Frequently Asked Questions
Privacy & Confidentiality
Are the things we talk about confidential? Your privacy is important to me, and you can trust that our conversations, and any of your personal information, is held in confidence. In fact, confidential information disclosed in private therapy session is legally protected. The exception, however, is if I am concerned that you might harm yourself or others.What happens in a therapy session?
Since the needs and goals of every client are different, therapy sessions vary in format and approach. We might talk about how you handled your week, you might come in with an agenda or specific things you would like to talk about. We might do a hypnotherapy session, or you might talk about your childhood and explore any patterns that seem to be coming to light in your life.Other times, clients might have a success story, an emotion that’s bothering them, or just a vague feeling or thought they can’t shake. In addition to in-session discussions and exploration, I might encourage an outside activity or assignment that we discuss later (like reading a book, meditating, or keeping a journal). Ultimately, the goal is to identify the areas where change or help is needed, determine what gets in the way of you making that change, work toward setting realistic objectives and equip you with resources and strategies that help you to manage your life in a way that feels authentic and useful.How long does it take?
Because therapy is tailored to a specific person, and to the goals and challenges that you are currently facing, there is no pre-defined period of time for on-going therapy sessions. Sometimes incredible progress is made in mere minutes, but it’s not uncommon for therapy to span several sessions over a period of weeks or months.Research shows that the main component of successful therapy is not the specific technique, but rather the relationship itself. For us to establish a trusting, safe relationship, I do primarily work with clients for longer term work, but I also have had clients who have made incredible progress in just a few weeks.
Most of my clients meet with me weekly or bi-weekly. Individual psychotherapy sessions are 50 minutes in length. Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy sessions are 100-120 minutes.
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is just a state of focused attention and concentration It is a trance state that we enter several times a day. Examples of being in a trance state are when you are:- just waking in the morning
- falling asleep at night
- so focused on your thoughts that you miss your exit on the freeway
- so engrossed in a book that you don’t hear someone call your name.
I've seen hypnotists make people cluck like chickens. Will you have control over me?
Nothing is further from the truth. All hypnosis is really self-hypnosis and you will never do anything you feel is not according to your morals. You will also never tell me anything you are not comfortable sharing. You will remember everything that happens.What if I can't be hypnotized?
Anyone who can daydream, or imagine scenes in their mind, can be hypnotized. The important factor is that clients must be interested and willing to try the experience. Nobody can be hypnotized against her/his will. If a person is too nervous, too scared, afraid that s/he will do something against their will, or is not willing to cooperate, they will not be able to relax enough to go into the light trance that is useful in hypnotherapy. In this case, we would gently work toward you feeling safe and relaxed in my office. The more we practice in my office, the more comfortable you will be allowing yourself to relax.contact Starla today