I am Shannon Sousa, a board-certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Integrative Coach with a passion for helping people transform their lives by changing negative patterns and behaviors into positive outcomes.
Using hypnosis and integrative coaching, I have helped thousands of clients with stress, anxiety, fears and phobias, tobacco addiction, weight loss, test anxiety, sports performance and many other issues. I teach clients the tools and techniques they need to sustain their changed behaviors and find success with the minimum amount of office visits necessary.
I received my certification of clinical hypnotherapy from the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) and am board certified through the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE) as well as the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association (IMDHA). I am also a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH) and the Arizona Society of Professional Hypnosis (ASPH).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you have ever been totally absorbed while watching a movie or reading a book, you’ve experienced hypnosis. Hypnosis is a natural yet altered state of mind where your conscious mind is relaxed so that your subconscious mind can receive positive suggestions. It is a heightened state of focus and suggestibility in which the body and conscious mind are in a naturally relaxed state while the subconscious mind remains very alert and receptive to the positive suggestions for change. We all experience some form of hypnosis many times during the day. It is a time of focused thought or intense concentration that is free from distraction.
Shannon uses this natural state to help clients reach their goals and she is trained to guide you into this relaxed state of mind where you are the one with all of the control. You might be surprised to know that all hypnosis is self hypnosis and during this state you are very relaxed, fully conscious, hear everything that is said and never do anything you do not want to do. The subconscious mind is like a computer; once it is programmed with a certain idea or belief, it will operate out of that idea as if it were reality.
Hypnosis is one of the world's oldest sciences. There is evidence that the Egyptians, Greeks and Mayans understood it and practiced it in their cultures. While hypnosis has been used for thousands of years, it is regarded as a legitimate modern medical practice. The American Medical Association officially approved hypnosis as a therapeutic procedure in 1958. The American Psychological Association has also endorsed hypnotherapy and confirmed its effectiveness.
A hypnotherapist is a life coach for the subconscious mind. It is commonly believed that hypnotherapists are similar to other mental health professionals, but hypnotherapy is a unique modality with its own scope. Technically, a hypnotherapist is a professional specifically trained to support self-improvement and self-mastery through the use of hypnosis.
Well-trained hypnotherapists understands that clients heal themselves. The hypnotherapist acts more like a coach or a guide with a powerful vision of what clients can achieve.
Shannon has trained with and under some of the masters in her field and incorporates hypnosis, integrative coaching, NLP, EFT and therapeutic imagery into each session.
Hypnosis is among the most studied interventions in neuroscience. Thousands of clinical research papers have been written on its profound, positive effects.
Some of the positive effects Shannon can help with include but are not limited to:
- Weight loss
- Smoking cessation
- Anxiety and stress reduction and management
- Relationship enhancement
- Self-esteem and self-confidence
- Sports performance
- Motivation goals and success achievement
- Fears and phobias (flying, public speaking, heights, success or failure, animals, doctors, dentist, etc.),
- Habit control
- Test taking
- Releasing negative emotions (anger, fear, sadness, guilt, etc.)
Yes. Habits are controlled by the subconscious mind and all behaviors are learned responses. Since hypnosis accesses the subconscious mind, your behavior can be modified by replacing old beliefs or behaviors you no longer need or want with new ones you desire.
Yes. Everyone has the ability to benefit from hypnosis. Hypnosis is a normal process that we all experience for a few minutes every day before we fall asleep.
You will not be asleep, nor will you be unconscious. You will be aware of everything that is happening and being said throughout the whole process. You will be focused on increasing your motivation, your beliefs in what is possible and your confidence in yourself.
There are no negative side effects of hypnosis. Most people find the experience to be extremely positive and empowering. Hypnosis is considered safe for everyone.