Hypnosis FAQs  

Hypnosis can help you transform your life, your beliefs, your habits. In an instant. 

Hypnosis is one of the most powerful tools we have available for change. It is safe. Effective. And powerful. Studies have proven that the subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between a vividly imagined event and a real one. Hypnosis is one of the most powerful tools you have for focusing your mind upon your goals, changing beliefs at a subconscious level, and therefore changing behavior, reaction patterns, and thoughts much faster. With hypnosis and NLP, beliefs can be changed in an instant, and once beliefs are changed, your thinking, behavior, and emotions follow suit. This just demonstrates the power of belief in action, allowing you to bring your goals into reality much faster. It is also true that sometimes our subconscious mind needs to hear a new belief or thought repeated, until it gets the message. So repetition may be requred. But if you do the work, you will get results. Remember, the real work is done in the mind.

Q. What is hypnosis?
Q. Can I be hypnotized?
Q. Are some people more hypnotizable than others?
Q. Can hypnosis help me?
Q. What is the difference between meditation and hypnosis?-
Q. What should I look for in a hypnotherapist?
Q. What are your qualifications?
Q. Why choose Hypnosis Chicago?
Q. What happens in a typical session? What can I expect?
Q. Will I be hypnotized even during the first session?
Q. Do you record the sessions?
Q.  How many sessions will I need?
Q. What determines results?
Q. How do you work?
Q. Where are you located?
Q. Is there parking available? Public transportation?
Q. What are your office hours?
Q. Do you accept credit cards? Insurance?
Q. What are your fees?
Q. What is your cancellation policy?
Q. How to I book an appointment?

Q. What is hypnosis? top
A.  Hypnosis has been defined simply as focused concentration and a heightened receptivity to suggestions. Others define it as a "natural, yet altered state of consciousness that allows us to bypass the critical judgment of the conscious mind and talk directly to the subconscious." Simply put, this means we ask the conscious mind to step aside while we speak to the subconscious. Relaxation often accompanies hypnosis, but in fact is not required for hypnosis. Hypnosis is actually a technique that gives you more control over your mind, allowing you to more quickly manifest your goals. Thousands of case histories testify to the fact that hypnosis is a safe, natural and powerful technique for change. Hypnosis is, in fact, an excellent way to train our imaginations to work for us, instead of against us.
 
While you are undergoing hypnosis, all extraneous data is shut out and the focus is on one goal or image. This intensity of thought and emotion has the effect of channeling all our energy towards change, cutting through limiting beliefs and summoning powerful energies on our behalf. If you think of the different between the diffused energy of the sun versus the focused concentration of the sun's energy into a laser beam, you have an idea of how hypnosis works. Your regular waking conscious is the sun, your thoughts under hypnosis are the laser beam.

Q.Can I be hypnotized? top
A. YES. The vast majority of the population can be hypnotized. In fact, we all go in and out of hypnosis many times during the day. If you’ve ever passed your exit on the highway, daydreamed during a meeting, or lost yourself in a good book, you were in a light state of hypnosis. And a light state is all we need for most of the work that we do, including weight loss,smoking, overcoming fears of public speaking and so forth. We do not need depth to achieve results. After eight years in practice, I've only had a handful of clients who did not go into trance during the first session. However, often success was achieved on subsequent sessions. So even if you've been told you can't be hypnotized, don't be too quick to believe it. Maybe your hypnotherapist didn't use effective inductions or you lacked rapport with that particular practitioner. Or maybe you just need to have more patience with yourself and practice a bit more.

Q. Are some people more hypnotizable than others? top
A. Yes. Hypnosis is a skill like anything else, and some people have more talent for it than others. But the good news is that everyone gets better with practice. That’s why doing some self-hypnosis on your own is important. With that said,
I have seen many people who have been told by other professionals that they couldn't be hypnotized. This proved to be untrue once I worked with them. Most people can be hypnotized.

Q. Can hypnosis help me? top
A. While it is not a panacea, nor a substitute for medical or psychiatric attention, hypnosis has proven effective for literally hundreds of issues, from overcoming test anxiety and bad habits to managing pain and overcoming procrastination. So chances are excellent it can help you as well, whether you want to use hypnosis as your sole method of treatment or in conjunction with other therapies recommended by your doctor or therapist.

Q. What is the difference between meditation and hypnosis? top
A. Hypnosis has been called mediation with a goal. Mediation is a quieting of the mind, and is in itself very relaxing and beneficial. However, there is no goal, visualizations or positive imagery. With hypnosis, we quiet the mind and relax the body, then add mental imagery, positive suggestion, and other techniques such as NLP or Parts Therapy. There is always a goal in hypnosis.

Q. What should I look for in a hypnotherapist? top
A. Look for a hypnotherapist who has received training from a state-licensed school and is a member in good standing of at least one professional hypnotist organization. Currently, there is no legislation requiring training in Illinois. In other words, anyone can hang out a shingle. So ask about qualifications. Even if someone has a certification, be aware that the qualifications for certification vary widely. Unfortunately, there are a lot of hypnotherapists that have only taken a weekend training course or worse, a home-study program. Often these pracationers are ill-equipped or prepared to serve their clients well. Remember, it is in your best interest to check out a therapist’s credentials. Anyone can say anything on the internet. So make sure you are dealing with a qualified professional. Besides training, other factors to consider include the number of years a hypnotherapist has been in practice, familiarity with your issue, and the rapport you feel with a particular hypnotherapist.

Q.What are your qualifications? top
A.  I am certified by The American Council of Hypnotic Examiners, which requires 250 hours of in-depth, supervised training by professionals. Both an oral and written exam must be passed to qualify, and participants must prove that they have a solid grasp of both basic and advanced techniques such as NLP, Parts Therapy and regression techniques. In addition, I am certifed by The National Guild of Hypnotists, which was rated the Number #1 hypnosis association by Congress in 1993. The Guild requires about 100 hours of training. Both associations require that their members adhere to a Code of Ethics and keep their skills current with annual training. In addition, I have been in private practive for seven years, and have extensive experience working with a wide range of issues.

Why choose Hypnosis Chicago? top
A. All my sessions are live, personalized and address you designed to achieve maximum results in the shortest possible time.
I listen very carefully to what you have to say, asking questions so that I can design post-hypnotic suggestions that are meaningful to you. I am very invested in seeing clients achieve results in as short a time as possible, and work very hard towards that end. Over the years I’ve worked with thousands of clients, using a powerful combination of proven hypnosis techniques, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP),and when appropriate, Parts Therapy, regression and more. Some hypnotherapists will meet with you for 20 minutes, then put you in a room by yourself with a recorded CD. While this can be effective, it generally takes longer to achieve the desired results and is an impersonal approach. I treat each client as the unique, original individual that they are. That is what makes an individual, private session with Hypnosis Chicago so powerful.

Q. What happens in a typical session? What can I expect? top
A.    All sessions are private, very confidential and take place in a professional office space. During the session I will ask you what your main goals are, what specific thoughts, attitudes or behaviors you'd like to change, what seems to trigger certain behavior habits, and how your life would be better if this were not a problem for you. You'll be asked to give me a history of your behavior, anything that may have been a contributing factor, what makes the situation better or worse, and why you want to change a behavior.Together, we'll identify any self-limiting beliefs and determine specific goals for each session. Based upon my experience, I will offer recommendations for each session, but ultimately what I work upon is up to you. You determine what you want to achieve first. I like to incorporate some self-esteem and stress reduction suggestions in every session, because research shows that when you are feeling better about yourself, it is just plain easier to lose weight, quit smoking, stop worrying and achieve your goals.

Q. How long does a typical session last? top

A. The first session usually lasts 1 to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Subsequent sessions last 45 minutes to one hour. Sometimes more time is required and sometimes less, depending upon several factors. The average time  you'll spend in hypnosis ranges from 30 to 40 minutes.

Q. Will I be hypnotized even during the first session? top
A.  Yes. The first session includes actual hypnosis, as do all sessions.
This consists of an "induction" or relaxation technique, usually followed by positive suggestions, mental imagery, remembering successful events, and possibly more advanced techniques such as NLP, Parts Therapy or regression. Afterwards, I'll ask you what you liked, how you feel, assign homework and discuss next steps. All sessions are private, very confidential and take place in a professional office space.

Q. Can I get a recording of my session? top
A. Yes. To get a FREE RECORDING of your session, please bring a USB Flash Drive to your session so that you can download it on the spot. Flash drives can be purchased for $10 to $12 dollars. If you would like Hypnosis Chicago to provide the Flash Drive, I can do so for an additional $12. Starting immediately, CD recordings will no longer be provided due to too many technical difficulties.

Q. How many sessions will I need? top
A. There are no simple answers to this one. Each person and situation is different. For most issues I recommend starting with 3 to 6 sessions and then assessing your progress at that time. The only exception is smoking, which can be done in just two sessions. Remember, you may have spent years thinking and behaving a certain way, so it may take some time to achieve the desired results. Prepare to make an investment in your well-being. With that said, you should experience some improvement even after one session. And sometimes this improvement is dramatic.

Q. What determines results? top
A. The results you'll experience depend upon many factors, including your readiness to change, what kind of rapport you have with your hypnotherapist, what inductions and techniques are used, and how good of a subject you are. Also, how regularly you do your own self-hypnosis also directly impacts the results.


Q. How do you work? top
A. All sessions are live and personalized to your needs, goals and unique challenges. Each session includes a complementary CD.  All post-hypnotic suggestions are tailored to you and you alone. That is what makes an individual, private session with Hypnosis Chicago so powerful. Often I feel I receive intuitive guidance to "go here now" that only happens under trance. My clients have told me time and again that "you said exactly the right thing for me, that was just what I needed to hear." Or "How did you know to suggest that? It was right on target." In addition, I have spent a lifetime preparing for this work, studying psychology and metaphysics, since the age of 13, reading widely. I have also worked through many of my own issues and so possess the understanding, insight and compassion to help others heal themselves. I have often been able to help when others couldn't. I am very invested in seeing clients achieve results in as short a time as possible, and work very hard towards that end.

Q. Where are you located? top
My office is located in downtown Chicago, right across the street from Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The address is 233 E. Erie, Suite 205. It is located in a professional, quiet office building just two blocks east of Michigan Avenue. The Corner Bakery and The Wyndam Hotel are nearby.

Q. Is there parking nearby? Public transportation? top
A. Yes. There is parking in the building, and I have a $3.00 discount stamp for my clients. My office is also close to public transportation, including the CTA bus stops and the "L."  The nearest L stops are the Red Line on Chicago and State St.

Q. What are your office hours? top
A. My office hours are Monday through Wednesday and Fridays from 10:00am to 8:30pm, and Saturdays from 9:30 am to 5pm. The office is closed on Thursdays and Sundays. Evening and weekend appointments often book up fast, so if you need one of these slots I recommend scheduling early. If your schedule is flexible and you can come in during the day or at lunchtime,you can normally get in to see me within a week.

Q. What is your office like? top
A. The office itself is professional. There is a spacious, comfortable yet private reception area where you can wait until your appointment time. I do not work out of my home or have pets around. Please just have a seat and I will be with you shortly. Every effort is made to be on time, however, this is not always possible due to the nature of hypnosis. Please be patient and I will be with you shortly. If this is your first visit, you’ll find forms available for you to fill out. If this is your second visit or later, you may want to fill out the “Rate Your Results” form.  

When you step inside my office there is a lazy-boy recliner chair (otherwise known as the hypnosis chair) as well as a quilt you can use for comfort. Soothing music is played during the session.

Q. Do you accept credit cards? Insurance? top
A. Yes, I accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express, as well as cash. Personal checks are no longer accepted. I do not accept insurance, however, your company may reimburse you. Check with your provider or employer.

Q. What are your fees? top
A.  I offer several ways to purchase hypnosis sessions. You can pay as you go, and the fees are $175 for the first session and $150 for subsequent sessions. Or you can save $100 and purchase a 3-session package for $375. I also offer a 4-session package for $450, which saves you $150, or the equivilent of one free session. Six-session packages are $650, a savings of $250, or the equivalent of getting 1 1/2 sessions free.

Q. Do you have a cancellation policy? top
A. Yes. Your appointment time is a contract between us. If you cancel without sufficient notice, I am unable to fill that slot and others who could have used it can also not take advantage of it. You must cancel within 24 hours to receive a full refund. If you cancel without 24 hours notice, you will be charged in full. If you do not show up for a first appointment or do not give me sufficient notice, you will have to pay in advance before booking an subsequent appointments.

Q. How do I book an appointment? top
A.You can now book your appointment online or just call 312-664-7027 or email me at rlauer@hypnosischicago.com. If you call, please leave your number first, as without an accurate number I will not be able to reach you. Also, if you do not hear back from me within 24 hours, assume that I did not get the message or am having trouble reaching you, and please call back. I will make every effort to accommodate your schedule and see you as soon as possible. I look forward to working with you.