Biography
I have studied the art of hypnosis since 1986. It all started with a slumber party and a "How to Hypnotize Your Friends" book. Immediately I was hooked, and read every book on the topic I could get my hands on. Ormond McGill's Professional Stage Hypnotism was my first exposure to stage hypnosis and my how-to manual for my first years doing stage hypnosis.
In 1992, I finally found an instructor in my area, Charlene Ackerman, and signed up for the first certification class she offered. I completed the class, but had to wait to receive my official certification (they had a minimum age requirement). So while waiting, I also finished the advanced clinical hypnotherapy training. In 1993, I received both basic and advanced hypnosis certification from the National Guild of Hypnotists.
Through college I continued doing stage shows and private sessions while taking pre-med classes, my ultimate goal to be an obstetrician using hypnosis in birthing. But hypnosis was my true passion and soon eclipsed any other goals. I switched majors to psychology.
In 1997, I attended my first National Guild of Hypnotists' National Convention in Nashua, NH. With dozens of classes to choose from every hour of the day from morning to night, it was almost information overload, but I was in heaven. Amazing to meet so many other people with the same passion for hypnosis, and to have the opportunity to train with some of the top professionals in the field.
Attending the convention every year, I quickly expanded my training into the HypnoBirthing I had dreamed of back in my pre-med days, adding NLP and complementary medical hypnotism, along with hundreds of seminars and workshops over the years.
I had the honor and pleasure of performing before my peers when I was asked to entertain at the 1998 NGH National Hypnosis Convention. 
It was also a double honor to be the first female stage hypnotist to have performed there.
Ormond McGill did his show right before mine. So in a way it was like coming full circle, from reading his books to performing after him. He was certainly a man of grace and insight; his passing was an irreplaceable loss to our field.
I've also performed for my peers at the Mid-America Hypnosis Conference many times over the last ten years. And I performed at the NGH National Hypnosis Convention for the second time in 2007.
I've served as faculty for both the NGH National Hypnosis Convention and the Mid-America Hypnosis Conference almost every year since 1998.
After a Dateline special on hypnosis in childbirth aired in September 1999, I soon found my HypnoBirthing classes packed. I taught between 5 to 10 couples a month and attended sometimes as many as four births a month. A dream come true.
It was then that Kevin Hogan asked me to author the chapter on hypnosis and childbirth in his upcoming book
Through the Open Door: Secrets of Self-Hypnosis which he was writing with Mary Lee Lebay.
In 2000, the Mid-America Hypnosis Conference honored me with the title of "Hypnotist of the Year" for my pioneering work in the field of hypnosis with the Deaf. In 2002, the NGH honored me with the Hypnosis Achievement Award for the same.
In 2002, I began training with Dr Scott McFall in practice building for hypnosis clinics, specializing in weight loss, stop smoking, and stress release, and have been mentoring with him every year since.
Awards
2000 Hypnotist of the YearMid-America Hypnosis Conference, for my pioneering work in the field of hypnosis with the Deaf. 2002 Hypnosis Achievement Award
National Guild of Hypnotists, again for my work adapting hypnosis techniques for the Deaf.
Training Credentials
Basic hypnosis trainingHypnosis Training Center (October 1992), taught by Charlene Ackerman. Advanced clinical hypnotherapy training
Hypnosis Training Center (March 1993), taught by Charlene Ackerman. Basic hypnosis certification
and
Advanced clinical hypnotherapy certification
National Guild of Hypnotists (May 1993), youngest member in history. Stage Hypnosis training
National Guild of Hypnotists (August 1997), taught by Jerry Valley. HypnoBirthing Practitioner certification
HypnoBirthing Institute (August 1998), taught by Marie Mongan, originator of the course. Basic Practitioner of Neurolinguistic Programming certification
National Federation of NeuroLinguistic Psychology (August 1999), taught by Dr. William Horton. Certified Master Hypnotherapist
Hypnosis Research and Training Center (April 2000), taught by Kevin Hogan, DCH, PhD. Complementary Medical Hypnotism specialty certification
National Guild of Hypnotists (August 2000), taught by Scott Giles. Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist
Minnesota Institute of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy (November 2000), taught by Kevin Hogan, DCH, PhD. Certified Instructor of Hypnotherapy
Minnesota Institute of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy (February 2001), taught by Kevin Hogan, DCH, PhD. Hypnosis Mentorship
August 2002 to present
Dr. Scott McFall's comprehensive mentorship program in hypnosis practice building, including training in:
- Hypnosis
- NLP
- Marketing
- Weight loss, smoking cessation, and stress reduction programs
- Corporate speaking
- Stage hypnosis