Hypnotherapy in Salt Lake City, Utah

Rewire Old Patterns. Reduce Stress. Create Lasting Change.

Do you know what you want to change, yet find yourself falling back into the same thoughts, emotions or habits?

You may consciously want to feel calm, confident, motivated and in control—but another part of your mind keeps pulling you back into anxiety, procrastination, self-doubt, unhealthy habits or old emotional reactions.

You know you want to make the change, but you just can’t seem to do it – or be consistent enough to actually see the results.

This is where hypnotherapy can help by changing the brain habits that drive actions.

At The Brain Trainer in the Salt Lake City area, Holly Stokes combines hypnosis, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), coaching and subconscious-change techniques to help clients identify and update the automatic patterns that may be keeping them stuck.

With more than 20 years of experience in hypnosis, NLP and personal-development work, Holly helps clients learn how to work with their brain instead of constantly fighting against it.

Whether you want to reduce anxiety, increase confidence, change a habit, stop cravings, improve your relationship with food, let go of old fears or simply feel more like yourself again, hypnotherapy can provide a practical way to work with the deeper patterns behind your thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Ready to discover what may be keeping you stuck?

Schedule Your Free Hypnotherapy Consultation

Call or text 801-810-9406 to get started.

What Is Hypnotherapy vs Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is the trance state that many of us go through everyday. You may have experienced reading a great book and you got so into the story, you can actually imagine, see the characters and scenes in your mind. This is reading Hypnosis. The story wasn’t actually happening, but your mind played it out in detail in your mind.

Or have you ever been driving down the freeway and missed your exit? This is Driving Hypnosis. You were still awake and aware, your body was on autopilot, but your mind was wandering off and occupied with other things.

Hypnotherapy uses the trance-states of Hypnosis and uses focused attention, relaxation, imagination and suggestion to work with the automatic, unconscious patterns of thinking and behavior.

Most of our daily life is influenced by these automatic thought habits.

You do not consciously think about every movement when you drive a familiar route, brush your teeth or type on a keyboard. Your brain learns patterns and begins running them automatically.

If you have recurring unwanted thoughts – these are run by a series of automatic subconscious habits. If you have recurring unwanted feelings – these emotions can be running automatically as well.

Here’s some of the common automatic thought patterns most people notice:

• Expecting something to go wrong
• Overthinking important decisions
• Reaching for food when stressed
• Procrastinating when overwhelmed
• Shutting down when criticized
• Doubting yourself before taking action
• Replaying old conversations repeatedly without solutions
• Avoiding situations that feel uncomfortable
• Falling back into habits you promised yourself you would change

Knowing logically that you want something different is not always enough.

Hypnotherapy helps you work with the subconscious level where many of those automatic responses are operating.

Instead of simply asking: “Why can’t I make myself change?” we explore a more useful question:

“What has my brain learned to do automatically—and how can we teach it something better?”

Hypnosis- Hypnotherapy for Anxiety in Salt Lake City

Anxiety can feel as though your brain is constantly scanning for what could go wrong.

You may have experienced some of the brain habits and patterns causing anxiety, which can show up in many ways, including:

Racing thoughts

Overthinking

Constant worry

Difficulty relaxing

Fear of judgment

Social anxiety

Performance anxiety

Trouble making decisions

Physical tension

Feeling overwhelmed

Replaying conversations in your mind

Difficulty shutting your mind off

Even when the conscious mind knows everything is okay, the body and the subconscious mind can still react as if we are in danger.

Hypnosis can be a valuable part of a broader approach to help you practice calmer responses, change habitual thought patterns causing the anxiety and build a greater sense of inner calm and feeling clear, collected and in control.

During your sessions, we may work with the beliefs, associations, emotional triggers or unconscious patterns that make anxiety worse rather than focusing on forcing yourself to “think positively.”

The goal is to help your brain develop a new default response, a new series of brain habits.

Instead of thinking, “What if something goes wrong?”

You begin practicing:  “I can handle this.”

Instead of feeling, “I have to control everything.”

You begin experiencing: “I can respond as life unfolds, I’ll find my way through.”

Instead of the old pattern of: “I am not good enough.”

You begin strengthening: “I trust myself to find my way.”

Hypnosis Hypnotherapy for Stress and Overthinking

Your brain is an extraordinary problem-solving system. Unfortunately, sometimes it becomes very good at solving problems that haven’t happened yet.

Stress and overthinking can keep the mind trapped in loops, like what if bad things happen?

Or replaying old situations with:

• I should have…
• What did they mean?
• What if I make the wrong decision?
• Why can’t I stop thinking about this?

Hypnotherapy and NLP can help interrupt repetitive thought patterns and teach your mind and nervous system new responses.

Clients often come in saying: “I just want my mind to quiet down.”

The goal is not to eliminate thinking. The goal is to help you become more intentional about which thoughts deserve your attention.

Hypnosis for Confidence and Self-Esteem

Confidence is not simply something you either have or don’t have. We have degrees of confidence for any given situation. Confidence is often the sum total of how the subconscious mind ranks you. But confidence is also a skill and it can be learned.

Your brain develops a self-image from experiences, relationships, successes, disappointments and messages you received throughout life.

Through the course of life, your mind makes up meanings about these situations and ultimately meanings about who you are and what is possible for you.

When they are ingrained enough, they run automatically becoming embedded in the subconscious mind.

Eventually those ideas can become unconscious assumptions. Here’s some of the most common unconscious mental blocks that people notice:

• “I am not good enough.”
• “I can’t do that.”
• “People will judge me.”
• “I always mess things up.”
• “I have to be perfect.”

Those thoughts can begin feeling like facts. But they are not facts, they are learned patterns running automatically. The reason they feel so hard to change is because they are embedded in the subconscious and run as a default, which determines your emotional baseline.

However, these learned patterns can be updated. Your brain learned these habits and it can unlearn these old habits and integrate better thought patterns and habits that support you – which then naturally create better behaviors and taking the actions in life that help you move forward.

As your brain learns new habits of confidence, self esteem and connection, how would your relationship or dating life improve?

Hypnosis and NLP can help you identify outdated beliefs and strengthen a healthier internal identity based on who you are now—not simply on experiences from your past.

Imagine walking into a meeting, relationship, interview, networking event or important conversation without spending half your energy wondering what everyone thinks about you.

That is the kind of internal shift your mind can make for you when it has the right focus, the right instructions and the know how.

Hypnosis for Changing Habits and Self-Sabotage

Have you ever asked yourself: “I know what I should do, so why don’t I do it?” This is one of the most common frustrations people bring to hypnotherapy.

You may know you need to:

• Exercise.
• Finish the project.
• Make the phone call.
• Eat differently.
• Go to bed earlier.
• Stop procrastinating.
• Speak up.
• Take the next step.
• Yet somehow you don’t.

This does not necessarily mean you lack willpower. Your brain may have learned an automatic pattern linking that behavior with comfort, safety, avoidance, reward or relief.  And the subconscious mind is actually doing what its programmed to do – keep life the same, keep you safe.  But its hard to move forward when your automatic mind keeps holding you back.

With Professional Hypnosis, your subconscious mind actually learns and updates to doing the positive actions, even automatically.

Hypnosis and NLP uncovers outdated patterns so you can create healthier alternatives.

The goal is to stop forcing yourself to change.  Forcing yourself takes effort, focus and willpower that doesn’t last. Too often when people try forcing themselves to make a change that is different – they start out being motivated for a few days, then lose power and momentum. They start putting off the actions, procrastinating and avoiding – until they finally give up completely burnt out from their efforts.

The difference is alignment and naturally taking action. When your subconscious mind is finally onboard with your conscious goals – you have alignment. We identify your natural habits and tendencies and then identify and notice the best strategies for you to get the results you want.

For most people, when they experience the inner alignment that Hypnosis-Hypnotherapy can bring, they feel greater inner peace, they are able to release the struggle and the subconscious mind runs new brain habits and patterns naturally. The difference is you find yourself naturally taking action rather than forcing yourself to overcome the impulse, the craving or behavior.

You simply take positive actions when you have alignment between your conscious mind and subconscious patterns.

Hypnosis for Changing Cravings, Weight Loss & Healthy Eating Habits

Many people know exactly what they “should” eat. The difficulty is not really about nutritional knowledge. In fact most people know what is healthy, eat more whole foods, fruits and vegetables.

As we go through the years of life, food can pick up associations and meanings. So if mom made cookies for you after a hard day at school, the cookies get a meaning attached. They are no longer just cookies, the subconscious mind says cookies are: Mom’s love, Reward, Comfort, Stress Relief, A job well done, etc.

You might think of the foods you crave, what are the meanings – and feelings attached? This will tell you how your unconscious mind codes these foods.

So when we have had a hard day, we may turn to habits of comfort eating, stress eating, avoidance eating or boredom.

When that happens, simply following another diet doesn’t actually address the underlying subconscious problem.

Hypnosis supports behavioral change on many aspects of healthy lifestyle and healthier eating habits including:

Becoming more aware of when you are hungry and feeling satiated when you are full, so you naturally stop overeating.

Reducing cravings and the impulse for unhealthy foods such as sweets, but still allowing you to enjoy them. You just find yourself naturally stopping at one cookie – rather than finishing the whole package.

You find yourself more aware of knowing when you are using food to cope with negative emotions like stress, frustration and anger.

You easily stop stress eating when your mind recognizes the stress triggers and triggers new patterns of inner calm.

You find yourself enjoying a healthier relationship with food, feeling better about yourself and your body.

Rather than focusing only on restriction, the goal is to help you build a healthier relationship with food, your body and your choices.

Hypnosis for Fears and Phobias

Fear is designed to protect you. But sometimes the brain learns to react strongly to situations that are not actually dangerous.

You may consciously know: “I’m safe” but your body goes into full on freak out mode.

Hypnotherapy and NLP are used to change associations connected with fears and anxieties so you can experience the trigger situations differently.

Sessions are personalized because two people with the same fear may have developed it for completely different reasons.

Here’s some of the common fears and stress triggers that people experience which can be naturally resolved within just a few hypnosis sessions:

Fear of needles: This becomes problematic when you need bloodwork or getting blood drawn.

Fear of the dentist and dental work: This of course is a problem if you need cavities filled or dental work done. When we engage your subconscious mind in feeling more at ease and relaxed, it can apply it to going to the dentist. You can simply find yourself relaxing internal, feeling at ease and knowing that the dentist is helping you rather than going into fear mode.

Fear of flying: Many people with this fear just try avoiding it by driving. It becomes a problem however if you want to travel overseas or travel across country. Resolving this subconscious fear can save you time, money and give you a deeper peace of mind.

Fear of heights: While its natural to be afraid of high places where we feel unsafe, sometimes the subconscious mind codes high places with more fear than is needed. You may experience fear of stairs or fear of getting on ladders, etc. When you get over the fear of heights you can find hiking more enjoyable,

Fear of driving: Many people with this fear simply try avoiding freeways and stick to the smaller city streets.

Why Combine Hypnosis and NLP?

Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming approach change from complementary directions.

Hypnosis uses focused attention, relaxation, imagination and suggestion to help create new associations and responses. As the mind patterns out the new thoughts and habits – it learns to integrate the change quickly.

NLP examines patterns in language, thought, perception and behavior and gives us practical ways to interrupt the old brain habits and to  reorganize the patterns causing the problems you experience.

NLP also engages the mind-body system in a deeper level change of nervous system reset and somatics. As it pays attention to the body, the mental blocks are expressed through tensions and feelings of the body. NLP allows for deeper transformational change of mind and body.

Together, they allow us to work with 1. What you consciously understand and 2. What your brain has learned to do automatically.

The added element of Coaching also gives broader depth to solution-focused sessions in which we identify strategies, options and create flexibility with our perspectives and how we approach the challenges of life.

This is why Holly often describes her work as brain training.

You are not trying to fight your brain. You are teaching it new patterns. And in effective Hypnosis-Hypnotherapy, your brain is actually learning and running new subconscious habits and patterns.

What Happens During a Hypnotherapy Session?

Your first session begins with a conversation and assessment in which we identify:

What habit or pattern you want your brain to change?

When did the habit or pattern shows up, what it feels like, what triggers it and when did it first start for you?

Then we also identify, what do you want your brain – and your body to do instead?

From there, we outline the NLP Brain Exercises and Hypnosis Solutions that help you get your results the fastest and with lasting effects.

Your first session may include:

• Hypnosis and Guided Visualization
• Neuro Linguistic Programming NLP techniques
• Thought-pattern managment work
• Emotional-release processes
• Coaching for strategy and solutions
• Stress Relief and Relaxation
• Habit-change strategies
• Self-Hypnosis techniques
• Nervous System Regulation exercises

Sessions are personalized to your specific situation and needs rather than following one identical script for every client.

Will I Be Unconscious During Hypnosis?

No. Hypnosis is not the same as being unconscious.

Most people remain awake and aware of the session and can hear what is happening. As the mind feels safe and comfortable, you may find yourself wandering off and coming back, which is normal – similar to the experience of driving hypnosis.

You are not surrendering control to the hypnotist.

Instead, hypnosis typically involves becoming more focused on your internal experience while temporarily paying less attention to outside distractions.

Many people describe the experience as deeply relaxed and it feels similar to becoming completely engaged in a book, movie or daydream.

Can Someone Make Me Do Something Against My Will in Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is not mind control.

You retain your values, judgment and ability to respond throughout the experience.

Clinical and professional hypnosis is a collaborative process.

You and your hypnotherapist are working toward goals you have chosen. Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy are solution-based focuses, looking to change the brain habits and patterns – so your mind finds better solutions.

How Many Hypnotherapy Sessions Will I Need?

There is no universal number. Beware of Hypnotists that say it only takes a single session. As a ballpark, I tell people to expect about 3-4 sessions per issue.

While its true that even in a single session people can experience profound results, typically the subconscious patterns creating the problem impulse, craving or behavior is a multi- part issue. Hypnotists that say it only takes a single session may not have the experience to understand the many inner tangles that need to be addressed for lasting change. You may find improvement – but instead of craving sugar, you find yourself over indulgin on alcohol.

Look for Hypnosis Professional that understands the underlying patterns of the subconscious, that knows how to identify those patterns so you can experience a profound and lasting change – rather than short term results with the problem coming back or showing up in another way.

The number of sessions may vary from one person to another and depends on:

• Your goal and the results you want
• How long the pattern has existed
• How embedded the subconscious the pattern is
• Whether several issues are connected
• Your individual responses

Some people notice meaningful changes quickly, while deeper or more complex patterns may benefit from additional sessions. During your consultation, we can discuss what makes sense for your specific goals.

While there are different styles of Hypnosis, look for a Hypnotherapist that is solution-focused.

Does Hypnosis Work for Everyone?

People respond to hypnosis differently and differnt personalities may also respond better to the various styles of Hypnosis. Because each person is an individual with their own inner set of habits and subconscious programs, of course results will vary.

However, most people respond favorably to the experience of Hypnosis as it is a natural state of mind. Hypnosis can feel very relaxing, even in a 30 minute or 60 minute session can be as refreshing as an deep 8 hour sleep.

Hypnosis is a skill involving attention, imagination and willingness to participate.

You do not need to feel “deeply hypnotized” for the experience to be useful.

The most important ingredient is usually your willingness to engage in the process and practice new ways of thinking and responding.

Is Hypnotherapy the Same as Therapy?

No, Hypnosis is not therapy and is not a substitute for mental health and medical professionals.

Hypnosis can be used by different types of professionals and within different scopes of practice.

Hypnosis is not considered therapy. According to the National Guild of Hypnotists, Hypnotists help ordinary people with everyday problems. These include changing habits, changing thought processes and setting up automatic healthy behaviors.

At The Brain Trainer, sessions focus on hypnosis, NLP, coaching, behavior change, personal development and subconscious-pattern work to create new thought processes and automatic behaviors that support the results you want to see in your day to day life.

Hypnotherapy and coaching are not substitutes for emergency psychiatric care, medical diagnosis or treatment from a licensed healthcare professional when those services are needed.

Hypnotists do not, “diagnose, treate or cure illness, disease or mental health issues.”  You are advised to continue all medications, even if you are feeling better and to make sure your medications are supervised by the professional that prescribed them.

If you are receiving medical or mental-health treatment, hypnosis can sometimes be used alongside medical or mental health treatements.

Meet Holly Stokes, Author, Speaker, and The Brain Trainer

Holly Stokes, International Best-selling Author, Master NLP Coach & Hypnosis Trainer has helped thousands of clients rewire their brains over the last 20 years.

In 2024 she released the International Bestseller book, The Miracle Code: Elevate Your Mind to Heal Your Body in which she shares her story of overcoming an “incurable” autoimmune condition through using mind-body Hypnosis tools and NLP strategies. She is also the creator of The A Lighter You System: A complete Hypnosis Mind-Body approach and teaches and trains Hypnosis Professionals in advanced Mind-Body Hypnosis approaches and strategies.

She has been quoted by Shape Magazine, Active Times, Chicago Tribune and appears on podcasts and local TV. She loves empowering clients to overcome life’s challenges, embrace their intuition and heal their lives. She teaches, trains and certifies professionals in Neuro Linguistic Programming and Hypnosis and co-founded the Life Harmony Wellness Center in Salt Lake City Utah.

Her professional background and training includes:

• Certified Instructor of Hypnosis – Hypnotherapy through National Guild of Hypnotists
• Certified Master Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner
• Certified Life and Business Coach
• Certified Thought Pattern Management and Instructor
• Emotional Freedom Techniques
• Advanced subconscious-change techniques
• She speaks regularly at Professional Hypnosis Conferences including The National Guild of Hypnotists in Massachussetts.

She is also the author of books including:

• The Miracle Code: Elevate Your Mind to Heal Your Body
• A Lighter You: Train Your Brain to Slim Your Body
• A Lighter You: Healthy Eating Made Easy
• Visioneering Your Business: Startup to Profitability

Her philosophy is simple: Your brain is involved in everything you think, feel and do.

When you understand how your brain creates automatic patterns, you can stop fighting yourself and begin deliberately training new ones that support your life and purpose.

Why Choose The Brain Trainer for Hypnotherapy in Salt Lake City?

There are many approaches to personal change. The Brain Trainer approach is especially focused on identifying the unconscious patterns underneath the problem.

Instead of simply asking: “What is wrong?”

We explore the underlying subconscious habits of the mind including:

• What has your brain learned?
• What triggers the pattern?
• What is the pattern trying to accomplish?
• What belief or association needs updating?
• What would you rather experience instead?
• Then we begin creating that new pattern.

Sessions are customized around you rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all recording or script.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hypnotherapy

Can hypnosis help with anxiety?

Hypnosis may help some people practice relaxation, reduce habitual anxious thinking and create healthier emotional responses. Results vary depending on the individual and the nature of the anxiety.

Can hypnosis help me stop overthinking?

Hypnosis and NLP can be used to interrupt repetitive thought loops and practice shifting attention toward calmer, more constructive patterns.

Can hypnosis help with confidence?

Hypnosis may be used to challenge outdated self-beliefs, mentally rehearse confident behavior and strengthen more supportive patterns of self-talk.

Can hypnosis help change habits?

Habits are learned patterns. Hypnotherapy can be used to explore triggers, associations and automatic responses while helping you rehearse healthier alternatives.

Can hypnosis help with emotional eating?

Hypnosis may support behavior change by increasing awareness of emotional triggers, cravings and automatic eating patterns while reinforcing healthier choices.

Will hypnosis make me reveal secrets?

No. Hypnosis does not remove your judgment or force you to say things you do not want to say.

What does hypnosis feel like?

Many people describe hypnosis as relaxed, focused and absorbed. Some people feel very deeply relaxed; others simply experience a comfortable state of concentration.

Do I need to believe in hypnosis?

You do not need to believe anything mystical. Hypnosis involves attention, imagination, expectation, learning and suggestion.

Can hypnotherapy be done online?

Many hypnosis and coaching techniques can be used remotely through video sessions when appropriate for the client’s needs.

How do I choose a hypnotherapist in Salt Lake City?

Look for someone with relevant professional training, experience, clear communication, realistic claims, transparent scope of practice and an approach that feels comfortable and collaborative.

For many Hypnosis Professionals, you can request a free consultation so you can find out about their approach, their philosophy, experience and training. Book a Free Consultation here 

Serving Salt Lake City and Surrounding Utah Communities

The Brain Trainer is located in Taylorsville, Utah, convenient to clients throughout the Salt Lake Valley, including:

• Salt Lake City
• Taylorsville
• Murray
• West Jordan
• South Jordan
• Sandy
• Midvale
• Millcreek
• West Valley City
• Cottonwood Heights
• Draper
• Holladay

Virtual sessions may also be available when appropriate.

Ready to Rewire the Patterns and Step Into Living Your Best?

Imagine if you could see yourself in a whole new way, see yourself as capable, strong, determined and victorious in life?

What if you could quickly change old thoughts of self-doubt and self-criticism to instead owning your accomplishments and feeling proud, self-affirming and thankful at how far you’ve come?

What if you could stop old habits that keep you stuck and naturally find yourself taking the actions that move your life forward, achieving your goals easier and even more automatically?

You don’t need to spend the rest of your life arguing with your own brain. Your brain just needs a few updates so you can take the actions that supports your goals, achieve your dreams, and live your life with freedom and purpose.

==>>Take the Next Step: Click here to Schedule a Free Consultation