Photo by baby thompson
your guide through the dreamscape
I’m Kristen, a certified hypnotist and interdisciplinary artist who works at the intersection of memory, imagination, and spirit. My current practices focus on language and sound as instruments of care. I am the descendant of care workers, earth tenders, teachers, and singers who called the islands known as the Philippines home.
Like many others, I was born into someone else's imagination — belief systems which perpetuate cycles of harm and disconnection from ourselves, each other, and the earth. As someone with a queer, diasporic identity, I grew up feeling that my own desires, fears, questions, and very existence were peripheral, unimportant, or invisible. Despite how loud these feelings were inside me, I ignored them. I lived with a deep sense of misalignment, manifesting into imbalances that some might call severe depression, anger, perfectionism, low self-esteem, and interpersonal challenges.
I realized that other possibilities of existing were available to me. I continue to learn that I can nurture and embody them — along with the parts of myself that I antagonize — by getting deeply curious about what my desires as much as my fears have to say to and share with me. This realization set a nonlinear course for what has become my current art, care, spiritual, and relational practices.
inside voice is a love letter to my younger self and to the parts of me that can never be silenced. inside voice is a practice (and process) of deepening our relationship to our imagination to create other possibilities for ourselves, each other, and our world.
i offer 1:1 hypnosis and past life regression sessions and am available to collaborate on workshops and events
What are the benefits of hypnosis?
Nurture a creative and collaborative, rather than antagonistic, relationship with yourself
Experience a sense of physical relaxation, mental focus, and energetic receptivity to different perspectives for a given challenge
Explore ideas, possibilities, or solutions that you may not have previously considered
Explore constructs of time, where you may learn from or make amends with your past, better envision your future, and ground in the present
Cultivate a sense of adaptability, personal power, and choice amid changes, transitions, and uncertainty
Address your given challenges, blocks, fears, and desires with a greater sense of curiosity and adaptability
Develop an unconventional, nonlinear approach to a given challenge
What is hypnosis and how does it work?
Hypnosis uses our natural ability to go into trance to 1) interrupt limiting patterns of thinking 2) shift our attention and imagination toward more supportive ideas and 3) through multiple sessions, embody our desired change. Hypnosis allows us to connect with our subconscious, unearthing the ideas, possibilities and solutions that might not have been as accessible in our everyday awareness. It is a practice that can help us through emotional challenges, mental blocks, unsupportive habits, and life transitions.
What is trance?
Trance is a deep state of physical calm, mental focus, and open-mindedness. In this state, we are generally in-between being awake and asleep, maintaining consciousness and control over our minds and bodies. We experience trance on a day-to-day basis, for example, when we scroll through our social media feeds, daydream, watch a movie, drive for extended periods of time, or immerse ourselves in an art practice.
What is past life regression?
Past life regression is a form of hypnosis. Past life regression involves a deep, narrative journey exploring the various dimensions of our lived experiences. These guided explorations offer us wisdom and clarity that can support us with our current experiences.
What is it like to work with you?
I use an intuitive combination of verbal prompts, visualization exercises, relaxation techniques, somatic practices, and conversation to guide you into your own, natural trance state. In this way, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. My sessions are creative, collaborative, and conversational. I cultivate spaces of rest, play, wonder, and curiosity intended to challenge unsupportive patterns of thinking, cultivate self-trust and intuition, and catalyze desired change. You can read about clients’ experiences with me here.
What other experiences inform your path?
Participant, Filipinx Food as Medicine: Healing with Autumn Transitions, 5-week community circle and class with Kai Delgado Pfeifer (October 2023)
The Ceremonialist’s 5-week workshop Sacred Bridge: to honor and acknowledge transitions through ceremony (June 2023)
Flower Essences for Emotional Health with Emily Ruff, Florida School of Holistic Living (2021)
Practicing artist and musician, taupe set xl
Hypnosis certification, National Guild of Hypnotists (2021)
Student, Hypnotherapy certification program (CHt), Divine Feminine School of Hypnosis (2020)
Participant, AZN FEMME CATHARSIS, 8-week group work & 1-on-1 guidance program (2019)
Podcast host and producer, Kidnapped for Dinner, longform interviews with artists (2018-2020)
10+ years of professional experience in storytelling and mass communication (public relations, copywriting, branding, and graphic design)
Participant, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), one year of individual counseling and group skills training (2014)
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Miami (2012)
Is hypnosis considered therapy?
Hypnosis is not a substitute for therapy and treatment provided by licensed psychotherapists, counselors, psychiatric physicians or medical doctors. Hypnosis can be a complement to therapy and treatment. I am a certified hypnosis practitioner and artist, not a licensed mental health professional, therapist, or counselor. Our work together is ultimately creative and collaborative.
