Mastering Hypnosis with a Legend: My Time with Shelly Stockwell-Nicholas

A Personal Journey into Hypnosis Mastery

There are moments in a practitioner’s journey that become turning points — not because of a certification or a technique, but because of the human connection behind it. My time training with Shelly Stockwell-Nicholas, world-renowned expert in hypnosis and founder of the International Hypnosis Federation, was one of those moments.

Training in Hypnosis at a California Ranch

We met not in a lecture hall or training centre, but at her peaceful ranch in Los Angeles, placed amongst hills, next to the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by sunlight, nature, and warmth.

From the moment I arrived, I understood that this wasn’t just training. It was an immersion into the spirit of healing itself.

What made this experience even more meaningful is that Shelly didn’t just open her professional world to me — she opened her home and heart. I felt I was truly honoured to stay with her at her ranch, where our conversations extended far beyond therapy.

Living and Learning with Shelly

She and her husband welcomed me like family. We shared meals, stories, and sunsets.

She took me to a beach with tall palms and seals barking in the distance, the most beautiful spots around LA. She even introduced me to what she claimed was the best burger in the world. We laughed over ice cream and bonded in ways that deepened the learning beyond words.

What I Learned About Hypnosis and Healing

Shelly is a woman of wisdom, laughter, depth, and disarming honesty.

What struck me most was how she brings humour and heart into her work — teaching that healing doesn’t have to be heavy. It can be light, joyful, and even playful. Her approach reminded me that hypnosis is not about control, but about trust, deep listening, and restoring the client’s sense of inner authority.

Bringing Mastery into My Work with Clients

Through live demonstrations, honest conversations, and powerful experiential techniques, I deepened not only my skill in hypnosis but also my understanding of how to hold space with softness, presence, and true compassion.

To be taught by someone who has spent decades paving the way for others in this field was a privilege I carry forward in my own work. Her teachings have become part of the foundation of how I now support my clients, especially those navigating anxiety, trauma, and inner conflict.

In an industry filled with surface-level solutions, Shelly embodies something very rare: authenticity, mastery, and joy.

What Makes Tree of Life Therapies Different

To anyone reading this who wonders what makes the work at Tree of Life Therapies different — this is part of it. It’s not just about learning techniques. It’s about learning from those who live what they teach.

Thank you, Shelly, for your wisdom, your spirit, and your belief in the beauty of the human mind.

With gratitude,

Renata Mikolajczyk-Collinson

Founder of Tree of Life Transformational Therapies