Your Questions, Answered.
Clinical Hypnotherapy
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A clinical hypnotherapist is a mental health professional with extensive training and expertise in the clinical application of hypnosis in therapy. I am an ARCH Accredited Clinical Hypnotherapist, and a graduate of the Canadian Academy of Clinical Hypnotherapy
ARCH Canada is one of the few associations that requires a vulnerable sector check and upholds some of the highest standards for Clinical Hypnotherapists in Canada. My registration with ARCH assures clients that I meet these rigorous standards of ethics and education—and that their safety and trust are my top priorities. -
Hypnotherapy is backed by extensive research and recognized by psychologists and psychiatrists as a safe, effective treatment for PTSD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, phobias, and more.
Some resources, if interested:
American Psychology Association: Uncovering the new science of clinical hypnosis
Literature Review into the Effectiveness of Hypnotherapy -
You know that feeling when you’re completely absorbed in something you love—whether it’s a hobby, a project, a great conversation, or a deep meditation? Time seems to disappear, your focus sharpens, and you feel fully present. Hypnosis feels a lot like that—only you’re resting in a position that’s deeply comfortable and completely relaxing.
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There are many misconceptions about hypnosis and that the client is not in control of themselves - especially because of stage hypnosis. I can't make you do something you don't want to do. You are always in control and in fact, I will teach you ways to communicate with me while under trance in case you feel unsafe and want to exit.
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Most people can experience hypnosis to some degree, although the experience varies from person to person. Comfort, expectations, willingness and the therapeutic relationship can all influence the experience. Hypnosis isn't something the therapist does to you—you remain an active participant throughout the session.
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Yes. You don't have to believe in hypnosis for Clinical Hypnotherapy to be worth exploring.
Hypnosis is not about losing control or simply “believing” that something will happen. It is a naturally occurring state of focused attention that most people experience in some form in everyday life.
You remain aware and able to make choices throughout the process. Rather than asking you to suspend your judgment, I invite you to approach the experience with curiosity and see what you notice.
If you're skeptical, that's completely okay. You can bring your questions, doubts and curiosity into the session.
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Clinical Hypnotherapy can be used to explore a wide range of emotional patterns, behaviours, beliefs and experiences. The focus of our work depends on your individual needs, circumstances and goals.
People may seek hypnotherapy for support with:
Anxiety, stress and overwhelm
Phobias and fears
Consistent habits and addictions that are toxic
Self-worth, confidence and self-doubt
Perfectionism and self-criticism
Sleep and relaxation
Habits and recurring behaviours
Emotional patterns that feel difficult to shift
Life transitions and major changes
Identity, belonging and cultural transitions
Creative blocks and feeling stuck
Reconnecting with yourself and your sense of direction
Rather than treating a list of symptoms in isolation, I’m interested in understanding what may be beneath the pattern and how your experiences, beliefs, emotions and subconscious responses may be connected.
Clinical Hypnotherapy isn't a quick fix or a guarantee of a particular outcome. Some people notice meaningful shifts early in the process, while others benefit from more time and exploration.
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Everyone and every issue is different. Some clients notice meaningful shifts early in the process, while others benefit from a longer course of work. The appropriate number of sessions depends on your goals, circumstances and how you respond to the work.
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No. Just make sure you are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs as those will interfere with the session.
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Depending how deep you go into hypnosis, you may remember everything completely or you may remember only some parts. This is normal, and not a bad thing at all.
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The client and the therapist will build a relationship by getting to know each other and the therapist will assess the client’s needs by asking questions to establish clear, measurable goals tailored to how they would rather feel. Any questions you have will be answered to make sure you feel at ease. Then, the service requested will begin.
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Registered Clinical Hypnotherapist - The Canadian Academy of Clinical Hypnotherapy. Registered with ARCH Canada.
100 practicum hours of Clinical Hypnotherapy
Craniosacral Therapy - Visionary Craniosacral Healing with Kari Toft in Vancouver, Canada
Advanced Diploma in Counselling Psychology - International Career Institute in London, UK
Masters in Journalism - Universitat de Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain
Bachelor’s in Spanish Language & Literature - University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada
The Hypnosacral Method
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The Hypnosacral Method is my approach to bringing together Clinical Hypnotherapy and Craniosacral Therapy (CST).
Clinical Hypnotherapy works primarily with focused awareness and the subconscious, while Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, body-based approach involving light touch.
Depending on your needs and what emerges during our work together, we may use one modality independently or combine both. The intention is to explore the connection between your subconscious patterns, emotional experiences and body in a personalized way.
The Hypnosacral Method is not a fixed protocol. Each session is adapted to the person and what feels most relevant to explore.
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Clinical Hypnotherapy and the Hypnosacral Method are related, but they are not the same thing.
Clinical Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis and therapeutic approaches to explore subconscious patterns, beliefs, emotions and behaviours.
The Hypnosacral Method expands this approach by bringing Clinical Hypnotherapy together with Craniosacral Therapy, allowing us to work with both subconscious and somatic experiences.
Some sessions may focus entirely on Clinical Hypnotherapy, while others may incorporate Craniosacral Therapy. We determine the approach based on your needs rather than following a predetermined formula.
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Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that uses light touch to support awareness and connection with the body.
During a session, you remain fully clothed and comfortably positioned while I use gentle contact at different areas of the body.
Craniosacral Therapy is distinct from Clinical Hypnotherapy. Touch is used only during the Craniosacral Therapy portion of a session.
For some people, CST provides an opportunity to slow down, become more aware of bodily sensations and explore the relationship between physical and emotional experience. It helps with nervous system regulation.
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We begin by talking about what is bringing you to the session and what you would like to explore. This gives us an opportunity to understand your goals and determine what approach may be most appropriate.
Depending on your needs, a session may involve Clinical Hypnotherapy, Craniosacral Therapy, or a combination of both. If both are being used, Craniosacral therapy is used at the beginning to help settle the nervous system or at the end of hypnotherapy to integrate the learnings.
Online Hypnotherapy
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Yes. Clinical Hypnotherapy can be conducted effectively online, and online sessions can offer the added comfort of being in a familiar, private environment.
Sessions take place by secure video connection, where we can talk and work together much as we would in person.
For online sessions, you'll need a private space, a reliable internet connection and a device with a camera and microphone. Headphones are optional but can be helpful.
Online Clinical Hypnotherapy allows me to work with clients across Canada, the United States and internationally.
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I am based in Vancouver, Canada, and offer online Clinical Hypnotherapy to clients across Canada, the United States and internationally.
This means you can work with me remotely regardless of whether you're in Vancouver, New York, Boston, Miami, Washington, DC, or elsewhere, provided online sessions are appropriate for your circumstances.
My online practice allows me to work across geographical boundaries while remaining transparent about where I am based.
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Yes. I offer sessions in both English and Spanish.
You can choose whichever language feels most natural to you. For some people, language can also be closely connected to identity, memory, culture and emotional experience, so being able to work in more than one language can be meaningful.
If you move between languages in your everyday life, we can also work bilingually when that feels most natural.
Who I Work With
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There isn't one type of person who benefits from Clinical Hypnotherapy.
It may be worth exploring if you have tried talk therapy and tired of repeating yourself and constantly talking through it. Or if you feel that you understand something intellectually but continue to experience the same emotional or behavioural patterns, or if you feel ready to look beneath the surface of what you're experiencing.
You don't need to have a specific diagnosis or a perfectly defined goal. Sometimes you simply know that something no longer feels right and want support understanding what is happening.
During the free Connect Call, we can talk about what you're looking for and whether my approach seems appropriate for you.
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Clinical Hypnotherapy incorporates hypnosis and focused states of attention to explore subconscious patterns, beliefs, emotions and behaviours.
Counselling and psychotherapy generally involve therapeutic conversation and may draw on different psychological approaches depending on the practitioner.
My background includes training in Clinical Hypnotherapy and Counselling Psychology, and my practice also incorporates somatic and parts-based perspectives.
If you're unsure what type of support would be most appropriate for you, you're welcome to discuss this with me during a Connect Call.
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Yes. My own experience of living across countries and cultures has deeply influenced my work.
I often work with immigrants, expats and people navigating cultural transitions, including those exploring questions of identity, belonging, home and where they fit.
Moving between cultures can bring excitement and possibility, but it can also involve grief, disorientation, adaptation and the feeling that different versions of yourself are expected in different places.
I understand these experiences personally, having lived in multiple countries and cultures myself.
You don't need to be an immigrant or expat to work with me; however, I welcome anyone who wants to reconnect with themselves, explore emotional patterns or navigate a significant transition.
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The first step is a free 20-minute Connect Call.
This is a chance to briefly talk about what you're looking for, ask questions about Clinical Hypnotherapy or the Hypnosacral Method, and get a sense of whether we might be a good fit.