At Last, Straight Talk about Hypnosis!
Welcome to the site. Here you'll learn why hundreds of Philadelphia area residents have chosen Center City Hypnosis to help them achieve their goals.
Free, no-obligation initial consultation so that you can make an informed choice. Simple, clear explanations. |
Real Live 1-on-1 sessions --- I won't put a pair of headphones on you and leave you listening to a pre-recorded generic CD! |
Each session is customized based on you and your goals. Modern, powerful techniques- we do not settle for "relax and imagine being in your serene place... now think happy thoughts... doesn't that feel nice?" |
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. |
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! |
I know you aren't impressed by pseudo-scientific jargon and meaningless made-up titles like "Elite Master Hypnotist". I won't try to fool you with mail-order Ph.D.s and fake credentials. |
Full-time hypnotist who helps people just like you every day. This means I have to consistently get results for clients and referrals. Unlike most hypnotists, I don't do this as a hobby, or a way to "make some extra cash on the side". |
Professional approach using a step-by-step, systematic process (5-PATH®) that's helped many thousands of clients around the world achieve success. This means higher quality and more consistent results for you. |
Dedicated office located in the heart of Philadelphia's central business district, open 6 days a week (including Saturdays). Your session will not be held in a spare bedroom, or in a shared space that is rented hourly on a part-time basis. |
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. |
Are You Tired of Being Frustrated?
Does It Seem Like You're Stuck In The Same Old Rut?
You might already know that hypnosis can help people stop smoking or manage their weight. It can help with those issues, but it can also do much more. In fact, many parts of your life that are affected by your thoughts, feelings or behaviors can be improved by hypnosis:
Gain Self Confidence, Reach Your Potential
- Is self-doubt holding you back?
- Do you worry about not seeming intelligent, interesting or fun enough when talking to new people, so you don't even bother?
- Do you find it hard to speak up and assert yourself, whether in business or personal situations?
- Are you missing opportunities and always selling yourself short because of a lack of self-confidence?
- Are you sabotaging or limiting yourself, whether it's in business, sports or school?
Stop Bad Habits, Gain Self-Control; No More Frustration and Guilt
- Do you struggle with behaviors that you just can't seem to stop?
- Do you take things too personally and overreact, leading to regret and embarrassment?
- Are you having trouble letting go of a past relationship because you keep thinking about them?
- Do you procrastinate and put things off until the last minute, feelings of dread and guilt growing stronger, so that you can't even enjoy your free time?
Overcome Fear and Enjoy Your Life
- Are you frightened by the thought of everyday things such as driving, bridges or flying? Do you go out of your way to avoid them?
- Have you missed opportunities in your career because you avoid public speaking?
- Does the thought of taking an exam cause you to feel sick?
- Do you get nervous being the focus of attention?
- Do you worry about blushing, making a public mistake, or being at a loss for words?
Does any of this sound familiar to you? Then, if I could show you how to use the power of your subconscious mind in order to make rapid improvements in your life, would you be interested in knowing more?
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I'm Steve Roh, owner and operator of Center City Hypnosis in Philadelphia. My mission is to help you free yourself from unwanted thoughts, feelings or behaviors, so that you can get on with your life.
I'm a strong believer in consumers being able to make an informed choice. This site is dedicated to helping you learn the (sometimes uncomfortable) truth about hypnosis.
But I also know that once you review your options in choosing a local hypnotist, that you'll have a lot more confidence in choosing Center City Hypnosis. And the more confidence you have in the hypnotist, the greater your chance of success.
So, here is a link to a website where you can request referrals to other National Guild of Hypnotists certified hypnotists in your local area: http://www.ngh.net/Forms/Referral.aspx. Please note: the NGH randomly selects from a pool of local hypnotists with each request, and response time from the NGH may vary.
Some folks think I'm crazy to provide a resource like that to potential clients who visit my site, but the way I figure it: if you can find another service provider who really might suit you better, it is in everyone's interest for you to get that help!
Real Clients, Real Results! Clients Share Their Experiences:
I work with you to find new solutions to problems that you probably have tried to solve many times before. If you're tired of being frustrated and want to make a positive change, I can help you succeed. Read, listen and watch these clients describe their experiences and results:
Of course, individual results and number of sessions needed may vary!
Clients are not paid or compensated in any way for testimonials

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."
Click to listen to another client:
"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."
All testimonials available for review at office
Click to hear a client describe his experience:
"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."
Clients are not paid or compensated in any way for testimonials

My clients are so cool! This one sent along an update.
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:

Click to listen to a client describe how hypnosis helped her overcome years of anger over a past relationship:
"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... [hypnosis] was the last straw... and I don't regret it a minute!"
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Click image to see larger version of this letter from
a client who overcame her fear of flying:

The testimonials on this site are examples of how hypnosis has the potential to facilitate positive change in many different ways,
but of course individual results may vary!
Client Talk About Their Experiences:
Tovah S. reports a "huge improvement"
in overcoming an unwanted habit.
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.
Like many people, Alexis gave hypnosis a try after getting frustrated with other things that didn't seem to help.
Matt describes how hypnosis not only helped him with nervousness about taking an exam, but also improved other areas of daily life.
"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 recent client who overcame extreme nervousness about taking the bar exam (you can listen to audio clip by pressing the "play" button):
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.
- At the beginning, when he felt nervousness coming on, he didn't get discouraged and "throw in the towel".
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 scientific research studies related to hypnosis are available online at the government's National Institutes of Health website.
- Hypnosis is not sleep - you are aware of everything
while in hypnosis. 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 feeling so much that they want to stay in that state!
- At no time does a hypnotist have control over you. It's like working with a personal trainer at a gym. The personal trainer does not take over your body. Similarly, no hypnotist can take over your mind.
- Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of mind; every human is born with the ability to be hypnotized.
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.
- 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 solely relied upon 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 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 Designer | Adult Entertainers | Archeologists |
| 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 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]
Check out my chapter in "The Ultimate Success Secret"
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I'm pleased to announce that I was given the opportunity to participate as a contributing author for the recently released book "Ultimate Success Secret" by Dan Kennedy and Michael Capuzzi. Dan Kennedy is one of the highest-paid, most successful business consultants in the country, as well as a bestselling author and professional speaker. From the book: "Steve Roh is a serious person of action and implementation. In a short period of time, Steve has reinvented the marketing of his practice and positioned himself a 'go to' resource for business professionals looking to shed unproductive habits and beliefs and gain a unique competitive mental advantage." Click here to learn more and to get your copy of this inspiring book! |
Things You Should Know
As described in the Frequently Asked Questions part of this site, every hypnotist is different. Clients are often best suited for certain styles or approaches. In order to help you determine if my approach is suited for you, please review the matrix below:
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I'm pleased that Hypnosis.org recognized our site as an "Excellent Hypnosis Website". The award is for websites that a third-party reviewed for truthful and accurate representation of hypnosis.
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
No-Hassle Guarantee
I guarantee that if you are unsatisfied with your experience at the end of the first session, or if it appears to me that you are unlikely to see benefit from working with me, that first session will be at no cost to you.
In that case, we shake hands and part ways, no hard feelings. This is a straightforward, no-hassle guarantee.
Be careful of other kinds of guarantees that seem to promise specific results. Here are a couple of "gotcha" details to watch out for (these tricks are sometimes encouraged among some parts of the hypnosis training industry):
- The guarantee is only valid if you follow all the hypnotist's "lifestyle change" instructions. In other words: if the hypnotist told you to go to the gym every day, or recommended that you listen to a hypnosis CD every night, and you didn't, then you're out of luck! This is the typical cop-out of "blaming the client".
- The guarantee is not a money-back guarantee, but rather a "money's worth" guarantee. That is a classic use of weasel words that can be interpreted in any way that's convenient (to the hypnotist). They use the implied promise of specific results to get people in the door, but then there are terms and conditions attached to the supposed guarantee, and the definition of "money's worth" is defined arbitrarily by the hypnotist, not the client.
Here are a couple of real-life examples of how guarantees are often not what they seem:
There used to be a company which purported to be a nationwide chain of America's "top hypnosis clinics". In fact, they were just individual practitioners who paid for referrals in their local area. They advertised "lifetime support" to get people to sign a contract and join one of their programs. Well, that company ended up going bankrupt. But the people behind that company can now start another one, under a different name, which is no longer obligated to provide the lifetime support that was promised earlier.
Another common practice is where the "money's worth" promise makes it seem like you can return for as many free office visits as you'd like in the future, if you need to. But what they don't tell you, is that those free office visits often consist of being led into a quiet room where you have the privilege of listening to a pre-recorded generic CD --- as many times as you'd like! They figure that you will just not bother coming back after a while.
I think those kinds of silly tricks are unnecessary and unfair, and exploit the ignorance of people who are sometimes desperate for help, and thus most vulnerable to wanting to believe promises.
Common sense tells you that no one (not even a hypnotist) can predict or control another human's behavior in the future, so I will not insult your intelligence by promising specific outcomes.
Think about it: if a hypnotist could really control other people's behavior through some sort of all-powerful mind control, shouldn't they be doing more significant things in this world?
Anyway, what would you think of a doctor who promised that she could heal you, or a stockbroker who guaranteed that he could make you rich, or any other professional who made this kind of promise? As a lawyer would say: "Past successes cannot guarantee future results".
Free, No-Risk Initial Consultation
At our first meeting, we go through a brief presentation which explains how and why hypnosis can help you. You can ask any questions and describe your history with the challenge that you want to overcome. 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 educate you about hypnosis, because TV and Hollywood have caused most people to have misconceptions about it. And because hypnosis has kind of a strange reputation, it's also a chance for you to make sure that I'm not too much of a weirdo, before moving forward.
In fact, feel free to bring along a friend or relative for the presentation if you'd feel more comfortable (but the actual sessions should be done with just you and I working together).
During the consultation, we identify:
- The benefits you'd enjoy from making your change. Basically, why you want to change in the first place.
- How you would know that you're making progress. What sort of feedback you would notice in your daily life.
- How the change would help you achieve your goals in life. If you don't have any goals already, it'd be good to come up with some. A life without goals is by definition aimless.
Here is a worksheet that can be used to write down these answers: Client Goals and Benefits (Adobe PDF file format). You can fill this out and email or fax it to me, or just bring it with you to save time during the consultation.
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Appointments are taken between 10am-8pm, Monday through Saturday. 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.
In addition to being a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists, the largest and oldest hypnotist organization in the world, I am also Pennsylvania's leading 5-PATH Certified Hypnotist.
5-PATH is a systematic method of conducting sessions developed by the Banyan Hypnosis Center in California, one of the world's top hypnosis training programs. 5-PATH has been used successfully to help thousands of clients with all types of issues. Using a step-by-step approach with proven, tested techniques makes it more likely that you will enjoy high-quality, consistent results.
I do not attempt to influence clients with my personal beliefs and interests. My role as a hypnotist is to help you achieve your goals. I am not qualified to tell you how to run your life.
Affiliations Etc.
- Certified Member, National Guild of Hypnotists
- 5-PATH International Association of Hypnosis Professionals
- Editor of "Real World Hypnosis: Insider Tips from Leading Hypnotists" available on Amazon.com
- Contributing writer for Hypnosis.org's quarterly e-zine, one of the most widely-read hypnosis e-zines in the world
A Personal Note by Steve Roh, Chief Hypnosis Officer
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This realization is the first step in achieving freedom of action with a liberated mind. My goal is to help people understand that tools like hypnosis can increase their power and control over their own lives.
As a trained hypnotist, I believe it is my duty to use the skills to help as many people as possible by building a sustainable and growing practice.
I'm 39 years old, a graduate of Temple University, and live in Philadelphia with my wife and cat.

Visit my hypnosis blog to view a clip of a live demonstration
I performed on Comcast's "Your Morning" program.
On the blog you can also read about my participation
in the launch of the "Body Worlds 2 and the Brain" program
at the Franklin Institute, as seen on Channel 6 Action News.
No Slavery But Your Own
When I look out my window, I sometimes think of all the people out there who are struggling within and against themselves, weighed down by the baggage of their unproductive beliefs and self-doubt. I know they're out there, because I work with them every day.
Some people have a feeling, or maybe just a hope, that there can be a better way than meekly accepting a lifetime of frustration and internal conflict, and decide to take action. I admire anyone who is proactive enough to seek improvement, whether it's through hypnosis or anything else. They are the ones who are not willing to be part of the "mediocre majority".
To me, the profession of hypnosis is kind of a crusade, or if you prefer, a jihad (in the sense of striving for improvement). You see, one of my favorite stories is that old Kirk Douglas movie Spartacus, about a gladiator/slave revolt during the Roman Empire.
All of us, in some way, are enslaved by our self-limiting beliefs and self-image. Hypnosis is a powerful way for people to stand up as the free men and women they were born to be. If you've seen the movie and remember the famous scene where the defeated ex-slaves stand and shout "I'm Spartacus!", you know what I mean.
If not, you might think I'm nuts (you may anyway). But that's OK; if you understand what I am saying, that's all that matters.
PS. One of the ways hypnosis can improve your life is by helping you realize that you don't need to care so much about what other people think.
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.
Take a listen to David, a client who "turned his life around"
because he was willing to do the work:
Of course, each individual's experience with hypnosis is unique, since everyone is different.
If you've read everything up to this point, that probably means you're also ready to make a positive change in your life. Contact me today 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 are 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!"
Contact Steve
Please note: session fees are described on this site, and most frequently asked questions are already answered on the FAQ page.
I place a low priority on responding to questions which have already been answered that way.
Reason: two of the main factors for success are: 1) a willingness to follow simple instructions, and 2) a certain level of personal commitment to change.
If a question demonstrates that the above highlighted section was ignored, then this shows that a person may lack coachability, or is not personally committed to solving their problem. After all, if someone isn't willing to spend a few moments to at least scan a website, how likely is it that they are serious about making an active effort to change their life?
This may seem harsh, but if you think about it, it's fairer for everyone in the long run. This is used as a filtering mechanism so that I can better focus on serving ideal clients who have a reasonable chance of success. Thanks for your understanding!
Click to setup an appointment online... it's easy!
or
Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information, including video answers to common questions.
Need an interesting event for your organization? Contact me and I'd be happy to share the benefits of hypnosis to your group in an interactive presentation.
Click here to share this website with your friends or associates who might benefit from it.
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