Ronna Brier, certified consulting hypnotist, opened her office inside the Sound Center, at 31 Hawleyville Road (Route 25), in October. Certified by the National Guild of Hypnotists in 2012, Ms Brier also teaches psychology at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury.

Ms Brier provides hypnosis for adults, primarily for smoking cessation and weight loss. Hypnosis can also be used to treat other issues, such as migraine headaches, stress, anxieties, and phobias, she said.

“Hypnosis is a natural form of healing,” said Ms Brier, “and in many cases, works great in conjunction with traditional medicines.” For example, hypnosis can be helpful in dealing with the side effects of cancer treatment, she said, such as nausea or fear.

She is often able to help a client in one session. “Hypnosis is a meditative state of relaxation. I will talk a person to a meditative state and make suggestions to the subconscious state, based on information provided by the patient,” Ms Brier said. It is most important that the client be willing to change the behavior, she added.

Issues such as weight loss or phobias commonly require multiple sessions. Initial sessions are scheduled to last one and a half hours.

Ms Brier hopes to “debunk the hypnosis myth,” she added. “Clients are always in control. I can’t make someone do anything he or she does not want to do,” she emphasized. “Hypnosis is not mystical, or mind control. It is recognized now as a more mainstream option. I’d like to see that grow,” she said.

Ms Brier is in her office every Wednesday from 9 am to 5 pm, with evening hours available upon request.

To make an appointment, contact her at 203-641-5481.