How to Prepare for Your 1st Session

Virtual/Online Hypnosis, is a wonderful way to experience hypnosis from the comfort of your own home!

Virtual hypnosis sessions are just as effective or perhaps more effective than in-person sessions as people often find it easier to become more deeply relaxed in the safety and comfort of their own surroundings. All sessions are done within my HIPPA protected Zoom platform so that you and your personal information is completely protected.

In the rare event that a power outage or technology glitch occurs you don't have to worry as you can't get stuck in hypnosis, which is simply a meditative or trance state, and I will teach you how to simply bring yourself out of hypnosis in the unlikely event that such a problem occurs.  

Intake:

1. After our initial contact we will either schedule a free consultation which includes information about what hypnotherapy is and how it works or our first session in which case the consultation information will simply be included.

2. I will email you an intake form that must be completed prior to your first session. It is a google document that is completed online, and once completed I will be alerted automatically via email. 

3. The intake form has a credit card authorization form that must be filled out, however should you prefer, you can purchase sessions and packages up front through my website or from me directly via venmo, or paypal. No charges will be made until we have discussed how you would like to pay, but I do require a credit card on file. 

4. IF you are seeking hypnotherapy for a medical condition, pain control, or are seeing a therapist and/or taking medication for the issue you would like to address, I am required by my hypnotherapy board to have authorization from your health care practitioner prior to the first session. The authorization letter can come from any doctor, therapist or chiropractor involved in the treatment of the condition or medical procedure. (See the sample below for the Doctor Authorization.)
   

Doctor Authorization for Hypnotherapy:

I Dr. (Insert Doctor Name), authorize (Insert Patient Name) to undergo hypnotherapy as an adjunct to his/her current medical treatment. 

(Insert Dr. Signature and Date)

Zoom & Meeting Invitations:

If you have never used Zoom before, go to www.zoom.com and download zoom to your desktop/laptop/tablet or phone. The larger the screen the better but a phone is fine.

You may want to test it before hand to be sure that zoom has access to your camera and microphone. When using external cameras and microphones there may be some extra steps to giving zoom access to them. Also, sometimes the security or virus software on your device may require some extra steps to give permission for Zoom to have camera and/or microphone access. Unfortunately since all devices are different, I am unable to help set these up, so it is advised that you try it out ahead of time to ensure technical support is not needed. Most of the time, it is fairly intuitive and works seamlessly.

If you purchase and book sessions via my website: 

1. You will receive an email confirmation after booking, as well as a separate email with a zoom link for our upcoming session. 

2. A few minutes prior to each session, I will log in and be waiting for you to join the session.

3. Once you click on the link to join the zoom meeting, I will receive an email letting me know that you are ready to be admitted and will admit you. (Please be advised, this process takes a few minutes, but if you don’t have access within 2-3 minutes, please call or text me in case we need to troubleshoot.)

4. Once admitted to the meeting, sometimes, depending on the device you are using, you may need to ensure that your camera and/or microphone is on. Usually zoom defaults to the camera being off so you’ll have to find the camera button and click or tap it in order to turn the camera on. (If you have any issues, feel free to call me at 615.219.9129 and I can walk you through it.)

Setting Up Your Space:

1. Have a quiet, private spot where you will be uninterrupted for the duration of the session. Pets that will remain calm are welcome.

2. Wear comfortable clothing and have a spot prepared where you can sit or recline slightly, with your head supported. Head support is important for your comfort.

3. Have your computer or device propped so that I will be able to see your face and chest.

4. Please don't plan to lay down in your bed (reclining in bed is fine,) as your mind and body know that your bed is for sleeping and will prepare for sleep and if possible we would like to avoid sleep.)

5. Please have a journal or notebook and pen handy so that after the session you can write down the suggestions and imagery we create for your personal use in daily self-hypnosis. 

6. Please ensure your devices (phone/computer/laptop/tablets/watches,) are on ‘Do Not Disturb’ for the duration of the session. 

7. It is sometimes helpful to use a headset or earbuds so that we can hear each other clearly depending on the quality of your computer microphone.

Friendly Reminder:

Please remember: Per the initial consultation and the client intake form that hypnotherapy is an educational and self-improvement process.

I teach the self-hypnosis technique in the very first session so that you are able to use it as a tool for yourself, for the rest of your life. Hypnosis like meditation is a skill that requires practice, but the results will be worth it! It requires only a few minutes of your time each day (preferably,) but the more you practice the better and faster the results!

To find out if virtual hypnosis is right for you,