Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy
“Trauma-informed hypnotherapy and guided imagery support healing in health, relationships, career, and spiritual life.” – Gina Vance
“Trauma-informed hypnotherapy and guided imagery support healing in health, relationships, career, and spiritual life.” – Gina Vance
“Trauma-informed hypnotherapy and guided imagery support healing in health, relationships, career, and spiritual life.”
– Gina Vance
Hypnotherapy & Guided Imagery
You can learn to work with the astonishing power of your subconscious mind—and create meaningful change more gently and effectively than you may have ever imagined.
I know this because I’ve lived it.
After healing my own severe, physically disabling PTSD, I’ve been guiding others since 2001 in using trauma-informed hypnotherapy and guided imagery to reduce suffering, restore trust in the body, and reclaim inner freedom.
This work helps you reduce—or even eliminate—the effects of chronic stress and trauma by working with your subconscious rather than against it.
As inner safety and clarity return, people often notice meaningful improvements not only in their health, but also in their relationships, career direction, and spiritual connection—because when your nervous system settles, life reorganizes.
Together, we draw on hypnotherapy, guided imagery, and mind-body skills to help ease anxiety, phobias, pain, and trauma, while also supporting confidence, clarity, habit change, and emotional resilience. Many people also learn self-hypnosis and self-guided imagery so they can continue the work between sessions and long after our time together.
Explore More SMGI® Services
Hypnotherapy & Guided Imagery
You can learn to work with the astonishing power of your subconscious mind—and create meaningful change more gently and effectively than you may have ever imagined.
I know this because I’ve lived it.
After healing my own severe, physically disabling PTSD, I’ve been guiding others since 2001 in using trauma-informed hypnotherapy and guided imagery to reduce suffering, restore trust in the body, and reclaim inner freedom.
This work helps you reduce—or even eliminate—the effects of chronic stress and trauma by working with your subconscious rather than against it.
As inner safety and clarity return, people often notice meaningful improvements not only in their health, but also in their relationships, career direction, and spiritual connection—because when your nervous system settles, life reorganizes.
Together, we draw on hypnotherapy, guided imagery, and mind-body skills to help ease anxiety, phobias, pain, and trauma, while also supporting confidence, clarity, habit change, and emotional resilience. Many people also learn self-hypnosis and self-guided imagery so they can continue the work between sessions and long after our time together.
Explore More SMGI® Services
Hypnotherapy & Guided Imagery
You can learn to work with the astonishing power of your subconscious mind—and create meaningful change more gently and effectively than you may have ever imagined.
I know this because I’ve lived it.
After healing my own severe, physically disabling PTSD, I’ve been guiding others since 2001 in using trauma-informed hypnotherapy and guided imagery to reduce suffering, restore trust in the body, and reclaim inner freedom.
This work helps you reduce—or even eliminate—the effects of chronic stress and trauma by working with your subconscious rather than against it.
As inner safety and clarity return, people often notice meaningful improvements not only in their health, but also in their relationships, career direction, and spiritual connection—because when your nervous system settles, life reorganizes.
Together, we draw on hypnotherapy, guided imagery, and mind-body skills to help ease anxiety, phobias, pain, and trauma, while also supporting confidence, clarity, habit change, and emotional resilience. Many people also learn self-hypnosis and self-guided imagery so they can continue the work between sessions and long after our time together.
Explore More SMGI® Services
“My work with Gina was really powerful. Since working with her my business has grown 35%. Gina is the ultimate in just being easy, she doesn’t judge. There’s absolutely not a judgmental bone in her body. She provides a service that I think everybody can use.” – Mark Machado, Realtor® in San Rafael
“My work with Gina was really powerful. Since working with her my business has grown 35%. Gina is the ultimate in just being easy, she doesn’t judge. There’s absolutely not a judgmental bone in her body. She provides a service that I think everybody can use.” – Mark Machado, Realtor® in San Rafael
“My work with Gina was really powerful. Since working with her my business has grown 35%. Gina is the ultimate in just being easy, she doesn’t judge. There’s absolutely not a judgmental bone in her body. She provides a service that I think everybody can use.”
– Mark Machado, Realtor® in San Rafael
Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy
Although I received the highest level of traditional hypnotherapy training, I quickly discovered that the classic “doctor knows best” or practitioner-as-authority model didn’t work well for me.
You know the one:
My job is to figure out what’s wrong with you.
Your job is to comply with my suggestion.
Ew.
When I began weaving interactive guided imagery and mind-body practices into my work, something remarkable happened—my clients’ results took off. People began coming to me when nothing else had worked.
And while I was often credited for the “miracles,” I knew the truth:
It wasn’t me. It was the tools—and the innate human capacity they awakened.
The power of the subconscious mind.
The imaginal realm.
The inner world.
Over two decades, my clients and I have co-developed a process of interactive inner journeying that taps into capacities already alive within you—no matter what you’ve been through.
Because no matter what you’ve done, or what’s been done to you:
It’s all healable.
If this feels like something you might be ready for, I invite you to explore this site, learn more about my work, and read about the experiences of others.
You’re also welcome to schedule a complimentary phone call so we can explore whether this work is a good fit for you—right now.
The adventure within awaits.
Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy
Although I received the highest level of traditional hypnotherapy training, I quickly discovered that the classic “doctor knows best” or practitioner-as-authority model didn’t work well for me.
You know the one:
My job is to figure out what’s wrong with you.
Your job is to comply with my suggestion.
Ew.
When I began weaving interactive guided imagery and mind-body practices into my work, something remarkable happened—my clients’ results took off. People began coming to me when nothing else had worked.
And while I was often credited for the “miracles,” I knew the truth:
It wasn’t me. It was the tools—and the innate human capacity they awakened.
The power of the subconscious mind.
The imaginal realm.
The inner world.
Over two decades, my clients and I have co-developed a process of interactive inner journeying that taps into capacities already alive within you—no matter what you’ve been through.
Because no matter what you’ve done, or what’s been done to you:
It’s all healable.
If this feels like something you might be ready for, I invite you to explore this site, learn more about my work, and read about the experiences of others.
You’re also welcome to schedule a complimentary phone call so we can explore whether this work is a good fit for you—right now.
The adventure within awaits.
Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy
Although I received the highest level of traditional hypnotherapy training, I quickly discovered that the classic “doctor knows best” or practitioner-as-authority model didn’t work well for me.
You know the one:
My job is to figure out what’s wrong with you.
Your job is to comply with my suggestion.
Ew.
When I began weaving interactive guided imagery and mind-body practices into my work, something remarkable happened—my clients’ results took off. People began coming to me when nothing else had worked.
And while I was often credited for the “miracles,” I knew the truth:
It wasn’t me. It was the tools—and the innate human capacity they awakened.
The power of the subconscious mind.
The imaginal realm.
The inner world.
Over two decades, my clients and I have co-developed a process of interactive inner journeying that taps into capacities already alive within you—no matter what you’ve been through.
Because no matter what you’ve done, or what’s been done to you:
It’s all healable.
If this feels like something you might be ready for, I invite you to explore this site, learn more about my work, and read about the experiences of others.
You’re also welcome to schedule a complimentary phone call so we can explore whether this work is a good fit for you—right now.
The adventure within awaits.
We work collaboratively using evocative guided imagery, guided hypnosis, and self-resourcing methods. You are always aware. Always in control.
We work collaboratively using evocative guided imagery, guided hypnosis, and self-resourcing methods. You are always aware. Always in control.
We work collaboratively using evocative guided imagery, guided hypnosis, and self-resourcing methods. You are always aware. Always in control.
Hypnotherapy
Unlock the Power of Your Subconscious Mind
Hypnotherapy is a safe, collaborative process that helps you access the deeper layers of mind, body, and spirit—where lasting change becomes possible.
At Mind Body Journeys, my sessions are trauma-informed, interactive, and empowering. You remain aware and in control as your subconscious opens to new possibilities.
My work includes Somatic Mindful Guided Imagery® (SMGI®) —a gentle, embodied approach using imagination, sensory awareness, and mind-body skills to support healing and transformation.
Hypnotherapy
Unlock the Power of Your Subconscious Mind
Hypnotherapy is a safe, collaborative process that helps you access the deeper layers of mind, body, and spirit—where lasting change becomes possible.
At Mind Body Journeys, my sessions are trauma-informed, interactive, and empowering. You remain aware and in control as your subconscious opens to new possibilities.
My work includes Somatic Mindful Guided Imagery® (SMGI®) —a gentle, embodied approach using imagination, sensory awareness, and mind-body skills to support healing and transformation.
Hypnotherapy
Unlock the Power of Your Subconscious Mind
Hypnotherapy is a safe, collaborative process that helps you access the deeper layers of mind, body, and spirit—where lasting change becomes possible.
At Mind Body Journeys, my sessions are trauma-informed, interactive, and empowering. You remain aware and in control as your subconscious opens to new possibilities.
My work includes Somatic Mindful Guided Imagery® (SMGI®) —a gentle, embodied approach using imagination, sensory awareness, and mind-body skills to support healing and transformation.
What IS Hypnosis, Really?
When I tell people I’m a hypnotherapist, their eyes often widen.
“You hypnotize people?”
At that point, their attention has already wandered off to a stage show or movie scene involving swinging watches and mind control—so whatever I say next hardly lands.
So let’s clear this up.
Hypnosis is not mind control.
It’s not sleep.
And it’s definitely not a truth serum.
At its simplest, hypnosis is about where the predominant amount of your attention is focused—what you’re most immersed in, moment to moment.
It’s a highly receptive learning state. We enter it through repetition, association, curiosity, emotion, or meaning—basically the same ways we learn anything deeply.
The challenge is that not everything we learn is helpful or true.
Hypnotherapy helps you revisit outdated subconscious beliefs—like I’m not worthy, I’m broken, or I don’t have what it takes—and gently update them.
And yes, you can absolutely lie in hypnosis.
And no, everything that arises from the subconscious is not a fact.
I beg to differ with those old stories.
What we call “hypnosis” is really the mother of many mind-body practices: guided imagery, mindfulness, meditation, NLP, self-inquiry, creative visualization, and more.
And whatever you learned through difficult experiences?
It’s all healable.
What Is Guided Imagery?
Guided imagery is one of the most gentle—and profoundly powerful—tools I know for healing and transformation.
But let’s clarify what it isn’t.
It’s not just “visualizing pictures.”
In fact, many people don’t see mental images clearly at all—and that’s perfectly okay. Imagery is about imagination, not eyesight.
However you imagine—through sensations, feelings, sounds, or knowing—your body responds as if the experience is real.
When you’re worried or afraid, your body lives that experience.
When you immerse yourself in comfort, safety, or possibility, your body lives that too.
Guided imagery is a form of hypnosis—a way of consciously directing your attention in the imaginal realm. And imagination lives in the body.
In this work, we engage thinking and sensing. Feeling. Experiencing. Embodiment.
One simple way to deepen imagery is to move through the senses—sometimes remembered by the playful acronym A-V-K-T-O (Audio, Visual, Kinesthetic, Tactile, Olfactory).
What sounds are present?
What colors, textures, or shapes?
What sensations arise in your body?
What might touch feel like?
Is there a scent or aroma?
As your attention deepens, your biology responds.
Guided imagery activates our natural capacity to feel better and to heal.
And yes—it even works while you’re sleeping.
What IS Hypnosis, Really?
When I tell people I’m a hypnotherapist, their eyes often widen.
“You hypnotize people?”
At that point, their attention has already wandered off to a stage show or movie scene involving swinging watches and mind control—so whatever I say next hardly lands.
So let’s clear this up.
Hypnosis is not mind control.
It’s not sleep.
And it’s definitely not a truth serum.
At its simplest, hypnosis is about where the predominant amount of your attention is focused—what you’re most immersed in, moment to moment.
It’s a highly receptive learning state. We enter it through repetition, association, curiosity, emotion, or meaning—basically the same ways we learn anything deeply.
The challenge is that not everything we learn is helpful or true.
Hypnotherapy helps you revisit outdated subconscious beliefs—like I’m not worthy, I’m broken, or I don’t have what it takes—and gently update them.
And yes, you can absolutely lie in hypnosis.
And no, everything that arises from the subconscious is not a fact.
I beg to differ with those old stories.
What we call “hypnosis” is really the mother of many mind-body practices: guided imagery, mindfulness, meditation, NLP, self-inquiry, creative visualization, and more.
And whatever you learned through difficult experiences?
It’s all healable.
What Is Guided Imagery?
Guided imagery is one of the most gentle—and profoundly powerful—tools I know for healing and transformation.
But let’s clarify what it isn’t.
It’s not just “visualizing pictures.”
In fact, many people don’t see mental images clearly at all—and that’s perfectly okay. Imagery is about imagination, not eyesight.
However you imagine—through sensations, feelings, sounds, or knowing—your body responds as if the experience is real.
When you’re worried or afraid, your body lives that experience.
When you immerse yourself in comfort, safety, or possibility, your body lives that too.
Guided imagery is a form of hypnosis—a way of consciously directing your attention in the imaginal realm. And imagination lives in the body.
In this work, we engage thinking and sensing. Feeling. Experiencing. Embodiment.
One simple way to deepen imagery is to move through the senses—sometimes remembered by the playful acronym A-V-K-T-O (Audio, Visual, Kinesthetic, Tactile, Olfactory).
What sounds are present?
What colors, textures, or shapes?
What sensations arise in your body?
What might touch feel like?
Is there a scent or aroma?
As your attention deepens, your biology responds.
Guided imagery activates our natural capacity to feel better and to heal.
And yes—it even works while you’re sleeping.
What IS Hypnosis, Really?
When I tell people I’m a hypnotherapist, their eyes often widen.
“You hypnotize people?”
At that point, their attention has already wandered off to a stage show or movie scene involving swinging watches and mind control—so whatever I say next hardly lands.
So let’s clear this up.
Hypnosis is not mind control.
It’s not sleep.
And it’s definitely not a truth serum.
At its simplest, hypnosis is about where the predominant amount of your attention is focused—what you’re most immersed in, moment to moment.
It’s a highly receptive learning state. We enter it through repetition, association, curiosity, emotion, or meaning—basically the same ways we learn anything deeply.
The challenge is that not everything we learn is helpful or true.
Hypnotherapy helps you revisit outdated subconscious beliefs—like I’m not worthy, I’m broken, or I don’t have what it takes—and gently update them.
And yes, you can absolutely lie in hypnosis.
And no, everything that arises from the subconscious is not a fact.
I beg to differ with those old stories.
What we call “hypnosis” is really the mother of many mind-body practices: guided imagery, mindfulness, meditation, NLP, self-inquiry, creative visualization, and more.
And whatever you learned through difficult experiences?
It’s all healable.
What Is Guided Imagery?
Guided imagery is one of the most gentle—and profoundly powerful—tools I know for healing and transformation.
But let’s clarify what it isn’t.
It’s not just “visualizing pictures.”
In fact, many people don’t see mental images clearly at all—and that’s perfectly okay. Imagery is about imagination, not eyesight.
However you imagine—through sensations, feelings, sounds, or knowing—your body responds as if the experience is real.
When you’re worried or afraid, your body lives that experience.
When you immerse yourself in comfort, safety, or possibility, your body lives that too.
Guided imagery is a form of hypnosis—a way of consciously directing your attention in the imaginal realm. And imagination lives in the body.
In this work, we engage thinking and sensing. Feeling. Experiencing. Embodiment.
One simple way to deepen imagery is to move through the senses—sometimes remembered by the playful acronym A-V-K-T-O (Audio, Visual, Kinesthetic, Tactile, Olfactory).
What sounds are present?
What colors, textures, or shapes?
What sensations arise in your body?
What might touch feel like?
Is there a scent or aroma?
As your attention deepens, your biology responds.
Guided imagery activates our natural capacity to feel better and to heal.
And yes—it even works while you’re sleeping.
The Research On Guided Imagery
Over 40 years of research supports guided imagery as an evidence-based practice for health, healing, and performance.
Reduce stress, blood pressure, cholesterol, and HbA1c
Lower anxiety and pain
Support immune function
Speed healing from injuries and burns
Reduce blood loss and opioid use after surgery
Guided imagery has also been shown to support:
Smoking cessation and weight regulation
Athletic performance and creative skills
Medical procedures such as chemotherapy, dialysis, and biopsies
Regular practice enhances emotional depth, creativity, intuition, empathy, and spiritual connection.
The Research On Guided Imagery
Over 40 years of research supports guided imagery as an evidence-based practice for health, healing, and performance.
Reduce stress, blood pressure, cholesterol, and HbA1c
Lower anxiety and pain
Support immune function
Speed healing from injuries and burns
Reduce blood loss and opioid use after surgery
Guided imagery has also been shown to support:
Smoking cessation and weight regulation
Athletic performance and creative skills
Medical procedures such as chemotherapy, dialysis, and biopsies
Regular practice enhances emotional depth, creativity, intuition, empathy, and spiritual connection.
The Research On Guided Imagery
Over 40 years of research supports guided imagery as an evidence-based practice for health, healing, and performance.
Reduce stress, blood pressure, cholesterol, and HbA1c
Lower anxiety and pain
Support immune function
Speed healing from injuries and burns
Reduce blood loss and opioid use after surgery
Guided imagery has also been shown to support:
Smoking cessation and weight regulation
Athletic performance and creative skills
Medical procedures such as chemotherapy, dialysis, and biopsies
Regular practice enhances emotional depth, creativity, intuition, empathy, and spiritual connection.
Testimonials
Testimonials
Testimonials: Grateful Voices
“Gina is a the most skilled hypnotherapist I have had the pleasure to work with. She is highly effective in her ability to create change in a safe and comfortable manner. Her approach is individualized to meet your special needs.” —Lisa Galeazzi, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
“Gina is a the most skilled hypnotherapist I have had the pleasure to work with. She is highly effective in her ability to create change in a safe and comfortable manner. Her approach is individualized to meet your special needs.” —Lisa Galeazzi, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
“Gina is a the most skilled hypnotherapist I have had the pleasure to work with. She is highly effective in her ability to create change in a safe and comfortable manner. Her approach is individualized to meet your special needs.”
—Lisa Galeazzi, LMFT
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