About Harley
Harley Sears has spent nearly three decades helping people achieve lasting positive change. His credentials include a Diploma in Hypnotherapy from HMI College of Hypnotherapy, a Wellness Counseling Certificate from Cornell University, and an Integrative Health and Medicine Specialization from the University of Minnesota.
His training in pain reprocessing introduced him to a growing body of neuroscience research showing that the brain can generate and sustain chronic pain, even after an injury has healed, or without any injury at all. That understanding now informs how he approaches chronic pain in his own practice.
Harley is the author of The Magic in Metaphor, an Amazon bestseller that earned multiple literary awards including first-place in the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, and was selected for Publishers Weekly's BookLife Elite collection. His work is regularly mentioned in popular media, including BBC News, Fast Company, Ask Dr. Drew, and Yahoo Life.
The strongest signal of trust comes from healthcare and mental health professionals: doctors, nurses, and counselors refer their patients to him, many become clients themselves, and even fellow hypnotherapists choose him for their own care.
Today, Harley runs a fully virtual hypnotherapy practice serving clients nationwide, alongside in-person pop-up sessions at partner wellness spaces across the country.
Experience
Hypnotherapist
Private Practice | 2002-Present
- Operate and manage a successful nationwide practice, serving a diverse clientele with a focus on research-informed hypnotherapy.
- Conduct client assessments, develop individualized plans, and provide ongoing support.
- Built and operated physical offices in major metropolitan areas, including Beverly Hills, New York City, San Francisco, Portland, and Kansas City before transitioning to a nationwide virtual practice.
Youth Counselor
Ozanam Home for Boys | 1999-2000
- Supervised and ensured the safety of residents in a residential treatment facility.
- Coached youth on essential daily living skills to promote independence and positive behavioral change.
Psychiatric Technician
Willow Crest Hospital | 1998-1999
- Delivered direct patient care and administered therapeutic interventions under nursing supervision.
- Served as Team Leader to psychiatric technicians and was a key responder to crisis situations.
Credentials
Education
- Diploma in Hypnotherapy | HMI College of Hypnotherapy
- Wellness Counseling Certificate | Cornell University
- Integrative Health and Medicine Specialization | University of Minnesota
Training
- Pain Reprocessing Coaching | Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center
- Motivational Interviewing | Virginia Commonwealth University
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction | University of Massachusetts Medical School
- Psychological First Aid | National Center for PTSD
Memberships
- American Hypnosis Association
- Society for Interdisciplinary Placebo Studies
Innovation
Pioneering Virtual Practice: Early adopter of HIPAA-compliant video conferencing, with a broadcast-quality virtual studio designed by Jaz Entertainment, a Hollywood production company of film industry legends. Every element, from lighting to camera to acoustics, was chosen to feel less like a video call and more like being in the same room.
Pop-Up Model: As a Visiting Practitioner, Harley brings hypnotherapy directly into trusted wellness spaces across the country. Locations have included Very Well KC, UMKC School of Pharmacy, Broadlawns Medical Center, Therapia Psychotherapy Group, Portland Therapy Center, and The Wellness Collaborative.
Signature Methodology: Developed Placebo-Enhanced Hypnotic Intervention™, a proprietary method drawing on placebo research to strengthen hypnotic outcomes.
Creative Works
Case Study: Hypnosis for Chronic Arthritis Pain
Author | 2025
Documented a single-client case in which an 80-year-old man with severe arthritic foot pain reported sustained relief following Placebo-Enhanced Hypnotic Intervention™.
Close Your Eyes
Producer | 2024
Produced an ambient album of eight lo-fi tracks designed for relaxation and sleep, blending soothing melodies with hypnotic suggestions.
The Magic in Metaphor
Author | 2023
Author of the award-winning book, The Magic in Metaphor, a guide to fostering emotional intelligence in children through storytelling.
Leadership
Ethics & Safety Leader
2003, 2016
Former President of the Kansas City Chapter of the National Guild of Hypnotists. Later successfully advocated for the inclusion of client safety and anti-discrimination provisions in the National Guild of Hypnotists Code of Ethics, creating nationwide protections.
Global Health Exchange
2006
Contributed research on the effectiveness of hypnosis to a presentation on 'Hypnotherapy in Medicine' at Thailand's Ministry of Public Health.
Journal Columnist
2013
Served as a columnist for the National Guild of Hypnotists Journal of Hypnotism.
Volunteer Work
Public Health Ambassador
2021-2023
Served as a Public Health Ambassador to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, working directly with governmental health initiatives to promote community wellbeing and public health education.
Youth Mentor
1998-2016
Served as mentor for at-risk youth in the Army National Guard's Youth Challenge Program and Thunderbird Youth Academy.
Volunteer
2008-2016
Provided support to homeless youth at Passages Youth Center and to users of 7 Cups online crisis platform.
Awards & Recognition
Royal Dragonfly Book Award: Awarded 1st Place in the Audiobooks category and Honorable Mention in Psychology.
BookLife Elite: Handpicked for this exclusive collection by Publishers Weekly, which distributes titles to public libraries throughout North America.
The BookLife Prize by Publishers Weekly: Selected as a Quarter Finalist and awarded a 9/10 critical rating by one of the publishing industry's most authoritative review outlets.
IAN Book of the Year Awards: Named a Finalist in the Independent Author Network's 2023 Book of the Year Awards.
Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award: Received a five-star review and named a top recommended read for parents and educators.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Honored with the Gold Award for innovation, originality, and impact in writing.
The Golden Wizard Book Prize: Recognized as one of the best works in children's literature.
Amazon #1 Bestseller: Reached the #1 spot on multiple bestseller and new release lists on Amazon.
Kansas City Metro & Nationwide by Zoom