When I walk into the nondescript building on Elm Street — home to the Morpheus Clinic for Hypnosis — I’m handed a booklet about hypnosis, with a special note: “Hi Rebecca, I want to congratulate you on taking the first step towards achieving your goals.… You’ve made an excellent decision in choosing the Morpheus Clinic for Hypnosis to help you get what you want.…”
Well, what I want is to stop impulse buying; stop being terrified of the dentist; stop procrastinating; to live a stress-free life; and to sleep better. Hey, it’s the new year and, thus, a time for new tactics to keep my resolutions.
I arrive at the clinic and meet master hypnotist Kate Gardiner, who is outgoing and friendly. She has worked with clients who want to stop smoking, manage weight, conquer fears, reduce stress and curb erectile dysfunction. She can even help get over that ex. While she can’t make you forget the relationship entirely, she can hypnotize you, and give you the tools to move on more quickly.
“Tiger Woods and a lot of sports teams now use hypnotism to help them, so when they are out there competing, they have learned to self-hypnotize because, once you begin seeing a hypnotist, it’s easier to get into that state of mind,” says Gardiner. She uses her son as an example, who she taught to self-hypnotize at the age of eight to better his sports performance. After that, he was named MVP for his team. Presently, her clientele includes athletes in the WNBA, a competitive figure skater (who, after seeing her, got his personal best score) along with nail biters, hair pullers and those who simply want more confidence.
She makes it clear that there are many myths to dispel, like not being in control while hypnotized. “People think it’s mind control, but it’s not. You are always in control under hypnotism.”
We begin our session (I decided to go with the stress relief because my impulse buying can’t be fixed in one session, but I will come back soon!). She asks first if I’m an anxious person. “Yes,” I reply. She then says, “I need to know this because, once I start the process, I’m going to ask you if you can open your eyes. If you are in a hypnotic state, your eyes will [feel] so heavy that you won’t be able to open them, and some people freak out at that, even though they really can [open them].” With that in mind, I lie back, put a blanket over me and try to relax.
At first, my mind raced with thoughts like, “My son has an awful cough. My daughter has to finish a science project. I have to call a plumber because of a frozen pipe at home.” Then, her soothing voice takes over, using “direct suggestion,” which means she’ll tell me that I will leave feeling happier and more relaxed throughout my session.
By the end, I only remember two things: When she counted down, I couldn’t open my eyes when she asked. And, something about a warm washcloth. When she tells me to get out of my state, I blink and wonder where I am. I’m also very tired. I ask her how long I was “under.” She tells me 20 minutes.
“The only side effect to hypnosis,” she says, “is that everyone says they sleep better.”
Later that evening, I’m calm when I help my daughter with her homework. And I’m able to sleep well for the first time in months. And yes, I’ll book that dentist appointment, but not before I see Gardiner again.
Post City Magazines’ columnist Rebecca Eckler is the author of Knocked Up, Wiped!, and her latest books, How to Raise a Boyfriend and The Lucky Sperm Club.
