapist, author, and innovator dedicated to advancing hypnotherapy through compassionate care, professional advocacy, and evidence-based practice
Experience
Hypnotherapist
Private Practice | 2002-Present
- Operate and manage a successful nationwide practice, serving a diverse clientele with a focus on evidence-based hypnotherapy.
- Conduct client assessments, develop individualized plans, and provide ongoing support.
- Oversee an active Visiting Practitioner program, providing in-person hypnotherapy directly to partner organizations, including past clients such as Broadlawns Medical Center and UMKC School of Pharmacy.
Youth Counselor
Ozanam Home for Boys | 1999-2000
- Supervised and ensured the safety of residents in a residential treatment facility.
- Coached youth on essential daily living skills to promote independence and positive behavioral change.
Mental Health Specialist
Willow Crest Hospital | 1998-1999
- Delivered direct patient care and administered therapeutic interventions under nursing supervision.
- Served as Team Leader to psychiatric technicians and served as a key responder to crisis situations.
Education
Specializations
- Diploma in Hypnotherapy | HMI College of Hypnotherapy
- Wellness Counseling Certificate | Cornell University
- Integrative Health and Medicine Specialization | University of Minnesota
Professional Certificates
- Responsible AI for Mental Health | Northeastern University
- Positive Psychology | The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Psychological First Aid | University of Minnesota
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction | University of Massachusetts Medical School
- Motivational Interviewing | Virginia Commonwealth University
Memberships
- American Hypnosis Association
- Society for Interdisciplinary Placebo Studies
- eCornell Alumni Group
Innovation
Signature Methodology: Developed Placebo-Enhanced Hypnotic Intervention, a proprietary method that harnesses the scientifically proven power of the placebo effect to amplify hypnotic outcomes with clients.
Pioneering Virtual Practice: Early adopter of artificial intelligence and HIPAA-compliant video conferencing, eliminating geographic barriers while maintaining the highest safety and privacy standards.
Hypnosis Meets AI: Embracing emerging technology to create projects such as Close Your Eyes, an ambient album blending soothing melodies with hypnotic suggestions to extend the benefits of hypnosis beyond traditional formats.
Publications
A Case Study: Hypnosis for Chronic Arthritis Foot Pain
Author | 2025
Documented a case study involving an 80-year-old client with severe arthritic foot pain who achieved lasting pain relief through Placebo-Enhanced Hypnotic Intervention. Results were significant enough that his doctor postponed the laser treatment that had been recommended, demonstrating measurable improvement.
Close Your Eyes
Producer | 2024
Produced an ambient album of eight lo-fi tracks designed for relaxation and sleep, blending soothing melodies with hypnotic suggestions.
The Magic in Metaphor
Author | 2023
Author of the award-winning book, The Magic in Metaphor, a guide to fostering emotional intelligence in children through storytelling.
Featured Media
Contributor | 2002-Present
Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Ask Dr. Drew, Entertainment Tonight, Bustle, Publishers Weekly, MSN News, Monster, The Journal of Hypnotism, The Healthy, Story Monsters Ink, Essence & Style, Meditech Today, Pharmatech News.
Leadership
Ethics & Safety Leader
2003-2016
Former President of the Kansas City Chapter of the National Guild of Hypnotists (2003), successfully advocated for the inclusion of client safety and anti-discrimination provisions in the National Guild of Hypnotists Code of Ethics (2016), creating nationwide protections.
National Policy Advocate
2004-2009
Actively worked with a national coalition advocating and supporting the DeWine-Kennedy FDA Amendment, contributing to the passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act in 2009.
Media Recognition
2002-Present
Expertise in hypnosis has earned mentions in a wide array of local, national, and international media, promoting broader public awareness of hypnotherapy.
Global Health Exchange
2006
Contributed a research summary on the effectiveness of hypnosis to a presentation on "Hypnotherapy in Medicine" delivered at The Ministry of Public Health in Thailand.
Journal Columnist
2013
Served as a columnist for the National Guild of Hypnotists Journal of Hypnotism.
Volunteer Work
Public Health Ambassador
2021-2023
Served as a Public Health Ambassador to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, working directly with governmental health initiatives to promote community wellbeing and public health education.
Youth Mentor
1998-2016
Served as mentor for at-risk youth in the Army National Guard's Youth Challenge Program and Thunderbird Youth Academy.
Volunteer
2008-2016
Provided support to homeless youth at Passages Youth Center and to users of 7 Cups online crisis platform.
Awards
Literary Awards
Royal Dragonfly Book Award (1st Place), Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award, The Golden Wizard Book Prize, PenCraft Book Award, The BookFest Award, Literary Titan Gold Book Award, IAN Book of the Year Awards (Finalist), The BookLife Prize by Publishers Weekly (Quarter Finalist), Wishing Shelf Book Awards (Red Ribbon).
Recognition
Amazon #1 New Release & Best Seller Lists, BookLife Elite by Publishers Weekly, Readers' Favorite Five Stars, Reader Views Five-Star Review.
© 2025 Hypnotherapy with Harley Sears, LLC
Available nationwide by Zoom
Available nationwide by Zoom