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Awe Inspired life
Clinical Hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Here lies an invitation to embark on a transformative journey of self-exploration and healing.
Why Choose Hypnotherapy and NLP?
The Science Behind Hypnotherapy and NLP
Clinical Hypnotherapy and Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) are supported by an expanding body of research that underscores their effectiveness in helping individuals make meaningful psychological and behavioral change. These modalities work by targeting the subconscious mind—where patterns, beliefs, and habits are deeply embedded.
Clinical Hypnotherapy: A Research-Based Intervention
Hypnotherapy is recognized by organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the British Medical Association (BMA) as a legitimate therapeutic practice. It involves guiding a client into a focused, relaxed state—known as a trance—in which the subconscious mind becomes more open to positive suggestion and change.
Key research highlights include:
Pain Management: Clinical hypnosis has been found to significantly reduce chronic pain intensity. In a meta-analysis, hypnosis demonstrated substantial benefits for individuals suffering from conditions like fibromyalgia and cancer-related pain.
Citation: Jensen, M. P., Patterson, D. R. (2006). Hypnotic approaches for chronic pain management: Clinical implications of recent research findings. American Psychologist, 60(2), 167–177. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.60.2.167Anxiety and Stress: Hypnotherapy has shown strong effectiveness in reducing anxiety symptoms, particularly in cases involving phobias, test anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorders.
Citation: Hammond, D. C. (2010). Hypnosis in the treatment of anxiety- and stress-related disorders. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 10(2), 263–273. https://doi.org/10.1586/ern.09.140Smoking Cessation: Studies report hypnotherapy can be more effective than behavioral counseling alone for smoking cessation.
Citation: Elkins, G. R., Marcus, J., Bates, J., Rajab, M. H., & Cook, T. D. (2006). Hypnotherapy for the management of chronic pain. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 54(2), 135–147. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207140500528118Functional Brain Changes: Neuroimaging studies reveal that hypnosis alters activity in key brain regions responsible for attention, awareness, and self-monitoring—creating ideal conditions for psychological change.
Citation: Oakley, D. A., & Halligan, P. W. (2013). Hypnotic suggestion: Opportunities for cognitive neuroscience. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 14(8), 565–576. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3538
Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP): Cognitive Rewiring in Action
Though NLP is not as deeply rooted in academic research as hypnotherapy, it remains a widely used and practical set of tools in coaching and therapeutic contexts. NLP techniques are based on principles now echoed in neuroscience, such as neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire itself based on new patterns of thought and behavior.
Applications supported by emerging evidence include:
Treating Trauma and Phobias: Techniques like the “Fast Phobia Cure” have shown positive outcomes in clinical settings, particularly for PTSD and irrational fears.
Citation: Einspruch, E. L., & Forman, B. D. (1985). Observations concerning research literature on Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 32(4), 589–596. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.32.4.589Behavioral Change and Communication: NLP tools help reshape internal dialogue and behavior, aligning subconscious beliefs with conscious goals.
Evidence-Based, Client-Focused
In my practice, I combine this science-backed knowledge with a compassionate, individualized approach. Whether you’re working through anxiety, chronic stress, or limiting beliefs, you can trust that our work together is grounded in both clinical evidence and human connection

Joanna Sproul
MA Ed., C. HT., NLP P.
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Hello and Welcome!
Hello, I’m Joanna Sproul, a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner with a passion for helping individuals break through barriers, align with their values, and create lasting change. My approach is rooted in evidence-based methods, professional integrity, and a deep respect for each client’s unique journey.
I received my formal training and certification through the Appositiva Institute in Portland, Oregon—one of the region’s most respected and long-standing Clinical Hypnotherapy training centers. With over 100 hours of clinical training and extensive client experience, I bring a blend of precision, intuition, and proven methodology to every session.
I am a proud member of the Oregon Hypnotherapy Association, where I continue to advance my knowledge and uphold the highest standards of ethical and effective practice.
What sets me apart is the foundation I bring from my earlier career as a music educator. Years spent guiding others through the creative process taught me how to listen deeply, communicate clearly, and support people in expressing their truest selves. That experience continues to inform my work, adding a layer of artistry and emotional intelligence to the science of hypnotherapy.
My mission is simple: to provide powerful, personalized support that helps you live more freely, fully, and authentically. Whether you're navigating stress, shifting habits, or stepping into a new chapter, I’m here to offer expert guidance, grounded tools, and a safe, compassionate space for transformation.
About me:
Is Hypnotherapy for you?
I’m here to say the changes you seek are possible!
I specialize in services for:
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Stress Relief
Imagine what your life could look like if stress wasn’t running the show—if calm, clarity, and ease were your new normal.
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Performance Enhancement
What if you could step into your fullest potential—focused, confident, and completely in flow—whenever it matters most? Imagine performing without the weight of self-doubt, hesitation, or mental blocks. Just you, at your best—clear, calm, and capable. Whether it’s on stage, in sport, or at work, performance doesn’t just depend on skill—it depends on mindset. Hypnotherapy helps align your inner world with your outer goals.
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Habit Modification
What if you no longer reached for food when stressed, picked at your nails without thinking, or hit snooze for the fifth time in the morning? These habits might feel automatic—but they aren’t permanent. Through hypnotherapy, we work at the subconscious level to shift the patterns behind behaviors like emotional eating, smoking, nail biting, procrastination, excessive screen time, or poor sleep routines.
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Confidence, Self love and Acceptance
What if you could trust yourself fully—without needing to prove, perfect, or perform? Imagine moving through your day with quiet confidence, feeling at home in your body and at peace with who you are. Hypnotherapy helps release the inner critic, dissolve outdated beliefs, and reconnect you with a sense of worthiness that isn’t conditional. Whether you're struggling with self-doubt, body image, imposter syndrome, or people-pleasing, this work helps you build genuine self-trust, compassion, and inner strength—from the inside out.
What are people saying about Awe Inspired Life Hypnotherapy and NLP?
“I had the most wonderful experience with Awe Inspired Life during my 70-minute hypnotherapy session. Joanna made me feel completely safe and at ease. She created a space that was free of judgment, where I felt comfortable being open and vulnerable. The session was incredibly personalized to my needs, and Jo was encouraging and calming throughout. I left feeling relaxed, refreshed, and truly supported. She also provided me with helpful tools to use outside of the session! Highly recommend her services to anyone looking for a transformative experience.”
-Chloe H.
"Before working with Joanna, just the thought of singing solo made my heart race. I loved music but hid behind group performances for years. Through our sessions, I uncovered the root of my fear and, with guidance, rebuilt my confidence. Not only did I perform a solo at our last gig, but I actually enjoyed it. I sing with freedom now, and it’s brought joy back into my voice and my life."
-Elena R.
Does This sound like You? Click eAch box to learn More.
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How NLP and Hypnotherapy Can Support Anxiety and Stress Relief
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy are two approaches that many people use to support emotional well-being and manage feelings of anxiety and stress. These techniques can encourage more helpful thought patterns and promote a greater sense of calm and control.
1. NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)
NLP looks at how language, thought patterns, and behavior interact. It’s often used in personal development to help people shift how they respond to challenges.
Shifting Perspectives: NLP techniques can help individuals become more aware of unhelpful thought patterns and experiment with more supportive or empowering ways of thinking.
Emotional Anchoring: NLP can be used to create associations between specific triggers and positive emotional states, which can be helpful during stressful moments.
Visualization Practices: Using guided imagery, NLP can support people in mentally rehearsing positive outcomes, helping to build confidence and reduce fear.
2. Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy involves guiding someone into a relaxed, focused state where they can explore new perspectives and reinforce positive suggestions.
Promoting Relaxation: Hypnotherapy can help calm the body and mind, supporting a reduction in tension and mental overwhelm.
Exploring Beliefs and Patterns: In a relaxed state, individuals can feel more comfortable accessing deeper thoughts and emotions, allowing space for reflection and insight.
Encouraging Mental Reset: Hypnotherapy can support changes in how someone responds to stress, helping them access a calmer, more balanced state of mind.
Combining NLP and Hypnotherapy
Together, NLP and hypnotherapy can provide practical tools for emotional self-care. Many people find these approaches helpful in building resilience, shifting their mindset, and managing day-to-day stress more effectively.
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How NLP and Hypnotherapy Can Support Performance Enhancement
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy are widely used tools in personal development, especially among high-performing athletes, artists, and professionals. These approaches can support improved mindset, focus, and resilience — all of which are crucial for peak performance.
1. NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)
NLP examines how our thoughts, language, and behavior patterns shape our results. It offers tools for refining mental strategies, breaking through limitations, and modeling success.
Building Confidence: NLP can help shift self-limiting beliefs and create more empowering internal dialogue, which many performers and athletes find helpful in high-pressure scenarios.
Mental Rehearsal: Techniques like visualization and anchoring can support mental preparation and help individuals embody successful states before a big event or performance.
Focus and Goal Clarity: NLP supports sharper goal-setting, improved decision-making, and better concentration.
Many elite performers credit NLP techniques as part of their mindset training. For instance, Tiger Woods has been known to use visualization and mental rehearsal techniques aligned with NLP principles. Tony Robbins, a well-known peak performance coach, has popularized NLP among athletes and executives worldwide.
2. Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation and focused attention to support changes in thought patterns, behaviors, and emotional responses.
Enhancing Concentration: Hypnotherapy can promote deep mental focus and reduce distractions, which is especially helpful in high-stakes or performance-based environments.
Strengthening Mental Resilience: Through suggestion and guided imagery, individuals can reinforce calm, control, and motivation under pressure.
Accessing “Flow” States: Hypnotherapy can help performers tap into creative or peak performance states more reliably.
Hypnotherapy has also been used by high achievers across disciplines. Michael Jordan and Serena Williams are among athletes reported to have used forms of mental coaching that include hypnosis techniques. In the performing arts, Adele has spoken about using hypnotherapy to help manage stage fright.
Combining NLP and Hypnotherapy
Together, NLP and hypnotherapy can offer a supportive structure for enhancing performance. These techniques can help individuals stay mentally sharp, emotionally balanced, and connected to their goals. Many high achievers incorporate these tools as part of their overall mental conditioning strategy.
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How NLP and Hypnotherapy Can Support Habit Modification
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy are widely used in personal development for those looking to shift unwanted habits or build more supportive routines. While not medical treatments, these approaches can support mindset shifts, increase motivation, and help individuals create lasting behavioral change.
1. NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)
NLP explores how thought patterns, language, and behavior are connected. It provides tools for understanding why certain habits form and how to rewire the mental strategies behind them.
Rewiring Thought Patterns: NLP can help identify the internal triggers and beliefs that keep a habit in place, and then support the process of replacing them with more productive patterns.
Anchoring New Behaviors: Using specific cues or “anchors,” NLP can help individuals access desired states like motivation, calmness, or discipline when they’re most needed.
Changing Automatic Responses: NLP techniques such as “swish patterns” can help redirect the mental imagery and feelings associated with unwanted habits, making it easier to choose different behaviors.
2. Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy involves entering a deeply relaxed, focused state where the subconscious mind becomes more open to suggestions and change.
Reinforcing Positive Behaviors: Hypnotherapy can help strengthen new habits by reinforcing desired actions at the subconscious level.
Breaking Unconscious Cycles: Many habits are automatic and deeply rooted. In hypnosis, individuals can gain insight into these patterns and create new mental associations.
Supporting Motivation and Commitment: Hypnotherapy sessions often include guided suggestions that help boost self-belief, reduce internal resistance, and make new habits feel more achievable.
Several public figures have turned to hypnotherapy for habit change. For instance, Matt Damon used hypnosis to stop smoking, as did Adele, who credited hypnotherapy with helping her quit as well. Others have used it to support changes in eating, sleep, and exercise behaviors.
Combining NLP and Hypnotherapy
Used together, NLP and hypnotherapy can provide a powerful structure for habit change. NLP works on conscious strategies and decision-making, while hypnotherapy supports deeper subconscious alignment. This combination can help people stay motivated, reduce self-sabotage, and reinforce lasting, positive change.
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How NLP and Hypnotherapy Can Support Self-Love and Confidence
Building self-love and confidence is a meaningful part of personal growth, and many people use tools like Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy to support that process. While not clinical treatments, these approaches can help shift limiting beliefs, encourage a more compassionate inner voice, and strengthen emotional resilience.
1. NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)
NLP explores how our thoughts, language, and behaviors influence our emotional experience. It offers practical techniques for reshaping how we see ourselves and interact with the world.
Transforming Negative Self-Talk: NLP can help identify patterns of self-criticism and replace them with more supportive, empowering inner dialogue.
Building Positive Beliefs: Through techniques like affirmations and visualization, NLP can support the development of beliefs such as “I am worthy” or “I am capable.”
Modeling Confidence: NLP encourages individuals to mentally rehearse confident behaviors and adopt strategies that reflect self-assurance and calmness in everyday life.
2. Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy involves entering a relaxed, focused state where the subconscious mind becomes more open to positive suggestions and emotional insight.
Releasing Inner Doubt: In this relaxed state, individuals can access and let go of past experiences or beliefs that may contribute to low self-esteem or insecurity.
Reinforcing Self-Worth: Hypnotherapy can be used to introduce affirming suggestions and inner imagery that strengthen feelings of self-love, acceptance, and inner peace.
Creating Emotional Safety: Hypnotherapy sessions often provide a calming environment where people feel safe to explore and nurture their self-image.
Using NLP and Hypnotherapy Together
When combined, NLP and hypnotherapy can offer a well-rounded approach to developing deeper self-love and confidence. NLP works on conscious thought patterns and behavior change, while hypnotherapy supports emotional shifts at a subconscious level. Over time, these tools can help individuals feel more grounded, empowered, and aligned with their true sense of self.
start living a better life today!
Although I specialize in habit modification, self-love and acceptance, performance enhancement, and stress, Hypnotherapy and NLP have many uses and applications.
Other things NLP/ hypnotherapy can aid in:
Overcoming fear and phobias
Lose weight
Pain relief
Improve sleep
Identify and release negative emotions caused by trauma
Support in the grief process
Boost motivation and sharpen focus
Resolving conflicts and negotiating for desired results
Kick the sugar habit
Achieve your goals
Spiritual development
Awe Inspired Life
Uses Hypnotherapy and NLP in these and many other areas to help people make positive changes, gain insight, and feel relief.
Amidst life's challenges, Clinical hypnotherapy and Neuro-linguistic Programming therapy provide an outlet to help the client grow, develop resilience, and discover new strengths and insights that can ultimately lead to personal evolution and a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.
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Most people walk through the world in a trance of
disempowerment.
Our work is to transform that into a trance of
empowerment.
~ Milton Erickson
What To Expect
What to Expect in Your Hypnotherapy & NLP Sessions
At Awe Inspired Life, your journey toward personal transformation begins with a clear and supportive process. Whether you're new to hypnotherapy and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) or have experience, we tailor each session to your individual needs and goals.
1. Initial Consultation (Free/Optional)
We begin with a complimentary consultation (15–30 minutes), either by phone or online. This is your chance to ask questions, share your goals, and see if we're the right fit to work together. There’s no obligation—just a conversation.
2. First Session – Discovery & Foundation
In your first full session, we’ll explore your challenges, identify specific goals, and begin building the foundation for change. This session often includes an introduction to light trance or NLP techniques so you can experience how they work in a safe and relaxed environment.
5. Customized Sessions
Each follow-up session is tailored to your progress. Using a blend of hypnotherapy and NLP techniques, we’ll work to reframe limiting beliefs, shift emotional patterns, and align your mindset with your desired outcomes. Most clients begin to notice changes within the first few sessions.
4. Integration & Support
Between sessions, you may receive tools, exercises, or recordings to reinforce the work we’ve done. This helps integrate the changes into your daily life and supports long-term transformation.
5. Ongoing or As-Needed Sessions
Some clients benefit from short-term work (3–6 sessions), while others prefer periodic sessions for continued growth. The choice is always yours.
Let’s work together
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!
Follow the journey.
Contact Info
Hours
Monday–Friday
8am-5pm
Phone and Email
(503) 724-7240 aweinpiredlife1@gmail.com
Location
Appointments are Virtual over Zoom
Aren’t the photos gorgeous?!
Yes, yes, they are. Bend, OR, artist Olivia Baggerly did all the photography on this website. Olivia is a photographer, painter, writer, and a dear friend of mine. She imbues each piece of art with mystery, whimsy, nostalgia, and wisdom. It’s not easy to do, yet she manages to do it every time. I’m enamored with her work and feel honored that it’s featured on my website.
Please check out her work! Click on the photo to visit her website.



