SMOKING CESSATION

After an initial no-charge, no-obligation consultation, if we agree to work on this together, we'll work out a schedule to help you become a non-smoker. How long will it take? Another good question. My stock answer is: 5 to 10 sessions. Yes, there are Hypnotherapists who do it in 1 or 2 sessions, they guarantee the results, and they charge around $195. If you think that will work for you, my suggestion is to do it. You'll end up spending a lot less than you will with me. Chances are good it will work, and I sincerely hope it does!

However, that's not the way I work. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not how I work. I like to work with people at deeper and deeper levels, so that we resolve the underlying needs that the *behavior* of smoking is trying to solve. In other words, the act of smoking isn't the problem. The problem is always much deeper than that...issues of self-worth, I don't care if I live or die, nobody loves me anyway... These are the issues that need to be resolved. Once they are, the self-destructive behavior tends to spontaneously evaporate. There's simply no more need to smoke (or overeat or do drugs or a thousand other self-destructive habits people do).

So, how are we going to accomplish this feat of turning you into non-smoker, you might ask? Good question! It all starts with the initial consultation - again, the initial consultation is free, no-charge, no-obligation - during which you will have the opportunity to ask questions, tell me whatever you feel the need to tell me, and generally check me out. I will have the opportunity to ascertain how serious you are about becoming a non-smoker, find out what stops you from doing so, and evaluate you as a potential client. Towards the end of the consultation, I will give you straightforward feedback.

If we agree to work together, we will schedule our first working session. My fee is $95 per hour, and sessions generally last anywhere from 1 to 2 hours, with 1-1/2 being typical. So, for example, a 1-1/2 hour session would cost $142.50. Payment is expected at the time of service. You can put money on account if you like, but there is no discount for doing so.

I will primarily use the tools of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) to help you become a non-smoker. NLP is a model of how the mind works, very accurate and powerful, that helps us make significant changes relatively quickly. Think of it as Chiropractic for the mind - we make adjustments much as a Chiropractor might adjust the spine - or as waking hypnosis. If necessary, I will also use formal hypnotherapy to help deepen or reinforce the shifts that you will experience in your subconscious mind.

The first 1-2 sessions will be used to find out what smoking does for you. Yes, even self-destructive habits have positive outcomes, what psychologists might call "secondary gain". We will examine your environment and discuss ways to re-organize it to support your change (get rid of ashtrays, clean your car, rigorously avoiding smoky places such as bars, etc.). Further, we will examine any conflicts you might have about becoming a non-smoker - for example, "part of me wants to quit smoking, and another part of me wants to keep smoking" - and resolve them so you become fully aligned with your stated outcome of becoming a non-smoker.

During subsequent sessions, we will deal with whatever might come up that stands in the way of your progress. This could include other conflicts, imprints, limiting beliefs, self-esteem issues - just about anything. By the fifth session if not sooner, you're likely to have your environment, behaviors, thoughts, beliefs and identity re-organized as a non-smoker. Others will notice the difference. Think of the oxygen you'll enjoy, the extra energy, the money you'll save!

Contact me or call (503) 887-0889 with any questions you might have, or to schedule your initial consultation. I look forward to speaking with you soon!