Stephen Rinaldi - Hypnotherapy Services

I am not currently scheduling in-person hypnotherapy services - but, please visit again (or subscribe to my mailing list) for updates. I may be adding Skype / Web-based Hypnotherapy Services - so, if you're interested in possibly taking part, please let me know. Thank you ~

* Denotes services that may require a medical referral from your medical doctor. Please contact me for more information.

Depending on the nature of your specific issue, long distance hypnotherapy services may also be available. More details will be posted on this page soon. In many cases, after the initial session, future sessions can be delivered to you via e-mail as an audio file which can be played over your computer speakers, or downloaded to your MP3 player, iPod, etc.

A. That depends on the nature of your issue. It can often take 21 days (or longer) to break an old habit or create a new one. So, if you are coming to me for help to quit smoking, for example, that will likely require a full 4 sessions. If your goal is to cut back on smoking, then we can probably address that in one or two sessions, depending upon the root cause of your smoking habit. Other concerns may require regular sessions over a longer period.

A. When it comes to my Hypnotherapy approach, I follow the Kappasinian Model. This means that I test each client's suggestibility and carefully choose the therapy we will apply under hypnosis based on those results. I have been specifically trained in all therapies I use with my clients.

For personal development issues, I take a practical and holistic approach - with an understanding that the only time we can ever act for change is right now in the present moment. This means that we focus on first discovering - and then integrating new and positive habits into your daily life to replace those that may be holding you back from realizing your goals. Through this process, you will also likely discover the underlying reasons why you look at the world and yourself the way you do -- which is a great process of self-awareness, leading to empowerment.

My initial goal with most clients is to get you to look beneath your lifetime of conditioning to SEE (many for the first time ever) who you really are. Most people live only in their brain, seeing life through the filter of their upbringing, family and peer expectations, cultural norms, etc. My goal is to help you see your life and the world through your MIND. I'm a strong believer in daily meditation and other mind / body practices (such as Qigong, Tai Chi, etc.), so don't be surprised if we dive right into these subjects early on. The sub-conscious mind is truly amazing and can work wonders for you if you allow it to.

Q. Can anyone benefit from Hypnosis / Hypnotherapy?

A. Yes and No. For hypnosis to be most effective, you have to want to change and must be a willing participant in the process. Otherwise you may very likely be wasting both your (and your therapist's) time.

However, for those that understand that it is their own habits that limit them from reaching their potential, hypnotherapy offers an exciting journey of self-discovery, action and results.

Q. How quickly should I expect results from our sessions?

A. Again, how quickly you see results will depend on the specific issue. Some realizations come quickly and others take a little time. Remember, you can't expect a lifetime of conditioning to disappear overnight. With that said, however, there will often be times (especially early on in our sessions) where a hypnotic suggestion will cause a dramatic shift in your awareness of the world around you, or your "self" in particular. Other changes are more subtle and take longer. In all cases, we want to help you to keep progressing over the long term - and to accomplish that, both the sudden dramatic shifts and more subtle longer-term positive changes are necessary and welcomed.

Q. What is the difference between traditional therapy and hypnotherapy?

A. First, it's important to understand that what I offer to you is NOT traditional psychiatric therapy in any way. If you are experiencing mental illness of any kind, you should immediately contact an appropriate licensed medical professional that can help you.

With that said, traditional therapies typically focus solely on your past, in an attempt to help you sort through and come to terms with past traumatic experiences that may be causing turmoil in your life.

In Hypnotherapy, however, I will be talking directly with your sub-conscious mind - bypassing your critical mind. Under hypnosis, I will make suggestions to your sub-conscious aimed at addressing a specific issue or sometimes a related set of issues.

Q. Can anybody be hypnotized?

A. The short answer is yes. Some people wrongly assume that they cannot be hypnotized based on past experience, such as with a stage hypnotist, for example. It's important to realize that people do not all respond the same way to hypnotic induction. Individuals can fall into several categories of hypnotic suggestibility and each require a specific type of induction for hypnosis to occur. There is no one-size fits all approach. I will determine your individual suggestability type during our first session, prior to your first hypnotic induction.

Q. Are you a member of the Hypnotherapists Union?

A. Yes. I am a member is good standing with the Hypnotherapitsts Union, Local 472. I am Certified through the Union as a Master Hypnotist / Certified Hypnotherapist.