Frequently Asked Questions

Below you can find answers to general questions about our practice.

You can find FAQs for specific issues (like anxiety or bad habits) on topic-specific pages in the menu bar.

If you’re ready to schedule your initial consultation, you can get started now.

What issues can you help with?

In short, we can help you overcome nearly any emotional or behavioral challenge. You can see each of them listed in our menu bar and under "More Services."

We specialize in addressing the negative effects of trauma from any distressing or upsetting event, no matter when it happened. We can help you reduce worry and stress, eliminate panic and fears, grief, guilt, shame, regret, and resentment. Many clients seek our help to break unwanted habits and improve self-control with food, alcohol, gambling, or smoking. With most clients, our work usually improves self-worth, confidence, and emotional resilience at the same time.

Trauma can cause or worsen those issues, and our goal is to help you fully recover from both the cause and its effects.

What if I can't be hypnotized?

This is a common concern, yet it’s almost never an issue. Since 2007, we can recall only a handful of clients we couldn’t hypnotize (less than 1%). The causes were intentional resistance by the client, a head injury, or medication that impaired their thinking.

People with normal intelligence and brain function naturally experience hypnosis several times per day on their own. If you want us to help you and are willing to follow our lead, then you can almost certainly be hypnotized.

Learn more about hypnosis.

Is hypnotherapy the same as hypnosis?

For our purposes, yes. They describe the same work. We say "hypnosis" rather than "hypnotherapy" because the "-therapy" suffix can make people picture something that’s clinical or like talk therapy.

Hypnotists (sometimes called “hypnotherapists”) are not psychotherapists, and so we don't diagnose or treat disorders. We are human behavior specialists who use several methods, including hypnosis, to help you change subconscious patterns that are causing stubborn emotional or behavioral issues.

​So, if you found us searching for "hypnotherapy" or “hypnotherapist,” you're in the right place. We do that and much more, just using the terms we prefer – hypnosis and hypnotist.

How do I know if your services will help me?

While we can’t promise specific results, we will accept you as a client only if we believe you will benefit (after we meet for an initial consultation).

Our successful clients are open-minded, can handle honest feedback, follow instructions, enjoy learning, and take personal responsibility. If you’re like them, we should be able to help you.

How effective are Zoom sessions?

During COVID, we started seeing our clients by Zoom. We adapted our approach so we could deliver results that were as good as our previous in-office sessions.

Clients who saw us in person AND by Zoom found that our Zoom sessions were at least as effective and much more convenient. At your initial consultation, we’ll explain how we work by Zoom, which is different from most other hypnotists.

The process is at least as effective because:


​1) Once the process begins, you close your eyes and listen to your hypnotist's voice. From that moment onward, it's virtually the same process.

2) The change doesn't occur "in the room." Instead, the transformation occurs "in your head." So it can work wherever you are.

3) We can do the work in the environment in which you want to notice the change. Do you have a fear at work? Cravings at home? You can create faster changes by doing your session in the location where you want to experience change.

I don't use technology like smart phones or Zoom. Can I see you in person?

Unfortunately, we will not be able to work with you unless you are comfortable using technology.

We see all clients ONLY by Zoom, and we e-mail our clients customized hypnosis recordings that require an Internet-enabled audio player (smart phone, tablet, laptop, etc.).

If you can't meet these requirements, we won't be able to work together. Sorry :-(

What’s it like to see you one-on-one?

Our approach differs from typical hypnotists because we do more than basic direct suggestion or regression hypnosis.

We develop customized hypnosis recordings which combine traditional methods with NLP and hypnotic storytelling techniques to maximize their impact. Our trauma work (based on memory reconsolidation) creates quick and lasting emotional changes without the need to talk about unpleasant memories.

We also teach useful mind management skills, provide educational videos, and use humor when appropriate. In addition to getting great results, most of our clients enjoy their time with us.

How much do you charge per session?

Unlike most hypnotists, we don’t operate on a per-session basis and don’t have a standard fee per hour. While many clients have dramatic improvements after one session, reinforcement learning is very important for long-term personal growth.

That’s why we design multi-part programs whose sessions vary in length. We will determine what your specific program will look like (and our fee) at your initial consultation.

As a general rule, we recommend what we believe is necessary (no more, no less) to get excellent, sustainable results. We will not discuss pricing or details of your specific situation before your consultation.

Health insurance does NOT cover our services, as they are not considered health care.

How can I make an appointment?

It’s all done conveniently online!

1) Visit this page to get started and schedule a convenient time for your Zoom-based initial consultation.

2) Then complete our new client application and watch our eye-opening welcome video.

Why do you charge for a consultation when others do it for free?

To be honest, we want to filter out people who are not serious or ready to work with us. Charging a fee discourages those who are shopping around or simply curious.

We value the time we spend carefully reviewing each new client application before an initial consultation.

We also value the insights we share in our pre-consultation welcome video and the consultation itself.

What's your appointment cancellation policy?

We charge a $97 fee for all appointments canceled or rescheduled with less than 48 hours advance notice.

I have more questions. Can I talk to you before scheduling my initial consultation?

Our website is very detailed and answers most questions that we have received. If you don’t find the answer on the website, you may contact us here.

If you have questions or concerns about your specific situation, we will discuss them by Zoom during your initial consultationWe do not talk on the phone with potential clients before the consultation.

Take the first step toward freedom

This process begins with you.
​We'll guide you the rest of the way.

Goodwin Hypnosis

984-733-6733

984-733-6733

Serving Raleigh, Durham, and Cary, NC
​and clients nationwide via Zoom

Serving Raleigh, Durham, and Cary, NC
​and clients nationwide via Zoom

DISCLAIMER:

DISCLAIMER:

Testimonials by former clients of Todd or Gina Goodwin are true and factual. Goodwin Hypnosis, its officers, and personnel, do not imply or claim that these comments represent typical results. Results vary depending on age, gender, lifestyle, motivation, and individual commitment to achieve a desired result. These clients voluntarily offered their feedback and were not compensated in any way. Each comment is the opinion of one person at a specific time and should be considered only in that context.

Copyright © 2007-2026 Goodwin Hypnosis LLC

Goodwin Hypnosis LLC

Copyright © 2007-2026