Why One LA Mom Is Embracing ‘Hypno-Parenting’

Machenberg’s son, Jake, admits he hasn’t always enjoyed Mom’s mind games.

“It could get a little crazy when she tries to kind of hypnotize us at every single possible situation that she can. It could get a little overbearing ? she gets in your head,” he told Barcroft TV. “But as far as things like getting into college, I think it was an advantage. … I think it’s helped me, you know it’s helped me have control over my own mind.”

Machenberg is now charging $125 for hypno-parenting classes, but some experts are skeptical about whether it’s appropriate for kids.

ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser told Good Morning America that while hypnosis can work for shaping behavior, there isn’t enough evidence on whether it’s good for children.

“The evidence on the clinical use is really, really strong. I haven’t seen that kind of evidence for parenting and that bothers me a little bit,” said Besser, whose parents were both clinical hypnotherapists. 

Besser stressed that hypnotism should only be performed by trained professionals and suggested parents stick to other strategies such as praising good behavior, and staying consistent on discipline and expectations.