PA Hypnosis Center

Review: I contacted Pa hypnosis in April & asked about their program. They Gave me a description of what their program involves. I was told that my initial visit would be a basic intake process where they would take down my smoking history & goals. The second visit I was told would be when I was suppose to get hypnotized, then brought back in 30 days to check progress & additional visits thereafter as needed. They advertise that that give a customized Individualized hypnosis experience. Upon my first visit [redacted] met with me and we discussed my history... smoking concerns & triggers, etc... I thought that this information was being obtained to help put together my individualized program. When I arrived at my next appointment, I was put in a room with some glasses & head phones alone for roughly 15-20 minutes and listened to a cd. I left there confused 7 was told his was to prepare me to become a "non-smoker". Upon my third trip to their office... (mind you it is an hour and 15 minute drive for me each way), I was again placed in a room alone for about 10 minutes before [redacted] came in. He spoke to me very briefly before popping in another cd... glasses, headphones... etc. This cd was a generalized cd that talked about general smoking habits. I had told Mr [redacted] on several occasions that I only smoke in a bar setting. The cd had nothing to do with my individual issue. After the cd ended, I sat alone in that room for an additional 15 minutes before I got up and went to speak to the receptionist. When I handed Pa hypnosis & [redacted] my check for $350 after my first visit, I was under the assumption that Mr. [redacted] would be in the room with me. I called their office a number of times to voice my care & complaints. When they finally did return my call weeks later, I was told to submit my "concerns & complaints in writing"... which I did, and sent by registered mail... only to have it returned to me unsigned for. They mislead what they really do. It was horrible experience & a rip off.Desired Settlement: I believe a partial refund would be fair. Of the $350 I would like $200-$250 back. Although they offer a 98% guarantee. My grounds are based upon, False advertising, nothing individualized/customized to my particular situation & Failure to follow through with what they initially said the time line would be.He only deserves paid for the initial 45 minutes he spent on the 1st visit in the room with me. (which was suppose to be free consult) After they got my $ NOTHING transpired as they promised.

Business

Response:

Complaint ID #[redacted]

ID: #[redacted]

Dear Ms, [redacted]

We have tried on several occasions to address Ms. [redacted]’s concerns with no avail.

She attended a free consultation and evaluation in our office on April 16, 2013 and purchased a hypnosis stop smoking program at the discounted rate of $350,

Ms. [redacted] was concerned because we could not get her in for her quit date sooner, however he told us that she had limited availability and could not come in on Tuesday, Wednesdays or Fridays. We always do the best we can to accommodate the schedules of our clients but unfortunately, when there are such limitations it can be more difficult.

Ms. [redacted] also complained about false advertising, our programs are in fact individualized programs and designed for each client we work with. Even though she had not smoked for a few days before she came in her mental programming was still that of a smoker. The purpose of the "quit day" is to help tihe participant make the transition from having the mental programming of a smoker to the mental programming of a non- smoker. We also explained during the consultation process that we do use a patented and trademarked form of hypnosis known as the "33 Method" which incorporates, lights, sounds, brain music, electronics, direct and indirect suggestions. It is not appropriate to compare what we do in our hypnosis sessions to what someone’s general idea of a hypnosis session would be. The 33 Method is what makes our methods and techniques so powerful and effective as proven by our Olympic Gold Medalists that attribute much of their success to [redacted]'s 33 Method as well as the hundreds of lighters that we have in our office from successful non-smokers. We truly believe that had Ms. [redacted] continued the process with a positive attitude and an open mind, she would have been successful. We have offered her the opportunity to come back for additional sessions free of charge and even offered to make adjustments to her program to help her reach her goals. I have attached a copy of the response we sent to her on June 17, 2013 and a signed copy of her success guarantee stating that no refunds will be given and also noted in the top right hand coner are her scheduling limitations. Even though Ms. [redacted] is not eligible for a refund, we welcome the opportunity for her to come in and continue her program. We will make any adjustments necessary to help her reach her goals. Please call our office at ###-###-#### if you have any questions or need additional information.

Sincerely,

[redacted]. [redacted], M. Ed., CHt.

Board Certified and Licensed Hypnotherapist

Review: I am a honest person who was hopeful that hypnosis could help me improve my life. PA Hypnosis used deception and misrepresentation tactics during my free consultation after which I bought a package of sessions only to learn that the actual service I would receive would be entirely different than what I was lead to [redacted]ieve I would receive. The free consultation was done in person in a room where [redacted] has you sit in this professional "hypnosis" chair that he describes helps you reach ultimate meditation. Not once during the consultation was I informed that the sessions would not be with a live person, that they would be pre-recorded cd's that I would be told to listen to in a small room by myself with headphones sitting on a lazy boy chair (no hypnosis meditation chair was ever to be seen again). I was also told the sessions would be 45-60 mins long. My first session was only 25 mins long and when the headphones stopped playing no one came back into the room so I just sat there and waited. After 10-15 mins I just decided to leave and saw [redacted] in the hall and he waived goodbye so I guess I was supposed to know it was over. My second appointment was cancelled the day of and had to be rescheduled. For both my 2nd and 3rd sessions, [redacted] did not show up for an hour after my appointment time so I just sat there by myself in a dimly lit, small room until he arrived and put the headphones on me with no apologies about being late. I wanted to leave and [redacted] saw I had tears in my eyes and I expressed to him my concerns but I didn't want to waste the money I had spent so I stayed. Unfortunately, that was a mistake as I would very soon realize that my second and third sessions were the same exact recording; there wasn't even any warning that they would be the same, I don't think [redacted] knew until I said something to [redacted] at the end of the session. I never returned but did call to try to work through this; I still have two sessions remaining that I have paid for.Desired Settlement: I expect a full refund of $399. I also would hope that PA Hypnosis be held accountable for deceiving their prospective clients and for withholding vital information such as, "By the way, your sessions are not with [redacted]- they are with headphones and a room by yourself where you will listen to pre-recorded messages that may be the same message each time you come in." I still have 2 sessions left and they are not returning my call.

Business

Response:

RE: [redacted]Dear Ms. [redacted]The purpose of this letter is to dispute the complaint made by [redacted]. We are very disheartened that Ms[redacted] haschosen to take the actions that she has taken against our office instead of continuing her program. Ms. [redacted] attended afree consultation and evaluation in our office on November 5, 2014. After her consultation, we recdmmended sheparticipate in a program that would include 7 sessions and 2 follow ups at the discounted rate of $799. Ms. [redacted]explained that she wanted to start with the 3 session program and paid $399 toward her program which includes 3sessions and 2 free follow ups. We explained that we have patented and trademarked a specific type of hypnosisknown as the 33 Method that incorporates technology into our sessions. We also explained that because we wouldprepare Ms. [redacted]’s program in advance or policy is that no refunds will be given. We have attached a copy of thissigned success guarantee that outlines this policy. When Ms. [redacted] came in for her sessions we did our best toaccommodate her schedule and get her in as close to her appointment time as possible. Sometimes we do get delayedbecause of the nature of our business,when you are providing a Professional Service you are at the mercy of when yourclients arrive for their sessions and when our clients arrive late sometimes it pushes back our schedule. We alsoattempt to spend as much time with each client as they need so if a client needs more time with us sometimes that willcause a delay as well. Ms. [redacted] attended all three of her sessions but was in a hurry and had somewhere she needed tobe so we did not have the opportunity to spend extra time with her. She also provided us with a list of adjustments thatshe wanted us to make and we did our best to incorporate those into her program.Ms. [redacted] is not eligible for a refund because she did attend all of her sessions, however, we would be more than happyto provide additional sessions to her at no charge and make adjustments to help her reach her goals.Please call our office at ###-###-#### if you have any questions or need additional information.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear [redacted]ow.

Hi [redacted],