Question: Can a therapist use hypnosis to help me overcome bad habits? I have a real problem with biting my fingernails and I have never been able to control myself. Is hypnosis a real thing that is used by medical therapists?

William Anderson Says...:

Hypnotherapy is a real clinical treatment that really works for many problems, but you must really be careful when you seek it.

There is a lot of confusion about what hypnosis is and what it isn't, and we don't have the space here to explain all you need to know in depth. However, it is not the stuff you see at magic shows and it's not something you should engage in with someone who is not credentialed by one of the real professional hypnotherapy associations like ASCH (American Society for Clinical Hypnosis) and licensed by your state government's Department of Health, the agency which licenses and regulates all medical professionals like medical doctors. 

To learn more about hypnotherapy, go to ASCH's website: http://www.asch.net/

Hypnotherapy has been the answer to nail biting for many people, but it is most effective when you learn more about it and take seriously the task of being a serious and responsible patient. 

Best wishes!

Question: I read about your methods on your web site. I am a clinician who specializes in co-occurring disorders. I bought your book for my kindle pc, but unfortunately have been unable to download it yet due to technical problems with my computer. Can you tell me what I can expect if i do training with you? I was overweight until I made a major lifestyle change following my first child's birth. I stayed at a very healthy weight after having three more children. I had a major food relapse while my father was sick and dying. I then had my fifth child. I have carried 30 to 50 extra pounds for the last six years. What if I train with you and I fail?

William Anderson Says...:

We should have a talk on the phone. Therapists first go through the training we have the clients do, then they start working with their own clients. I will personally walk you through the whole experience. I’ve been doing this a while and it works very well.

As far as failing, I am the biggest failure you'll ever meet. I did 25 years of trying and failing before I learned what I teach. I’ve discovered a way even failures like me can succeed with. Your experience with weight gain is very typical, exactly the thing we work to correct. Don’t worry about failing. Learning how to recover from mistakes is a big part of success. We don't try to be perfect, just successful. Perfection is not required. Success is good enough, and everyone learns how and actually experiences it. I've never had a person go through the training and not lose weight.

Call and leave a voicemail or email me to set up a time to talk and we'll go from there. My email and phone number are on the website's media page as the media contact.