At Last, Straight Talk about Hypnosis!
Welcome to the Philadelphia area's #1 resource for hypnosis information. It's all about giving you the facts that you need, so that you can make an informed choice and make up your own mind.
If you've done any online research about hypnosis, you've probably noticed that many claims and statements about hypnosis seem fishy. Guess what? You're right to be skeptical.
Most of the common attempts to clear up myths and misconceptions about hypnosis have little basis in reality, and are just myths themselves. They're like mindlessly repeated self-help cliches, such as "it takes 21 days to form a habit" --- sounds nice, but it's just something someone made up.
So in addition to the usual Frequently Asked Questions page, here is the anti-FAQ:
(That Aren't Really True)
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You are in total control when you are hypnotized --- No, this is not true. By definition, a hypnotist can exert a high degree of control over what you pay attention to, your emotional state and your perceptions of reality, and therefore your behavior within that context. If you are in total control of your experience, you are NOT hypnotized.
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You won't do anything immoral, harmful, or against your ethical values in hypnosis --- This is nonsense. Of course you can. After all, people can be led into immoral, unethical and harmful behavior without being hypnotized, right? Examples: getting into a cigarette smoking habit, or cheating at something because of peer pressure, etc.
Hypnosis does not create a magical forcefield which protects you from bad influences or stupid decisions. Still, you cannot be "forced" into doing something you don't want to do, but you can be misled into doing it, just like you can outside of hypnosis.
Use common sense: trust your gut and use your brain, and just avoid working with anyone who gives you the creeps.
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You remain awake and aware while in hypnosis, and you'll remember everything that happens during the session --- No, this is not true. You are NOT asleep, but at the same time you are not necessarily aware of everything during the experience. It is also common to forget portions of the experience, just like waking up from an intense dream and forgetting exactly what happened in that dream.
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You cannot be hypnotized against your will --- This depends on what you mean by "against your will". If someone chooses to resist being hypnotized, or is simply uninterested in it, then they will not be. Hypnosis is easy to resist: simply refuse to pay attention and don't follow instructions. In that sense it is a voluntary process. However, people CAN be hypnotized without their knowledge or consent.
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It is a state of deep relaxation and is similar to "zoning out" when you're driving along a familiar highway --- Not really. Relaxation is just one level of arousal that can be experienced in hypnosis. You can also experience fear, anger, sadness, and just about any other experience with greater intensity in hypnosis, which is why it can be useful in training people how to manage those states.
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All you need is the desire and expectation that you will be hypnotized and you will be! --- No, this is not correct. Desire and expectation are nice, but there are other factors that can be more important (see the FAQ for details).
It's also the case that if people try too hard to be hypnotized, desperately wanting it to work, then they may have a harder time! So this "fact", that all you need is desire and expectation, is not accurate... and in reality, being too eager or helpful can interfere with the process.
It's ok to be skeptical,
you don't have to believe.
(We always liked Scully better anyway)
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You need to have a strong motivation for [whatever change you're seeking] in order for the hypnosis to work --- This is not true. The main point of doing hypnosis is to adjust automatic, unconscious processes towards a positive change. By definition, hypnosis operates at a non-voluntary level, so it has little to do with willpower or motivation.
In fact, when a person feels a need to insist that they "really want it to work", that can be a bad sign. See the main FAQ for explanation why.
However, for most consistent results in the long run, it's obviously better to work with people who are self-motivated and have other factors in addition to hypnosis which are driving whatever change they seek. Anyway, it's kind of pointless to spend valuable time trying to help people who aren't really interested in being helped.
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A hypnotist cannot get you to do things you would not normally do --- If this were true, then what would be the point of going to a hypnotist? After all, people seek help from a hypnotist in order to experience a change in an undesired or unhealthy part of their normal routine.
But this is different than the idea of a hypnotist "forcing" or "making" someone do something they don't want to do. It's more about the skillful adjustment of emotions, perceptions and focused attention that leads to a desired change in emotional, behavior or thought patterns. This can be a deep and lasting change if it's achieved in a form that is satisfying to the hypnotee's needs and desires; if not, it's just an interesting and unusual experience during the duration of the hypnotic state.
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Hypnosis is safe --- Hypnosis is neither safe, nor is it unsafe. If you consider that the major components of hypnosis are greatly intensified focus, attention and imagination, then you can see that it's meaningless to claim that "imagination" is always safe or that "focus" is always positive. It depends on what you focus and what you imagine to be true!
These comforting half-truths are usually repeated with good intentions by well-meaning hypnotists. Often these myths are repeated as a result of ignorance and lack of experience with genuine hypnotic phenomena. I used to believe some of them too!
Be sure to check out the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information about this subject.
Meet Your Friendly Neighborhood Hypnotist
I'm Steve Roh, owner 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 also the hypnotist who took up a challenge on the Preston and Steve Show on WMMR 93.3 FM, and hypnotized one of their team members so that he would stop a bad habit.
Check out my blog to hear the surprising results from the live, unrehearsed demonstration.
The WMMR hosts said that this demonstration produced "clearly the best results... [it's] a big improvement over other times we've tried to do it."
Do you like lists? Here's a list: the Top 10 reasons why thousands of area residents have chosen Center City Hypnosis to help them achieve their goals:
#1 Free, no-obligation initial consultation. Simple, clear explanations --- no pseudo-scientific jargon. |
#2 Real Live 1-on-1 sessions --- I won't put a pair of headphones on you and leave you listening to a pre-recorded CD. |
#3 Each session is customized based on you and your goals. Hypnosis is not about closing your eyes, and then listening to someone read a script while soothing music plays in the background ("relax and imagine being in your serene place... now think happy thoughts... doesn't that feel nice?"). |
#4 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. |
#5 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! |
#6 I know you aren't impressed by made-up titles like "Elite Master Hypnotist". Beware of the mail-order Ph.D.s, fake credentials and meaningless certifications that are common in this field! |
#7 Systematic approach using a step-by-step 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. |
#8 Full-time hypnotist who helps people just like you every day. Unlike most hypnotists, I don't treat this as a part-time hobby, or as a way to "make some extra cash on the side". This means I have to consistently get results for clients and referrals. |
#9 Dedicated office located in the heart of Philadelphia's central business district. Your session will not be conducted in a spare bedroom in someone's house. Evening hours available, including Saturdays. |
#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. |
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!
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."
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:
Listen to a client describe how she overcame 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!"
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!
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."
Listen to another client (voice altered):
"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."
More Real People Describe 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.
Matt describes how hypnosis not only helped him with nervousness about taking an exam, but also improved other areas of daily life.
Like many people, Alexis gave hypnosis a try after getting frustrated with other things that didn't seem to help.
"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". 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.
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 do your research when it comes to choosing who you want to work with. Hypnosis is not a one-size-fits-all "thing". Success develops from the unique interaction between two people.
People who really want to solve a personal problem will not just pick a random hypnotist out of the phone book. So here are a couple of resources to help you do your research:
This is a website where you can request referrals to other National Guild of Hypnotists certified members in your local area: NGH referral page. The NGH randomly selects from a pool of local hypnotists, and response time from the NGH may vary. 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), so you may need to check into several of them.
If you are struggling with a serious psychological disorder and are interested in hypnosis as an option, you may be better served by seeking help from a more broadly trained mental healthcare professional. This is the website of the Greater Philadelphia Society of Clinical Hypnosis: GPSCH. They are a good resource for people who want to find psychologists, social workers, and other medical professionals who use hypnosis as part of their treatment.
Hypnotic work for medical or mental disorders requires a written referral from an appropriately licensed medical or mental health professional.
You may even want to ask your regular doctor about hypnosis. 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.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
Again, if you are suffering from a possible psychological disorder or severe emotional disturbance, then I urge you to first 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).
Reason: 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, especially if those problems are related to unhealthy or unproductive patterns that are not subconscious. Some people's problems are better addressed with the inclusion of longer-term therapy that focuses on skill development and deliberate practice of healthier responses.
A quick example of the difference between the two: let's say someone wants to overcome her fear of disapproval or rejection. Hypnosis can help her unlearn the automatic pattern of fearful arousal. For many people, this is enough to make a significant improvement (in some cases, so rapidly that people find it hard to believe).
However, if she also insists that other people must approve of her, and if they don't, they must be bad people out to "get her", that is a problem which would benefit more from longer-term therapy, perhaps done in combination with hypnosis --- but in that kind of scenario, hypnosis alone would not be enough.
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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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 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.
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.
Check out the extensive FAQ page I've setup on this site, so that we can make the best use of your consultation time.
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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.
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.
However, there are sometimes cases where a person's goal is malformed, and that needs to be brought to their attention. What do I mean by that?
Here is an example: let's say that someone suffers from thoughts and feelings of inadequacy, and they have a belief that they must "be successful", otherwise it means they are awful no-good losers.
If they want hypnosis to help them "be more successful", in the hopes that would make them feel better about their self-worth, then that is going about it in a fundamentally flawed way.
In a case like that, it's not beneficial to hypnotically encourage them to follow an unhealthy, counter-productive pattern. The faulty reasoning behind the goal is what has kept them stuck in the first place! This is something we would discuss during the initial consultation.
That Turns Out To Be Ineffective
This clip explains why simply pumping up your ego by trying to convince you how great you are, can demotivate you and make it harder to take action:
Using hypnosis to follow a poor strategy will not somehow make success more likely. Don't feel too bad if you've fallen into these kinds of traps before; just feel better knowing that you can learn to recognize them.
Check out the rest of the site to learn about other common "self-help" approaches that turn out to be counter-productive (such as trying hard to "visualize success").
Affiliations, Training, Etc.
- Certified Member, 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 also ready to make a positive change in your life. Check out the rest of this site, 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 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!"
Be sure to check out the Frequently Asked Questions page
for more information and important details
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