Hypnosis Is Natural, Safe and Very Effective   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hypnosis can help transform your life. Your beliefs. Your habits. And your outcomes.

Hypnosis is one of the most powerful tools we have available to implement a sustainable, long lasting change. It is safe, effective and powerful. Studies have proven that the subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between a vividly imagined event and a real one. This makes it possible to imagine and rehearse new behaviors and ways of feeling. Hypnosis is an excellent tool for changing your core beliefs. Once the beliefs are changed, our reactions, responses, and emotions also change.

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Q. What is hypnosis?
A. Hypnosis has been defined simply as an altered state of consciousness characterized by focused imagination and a heightened receptivity to suggestion. Deep state of relaxation often accompanies hypnosis, but in fact is not required.

Q. How does classic hypnosis work?
A. While you are undergoing hypnosis, all extraneous data is shut out and the focus is on one goal or image. This intensity of thought and emotion has the effect of channeling all our energy towards change, cutting through limiting beliefs and summoning powerful energies on our behalf. If you think of the difference between the diffused energy of the sun versus the focused concentration of the sun’s energy into a laser beam, you have an idea of how hypnosis works. Your regular waking conscious mind is the sun, your thoughts under hypnosis are the laser beam.

Q. Are there any side effects?
A. Only beneficial ones, such as sleeping better and feeling much happier in general. In fact, sleeping better is the number one side effect of the work that I do. Clients often report renewed sense of well-being; they are not triggered nearly as much by their partners and coworkers, and they are able to accomplish much more. Thousands of case histories testify to the fact that hypnosis is a safe, natural and powerful technique for implementing change.

Q. Can I be hypnotized?
A. YES. The vast majority of the population can be hypnotized. In fact, we all go in and out of hypnosis many times during the day. If you’ve ever passed your exit on the highway, daydreamed during a meeting, or lost yourself in a good book, you were in a light state of hypnosis/trans. And a light state is all we need for most of the work that we do, including weight loss, smoking, overcoming fears of public speaking and so forth. We do not need somnambulistic depth to achieve results. After few years in practice, I’ve only had a handful of clients who did not go into trance during the first session. However, often success was achieved on subsequent sessions. So even if have told yourself you can’t be hypnotized, or have tried hypnosis before unsuccessfully, don’t be too quick to believe it. Maybe your hypnotherapist didn’t use effective inductions or you lacked rapport with that particular practitioner. Or maybe you just need to have more patience with yourself and practice a bit more.

Q. Are some people more hypnotizable than others?
A. Yes. Hypnosis is a skill like anything else, and some people have more talent for it than others. But the good news is that everyone gets better with practice. That's why doing some self-hypnosis on your own is important. With that said, I have seen many people who have been told by other professionals that they couldn’t be hypnotized, only to achieve trance in our sessions.

Q. Can classic hypnosis help me?
A. While it is not a panacea for all conditions, nor a substitute for medical or psychiatric attention, hypnosis has proven effective for literally hundreds of issues, from overcoming test anxiety and bad habits to overcoming procrastination and boosting self-confidence & self-worth. Chances are excellent it can help you as well, whether you want to use hypnosis as your sole method of treatment or in conjunction with other therapies recommended by your doctor or therapist.

Q. What is the difference between meditation and hypnosis?
A. Hypnosis has been called mediation with a goal. Mediation is a quieting of the mind, and is in itself very calming and beneficial. However, there is usually no goal, visualizations or positive imagery. With hypnosis, we quiet the mind and relax the body, then add mental imagery, somatic experiencing for removing negative imprints, we add positive suggestion, and other techniques such as NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) or Parts Therapy. There is always a goal, intention, and focus in hypnosis. To achieve a transformative, long lasting healing result.

Q. What should I look for in a professional Hypnotist?
A. Look for a hypnotherapist who has received training from a state-licensed school and is a member in good standing of at least one professional hypnotist organization. Currently, there is no legislation requiring training in Illinois. In other words, anyone can hang out a shingle. So ask about qualifications. Even if someone has a certification, be aware that the qualifications for certification vary widely. Unfortunately, there are a lot of Consulting Hypnotists that have only taken a weekend training course or worse, a home-study program. Often these practitioners are ill-equipped to serve their clients well. Remember, it is in your best interest to check out a practitioner’s credentials.

Besides training, other factors to consider include the number of years a hypnotherapist has been in practice, familiarity with your issue, and the rapport you feel with a particular hypnotherapist.

Q. What are your qualifications?
A. I am certified by The National Guild of Hypnotists, which was rated the Number #1 hypnosis association by Congress in 1993. The Guild requires 100 hours of training and that their members adhere to a Code of Ethics and keep their skills current with annual training. I am also a Certified Hypnosis Teacher, by The National Guild of Hypnotists. In addition, I am also certified in Quantum Healing Hypnosis, created by Dolores Cannon (see separate section). I have been in private practice for over 9 years, and have an extensive experience working with a wide range of clients from all over the world. I am especially passionate and effective in assisting clients with:

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- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

- complex long term trauma symptoms (emotional, mental, physical) 

- related disorders and/or difficulties in their relationships

- somatic experiencing, to help free trapped emotions, typically stored in the physical body

Q: Why choose Balance Lab?
A. All my sessions are live (online or in person), personalized and are designed to achieve maximum results in the shortest possible time. I listen very carefully to what you have to say, asking questions so that I can design post-hypnotic suggestions that are meaningful to you. I am very invested in seeing clients achieve results in as short a time as possible, and work very hard to assist you in achieving desired results. Over the years I’ve worked with thousands of clients, using a powerful combination of proven hypnosis techniques, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), somatic experiencing, subliminal language and when appropriate, energy medicine (Reiki), age progression and past life regression (to treat debilitating trauma symptoms). I see each client as a unique, original individual that they are. That is what makes an individual, private session with me so powerful!

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How long is the actual hypnosis session?

Your actual classic hypnosis session lasts about 45-50 minutes. This is necessary to achieve long lasting results. This is a good question to ask your hypnotist beforehand, as many hypnotists will devote only 20 to 25 minutes to an actual session.

Q. What happens in a typical session? What can I expect?
A. All sessions are private and very confidential. During the session I will ask you what your main goals are, what specific thoughts, attitudes or behaviors you’d like to change, what seems to trigger certain behavior habits, and how your life would be better if this were not a problem for you.

You’ll be asked to give me a brief history of your behavior, anything that may have been a contributing factor, what makes the situation better or worse, and why you would like to change a behavior.

Together, we’ll identify any self-limiting beliefs and determine specific goals for each session. Based upon my experience, I will offer recommendations for each session, but ultimately what I work upon is up to you. You determine what you want to achieve first. I like to incorporate some self-esteem and stress reduction suggestions in every session, because research shows that when you are feeling better about yourself, it is just plain easier to lose weight, quit smoking, stop worrying and achieve your goals.

You will then recline in a lazy boy chair and wear headsets with soothing music, while I am conducting the session. The lights will be dimmed, and all you have to do is relax and enjoy the process.

Q. How long does a typical session last?
A. Your first session lasts a full 90 minutes, or an hour and a half, so that we have ample time to go over your history, goals, triggers and unique self-limiting beliefs. Your intake is important and will directly affect your classic hypnosis session, so we do not want to rush through this. Since it is a full 90 minutes, the fees may be higher than others whose session time is limited to an hour.

Subsequent sessions last approximately 50 minutes to one hour. Sometimes more time is required and sometimes less, depending upon several factors. The average time you’ll spend in hypnosis ranges from 33 to 37 minutes.

Q. Will I be hypnotized even during the first session?
A. Yes. The first session includes actual hypnosis, as do all sessions, unless you would like to just talk during your first session. Actual hypnosis consists of an “induction” or relaxation technique, usually followed by positive suggestions, mental imagery, remembering successful events, and possibly more advanced techniques such as NLP, Parts Therapy or regression. Afterwards, I’ll ask you what you liked, how you feel, assign homework and discuss next steps.

Q. Can I get a recording of my session?
A. Yes, and you have several options here. You can access your file via DropBox, I record all Zoom sessions and share them with clients.

Q. How many sessions will I need?
A. There are no simple answers to this one. Each person and situation is different. For most issues I recommend starting with 3 to 6 sessions and then assessing your progress at that time. The only exception is smoking, which can be done in just two sessions. Remember, you may have spent years thinking and behaving a certain way, so it may take some time to achieve the desired results. Prepare to make an investment in your well-being. With that said, you will experience  an improvement even after one session. And sometimes this improvement is dramatic.

Q. What determines results?
A. The results you’ll experience depend upon many factors, including your readiness to change, what kind of rapport you have with your hypnotherapist, what inductions and techniques are used, and how good of a subject you are. Also, how regularly you do your own self-hypnosis also directly impacts the results.

Q. How do you work?
A. All classic hypnosis sessions are live  (online or in person) and personalized to your needs, goals and unique challenges. All post-hypnotic suggestions are tailored to you and you alone. That is what makes an individual, private session with Balance Lab so powerful. Often I feel I receive intuitive guidance to “go here now” that only happens under trance. My clients have told me time and again that “you said exactly the right thing for me, that was just what I needed to hear.” Or “How did you know to suggest that? It was right on target.” In addition, I have spent a lifetime preparing for this work, studying psychology and metaphysics, since an early age. I have also worked through many of my own mental, emotional and physical challenges and so possess a deep understanding, insight and compassion to help others heal themselves.

Q. Where are you located?
I work mostly online, although I occasionally see clients in person (mostly in San Diego and Chicago).

Q. Do you accept credit cards? Insurance?
A. Yes, I accept Visa, MasterCard as well as cash, Venmo, PayPal. Personal checks are accepted as long as I have a credit card on file. I do not accept insurance, however, your company may reimburse you. Check with your provider or employer.

Q. What are your fees?
A. The best value is to purchase one of the packages, as that lowers the per-session fee considerably.

If you pay as you go, the first hypnosis session is 90 minutes and the cost is $222. Please check Book By Service for details. 

Q. How do I book an appointment?
A. The fastest and most convenient way to book an appointment is do so online. Just click on the Book Your Appointment link. There you can see my schedule at-a-glance and reserve the date and time that works for you. If you prefer, you can contact me at 773.817.2132 or by email at: agasurreal@gmail.com me and I can book the appointment for you. For online appointments, you are required to pay for your session before we connect. 

Q. Do you have a cancellation policy?
A. Yes. Your appointment time is a contract between us. If you cancel without sufficient notice, I am unable to fill that slot and others who could have used it can also not take advantage of it. To avoid cancellation charges, you must cancel or reschedule within 24 hours or you will be billed in full for that session.

 

Contact Balance Lab at 773.817.2132 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

I look forward to assisting you!

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With Light,

Aga 

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