How I work
How I work with men: hypnotherapy, calm and practical tools
Ian Whitelaw combines hypnotherapy with plain conversation and practical tools. Working from Bellingham, he holds one-on-one sessions online that go at your pace and are built around what you want to change, with nothing done that you haven’t agreed to.
Ian WhitelawWA Registered Hypnotherapist · HP61341961
Hypnotherapy
I guide you into a calm, focused state. In that state it is often easier to rehearse a hard conversation, quiet a stress reaction or loosen a habit. You stay aware and in control the whole time.
Talk-based counseling
Plain conversation about what’s going on, what you want and what gets in the way. I listen closely, ask direct questions and say what I notice.
Cognitive behavioral tools
Practical skills for spotting the thoughts that drive a reaction and trying a different response. Small, specific, and things you can practice between sessions.
Guided meditation and relaxation
Short breathing and relaxation exercises you can use anywhere: before a meeting, after a hard call, when you can’t sleep.
Inner child work
Looking at the messages you took on growing up, the ones you already remember, and how they still shape the way you treat yourself and others.
Ceremony and ritual exercises
For men who want them: simple, personal ways to mark an ending, a decision or a fresh start. Always optional.
What I believe about change
Underneath the patterns that trouble a man, there is a steady, decent part of him that hasn’t gone anywhere. My job is to help you get back in touch with it, in an environment that is consistent and without judgment, and to build habits of thinking and responding that fit the man you want to be. That takes work and it takes time. I won’t promise a quick fix, and I won’t waste your time either.
What a first session looks like
We start with what brought you in and what you want to be different. I ask about what you’ve already tried. I explain how hypnotherapy works and answer every question you have before we use it. Most men leave the first session with a clear plan and one or two practical things to try. More detail on what to expect.
Online sessions
Sessions are by secure video (Zoom) or by phone. Online sessions are for clients who are located in Washington State at the time of each session. All you need is a private room, a comfortable chair and headphones if you have them. Many men find it easier to relax at home than in an office. See how online sessions work.
What I don’t do
- I don’t diagnose conditions or prescribe medication.
- I am not a licensed mental health counselor, psychologist or physician, and my sessions are not a substitute for medical or mental health care.
- I am not an emergency service. In a crisis, call or text 988 or call 911.
- I don’t use hypnosis to search for “hidden” memories, and hypnosis can’t make you do anything against your will.
When a doctor, a licensed mental health professional or a certified specialist is the better fit, I’ll tell you and help you find one. See hypnotherapy and fees.
Ian is a Washington State Registered Hypnotherapist. He is not a licensed mental health counselor, psychologist or physician, and does not diagnose or prescribe. If you need medical or mental health care, he will help you find it.
Ready to talk it through?
Call, email or send a short message. We’ll set up an introductory call and see whether working together makes sense. Sessions are online for men located in Washington State.