BIOGRAPHY

Harley Sears

My professional journey began over 27 years ago as a Mental Health Specialist at a psychiatric hospital, evolving into a successful hypnotherapy practice that has helped thousands of people overcome personal challenges. I hold a Diploma in Hypnotherapy from HMI College of Hypnotherapy, a Wellness Counseling Certificate from Cornell University, and a Specialization in Integrative Health and Medicine from the University of Minnesota.

Through my award-winning book The Magic in Metaphor, I've demonstrated how storytelling creates profound emotional shifts, using carefully crafted metaphors to help children reframe challenges and discover new perspectives. I also produced Close Your Eyes, a collection of sleep music that weaves hypnotic suggestions into lo-fi compositions. Most significantly, I've developed Placebo-Enhanced Hypnotic Intervention™, my signature method that harnesses the scientifically-proven power of the placebo effect to amplify hypnotic outcomes, essentially helping clients activate their own "internal pharmacy" for healing and change.

I offer sessions by Zoom for Healthcare—without losing the human connection that makes hypnosis so effective. I also partner with cruise lines, hotels, resorts, spas, and hospitals to bring in-person hypnotherapy directly to their guests, patients, and employees.

Experience

Hypnotherapist

Private Practice
2002 - Present

Youth Counselor

Ozanam Home for Boys
1999 - 2000

Psychiatric Technician

Willow Crest Hospital
1998 - 1999

Education

Diploma in Hypnotherapy

HMI College of Hypnotherapy

Wellness Counseling Certificate

Cornell University

Integrative Health and Medicine Specialization

University of Minnesota

Professional Development

Harnessing the power of Expectation, Suggestion and Imagery for Stroke Rehabilitation

The Royal Society of Medicine

Hypnosis and communication for the management of pain

The Royal Society of Medicine

Harnessing the placebo effect without deception

The Royal Society of Medicine

Associations

American Hypnosis Association

Member

Society for Interdisciplinary
Placebo Studies

Member

eCornell Alumni Group

Member

Published Works

The Magic In Metaphor

Author

Close Your Eyes

Producer

Awards and Recognition

Literary Awards

Royal Dragonfly Book Award (1st Place)
Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award
The Golden Wizard Book Prize
PenCraft Book Award
The BookFest Award
Literary Titan Gold Book Award
IAN Book of the Year Awards (Finalist)
The BookLife Prize (Quarter Finalist)
Wishing Shelf Book Awards (Red Ribbon)

Recognition

Amazon #1 New Release & Best Seller List
BookLife Elite by Publishers Weekly
Readers' Favorite Five Stars
Reader Views Five-Star Review

Community Engagement

Professional Leadership

Served as President of the Kansas City Chapter of the National Guild of Hypnotists

Ethics Development

Authored client safety and anti-discrimination provisions for the National Guild of Hypnotists Code of Ethics, creating lasting protections for clients nationwide

Professional Journals

Served as columnist for National Guild of Hypnotists Journal of Hypnotism

Media Outreach

Regular media spokesperson promoting public awareness and education about hypnosis to local, national, and international audiences

Public Health

Served as Public Health Ambassador to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

Academic Wellness

Provided hypnotherapy services to students at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy

Visiting Practitioner

Partner with cruise lines, hotels, resorts, spas, and hospitals to bring in-person hypnotherapy to their guests and employees

Wellness Consultant

Delivered hypnotherapy services to medical staff at Broadlawns Medical Center as part of their hospital wellness program

Team Leader

Oversaw team of psychiatric technicians in daily patient care and hospital operations | Owned and oversaw integrative health center providing comprehensive wellness services

Guest Speaker

Delivered presentations on wellness and business topics at colleges and universities

Youth Mentor

Served as mentor for at-risk youth in the Army National Guard's Youth Challenge Program

Volunteer Support

Provided mentorship services at Passages Youth Center and emotional support through 7 Cups online crisis platform

Hypnotherapy with Harley Sears
5440 West 110th Street, Suite 300
Overland Park, Kansas 66211
(913) 999-5819
hypnosis@harleysears.com