Looking for Hypnosis in Philadelphia?
Hi there, I'm Steve Roh, aka. the notorious "Grumpy Hypnotist". Since 2006, I've helped thousands of people achieve their goals with the power of hypnotism.
I can help you solve problems that can't be solved with willpower, motivation, or good advice. By the time people come to see me, they've already tried those things, often having struggled for years!
How many times have you tried to make a positive change in your life, only to see your best laid plans fizzle out? That's because your subconscious mind had different plans.
Whether it's an unhealthy habit, or an irrational fear that leads to lack of confidence, these kinds of problems are resistant to change if you only rely on conscious effort. You tell yourself "I know there's nothing to be afraid of" or "I know this habit isn't healthy"... but facts, statistics, and advice just don't seem to matter.
That's why a different approach like hypnosis can be amazingly effective. It's about change that happens at a different level of the mind.
Do you like lists? Here's a list: the Top 10 reasons why people choose Center City Hypnosis to help them achieve their goals:
#1 Real Live 1-on-1 sessions --- I won't put a pair of headphones on you and leave you listening to a pre-recorded relaxation CD. If you just want to hear some affirmations with soothing music playing in the background, you could stay at home and do that yourself. |
#2 Each session is individual, private, and customized based on you and your goals. No group sessions where you sit in a room full of strangers while listening to someone read from a script ("relax and imagine being in your serene place... now think happy thoughts... doesn't that feel nice?"). |
#3 Full-time hypnotist who helps people just like you every day. The overwhelming majority of "certified hypnotists" do this as a part-time hobby at best, using it as a way to make some extra cash on the side. |
#4 I know you aren't impressed by made-up titles like "Elite Master Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist". Beware of the mail-order Ph.D.s, fake credentials, and misleading claims that are common in this field! |
#5 Upfront pricing information. I don't think you should have to come in and sit through a sales pitch just to find out how much something costs. |
#6 Free, no-obligation initial consultation. Simple, clear explanations --- no pseudo-scientific jargon about "linguistically reprogramming your neurology". |
#7 No contracts to sign, no pressure to enroll in long-term programs. No disclaimers with fine print and "weasel clauses". What You See Is What You Get! |
#8 I won't spend valuable session time trying to sell you herbal supplements, vitamins, candles, training seminars, workshops, etc. etc. If we do this work properly, there is nothing to "upsell" you into, and there is no "repeat business" to go after. |
#9 Dedicated office located in the heart of Philadelphia's central business district. Evening hours available, including Saturdays. Your session will not be conducted in a spare bedroom in someone's house. |
#10 I know that my role is to help you achieve your goals, NOT to play Amateur Spiritual Advisor or "healer". I will not try to convince you that you were an ancient Mayan priestess in a past life! Maybe you were, maybe you weren't; it's not up to me. |
At Last, Straight Talk about Hypnosis!
If you've done any research about this subject, you've probably seen many claims that just don't seem to ring true. Guess what? You're right to be frustrated by the lack of credible information.
The problem is: when most hypnotists try to educate the public about the subject, they're usually just feeding people "feel good" myths instead.
Warning! This site reveals information which may not be what you want, or expect, to hear. Many hypnotists are either afraid to tell you the truth, or are simply unaware because of their own lack of direct experience.
This slideshow describes some of the most common examples:
I know that revealing this kind of information is going to turn-off the type of people who just want to hear soothing, reassuring "facts about hypnosis", even if those facts are inaccurate or just plain made-up. That's OK with me, because that probably means that I'm not suited for working with such people.
People who want to remain willfully ignorant, who are eager to believe anything, are not going to do as well as resourceful people who are able to use their brain, with or without hypnotic help.
An Educated Consumer is the Best Hypnotic Client
I'm a strong believer in consumers being able to make an informed choice. I recommend you take your time and do your research before choosing a hypnotist.
Hypnosis is not a one-size-fits-all "thing". Success develops from the unique interaction between two people. This shouldn't be treated like an impulse purchase, like something you see on sale in the clearance rack!
So, in addition to the extensive FAQ on this site, here are a couple of external resources to help you do your research:
- NGH referral page - This is a website where you can request referrals to other National Guild of Hypnotists certified members in your local area. The NGH randomly selects from a pool of local hypnotists. Be aware that NGH members vary widely in terms of competence and experience, because qualification standards are very low (see The Truth About Credentials on this site). Do not automatically believe any claims about credentials and expertise!
- Greater Philadelphia Society of Clinical Hypnosis - This is the website of the GPSCH. They are a good resource for people who want to find psychologists, social workers, and medical professionals who use hypnotherapy as part of their treatment. If you are struggling with a psychological disorder or medical condition and are interested in hypnosis as an option, I recommend that you seek help from the kind of more broadly trained healthcare professional that you'd find on the GPSCH site.
You may even want to ask your regular doctor about hypnotism. You may be surprised to discover that many medical professionals have at least some exposure to the subject in the course of their training.
Some people think I'm crazy to provide resources like these to potential clients who visit my site, but I figure if you can find someone who might suit you better, it's in everyone's interest (including mine) for you to get that help.
If we were living in the middle of nowhere, then I wouldn't hesitate to help people who had no other alternative. But the fact is, the Philadelphia area has a long history of having many excellent hypnotic resources available.
Still, you have to be cautious and selective, because of the misleading marketing practices that are very common in this field. This site will help you make up your own mind, by providing you with the best available information. You will be able to see through the many "Master Hypnotists" who are simply blowing smoke.
Don't Be Fooled by "Imitation Hypnotists"!
I'm aware that some hypnotists copy my content. I've even seen some of my client reviews being "borrowed" by other hypnotists. (Think about that: people who are so lazy that they can't even bother to create original fake reviews!)
So please don't get me confused with other service providers. I cannot vouch for any offers or assertions made by any other hypnotist.
There is another form of "imitation hypnosis" to be aware of: many people have described experiences where they've tried seeing a hypnotist before. They went with the expectation that there would be some hypnotism involved... a reasonable expectation, wouldn't you think?
But what they often experience instead is some sort of massage, or "rubbing" or "tapping" procedure, a form of energy healing, or some sort of chanting. Now, there's nothing wrong with a little rubbing and chanting... but that's not hypnosis!
Maybe I'm crazy, but I think if you go to see a hypnotist it's reasonable to expect that there is at least some attempt made to actually hypnotize you!
You may have heard me on WMMR 93.3 FM's popular Preston and Steve Show, where I accepted a challenge and hypnotized one of their team members so that he would stop a bad habit.
The nation was gripped with awe and terror by the power of my hypnosis demonstration! (Well, not really...)
BUT, the hosts did say that my demonstration produced "clearly the best results... it's a big improvement over other times we've tried to do it."
Check out my blog to hear the surprising results from the live, unrehearsed demo.
Real Clients, Real Results!
Clients Share Their Experiences
Hypnosis is interesting, but more importantly it can make a real difference in people's lives. Read, listen and watch these clients describe their experiences and results (they kindly gave permission to share their stories):
Of course, individual results and number of sessions needed may vary!
I helped the above client overcome fear and lack of confidence
that he struggled with, after a failed business venture.
Rick was kind enough to provide further updates:
"Still smoke-free, it has been over 5 months now." and
"Started jogging and I am up to four miles, at least 4 times a week."
I helped Matt with test anxiety and general confidence.
Darrin felt much more relaxed about his ability to be social and outgoing.
Clients are not paid or compensated for sharing their stories
My clients are so cool! See email above (used with permission).
She calculated her savings from becoming a non-smoker
by using a website called QuitMeter.com. PS. Can you imagine...
she would have smoked over 10,000 cigarettes by now
if she hadn't become a non-smoker!!!
You can tell these notes are real
when they spell my name wrong!
Just kidding, thanks for letting me help you Brian!
"I went to see Steve about a longstanding issue that had affected most of my adult life. I have studied many methods of meditation, self-hypnosis, etc. and even had some success with some of these, but just could not get to my 'core issue'... I felt immediately comfortable with Steve, I must say. He's just a normal, good guy. No hype, no bull.
He guided me into trance, and easily got to the heart of my problems and helped me release it over the course of 3 sessions! I'm sure I can be helped further by him, but he lifted such a weight off me, that I can now (as he told me) re-introduce some of my former methods of meditation/self-help --- with even greater success and usefulness!
Being able to solve problems in life is very empowering, I gotta say! I don't feel that past issue in my way any longer! I'm more able --- more capable (if you understand this!) It's what I was after... I recommend hypnosis to any and all! I recommend Steve Roh and Center City Hypnosis as the person/place to go!" - C. E. B.
Click image to see full-size letter:
This client described how she overcame years of anger over a past relationship (you can hear the audio clip of her story on the FAQ page):
"I was an angry person, desperately angry... and now I don't feel that person there anymore... I wake up and jump up and I feel light... I'm a totally different person... I smile more like I've never done before!... I tried medication, I tried reading books... trying [hypnosis] was the last straw... and I don't regret it a minute!"
Click image to see larger version of this letter from
a client who overcame her fear of flying:
The stories here are examples of how hypnosis
has the potential to facilitate positive change in many different ways,
but of course individual results may vary!
More Real People Describe Their Experiences:
Tovah S. reports a "huge improvement"
in overcoming an unwanted habit (nail-biting).
Howard wasn't too sure about giving hypnosis a try,
but gave it a shot and found that "it was exactly what I was looking for."
Tina A. describes making "breakthroughs" in her life
with the help of hypnosis.
Matt describes how hypnosis helped him with
nervousness about test-taking, and also improved other areas of his life.
(This isn't the same Matt who wrote a letter about test-taking earlier.
I've helped enough people with test-taking issues that it's just a coincidence
that two have the same name.)
Like many people, Alexis gave hypnosis a try after getting frustrated with other things that didn't seem to help.
Visit my YouTube channel to hear more client stories like these, in their own words:
"My outlook has changed very greatly... I've been able to invoke that feeling of calmness and peacefulness at times I've really needed it... I can definitely say I've seen improvement... it's been a positive experience and I plan on recommending it to loved ones who need help in certain areas... it's definitely worth a try."
and...
"I'm not going to lie, I was skeptical... because you hear about countless different forms of therapy... even though I was referred by a friend, I was certainly skeptical coming in... but I think I'm really-- not amazed, but pleased that in so soon or so quick a time, I was able to take care of a problem that was becoming a real hindrance in my life and my success."
"He Was So Calm at His Bar Exam,
He Read the Sports Section of the Paper During Lunch Break!"
I love this story from a client who overcame extreme nervousness about taking the bar exam (you can listen to the full audio clip here):
"Before I came to the first initial session with Steve, I had sat for the bar exam previously which is, as a lot of people know who have to take it, extremely anxiety producing...
After the first session with Steve, I had actually taken the bar exam the following morning, the next two days... The more the process went on through the day, the more comfortable and relaxed I felt.
At the break time for lunch during the first day, I would see all the fellow candidates around me who were frantically on the floor studying and trying to cram within that hour whatever pieces of law they could. People just looked so despondent walking around and just had their heads in their hands... I comfortably just had my lunch.
That morning I brought the sports section of the paper and opened up the sports section and actually read that comfortably and understood what I was reading with calmness and confidence. I just felt relaxed and folded it up and went back before the exam began.
I guess I didn't realize it at the time but two people had actually passed me coming down the hallway and pointed out to me saying, "Wow, you really look relaxed today," in a joking way. I guess it wasn't until I thought about it and explained the feelings and the situation later that I guess, you know what? If I were walking down the hall and saw somebody sitting on the side reading a newspaper, I guess I would be pretty envious of that guy..."
Here are some key things about this client:
- He was proactive enough to take action and seek help.
- He was willing to try something new instead of remaining stuck in a frustrating rut.
- When he felt nervousness coming on, he didn't get discouraged and "throw in the towel". It is more useful to learn how to handle nervousness, rather than hoping that you never feel nervous again!
When someone carries that relaxed attitude of being calm and confident even in high pressure situations, people take notice, just like the story describes. Imagine the impact this could have on your relationships, both personal or professional.
Did You Know?
- Over 11,000 research studies related to hypnosis are available online at the government's National Institutes of Health website.
- Hypnosis is not like being asleep. In fact, hypnosis is not even about relaxation!
- Numerous Olympic and professional athletes use hypnosis as part of their training.
- You cannot get stuck in hypnosis. But some people enjoy the trance feeling so much that they want to stay in that state!
- Working with a hypnotist can be compared to working with a personal trainer at a gym. The personal trainer does not take over your body. Similarly, a hypnotist does not take over your mind. However, a skilled hypnotist can exercise a great deal of influence and control over your perceptions of reality.
Here are two especially important points:
- Hypnosis does not cause people to tell the truth. People can fantasize, lie and fabricate information while in hypnosis. Of course, most people who seek help from a hypnotist do not engage in deception since that would make it harder to solve their problem. The exception tends to be when the problem is fundamentally related to dishonesty and immaturity.
- Hypnosis does not necessarily result in accurate recall of events. Memories of events are just as unreliable when recalled in hypnosis, as when they are recalled outside of hypnosis. They are just more vividly imagined (which can be useful for some purposes)! Hypnosis can make it easier to recall events, but the remembered details cannot be relied upon by themselves as reflecting reality.
Those two points are important to understand, so that people do not mistakenly believe that vivid fantasies in hypnosis have anything to do with "reality". Still, they may be true reflections of a person's subconscious emotions and feelings about an event that is perceived by them in a certain way, which is generally why people have problems anyway. For such purposes, the accuracy of details does not matter.
This is not the same thing as the common question about whether or not hypnosis can help people improve their memory. Please see the FAQ for more information about that topic.
Who Can Be Helped With Hypnosis?
If you have a brain and can follow simple instructions like "Please count from one to five", you can do it. Here is a partial list of some of the people I have helped:
| Lawyers | Business Owners | Accountants |
| Helicopter Pilot | Police Officers | Students |
| Financial Analysts | Vocalists | Doctors |
| Stockbrokers | Airline Pilots | Office Managers |
| Real Estate Brokers | Restaurant Owners | Economists |
| IT Managers | Insurance Agents | Stay-at-Home Moms |
| Retail Clerks | Chess Enthusiast | Web Designers |
| Fashion Designers | Adult Entertainers | Archaeologists |
| Day Traders | Sales Reps | Marketing Executives |
| Secretaries | Librarians | Bartenders |
| Retired Folks | Recruiters | Construction Workers |
| Martial Artists | Professors | Soldiers and Marines |
| Nurses | College Athletes | and many more... |
I don't like to label people by their occupation, this is just to show you that everyday people use this stuff everyday.
Hypnosis can also help people move forward in their occupation. I have helped many many people pass examinations which were required to progress in their careers, including bar exams, occupational certifications, and medical boards.
Here is the latest email (used here with permission) that I received from a client who successfully passed a board exam which had been a struggle because of nervousness and stress about passing it:
Hypnosis In the News
Business Week, February 2, 2004:
"Although still not well understood, hypnosis has gained credibility in the past five years because of research using the latest brain-imaging technology. PET, MRI, and EEG scans show that hypnotized subjects have altered sensory perception - and they're not just pushovers, play-acting, or highly imaginative."
Scientific American Mind, June 2005:
"Though often denigrated as fakery
or wishful thinking, hypnosis has been shown to be a real phenomenon with a variety of therapeutic uses... Over the past few years, researchers have found that hypnotized individuals actively respond to suggestions even though they sometimes perceive the dramatic changes in thought and behavior they experience as happening 'by themselves.'"
Psychology Today, January 2001:
"Can you be hypnotized? Most people like
to think that they can't. There is often the suspicion that being hypnotized could
label them as being weak-willed, naive or unintelligent. But in fact, modern research shows that hypnotizability is correlated with intelligence, concentration and focus."
Forbes, August 2007:
"Although people think that hypnosis strips a person of control, it actually does just the opposite, said Dr. David Spiegel... associate chairman of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine."
Mayo Clinic, December 2007:
"Hypnosis [is] another way to manage pain, kick bad habits... you're more open than usual to suggestions, and this can be used to change your behavior and thereby improve your health and well-being."
The New York Times, February 2008:
Hypnosis May Ease Common Bowel Pain - "Several studies have evaluated hypnosis for patients with irritable bowel syndrome. In studies involving a total of 644 patients, about 80 percent reported relief of symptoms after hypnosis." [IBS is understood to be closely related to stress]
Just Say No to Magical Thinking
Please note: even though the work we do together is very efficient, that does not mean that this is an "easy fix". It's not like popping a pill and it's not about listening to a pep talk that makes you feel good for a while. If you're expecting a passive experience where you do not need to put in any effort, then my approach to hypnosis may not be right for you.
Listen to this audio clip to hear David, a client who "turned his life around"
because he was willing to do the work:
Here is a transcript:
Q: ...if you can describe what your experience was like and what sort of benefits that you've seen out of the work?
A: The experience was highly emotional. I can tell you that I came here to stop some bad habits, and we were able to peel away the onion, so to speak, and get to the bottom of what was really causing me to do things that were self-destructive.
After the first session, I got home and, of course, I would think about those things, but then eventually the next couple of days, the thoughts of those things just eventually faded away, until now I don't think about doing those things anymore, and I cannot thank you enough for that. As I told someone, it was very emotional and then very relieving afterwards.
Q: It was great that you were obviously very highly motivated and this was very important for you, so that was a big factor in your success, I think. Is there anything else that you'd like to add?
A: Other than I highly recommend it. I want to tell everyone, all my friends about it. It has turned my life around, it truly has.
Again, if you are suffering from a possible psychological disorder or severe emotional disturbance, then I urge you to check out the state-licensed mental health resources on the GPSCH site listed earlier on this page.
I know that some people are reluctant to seek help from "traditional" sources, because of a belief that they will simply prescribe a pill and medicate you... but I think the resources on that list, who have both hypnotic training and formal clinical background, are likely to have a broader view of how to help people (and besides, there's nothing wrong with medication if it helps).
Hypnosis can be a powerful and effective way to improve subconscious, automatic patterns, but it should not be considered as a stand-alone quick "fix" for mental or emotional disorders.
***
Hypnosis cannot, and should not, stand alone as the sole medical or psychological intervention for any disorder. Hypnosis should not be used instead of appropriate medical, dental, or psychological treatment, and any individual with a medical or psychological problem should first consult a qualified health care provider for diagnosis and professional advice.
- National Guild of Hypnotists
Free, No-Risk Initial Consultation
At our first meeting, we want to get an understanding of the nature of the problem, and then discuss how and why (and IF) hypnosis can help you. This consultation usually takes around 30 minutes.
Then, you can decide to go ahead with the first session if you feel comfortable, or just take some time to think it over. If you decide not to go ahead, there is no cost to you, and you still get to learn something new.
The consultation helps you understand the process, but just as importantly, it's also a chance for you to make sure that I'm not too much of a weirdo, before moving forward.
However, most of the consultation needs to be spent talking about your issue and getting a clear understanding of your goals. After all, hypnosis is interesting but I am pretty sure that solving your problem is a higher priority to you.
You probably do not need someone lecturing you about the "wonders of the subconscious mind" (whatever that is).
Check out the extensive FAQ page I've setup on this site, so that we can make the best use of your consultation time.
***
Appointments are taken between 10am-8pm, Monday through Saturday (closed on Tuesdays). Sessions are private and conducted at my office two blocks from City Hall in Philadelphia. Please note: meetings are by appointment only.
All sessions are recorded, so you can be comfortable knowing that everything will be done appropriately and there are no misunderstandings. Any recording is kept completely confidential.
***
Because I offer the free initial consultation, I have a strong interest in making sure that I only spend that time with those who have a fairly good chance of success with this process. So, please consider the following two sections carefully and honestly:
- How Hypnotizable Are You Likely to Be?
- How Successful Are You Likely to Be?
How Hypnotizable Are You Likely to Be?
Here is a quick, easy, completely non-scientific quiz to self-assess how suitable hypnosis may (or may not) be for you.
(I promise, this isn't one of those "tests" where every response means "Yes! You are the perfect candidate for hypnosis!!!")
It's only one question, but get your mind ready to do a little bit of work.
Ready?
Here's the question:
WHAT COLOR IS IT?
Pick your immediate response:
A) "Blue"/"Green"/"Red"/any other color (it doesn't matter what specific color is answered)
B) "What's a light-saber?"
C) "That didn't work. I don't see a light-saber in my hand."
D) "Light-sabers aren't real... I'm not stupid."
E) "Blue (or any other color)... did I get it right?"
F) "I don't know."
How Successful Are You Likely to Be?
It's nice to get a sense of whether or not you'd be receptive to hypnotism. But hypnotizability isn't the only thing that matters.
Here's the thing: sometimes people do become interested in becoming hypnotists for "the wrong reasons", because they think they'll learn how to have some sort of power and control over other people.
(Fortunately, people with that intent are generally not very good at hypnotizing others, because the people who have that intent are often those who lack personal power and the ability to influence others in the first place.)
Similarly, sometimes people become interested in getting hypnotized for "the wrong reasons". The chart below shows a few factors related to general mindset and attitude that I've found make a difference in how likely a person is to be successful:
| RIGHT REASONS | or WRONG REASONS |
|---|---|
| An attitude of being an active participant in success | Hoping that hypnosis is a way of "sleeping your problems away" |
| Willing to change something about yourself | Expecting to get different results out of life, without having to change anything about yourself |
| Already made up your mind that you must change | Hoping that a hypnotist can "motivate" or "get you" to change, waiting for someone to convince you |
| Resourceful and able to apply problem-solving abilities with some assistance | Waiting for someone to give you the answer and hoping that they can tell you what to do |
| Looking for an empathetic listener who is focused on solutions | Looking for someone to be sympathetic to your problems |
| You are the kind of person I best serve! | I'm sorry but you may be better served by a different resource. Please refer to the links found elsewhere on this site, to find another approach which could better help you. |
Of course, there are also other important factors that will determine the probabilities of success. These include: a person's current environment, their circle of influences (friends, family, etc.), their upbringing, their baseline skillset in different areas, etc.
Again, because I offer that initial consultation, I urge you to honestly consider the factors listed above. Spending time and energy working with people who are not in the ideal client set is not an effective use of time or energy, with or without hypnosis.
Affiliations, Training, Etc.
- Certified Hypnotist, National Guild of Hypnotists
- 5-PATH International Association of Hypnosis Professionals
- Micro-Expression Training (Dr. Paul Ekman Group ), Expert Level rating
- Editor of "Real World Hypnosis: Insider Tips from Leading Hypnotists" available on Amazon.com
- Contributing writer for Hypnosis.org's quarterly e-zine
Would You Like to Know More?
If you've read this far, that probably means you're ready to make a positive change in your life. Check out the rest of this site, do your research, and then contact me to find out how I can help you help yourself.
There will be no high-pressure sales pitch on my part. Even with the help of hypnosis, you need to be self motivated to get the best results; I don't want to waste my time or yours if you're not already committed to making changes in your life.
As Napoleon Hill said: "Life is a checkerboard, and the player opposite you is Time. If you hesitate before moving, or neglect to move promptly, your men will be wiped off the board by Time. You are playing against a partner who will not tolerate indecision!"
Go to the Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to almost all common questions that people ask. On the FAQ page you'll find:
- details about # of sessions typically required
- information about fees
- more videos and slideshows
- how to recognize common tricks that are used to fool the uninformed
- ... and much more
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