My name is Micah Fleitman, LPC. I am a Hypnosis and trauma therapist in Virginia. I can help you heal overwhelming emotions, poor self-esteem, and painful relationships by fusing Hypnosis with EMDR and other trauma therapies.
Maybe you’ve done a lot of work on yourself already, and still, something feels stuck. You find yourself spinning in familiar cycles, overthinking everything, shutting down emotionally when things get intense, waiting for the other shoe to drop in your relationships, apologizing for who you are, even when you haven’t done anything wrong. Underneath it all, a quiet voice insists you’re not safe, you’re too much, you’ll be left if they see the real you.
Clinical Hypnosis creates space for transformation. You learn to access the parts of yourself that carry pain, shift beliefs that trauma planted, and develop a different relationship with your mind and body. The goal isn’t to forget what happened. It’s to help you move forward feeling grounded, capable, and whole.
Clinical Hypnosis may be a good fit if you:
Clinical Hypnosis uses a calm, focused state of awareness to access parts of your mind and body that carry trauma, fear, or self-doubt. It’s not about mind control or losing awareness. It’s about helping you gently shift from survival mode into a state where healing becomes easier, safer, and deeper. You remain in control and fully aware throughout.
Clinical Hypnosis helps you:
Hypnosis isn’t a performance or a magic trick. It’s a gentle, collaborative process built on trust and safety. You are always in control. My job is to guide you toward a space where healing feels accessible.
Before we go anywhere near past pain, we start by helping your nervous system feel safe. You’ll learn simple grounding tools to regulate emotions when they feel too big, calm the body when it’s in fight-or-flight mode, and stay connected to the present moment.
We’ll also spend time getting clear on what you want from this work and building a sense of trust between us:
Once safety is established, we use guided imagery, breath, or light suggestions to help you enter a calm, inward-focused state, similar to what you might feel during meditation, prayer, or a flow state. We don’t relive traumatic events. We stay grounded in the present while allowing your deeper self to guide the healing process.
In this space, you’ll explore:
As old pain begins to loosen its grip, we gently introduce new, empowering beliefs that are aligned with your truth. These beliefs aren’t just ideas. They begin to settle into your nervous system, your emotions, and your sense of self.
Shifting core beliefs:
Trauma touches every part of you: your body, mind, emotions, and relationships. That’s why I combine Clinical Hypnosis with other powerful therapies.
Sometimes the pain of the past doesn’t just fade with time. It stays lodged in your nervous system. EMDR helps your brain reprocess those stuck memories so they no longer feel like a current threat.
How EMDR helps:
You might logically know you’re safe now, but your body may not believe it yet. Somatic Therapy works with your body’s sensations, tension, and movement to help it release stored fear and trauma.
How somatic therapy helps:
We all have different “parts” inside. Maybe a critical part, a scared part, a part that wants connection, and one that’s afraid of it. IFS helps you recognize and care for each of these parts with curiosity and kindness.
How IFS helps:
Much of our pain comes from early relationships that taught us we had to hide, shrink, or earn love. Psychodynamic therapy helps us understand how those old patterns are still shaping our present, especially in relationships.
How relational therapy helps:
Trauma often leaves behind beliefs like “I’m not enough,” “It was my fault,” or “I can’t trust anyone.” TF-CBT helps you identify and shift these painful thoughts so you can see yourself more clearly and more compassionately.
How TF-CBT helps:
Many people seek Clinical Hypnosis when they feel stuck in patterns that talking alone hasn’t shifted. Whether it’s memories that won’t stop replaying, beliefs that keep you small, or emotional responses that feel beyond your control, these experiences are real and treatable.
Trauma can leave lasting imprints that show up as flashbacks, emotional overwhelm, or a persistent sense of danger even when you’re safe. The body remembers what the mind tries to forget. Clinical Hypnosis helps access and process these memories gently, allowing your nervous system to release what it’s been holding without retraumatization.
Anxiety often lives beneath conscious awareness, driving patterns of overthinking, physical tension, and constant vigilance. When your nervous system stays on high alert, relaxation feels impossible. Hypnosis helps calm these deeper patterns, teaching your body that safety is possible and giving you tools to regulate when anxiety surfaces.
That voice in your head saying you’re not enough often started as a way to keep you safe by helping you “do better” or “be less of a burden.” Clinical Hypnosis helps you understand where that voice came from, soften its grip by meeting it with compassion, and replace it with a more supportive sense of self.
When emotions feel too intense, shutdown can become an automatic response. Disconnection from feelings or being flooded without the capacity to regulate are common patterns. Hypnosis creates a bridge between overwhelm and presence, building capacity to stay with emotions long enough to process them without becoming consumed.
When closeness has brought pain before, it can feel dangerous. Pushing people away before they can hurt, hiding needs to stay connected, or constantly fearing abandonment, even when things are going well, become protective patterns. Clinical Hypnosis helps heal the parts that still expect danger, making connections feel less threatening and more nourishing.
The body holds what the mind cannot process. Chronic pain, tension, headaches, or digestive issues can be the body’s way of signaling unresolved emotional pain. Hypnosis helps address the connection between physical symptoms and stored emotional experiences, offering relief where other approaches haven’t worked.
Imagine Feeling Grounded and Fully Yourself Even When Life Gets Hard
For years, I tried to escape my pain by working harder, being better, doing more. But no matter what I achieved, I still felt unworthy. It wasn’t until I listened to the parts of me that felt afraid, ashamed, or shut down that I began to heal.
Now I help others do the same. You’re not broken. You’re carrying pain that never got the care it deserved. With compassion, curiosity, and the right tools, healing is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Hi, I’m Micah Fleitman, LPC.
I offer Clinical Hypnosis online throughout Virginia from my office at 1550 Wilson Blvd, Ste. 700 #226, Arlington, VA 22209. My secure teletherapy makes hypnosis accessible from wherever you feel comfortable. Online sessions provide the same depth and effectiveness as in-person therapy while offering flexibility that works with your life.
Locations served throughout Virginia:
Clinical hypnosis and stage hypnosis serve entirely different purposes. Understanding this distinction helps address common fears about losing control or being manipulated.
Clinical Hypnosis Is Therapeutic
Clinical hypnosis is a collaborative therapeutic tool used by licensed mental health professionals. The process is:
Stage Hypnosis Is Entertainment
Stage hypnosis is a performance designed to entertain audiences. Stage hypnotists select highly suggestible volunteers who are willing to participate in public displays. This form of hypnosis:
What Psychologists and Therapists Think
Clinical hypnosis is recognized by major psychological and medical organizations as a legitimate therapeutic tool:
You Are Always in Control
In clinical hypnosis:
Clinical hypnosis is powerful but not appropriate for everyone. Understanding limitations helps ensure safety and realistic expectations.
Who Should Not Use Clinical Hypnosis
Clinical hypnosis may not be appropriate if:
Active Psychosis or Severe Mental Health Crises
Severe Personality Disorders Without DBT Skills
Active Substance Use
Significant Dissociation
What Clinical Hypnosis Cannot Do
Clinical hypnosis has real limitations:
When to Consider Other Approaches
If clinical hypnosis doesn’t feel right:
Clinical hypnosis has strong research support for specific conditions. Effectiveness varies based on what’s being treated, readiness to engage, and integration with other approaches.
Research-Supported Effectiveness
Clinical hypnosis shows the strongest evidence for:
Pain Management
Anxiety and PTSD
Behavior Change
What Affects Success Rates
Several factors influence effectiveness:
Readiness and Motivation
Therapist Training and Expertise
Integration With Other Approaches
Severity and Complexity of Trauma
Realistic Expectations
Clinical hypnosis can:
It cannot:
Understanding session structure and different hypnosis approaches helps you know what to expect and choose the right fit.
Session Length and Frequency
Individual Session Length
Frequency of Sessions
Total Treatment Timeline
Treatment length varies based on:
Single-incident trauma may resolve in 8-15 sessions. Complex trauma often requires 6-12 months or longer of consistent work.
Types of Hypnosis Used in Therapy
Different hypnotic approaches serve different therapeutic purposes:
Suggestion-Based Hypnosis
Regression Hypnosis
Ego-State Therapy
Ericksonian Hypnosis
What Happens During a Hypnosis Session
A typical session includes:
The first session focuses on building safety, understanding your history, and determining whether clinical hypnosis is the right approach for your needs. There’s no pressure to dive into trauma processing immediately.
Initial Assessment and Safety
The first session includes:
Understanding Your History
We discuss what brings you to therapy, what symptoms you’re experiencing, and what you’ve tried before. This helps determine whether clinical hypnosis is appropriate or if stabilization work needs to happen first.
Questions we explore:
Building Trust and Informed Consent
Clinical hypnosis requires trust. We discuss:
Establishing Safety Skills
Before any hypnosis work, we often spend time building:
What the First Hypnosis Experience Feels Like
If we do any hypnosis work in the first session, it’s typically:
Gentle and Brief
You Remain Aware
Many people expect hypnosis to feel dramatic. Instead, it often feels like:
You Stay in Control
Throughout the session:
Building a Foundation
The first few sessions prioritize:
There’s no rush. We move at a pace that feels manageable and safe for you.
Clinical hypnosis is widely recognized and supported by major mental health and medical organizations. Understanding professional perspectives helps distinguish evidence-based hypnotherapy from misconceptions or unregulated practices.
Professional Recognition and Support
Clinical hypnosis has strong endorsement from the mental health community:
Major Organizations Supporting Clinical Hypnosis
Professional Training Requirements
Licensed mental health professionals using clinical hypnosis typically have:
Research Support
Mental health professionals value clinical hypnosis because of strong empirical evidence:
Conditions With Research Support
How Research Informs Practice
Mental health professionals incorporate hypnosis based on:
Professional Cautions
Mental health professionals also emphasize important considerations:
Appropriate Use of Hypnosis
Ethical practitioners understand:
Distinguishing Clinical Hypnosis From Other Practices
Mental health professionals differentiate:
Current Professional Consensus
The mental health field generally agrees:
Insurance coverage for clinical hypnosis varies depending on your plan, provider credentials, and how services are billed. Understanding coverage helps you plan for treatment costs.
How Insurance Typically Covers Clinical Hypnosis
Insurance companies generally cover hypnosis when:
Provided by Licensed Mental Health Professionals
Billed as Psychotherapy
Most insurance companies don’t have specific billing codes for “clinical hypnosis.” Instead:
Factors Affecting Coverage
Several elements influence whether your insurance will cover clinical hypnosis:
Your Specific Insurance Plan
Provider Network Status
Medical Necessity
Insurance covers treatment deemed medically necessary:
Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company
Before starting treatment, clarify:
Self-Pay Options
If insurance doesn’t cover clinical hypnosis, or you prefer not to use insurance:
Advocacy and Appeals
If insurance denies coverage:
Finding the right clinical hypnosis therapist involves researching credentials, specialties, and fit. Taking time to find a therapist trained in both hypnosis and trauma work increases the likelihood of effective treatment.
Where to Start Your Search
Professional Directories
Insurance Provider Networks
Referrals From Trusted Sources
What to Look For
When evaluating potential therapists, consider:
Professional Credentials
Specialized Training
Effective clinical hypnosis therapists often have training in:
Therapeutic Approach
Look for therapists who:
Questions to Ask Potential Therapists
During initial consultations, consider asking:
About Training and Experience
About Approach and Process
About Logistics
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious of therapists who:
Finding the Right Fit
The best clinical hypnosis therapist is someone who:
Trust your instincts. If a therapist doesn’t feel like the right fit after an initial consultation, it’s okay to keep searching.
Getting Started in Virginia
If you’re looking for clinical hypnosis in Virginia:
I offer Clinical Hypnosis online throughout Virginia, combining hypnosis with EMDR, somatic therapy, and Internal Family Systems.
Book a complimentary 30-Minute Consult
