What Is Clinical Hypnosis? Reclaiming an Ancient and Evidence-Based Healing Tool

The word hypnosis has often been misunderstood—and in some cases, misused. For many, it conjures up stage shows or entertainment acts where people are made to quack like ducks or fall asleep on command. But that’s not what I practice. And it’s not what true hypnosis is about.

At its core, hypnosis is a natural and biological state of focused awareness, known as trance. You enter trance every day—when you’re deeply absorbed in a book, a memory, a prayer, or even your own thoughts during a walk. It’s not magic. It’s not manipulation. And no one can make you do anything you don’t want to do.

In fact, if you don’t want the process to work—it won’t. Clinical hypnosis is not mind control. It’s collaboration. It’s the gentle guiding of your nervous system and subconscious mind toward healing, clarity, and meaningful change.

“I’ve practiced trauma-informed care long before the term became popular—because honoring the pace of healing, fostering safety, and treating each client with deep respect isn’t a trend. It's a responsibility!

- Cathy Armstrong 

How Clinical Hypnotherapy Differs from “Traditional Hypnosis”

What I offer is called clinical hypnotherapy, or trauma-informed clinical hypnosis. This isn’t a gimmick or a one-size-fits-all script. It’s a professional, therapeutic process rooted in neuroscience, psychology, and somatic awareness.

As a licensed professional counselor, registered nurse, and integrative professional , I draw from decades of experience in the mental health and medical fields. My approach weaves together research-based techniques with holistic mind-body-spirit healing. Hypnosis is simply the doorway we use to access deeper change—at both the conscious and subconscious levels.

Clinical hypnotherapy has been researched and shown to support a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and physical challenges. These include:

• Reducing anxiety and panic

• Healing trauma and grief

• Managing chronic pain and illness

• Natural pain management for childbirth 

• Supporting weight loss and emotional eating recovery

• Improving sleep and nervous system regulation

 • Enhancing focus, motivation, and habit change

 • Addressing depression, fatigue, or burnout

• Navigating life transitions, fertility issues, and spiritual healing

LPC Training, Certification and LPC Supervision in Clinical Hypnosis 

Clinical Hypnotherapy for Licensed Professionals (50 CEU Hours)
Format: Hybrid (Online & In-Person Options)

Target Audience: Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), LPC-S, LCSWs, LMFTs, Psychologists

Instructor: Cathy Armstrong, MS, LPC-S, RN, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist

Course Overview

This comprehensive 50-hour clinical hypnotherapy certification program provides licensed mental health professionals with beginner to advanced skills in the theory, practice, and ethical application of hypnotherapy in a clinical setting. It includes a focus on trauma-informed care, pain management, somatic approaches, behavioral health, and integrative mind-body practices.

Delivery Format

Flexible Dates: Rolling admission with start dates available every 2 months

Training Options:

• Online Cohort: Live Zoom + recorded modules
• In-Person: Corpus Christi, Texas (2 weekends or 4 single Saturdays)
• Follow-Up: Two 60-minute consultation calls within 3 months of course completion (1:1 or small group)

Full Program: $1,495

Includes live training, digital manual, recordings, certificate, and 2 follow-up consults

Early Bird Registration: $1,295 (30 days prior to start date)

Payment Plan: 3 monthly payments of $525

The Healing Within Hypnosis™ Approach with Cathy Armstrong 

tel: (361) 688-8200 

email: cathyarmstronglpc@gmail.com

In my practice, I use a unique approach I call Healing Within Hypnosis™. This is a trauma-informed, soul-centered method that blends:

Clinical hypnosis

Polyvagal and somatic therapy principles

Inner child and parts work

Breathwork, mindfulness, and visualization

Spiritual psychology and ancestral wisdom

Evidence-based neuroscience

This method helps clients reconnect to their body’s wisdom, calm the survival brain, and safely process stored emotional pain. You do not need to enter a deep trance or “go under.” Most clients remain aware and engaged throughout the session—and yet the healing goes deep.

Whether you’re struggling with a chronic pattern, old trauma, or simply feel stuck, Healing Within Hypnosis™ offers a gentle, compassionate path back to yourself.

Hypnosis for Gut-Brain Healing & Lifestyle Transformation

What if your symptoms weren’t just in your head—but also in your gut, your cells, and your story?

At Healing Within Hypnosis, we go deeper. Inspired by the groundbreaking science in Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means and The Mind-Gut Connection by Dr. Emeran Mayer, we understand that your metabolism, gut microbiome, and nervous system are intimately connected to your mood, behavior, and healing capacity.

Through clinical hypnotherapy, we access the subconscious patterns that drive your habits, stress responses, and emotional triggers. This method isn’t about losing control—it’s about reclaiming control over how you nourish your body, respond to life, and create lasting change.

Hypnosis helps you:

• Break free from self-sabotaging behaviors and addictive food patterns

• Reduce anxiety and calm the gut-brain stress response

• Shift limiting beliefs that block motivation and self-worth

• Reinforce new choices with powerful subconscious suggestion

• Activate your body’s innate healing systems using breath, imagery, and nervous system awareness

This is not a one-size-fits-all approach. We integrate neuroscience, somatic therapy, functional nutrition, and trauma-informed care to help you align your mind, body, and spirit in service of whole-person healing.

Whether you’re healing from chronic illness, emotional overwhelm, or simply feeling stuck—this is a space to rewire your health, your story, and your future.

Clinical Hypnotherapy Training

Become a certified hypnotherapist with our Clinical Hypnotherapy Training program. Master the art of inducing trance and facilitating positive change. Start your journey today! Learn how to integrate the art of hypnosis into your therapy sessions.

Cathy Armstrong, LPC-S, RN,*PhD non secular, religious studies and spirituality 

– Clinical Hypnotherapist & Educator

My training in clinical hypnosis began in the early 1980s through the Nueces County Psychological Association, where I first studied under Dr. Jack Tractor, a Houston-based clinical hypnotherapist. I completed his full series of basic, intermediate, and advanced clinical hypnosis training, which laid the foundation for my integrative, trauma-informed approach.

Following this, I pursued advanced hypnotherapy training with Dr. Mary Louise Holt, PhD, a respected professor and clinician formerly on faculty at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. Dr. Holt’s mentorship deepened my understanding of subconscious healing and expanded my skill set in applying hypnotherapy to clinical and medical populations.

Over the decades, I’ve continued to specialize in:

Hypnosis for natural childbirth and fertility enhancement for women and couples navigating infertility

Weight loss hypnosis, including protocols for emotional eating, body image, and long-term wellness

Hypnosis to support cancer treatment, including pain management and symptom relief during radiation and chemotherapy

Hypnosis for bariatric surgery preparation and follow-up, including the use of Virtual Gastric Band (Virtual RYOT) techniques

I later received certification in clinical hypnotherapy through PeachTree Continuing Education and have continued to learn from a wide range of experts in the field of integrative and trauma-informed hypnosis.

I am a former Fellow of the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists (NBCCH). 

Today, I offer training seminars, CEUs, and professional development workshops for licensed professional counselors and other healing professionals across Texas. My method, Healing Within Hypnosis™, reflects over four decades of clinical experience, spiritual insight, and commitment to empowering transformation through the subconscious mind.