What is Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is what I sometimes describe as;
“guided meditation with a goal.”
But it goes deeper than that.
When there is something you desperately want to stop — but can’t.
Or something you deeply want to do — but somehow never can.
There is always a reason.
That reason is almost always hiding in your past memories and experiences
— stored deep in your unconscious, where your conscious effort simply can’t reach.
And it’s there for a reason: to protect you.
Your unconscious learned, at some point, that this behavior or response would keep you protected.
So it keeps doing — even when that behavior, habit, condition is no longer needed, or even they are actually harming you.
And when something tries to change that from the outside,
it resists hard.
And the harder you try to fight it, the less space you have to breathe, think, or find a way through.
And it doesn’t stay in your head. It shows up in your body too.
Persistent headaches, shoulder tension, teeth grinding, all without knowing why.
Hypnosis helps to untangle all of this.
One important thing: hypnotherapy does not take your control away.
Hypnotherapy gives your control back.
Want to know if this could help you?
Start with a complimentary consultation.
Q: What Hypnotherapy Can Help With
Hypnosis is a clinical tool used by psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and certified hypnotherapists worldwide.
It has been shown to help with:
persistent headaches and physical tension;
teeth grinding and jaw pain;
sleep difficulties;
unresolved grief, guilt, and emotional pain;
stress and anxiety;
fears and phobias;
habit disorders and addictive behaviors;
skin conditions and allergies;
and relationship and communication patterns rooted in past experiences.
Please note: I am a certified hypnotherapist, not a licensed physician, psychologist, or medical doctor.
I do not diagnose, treat, or claim to cure any ailment, disease, or medical condition.
Hypnotherapy is a complementary wellness approach, not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment.
Yes — with one important clarification.
Hypnotherapy is most effective for:
— pain that medical evaluation has found no ongoing physical cause for,
— pain that persists longer than three months after medical treatment,
— as a complementary approach alongside medical care.
If you are experiencing acute pain, please see a doctor. Hypnotherapy is not a substitute for medical treatment.
The brain can also learn to recognize pain as a habit — continuing to signal discomfort even after the original cause has resolved. Hypnotherapy can help interrupt that pattern.
What hypnotherapy can do is access the connection between pain and emotions or memory — addressing headaches, shoulder tension, and teeth grinding that the body carries from unresolved emotional pain. And beyond the physical, it can help release the deeper tension held in the mind itself.
No, and we wouldn’t want to. Hypnosis cannot delete memories, and we have no control over your mind. What it can do is change how a memory feels. The event stays, but the pain, the charge, the weight attached to it — can be released. Many clients find that a memory they once couldn’t face becomes something they can simply acknowledge and move on from.
Q: About Hypnotherapy
Yes. In fact, you have experienced hypnotic states every day. While daydreaming, losing yourself in a book, or becoming completely absorbed in a movie. In those moments, your imagination feels real enough to shift how you think and feel. Hypnosis works in a similar way, with intention.
Yes. Hypnotherapy will not force sudden changes on you, and there are no known harmful side effects. The American Medical Association (AMA) approved its use in medicine, dentistry, and psychotherapy as far back as 1958.
During a session, you will typically feel relaxed and comfortable — but your body remains free, and you never lose control.
If you’re worried about a hypnotherapist controlling your mind or body, that fear usually comes from one of two things:
– confusion with brainwashing,
– the way hypnosis has been portrayed in movies
No hypnotherapist has the ability to make you think, say, or do anything against your will. And honestly — neither can anyone else. No person has the power to control another person’s mind. Hypnosis is no exception.
No two people experience hypnosis exactly the same way.
But many describe it simply as: “I just sat in a chair and talked.”
Sometimes your own story appears as images — like watching a movie you’re fully absorbed in, yet somehow observing from the outside at the same time.
You may feel deeply relaxed and remember little afterward, or what you do remember may feel hazy, like a dream. But you are not asleep.
One thing to keep in mind: people come to me not to experience hypnosis, but to solve a problem.
And deep hypnosis is not required for results — even a light relaxed state can be effective.
“Deep” hypnosis is not required for results — even a light state of relaxation is enough.
In most cases, the reason someone can’t enter hypnosis is “resistance”.
Fear of being controlled, fear of doing something against your will, or fear of revealing secrets you don’t want to share.
If you’re in a place where you’re desperate for change but still feel resistance to hypnosis, please bring that up during your complimentary consultation or before your session begins. That conversation itself can be the first step.
Meditation is about quieting the conscious mind, which is a practice that builds into self-care over time.
We often describe hypnotherapy as “a guided meditation with a goal.”
In meditation, you work to still your thoughts — but you cannot simultaneously explore your own issues while doing so.
Hypnotherapy bridges that gap: bringing you into a relaxed state close to meditation, then directing that state with intention toward a specific change.
There is some talking involved, especially in the initial interview. But during the session itself, rather than engaging your conscious mind, we guide you into your unconscious.
And yes — you don’t have to share anything you don’t want to talk about. You are always in control of what you say.
When the unconscious understanding shifts — when the root of the problem changes — many clients notice changes more quickly than they expected.
Q: Common Concerns
Your situation is unique — a reflection of your own life, history, and how you see the problem. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here. Every session is fully customized to you.
That’s why we always start with a complimentary consultation. We’ll take the time to hear about you and your experience of the problem — and from there, we can give you a clear picture of what kind of sessions might help, how many, and what the cost would look like.
We also understand that when you’re dealing with financial uncertainty, it’s hard to commit to something you’re not sure will work. For those facing financial hardship, we offer scholarships — including for people with disabilities, single parents, and young adults (18 and over). Please reach out and let’s talk.
One thing we can promise: we won’t keep you coming back longer than you need to. Our goal is for you to feel better as quickly as possible — and ideally, to leave us a nice review when you do!
No. You are always in control. Your mind stays aware, alert, and awake throughout the session. Hypnotherapists have no magical power to make you say or do anything against your will — that’s not how it works. You can speak, move, or end the session at any time. Most people actually feel more self-aware and in control after a session, not less.
This is also why change can feel so hard: Resistance.
Even unconsciously, your mind will not say — and will not do — anything that feels unsafe or uncomfortable. This unconscious resistance can be surprisingly strong. And it may be exactly what has been keeping you from changing.
In most cases, no.
Hypnotherapy is not a medical procedure, so it is generally not covered by health insurance.
Smoking cessation is one exception — because its effectiveness is medically recognized, some HSA/FSA accounts may cover it in certain cases. Check with your own insurance provider first.
If resolving your issue would benefit your work or business, you may also be able to claim sessions as a business expense.
Yes. Belief is not required. Curiosity is enough.
All you need is a genuine motivation to change. You are also welcome to share any concerns or skeptical views before or during your session.
Some people notice positive shifts right away. It depends on what you’re working on. In most cases, some form of change becomes apparent within four sessions.
As your body and mind work to maintain homeostasis, the process of change can sometimes feel bumpy. You may find yourself more emotional than usual — this is actually not a bad sign. It often means something is shifting. If this happens, observe it with curiosity and reach out to me.
You may also notice unexpected positive changes first — as welcome side effects. Sleeping better. Less of an appetite. Finding that something that used to bother you simply… doesn’t anymore.
The first session tends to run longer — usually around 2 hours — because I continue with a more in-depth interview. After a session, I also ask that you give yourself some quiet time: rest, sleep, do nothing or hypnotic activities – reading, watching a movie, long drive, etc. Please try not to schedule anything immediately afterward. For that reason, late afternoon or evening appointments work well and are available.
From the second session onward, sessions are typically shorter.
Yes, completely.
Clients have made real, lasting changes without ever meeting me in person. Some live far away, some have difficulty traveling, and some prefer that no one knows they are seeing a hypnotherapist. Online sessions work perfectly for all of these situations.
One of the advantages of hypnotherapy is that no physical contact is needed — the voice alone is enough. That said, I do need video during sessions so I can observe your facial expressions and body language.
All you need is a quiet, private space, the Zoom app, and earphones. Some clients have even done sessions from a park or their car.
Q: Getting your session started
Yes — in Japanese and English. Those are the only two languages I work in, as I am Japanese myself.
If English is not your first language, that’s completely fine. It’s not mine either. I don’t use complicated vocabulary, and you don’t need to understand fluent English to enter hypnosis. The voice and rhythm matter far more than the words.
日本語でのセッションは大歓迎です！
Just a few practical things:
— A webcam, internet connection, and ideally a headset. If you’re using a phone, please prop it up on a stand rather than holding it, and keep it charging throughout the session.
— A chair with a backrest.
— A private space where you won’t be disturbed — without kids and pets nearby.
— Avoid coffee and alcohol before the session, as they can make you need the bathroom more frequently.
Other than that — comfortable clothes, an open mind, and that’s it.