"I don't think I can be hypnotized," is a statement I often hear in my office as my client gently drifts off to sleep. As a Nationally Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, I have guided thousands of people over my twenty years of practice on a journey of self discovery and empowerment. My job, as a therapist, is to facilitate the individual to remove blocks and identify and reinforce goals while reminding them that everything they accomplish is their accomplishment and that, in fact, all hypnosis is self hypnosis. CDs that I've created and books that I've written--along with tons of research from other authorities--will testify to this.

Hypnosis is simply distraction of the conscious level of the mind. It is a form of relaxed concentration. The more relaxed you are, the more suggestible you become. Have you ever found yourself unconsciously whistling a tune you just heard on the radio? Or have you ever been around someone speaking negatively about something and soon found yourself thinking negative thoughts? It is said that enthusiasm is contagious....so is sadness, hope, despair and happiness.

Hypnosis is rooted in basic human biology. It is the natural counterpart to our "fight/flight" instinct, allowing us to be receptive rather than reactive to our environment and to receive input rather than remain in a constant state of output. Suggestibility allows us to "touch our environment." Our mind is like a narrow one-lane bridge allowing traffic to travel in only one direction at a time. Suggestibility is the officer who halts the traffic of output and allows the flow of sounds, sights, smells, taste and touch to enter.

Hypnosis is the guardian at the gate of that bridge and allows only those thoughts, ideas, feelings and beliefs that are supportive to your conscious goals to enter. As a result, hypnosis and its counterpart, self hypnosis, become potent forces directing the subconscious mind towards the achievement of consciously chosen goals. If hypnosis is the traffic cop, self hypnosis, simply stated, is YOU, the officer directing traffic across the bridge connecting your inner and outer worlds.

In my practice, I have encountered numerous individuals with the desire to learn the practice of self help hypnosis. CDs, self help books, and other tools I've developed as a result include this five step program to tapping into inner potential through appropriate input. Simply stated, the five steps are: Preparation, Relaxation, Deepening, Suggestion and Termination. Preparation is creating a time, a place and perhaps even a ritual for relaxation.

Practicing self hypnosis at the same time each day is very beneficial, triggering the subconscious mind to reinforce suggestions, even if you're not taking that time to relax for self hypnosis. Don't worry, the same time does not mean 6 am every morning or 11 pm every night. That quickly leads to disappointment and a feeling of failure since life WILL get in the way and you won't be able to make your "appointment with yourself." Rather, choose a time in your routine, before you take your shower, during your lunch break, before you pick up the kids from school, or after the late show. Make self hypnosis part of your routine, not part of your schedule. Humans are not only suggestible, they are creatures of habit.