Q&A talks with Lisa Zaccheo, lead hypnotist at Mind Matters Hypnosis Center, about the role of hypnosis in medicine and in business.
Q: Hypnosis seems to have the reputation of being entertainment for a lot of people. How do you get people to take it seriously and not perceive it as a vaudeville act?
A: Fortunately, the bulk of our clients are referred to us either by their therapist, doctor, dentist, or by friends and family who have already experienced hypnosis. As a result, folks are coming in with a foundation of its “therapeutic” applications and have the assurance from a trusted source that it works. In addition, all first-time clients are required to watch the Introduction to Hypnosis video on our web site prior to their appointment, which helps correct many of the misperceptions they may hold. Counter to most people’s understanding, hypnosis is NOT mind control. I promise not to make you cluck like a chicken — and, you can’t get “stuck” in hypnosis. You’re an active participant, hearing and remembering everything that takes place during your session.
Q: How is it perceived by the medical community?
A: I’ve found the medical community in this area to be curious and open. And, when they witness the results that their patients are experiencing, quite supportive. We require a referral for all medical, psychological and dental issues and believe that a team approach is always best.
Q: Is hypnosis being used in medical treatment and counseling?
A: Medically, it’s used for a wide variety of conditions including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, insomnia, pain management, impotence and many more. It’s also used extensively as an adjunct to traditional psychotherapy and is highly effective at reducing or alleviating fears, phobias, anxiousness and depressed mood as well as addressing self-esteem issues. A full list of applications and people’s success stories is available on our website at http://www.mindmattershypnosis.com/applications.html.
Q: What does it cost and will insurance cover hypnosis?
A: Costs vary. Hypnosis is cost effective as it typically takes just a handful of sessions to address an issue and doesn’t require costly supplements or pharmaceuticals. At Mind Matters, every session is one-on-one and tailored to your needs. The type of hypnosis we’ve found to be most effective is root-cause hypnosis, where we use the abilities of the subconscious mind to find and resolve the root of the issue. For this type of hypnosis, sessions are between 1 ½ and 2 hours and cost $200.
Insurance coverage depends on the issue being addressed and the client’s insurance plan. More insurance companies are realizing the cost efficiency of hypnosis and as a result are covering it more than they have in the past.
Q: How can companies use hypnosis?
A: There are endless applications. Many companies are going smoke free and are hiring hypnotists to make quitting painless for their employees. Fear of public speaking is one of the biggest struggles in the workplace and can be alleviated in just a few hypnotic sessions. The thing that sabotages success the most is a lack of self-confidence. In my biased opinion, hypnosis is the fastest and best way to address that lack, which is positive for both employer and employee as confident, happy employees make for successful companies. Another great application of hypnosis is using it to fold down the walls of your box so you can think outside those limits and develop novel solutions that address the challenges of modern business times.
Q: Hypnosis accesses the subconscious mind. Does that mean hypnosis can be used as a motivator? Can it help job performance?
A: In schools and offices, it’s used to reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, manage anger, resolve conflicts, increase confidence and improve motivation. Hypnosis is phenomenal at finding and removing all the blocks and barriers that are in the way of your full potential. More corporations are hiring hypnotists and finding that it not only improves motivation and job performance, but increases job satisfaction, diminishes absenteeism and has a positive effect on the bottom line.
Q: Are there professional standards or licensing for opening a hypnosis center? Can just anybody hang a shingle and proclaim themself a hypnotist?
A: The training and licensing requirements vary across the country. Connecticut is one of the only four states in the country that requires mandatory registration but there is currently no licensing requirement. In terms of training, the standard is 200-300 course hours in hypnosis, however, I would consider that a bare minimum. I’ve been in practice for close to a decade so I’ve logged well over 1,000 training hours and learning how to partner with the subconscious mind fascinates me so I look forward to learning more.
