MS, LPC, CH
Arlington Heights
(847) 222-0022
sullivanhypno@att.net
Hypnotherapy, EFT, Psych-K energy work

Services

Describe your services:
I use the latest in light and sound technology as well and trance depth monitoring system to enhance your experience and your success with hypnosis. I am a certified Hypnotherapist with advance certifications in Clinical, Medical, and Pain Management, Hypnotism as well as HypnoBirthing Fertility Therapy. I am a Board certified professional counselor. I am trained in Psych- K energy work in which I muscle test for emotional blockage and help to clear those blocks. I use EFT (emotional freedom technique.) a tapping along the energy meridians of the body to help eliminate unwanted emotional clutter.
Hypnotherapy is highly effective for the following issues:

- Stress management
- Fertility
- Fears
- Anxiety disorders
- Medical conditions (Some conditions require a note from your doctor)
- Pain management,
- Self esteem/confidence
- Self-improvement/ Success
- Sports
- Study/Test-taking
- Weight reduction
- Smoking cessation.
- Regression
And many others.

How does your healing modality work?
Hypnosis is a level of consciousness characterized by relaxation and suggestibility, during which the conscious mind is distracted allowing direct access to the subconscious mind where almost limitless information from one’s past, is stored including fears, inhibitions, habits, and emotions.

During the hypnotic state, changes occur in the structure of the brain where the two halves of the brain are linked. (The Corpus Callosum) These changes allow more information to stream from one side of the brain to the other than during normal consciousness. Some of the electrical charge is destabilized in the part of the brain which controls habits, allowing a path to be made to the center of the subconscious; this enables one to become more receptive to change. Through imagery and positive suggestions new connections can be formed among the nerve cells producing the desired results. Old messages are eliminated, and new therapeutic messages are substituted. Discomfort serving no useful purpose can be alleviated as “There is no pain until it reaches the brain.”

Hypnosis is a normal, natural state of mind that we all drift in and out of and bears little resemblance to the Hollywood portrayal. If you have ever passed your highway exit while deeply engrossed in pleasant thoughts you have experienced a state of mind similar to hypnosis. “Hypnotherapy” is hypnosis for healing or healthy changes the client seeks.

How do you see your services evolving over the next three years?
As my involvement with area medical professionals continues to grow, I see myself working more closely with area hospitals and medical facilities. Hypnotism is complimentary to traditional medicine and I am encouraged to see it is growing in its recognition and acceptance. Working with clients one on one in my warm, comfortable office will always be a part of my professional plan as well. Seeing positive changes in my clients’ lives every day is the greatest reward I receive as a certified Hypnotherapist.

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Benefits

What are the benefits/results people see?
My clients often report a “shift” immediately following their session or within a few days. People feel calmer, more in control, more optimistic. “A sense of peace.” Some more obvious benefits are pain relief, comfort, or a positive pregnancy test for a client who has struggled with infertility! Anyone under the care of a physician obtains a referral from that physician. Their positive results with hypnotism have helped in its growing affirmative reputation as they pass this information along to their doctor. My clients undergoing chemotherapy report less nausea and discomfort, better sleep, and faster recovery of stamina after treatment. My fertility clients report feeling calmer and more at peace with their body’s internal wisdom.

Why do people come to see you?
People come to see me for a variety of reasons. My reputation sends me many of my new clients. Several have heard about the positive benefits others have received from their sessions with me through previous clients or medical professionals. Others feel they have exhausted other options for their issues and want to try a method which utilizes the gifts of their own subconscious mind which is at their disposal 24-7. Some people know that hypnosis was endorsed by the American Medical Association in 1958 and feel that lends credence to the therapy I offer. Unlike traditional talk therapy, people usually understand that Hypnotherapy is brief, client centered, and highly effective at getting to the heart of their issues by quickly dislodging negative message units from their subconscious minds usually in 4-8 sessions.

Who is an ideal client?
- Anyone motivated for positive change.
- Women who are experiencing difficulty becoming pregnant who are trying naturally or undergoing fertility treatments will increase their chances of conception from 20% without hypnosis to 42-55% with hypnosis according to well documented studies.
- Those wishing to reduce their weight such as anyone experiencing emotional eating issues or that are seeking exercise motivation.
- People in search of management of pain or discomfort,
- Those dealing this anxiety or stress and related physical or mental disorders such as Colitis, Fibromyalgia, Gird, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Rosacea, or OCD to name a few.
Hypnosis is easy, comfortable, and relaxing. All that is required is the commitment to attend a minimum of four sessions, practice the simple self-hypnosis I teach you, and listen to your hypnosis CD at home once per day. My clients report that they really look forward to their sessions with me. “It’s like a massage from the inside out” is how one client describes it.

What makes you different/good at what you do?
My ability to empower others to change their lives, my education, and experience as a private counselor, and a case worker for 85 residents in a long term care facility, my experience working for Stanford Children’s hospital, along with my own life altering brain injury which taught me the power of the human mind and spirit which knows no bounds.

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Philosophy/Approach

Describe your healing philosophy:
I believe we have the master control between our ears to heal ourselves of many of our issues. I feel that most of our physical conditions have an emotional connection. Once we heal ourselves emotionally we can begin the process of not only healing physically, but thriving physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Describe your style or approach:
Your success brings me great joy. My approach is to empower you.
As a Hypnotherapist I am not the engine or the steering wheel, but the headlights on your vehicle to healing and success. I light the dark path and guide you to the place you need to go to turn things around. I do not judge, I care.

Why do you do what you do?
It brings me great pleasure to help others find peace. I wondered for years not only why
I experienced, but why I survived a near fatal brain injury and subsequent coma.
It was during my rehabilitation that my Occupational therapist suggested I go to school to begin a new career path. Now every day I know why I had to experience that. It was to become more compassionate and to learn about the strength and resilience of the human spirit that I witness each day.

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Education/Background

Education/Training:
What and where from is your education and specific training?
Licensed Professional Counselor
Board Certified Professional Counselor
Certification in Hypnotherapy, Leidecker Institute, Elgin, IL
Certified in Clinical, Medical, and Pain Management Hypnotism.
Certified in HypnoBirthing® Fertility Therapy.
Member -National Guild of Hypnotists
Member- National Counseling Association
Member-American Psychotherapy Association
Member-National Federation of Hypnotists, OPEIU LOCAL #104
Member-International Association of Medical and Therapeutic Specialists (IAMTS)

Psych-K® energy work trained.
EFT trained.

Master of Science in Counseling/Human Services, National Louis University, Evanston, IL
Bachelors of Arts in Behavioral Sciences, National Louis University, Evanston, IL
Associates of Arts, William Rainey Harper College, Palatine, IL

Case worker Lutheran Home and Services
Counseling Internship William Rainey Harper College Access and Disability Services

Years Professionally Practicing:
Counselor since 2001.
Practicing Hypnotherapist since 2005.

Contributions/Publications:
Regular contributing writer for the Arlington Almanac.
Member of Alpha Delta Omega Honor Society for Human Services.

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What to expect

Describe a typical session:
Upon entering my relaxing office you will be enveloped in soothing Biorhythmic music, relaxing lighting from therapeutic salt lamps, and calming aromatherapy. The initial session includes a half hour intake in which I familiarize myself with you and the issue you are seeking help for. I describe hypnosis and what you can expect and learn about your expectations. You will be invited to be seated in a comfortable leather recliner and offered a comfy blanket during the session. I will put a trance depth monitor on your hand most sessions depending on the type of hypnosis we are doing to track your progress. You will be shown the results at the end of the session. I often use light and sound technology in which you will wear glasses with a gentle blue/green strobe and headphones in which you will hear soft music and my voice as I speak through a microphone at my desk next to you. This light and sound technology helps the two hemispheres of your brain to communicate better and is very relaxing. At the end of your session I will ask you some questions about your experience. You will feel relaxed, however you will be brought back to a state of full consciousness and will be able to drive safely and return to normal activities feeling alert and energized.

Of course when you first call me on the phone or email me, we will discuss your issue or problem and what you hope to accomplish with hypnotherapy. When you decide to schedule an appointment I will send you a packet with an appointment confirmation form, a client information form, and a Client Bill of Rights describing my services and fees along with a map to my office, and a self addressed stamped envelope. You will fill out the client information form and sign the Client bill of rights and return them to me in the envelope provided or Fax them prior to your appointment.

How long is a typical session?
After the initial session of one and one half hour subsequent sessions are one hour with the exception of smoking cessation which is 2 and one half hours.

Describe your office or treatment room:
My office is a tranquil private haven in a professional office building where you are surrounded by warm soft lighting from therapeutic salt lamps and calming Biorhythmic music, it is designed for individual or group work so there is a leather recliner, a sofa & love seat as well as many pillows for your comfort. It is delightfully scented with soft, relaxing aromatherapy, and my credentials are displayed on one wall for your inspection.

How should someone prepare for a session?
Refrain from caffeine for at least four hours prior to your session. Wear comfortable clothing. You may wish to remove your shoes for comfort, so be sure to have socks to keep your feet warm.

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Logistics

Office hours/days of the week:
I am available by appointment Monday-Saturday I have day or evening appointments during the week from 10:00 AM until 8: 00 PM, Saturdays from 11:00 AM-5:00 PM

Fee Range
$150.00 per hour payable by cash or check. Each client receives one free hypnosis CD to listen to at home. Additional CD’s are $10.00 each. Each client also receives free personalized self-hypnosis training to use at home.

Take Insurance?
I will be happy to provide you with a receipt to submit to your insurance company. Although hypnotism is a government-recognized therapy, it is not a medical procedure. As a result, in most situations medical insurance will not apply.

Cancellation Policy?
Once you have set your appointment with me it is considered a contract between us. If you fail to cancel by phone without 24 hours notice you will be charged $50.00.

Closing comments

What else might someone want to know about you?
I am very down to earth with a warm sense of humor.
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