Contact Information: My name is Shawna Steilen. I can be contacted through my virtual/online business office at 821 Dawsonville Hwy STE 250-193, Gainesville, GA 30501 or by telephone at 1-888-880-4933.

Education and Training: I completed my certification training to become a Certified Hypnotherapist / Certified Hypnotist at The Pathlight Centre in Singapore. I am a Certified Member of the National Guild of Hypnotists and I do annual continuing education to maintain my training at a high level. The National Guild of Hypnotists is the oldest and largest hypnotism organization in the world and its certification is the most widely recognized credential for the professional practice of the hypnotic arts.

Notice: AS THE STATE OF GEORGIA HAS NOT ADOPTED EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF HYPNOTISM, THIS STATEMENT OF CREDENTIALS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.  Hypnotism is a self-regulating profession and its practitioners are not licensed by state governments. I am not a physician nor a licensed health care provider and may not provide a medical diagnosis nor recommend discontinuance of medically prescribed treatments. If a client desires a diagnosis or any other type of treatment from a different practitioner, the client may seek such services at any time. In the event my services are terminated by a client, the client has a right to coordinated transfer of services to another practitioner. A client has a right to refuse hypnotism services at any time. A client has a right to be free of physical, verbal or sexual abuse. A client has a right to know the expected duration of sessions, and may assert any right without retaliation.

Redress: I am a certified member of the National Guild of Hypnotists, and practice in accordance with its Code of Ethics and Standards. If you have a complaint about my services or behavior that I cannot resolve for you personally, you may contact the National Guild of Hypnotists at P.O. Box 308, Merrimack, NH 03054-0308, (603) 429-9438, to seek redress. Other services than my own may be available to you in the community. You may locate such providers online. 

Fees: Fees are subject to change. Please ask for the most recent fee schedule. You will be given 10 days' notice of any change in fees. Payment is due in full at the time of scheduled appointment and insurance is unfortunately not accepted. Payments can be made by credit card or bank account via PayPal. Sessions purchased in a package can be used up to 1 year from purchase date.

Appointment Communication Methods: I use text messaging, along with email and/or phone, to communicate appointment information (i.e. confirmations, changes, cancellations, etc.) for Free Consultation and Hypnosis Session request in which message and data rates may apply. You can reply STOP to simply opt out of text messaging communications.

Cancellation Policy: My hours are by appointment. Your appointment time is reserved exclusively for you. Please attend/connect promptly to obtain your full session. I require a 24-hour cancellation or rescheduling notice. Unless cancelled or rescheduled, you are financially responsible for the time reserved. Missed sessions are subject to forfeiture with no refund given. Attending more than 10 minutes late for a session is considered a "missed" session.

Confidentiality: I will not release any information to anyone without a written authorization from you, except as provided for by law. You have a right to be allowed access to my written record about you.

Insurance: I suggest you think of my services as something that you will pay for personally. That will both protect your privacy and help you value the work you are doing more. In general, insurance companies do not like to cover hypnotic services, and I caution you not to expect them to do so.

My Approach: I believe that individuals have the right to choose alternative or complementary self-improvement services. Hypnosis is safe and non-invasive. It is a wonderful tool that you use to help yourself. Essentially, all hypnosis is self- hypnosis. You will learn how to use breathing and visualization to facilitate a state of deep relaxation. Basically, the services I render are combined with instruction in self-hypnosis. I do not represent my services as any form of health care, psychotherapy or counseling and despite research to the contrary, by law I may make no health benefit claims for my services. Hypnosis is not meant to be a substitute for psychological or professional counseling. I use hypnosis to motivate clients to eliminate negative or unwanted habits, facilitate the learning process, improve memory and concentration, develop self-confidence, improve athletic ability, reduce stress and for other social, educational and cultural endeavors of a non-medical nature. In general, I help people to cope with the normal problems of everyday living by utilizing various techniques of hypnosis. Hypnosis reduces stress, which is a beneficial adjunct for many medical or mental health disorders. Hypnosis can be used to reduce pain, discomfort and improve certain health problems. For anything related to pain relief or other medical or mental health issues, I will need a written referral from your applicable licensed medical, dental or mental health professional. All other issues may be self-referrals.

Children: Appointments for children under the age of 18 require written permission from parent or guardian who must accompany the client at the first session, unless there is a mutual agreement beforehand.

Recorded Sessions: Sessions may be recorded for reinforcement of suggestions made during the session. I do not retain the recordings once I send them to you, so please note that these become your property. Do not listen to the recordings while driving or during any other activity as for they require your full attention.

Number of Sessions: Hypnosis is a very powerful process that has helped thousands of people to make the kinds of changes that they want to make in their lives. However, hypnosis is not "mind control". For example, no one, not even the very best hypnotherapist, could make you lose weight, or stop smoking if you really don't want to. Nor could the hypnotherapist accurately predict how many sessions it will take. Most people (but not everyone) begin to experience the benefits (from the very first session) and most people are done in three or four sessions. We limit the number of hypnosis sessions for any particular issue to six sessions in most cases. If it takes more than six sessions, hypnosis may not be right for you. Ultimately, you are responsible for the changes that occur as a result of the hypnosis sessions.

Guarantee: Hypnosis is not always a quick fix. Individual results vary and are influenced by a person's readiness, receptivity and commitment to creating change. While many clients achieve positive changes there is no guarantee that you will achieve the results you desire, nor are refunds given for services rendered. I do pledge my efforts to help you to the best of my ability as for I sincerely want you to succeed!

Client Signature: I have received and read this Client Bill of Rights and understand what I have read.