Clinical Hypnotherapy
Clinical Hypnotherapy
No swinging watches, and no loss of control. Hypnosis is a deeply focused, relaxed state — one in which the mind can be more open to releasing patterns that haven't been serving it.
At Lisa Zaretsky LCSW PC, hypnotherapy is provided within psychotherapy, under Dr. Lisa Zaretsky's clinical social work licensure, as part of an individualized treatment plan. Dr. Zaretsky is additionally trained and certified in clinical hypnotherapy, and has used it for years alongside traditional approaches.
Begin the clinical intake process →
What is clinical hypnotherapy?
Clinical hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis as a technique within psychotherapy. It begins the way all good treatment begins: with a real assessment, a treatment plan, and informed consent that explains exactly how hypnosis works before it is ever used. Everything that happens is part of a confidential clinical record, with all the protections of a licensed therapeutic relationship.
It is one tool among many — some clients benefit from it, others are better served by other approaches, and that decision is made together, based on your needs rather than a one-size-fits-all method.
What can it help with?
Within a treatment plan, hypnosis is most often used in work on anxiety, on the aftermath of painful or traumatic experiences, and on stuck patterns of thought and behavior — the loops that talking about them hasn't shifted. For some clients it opens doors that conversation alone hasn't; for others it simply deepens the work already underway.
Hypnosis is not appropriate for everyone or for every condition, and no particular result is promised or guaranteed. Suitability is determined during clinical assessment — and if a different approach or provider would serve you better, the practice will say so plainly.
What happens in treatment?
First, a clinical intake and assessment — your history, your goals, and whether hypnosis belongs in your plan. Then, before any hypnosis session, a consent conversation that covers what hypnosis is, what it is not, and what to expect, so nothing in the room is a surprise. In session, you remain aware and in control throughout; most people describe the state as deeply relaxing and focused. Sessions may be scheduled for extended lengths when clinically indicated, and your plan is reviewed as the work progresses.
Already working with a therapist?
Some clients come to the practice specifically for hypnotherapy while continuing psychotherapy with their own therapist — often at that therapist's suggestion. The practice welcomes these referrals, and the arrangement works well when everyone's role is clear from the start.
Here is how it works: the hypnotherapy you receive here is a focused clinical service through Lisa Zaretsky LCSW PC, with its own intake, its own informed consent, and its own clinical record. Your therapist remains your therapist — they keep leading your overall treatment, and the work here is aimed at the specific goals we define together at intake. Because coordinated care is safer and more effective care, a signed release allowing the practice to communicate with your treating therapist is a condition of adjunctive hypnotherapy. One team, one plan, nothing happening in the dark.
Therapists: referral inquiries are welcome through the practice's contact page.
Clinical hypnotherapy and performance hypnosis — which one is for you?
Dr. Zaretsky leads two practices, and hypnosis plays a role in both — in different ways. Clinical hypnotherapy, here at Lisa Zaretsky LCSW PC, is therapy: it addresses mental health concerns within a licensed clinical relationship. Performance hypnosis, at Zaretsky Wellness, is coaching: focus, confidence, habits, and performance, with no diagnosis and no treatment. They are provided by separate companies, with separate agreements and records, so that each kind of work gets the right protections.
Not sure which fits? Start with the clinical intake — the practice will assess what you're looking for and point you honestly to the right door, even when that door is coaching.
Online sessions
Lisa Zaretsky LCSW PC provides psychotherapy, including clinical hypnotherapy, by secure telehealth to clients physically located in New York, Florida, or South Carolina at the time of their appointment. The practice confirms your location at each session; if you plan to travel or attend from another state, tell the practice in advance so it can determine whether the session may legally proceed.
Fees and insurance
Lisa Zaretsky LCSW PC is an out-of-network, self-pay practice. When hypnotherapy is provided as part of psychotherapy, the practice may provide a superbill for eligible psychotherapy services, which you can submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan and is not guaranteed — verifying your out-of-network benefits with your insurer before beginning is always worthwhile. Self-pay clients receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges. Current details are on the Rates & FAQ page.
Frequently asked questions
Can hypnotherapy help with anxiety or trauma? Within psychotherapy, hypnosis is often used in work on anxiety and on trauma-related symptoms. Whether it belongs in your treatment is decided through clinical assessment — it isn't right for every person or every concern.
I already have a therapist — can I come just for hypnotherapy? Often, yes. See "Already working with a therapist?" above: it's a focused clinical service coordinated with your treating therapist, with a release allowing that coordination as a condition of treatment.
Will I lose control under hypnosis? No. You remain aware and in control throughout, and you can stop at any time. Most clients describe it as deeply relaxed focus.
Is this the same as the performance hypnosis at Zaretsky Wellness? No — that is a separate, non-clinical coaching service provided by a separate company, with no diagnosis or treatment. The section above explains the difference.
Can I get a superbill? When hypnotherapy is provided as part of psychotherapy, the practice may provide a superbill for eligible psychotherapy services. You submit it to your plan, and reimbursement depends entirely on your plan — it isn't guaranteed.
Are results guaranteed? No. No outcome is promised or guaranteed, here or anywhere in honest clinical work.
Begin the clinical intake process
To find out whether clinical hypnotherapy fits your circumstances, contact Lisa Zaretsky LCSW PC through the clinical intake process. Begin the clinical intake →
Psychotherapy and clinical hypnotherapy services described in this section are provided solely by Lisa Zaretsky LCSW PC, a New York professional service corporation, through Dr. Lisa Zaretsky, Ed.D., LCSW. Dr. Zaretsky is licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York and Florida and as a Licensed Independent Social Worker-Clinical Practice in South Carolina.
Content in this section is general information, not clinical advice. Viewing this website, submitting an inquiry, or requesting an appointment does not by itself establish a therapist-client relationship. A therapist-client relationship is established only after the practice accepts the individual as a client and completes its required intake and informed-consent documentation. Lisa Zaretsky LCSW PC does not provide emergency or crisis services. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
Looking for coaching instead? Visit Zaretsky Wellness.