Cost of Hypnosis for Weight Loss

Weight control is one of the most urgent and difficult conditions to treat. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) ranked obesity as "the number-one health threat facing America" in 2004. In spite of a multibillion dollar weight-loss industry, more than 400,000 U.S. citizens die from obesity each year. Hypnosis is an increasingly popular means to treat weight loss in a holistic and nonintrusive therapy that encourages habit control and diet adherence. According to Dr. John Kappas, founder of the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, 95 percent of weight problems stem from emotional issues.

Time Frame

• Obesity is Often in the Mind

  The overall success rate of weight-loss hypnotherapy is subjective. The fastest and most observable successes come from clients who are overweight due to an overactive eating habit. If the weight comes from deep-seeded emotional issues or traumas, the therapy could take years. The client's level of commitment, degree of obesity and symptom origination play a deciding roll in the therapeutic time frame. It is impossible for anyone to know for sure how long it will take for someone to lose weight. Be wary of hypnotists and programs that promise results in a specific time frame.

Types

• Hypnosis Is Now Possible Via Live Webcam.

  The average in-office hypnosis session ranges from 75 dollars to 150 dollars per hour and requires gas and travel expenses, as well as time missed from work or home. Weight-loss seminars and group classes range from a few hundred dollars for a day to thousands of dollars for a weekend or week-long class. For those more comfortable with staying at home, many hypnotists now offer web or telephone sessions for a lower cost than office visits. The cost of CD's, DVD's and home- study courses run the gamut from 50 dollars to 500 dollars.

Geography

• Prices and Availability Will Vary State to State.

  The legality and availability of hypnosis vary from state to state. You will find higher prices and greater travel expenses in states with strict regulations or fewer practitioners. If you are located in a remote area or homebound, consider online hypnosis via webcam or a home study CD or DVD.

Considerations

• Obesity is considered to have a medical etiology, so most hypnotherapists will require a medical referral from a licensed physician. The physician must perform a physical examination, give written consent and often assign a sensible diet plan. Fad and crash diets are discouraged, as the goal of hypnotherapy is gradual, measured success.

Goals

• Two Pounds a Week Is a Reasonable Expectation for Weight Loss Through Hypnotherapy.

  Keep costs in reason by setting reasonable weekly success measures. Expect to lose around two pounds a week to mitigate physical and emotional strain, while adjusting to a new body and lifestyle. Although the length of therapy cannot be predicted, most cases should see some improvement within the first 10 sessions. Have patience, but do not continue to spend money on any therapies that show no signs of success.