Clinical Hypnotherapy · Ericksonian Hypnosis · Depth-Oriented Work
Change begins beneath the surface.
Michael A. Kamins, PhD, MA, CCHt helps adults who feel stuck in recurring emotional, behavioral, or creative patterns. His approach brings together Ericksonian hypnotherapy, guided imagery, NLP, dream work, and depth psychology to help create greater flexibility, choice, and possibility.
About Michael
Depth, imagination, and practical change.
Michael's work reflects a long-standing interest in how the conscious and unconscious mind shape behavior, meaning, creativity, and change.
His background combines advanced study in counseling psychology and hypnotherapy with years of teaching and curriculum development. His graduate work in depth psychology, along with additional study at the C. G. Jung Institute, informs his interest in dreams, symbols, archetypal patterns, creativity, and the deeper meanings that can emerge through psychological work. His style is collaborative, reflective, and grounded in helping people discover what is already present within them.
What Makes Michael's Approach Distinctive
Clinical depth, Ericksonian skill, and a writer's sensitivity to language.
Michael brings together the precision of a trained hypnotherapist, the depth of Jungian and depth psychology, and the sensitivity of a published poet, writer, and teacher.
His work has been shaped by advanced study through the Milton H. Erickson Foundation, graduate training in depth psychology, additional Jungian study, and years of teaching Ericksonian hypnosis.
This background, together with his work as a published poet and writer, gives him particular sensitivity to language, imagery, emotion, dreams, metaphor, and unconscious expectation.
Rather than relying on a fixed script, Michael adapts the work to the individual, drawing from hypnosis, guided imagery, NLP, metaphor, dream work, and depth-oriented exploration according to what the person responds to.
He also teaches and coaches hypnotherapists who want to deepen their Ericksonian skills and move beyond formulaic approaches.
Approach
Practical tools with room for deeper exploration.
Sessions may draw from several approaches, selected to fit the individual and the goals of the work.
Clinical Hypnotherapy
Focused work with attention, imagery, relaxation, and subconscious patterns.
Ericksonian Hypnosis
Flexible, indirect approaches influenced by the work of Milton H. Erickson.
Jungian & Depth Psychology
Drawing on depth psychology and the work of C. G. Jung to explore dreams, symbols, archetypal patterns, creativity, and personal meaning.
NLP & Guided Imagery
Experiential techniques for shifting habits, internal imagery, and response patterns.
Why People Seek Michael
When understanding the problem has not been enough.
Sometimes a person knows exactly why they feel anxious, stuck, discouraged, or caught in a repeating pattern — and yet insight alone has not changed the way the mind and body respond.
Michael offers a different way of working. Rather than focusing only on the conscious story of a problem, he also works with the imagery, associations, habits, expectations, and automatic responses that can keep distress in place.
Using Ericksonian hypnotherapy, guided imagery, metaphor, dream work, NLP, and depth-oriented approaches, he helps clients explore new internal responses in a way that is collaborative, respectful, and highly individualized.
His goal is not to tell people what to think or promise a quick fix. It is to help them become less governed by old patterns and more able to access choice, calm, confidence, creativity, and a greater sense of possibility.
When you feel stuck
For patterns that keep repeating even when you understand them intellectually.
When reactions feel automatic
For anxiety, stress, habits, self-doubt, sleep difficulties, or performance blocks that seem to take over before conscious choice can catch up.
When you need a gentler way in
Michael's approach can use metaphor, imagery, and indirect suggestion rather than relying only on direct advice or analysis.
When you want more than symptom control
Depth-oriented work can also make room for meaning, identity, creativity, dreams, and personal growth.
How Michael Works
Helping the mind become part of the solution.
Michael approaches problems as patterns involving thoughts, emotions, imagery, habits, and the body. The goal is not simply to talk about a problem, but to understand how the pattern is being maintained and help create a more useful response.
Understand the Pattern
Identify the thoughts, beliefs, triggers, habits, and internal responses that keep a problem repeating.
Access a Different State
Use hypnosis, guided imagery, dream work, and focused attention to create greater flexibility and access inner resources.
Build New Responses
Rehearse more adaptive patterns of thought, behavior, self-image, and future possibility.
Areas of Focus
Where this work may be useful.
Michael works with adults on a wide range of concerns. What unifies the work is an orientation toward depth, meaning, and the resources of the unconscious mind.
Life Coaching
Clarity, direction, and meaningful forward movement.
For individuals seeking greater clarity, direction, confidence, or a renewed sense of purpose. Coaching is collaborative and forward-focused, helping clients identify goals, recognize patterns that may be holding them back, strengthen decision-making, and turn insight into meaningful action.
Life coaching can be used on its own or alongside hypnotherapy, depending on the client's goals.
For Hypnotherapists
Ericksonian skills, coaching, and professional development.
Learn to think more Ericksonian.
Michael also coaches and teaches hypnotherapists who want to deepen their Ericksonian skills. His work with professionals can include the use of metaphor, therapeutic language, indirect suggestion, utilization, trance strategy, NLP, imagery, and creative approaches to case formulation.
Drawing on years of teaching at HMI and his work developing Ericksonian hypnosis curriculum, Michael helps practitioners move beyond memorized scripts toward a more flexible, responsive, and individualized use of hypnosis.
“I am amazed by the work of Michael, he is an extraordinary teacher. There were many moments I clapped on the other side of the screen after hearing some of his ways of putting things together in the most beautiful and astonishing way. He is so knowledgeable about the mind and Erickson's work that the way we put very complex information into simpler forms to the public is mesmerizing. Thank you.”
— A.M., Campelos, Lisbon, PT · AHA course attendee
A Creative Inner Life
The work is not only about solving problems. It is also about discovering possibility.
Michael's approach leaves room for imagination, symbolism, language, and the creative intelligence of the unconscious.
Education & Credentials
Formal training across psychology and clinical hypnotherapy.
Michael's academic and professional training spans psychology, depth psychology, mind-body psychology, and clinical hypnotherapy.
2023
PhD
Manna University
2013
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
Pacifica Graduate Institute
Emphasis in Depth Psychology · Academic Honors
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Argosy University
2022
Associate of Occupational Studies in Mind-Body Psychology
Hypnosis Motivation Institute
With Honors
2007–2008
Diplomas in Clinical Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis Motivation Institute
With Honors
2015
Advanced Ericksonian Training · Milton H. Erickson Foundation
12th International Erickson Congress — Full Conference, 29.5 hours · Master Class in Hypnotic Psychotherapy — Post-Conference, 6 hours.
Additional Study · C. G. Jung Institute
Additional coursework in Jungian psychology and the depth-psychology tradition.
Milton H. Erickson Foundation
Intensive Training in Ericksonian Hypnosis and Psychotherapy · Advanced professional training in Ericksonian hypnosis, therapeutic communication, and individualized approaches to therapeutic change.
Certification
Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (CCHt)
American Hypnosis Association
Education & Recognition
A foundation of study, teaching, and distinction.
Michael's HMI/AHA profile documents honors throughout his professional training as well as long-standing work in Ericksonian hypnosis education.
2018 · Lifetime Achievement Award
Drs. John & Alex Kappas Memorial Award
Lifetime achievement recognition from HMI/AHA.
Academic Honors
Honors throughout training
HMI Clinical Hypnotherapy and AOS programs, along with academic honors in graduate study.
Advanced Ericksonian Study
Milton H. Erickson Foundation
Completed the 2015 International Erickson Congress and a post-conference Master Class in Hypnotic Psychotherapy before going on to teach and develop Ericksonian curriculum.
Professional Profiles
Psychology Today · HMI/AHA
Current public profiles provide additional background, training, and professional information.
Professional Endorsement
Recognized by HMI leadership.
“I have found Michael to be a sensitive, gentle and compassionate person both professionally and personally.”
— George Kappas, MA, LMFT · Director, HMI College of Hypnotherapy · March 2025
What Students Say
From practitioners who have trained with Michael.
“Michael's course was one of the most substantive and clinically useful trainings I have attended. His integration of depth psychology with Ericksonian hypnotherapy opened new dimensions in my practice.”
— M.T. · AHA Course Attendee · Belgium
“A rare combination of intellectual depth and genuine warmth. Michael creates a learning environment that is both rigorous and deeply human.”
— Course Participant · United States
“I came away with new clinical tools and a richer understanding of the unconscious. Highly recommended for any serious practitioner.”
— Hypnotherapist · California
“Michael's teaching style is unhurried, precise, and deeply respectful of the complexity of this work.”
— Psychotherapist · New York
Fees & Consultation
Clear, simple information before you begin.
$250 per individual session
Online sessions only, conducted via Zoom.
A complimentary 15-minute consultation is available to discuss your goals and whether this approach may be a good fit.
Sliding-scale rates and session packages may be available. Contact Michael directly for current availability.
Contact
Get in Touch
Thank you for your interest in working with Michael A. Kamins.
Email is the preferred way to inquire about hypnotherapy, life coaching, professional mentoring, or scheduling a consultation.
Email MichaelWhen emailing Michael, please include:
- Your name and contact information
- What brings you to hypnotherapy, life coaching, or professional mentoring
- What you hope to achieve through working together
- Which service interests you most
- Your preferred time and method of contact
Please avoid including sensitive personal or medical information in your initial email.
Michael looks forward to connecting with you.