Scope and Contra-Indications

If you are having difficulties with a family member or spouse or with someone at work or in another context that may involve physical, emotional or sexual abuse, you are advised to see a qualified family counselor or therapist, or other qualified mental health care practitioner. They are trained to help you understand and act appropriately in such contexts and to better understand the behaviors of others that are or are not appropriate.

Furthermore, I do not diagnose mental health conditions – such diagnoses can only be performed by qualified mental health practitioners.

For help with chronic or acute pain you must obtain prior approval from a qualified health care practitioner. Likewise, I do not offer advice or direction for taking any medications – or food supplements, as these can sometimes interfere with medication. Such advice can only be given by qualified health care professionals.

I am happy to work with you as an adjunct to help facilitate any work you may be doing with a mental health care practitioner, or with a medical doctor when dealing with pain challenges.

Typical Session

Our sessions will last around 1 to 1-1/2 hours.

Note: Although we can meet in person if you live in the Pioneer Valley area, I regularly work with clients by phone or by Skype. My clients report the work to be as deep and effective as when we meet in person.

Typically our sessions will start out with a brief exploration of what it is you would like to change – i.e. define the “problem”.

The next stage of our work involves exploring the resources you already have that can help you bring about change. This is where my training to work with you using a number of techniques, including metaphor facilitation (using Clean Language), Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), Transpersonal Hypnotherapy, or Cognitive Hypnotherapy can help facilitate change.

Later in the session, if appropriate (and it usually is), we reinforce the work at a deeper level using naturalistic (Ericksonian) hypnotic trance. Again, the trance may feel mild and “not much different from conscious awareness”, or it may feel “deep”. Either way is fine and scientific studies have indicated that both ways of experiencing hypnosis generally work equally effectively.

The combination of initial “change-work” and following “trance-work” provides for a depth such that many of my clients often tell me this work is surprisingly effective.

At the end of the session I may suggest certain “homework” type tasks. If agreeable we may schedule either a follow up visit, or some other follow up type of communication. While a first visit in person is optimal, it is not absolutely required. I am able to work nearly as well via Skype or by phone.

Final Thoughts:

Please remember during our sessions that:

• it should feel easy;
• if you don’t know an answer, that’s fine;
• clients often report the meanings of their metaphors become clear at some later time, or they may report change without even knowing how or why
• I give no advice;
• this is a cooperative effort – I facilitate, and your job is to let me know if you need any adjustments.

If you have any further questions you can email me at to either book a free initial introductory 1/2 hour session (see sidebar), or to ask any questions.