One of World's Fastest Hypnotists Found in Sykesville

The simple banging of his fist or the snapping of his fingers is all it takes for hypnotherapist Sean Michael Andrews to take a person from sitting to collapsed on his desk.

He’s known by some as the world’s fastest hypnotist, teaching instant hypnotism around the world as well as out of his office in Sykesville. 

“It really only takes a couple of seconds to hypnotize people,” he said. “Some people are a little bit more difficult to hypnotize, but with practice, anyone can be hypnotized or learn how to hypnotize someone.” 

Andrews is a member of the National Board of Hypnosis Education and Certification, the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association, and the Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. 

His work has been featured on WHFS radio, where he hypnotised a DJ on the air, and in the Baltimore Sun.

He has been practicing for more than 14 years, teaching both instant hypnotism under the pseudonym Sean Michael Andrews and running his business, Maryland Family Hypnosis, under his real name, Don Patterson.

In his practice is where the business gets serious, Patterson says.

“I help people with weight loss, smoking cessation, chronic pain and more. There’s all sorts of things you can do with it,” he said.

Patterson is now mostly teaching at his business, which moved into Historic Sykesville at 7566 Main Street in July of 2011.

He said he sees more than 100 students a month, also traveling abroad to conduct sessions for medical professionals as well as those just looking to learn how to master hypnotism.

“People like hypnosis because there aren’t any side effects," Patterson said.
"If you take pills there are always side effects. The only side effect with this treatment is that you feel wonderful.” 

He also started a Meetup, a social networking site that brings people with similar interests together.

His group, “Maryland Hypnosis/NLP Learning Group,” offers a chance to learn and practice the art of hypnosis.

“On Meetup, there are people who are hypnotists and then there are some that are just interested in hypnosis. We all get together and it’s a good place for some of my students to get some practice with real people,” said Patterson.

“We usually get together on one topic, a particular technique and then I’ll have them go ahead and practice it.”

“It is run by great people and the members are enthusiastic, always willing to share ideas, and help one another,” said group member Larry Lambert. “I am proud to be a member and be associated with the others within this group.” 

Patterson says hypnosis is not only a valuable tool, but it’s also something that anyone can practice with a little help.

“It’s easy to learn how to hypnotize people," he said. "I can teach you in a couple of hours. It just takes some time to perfect it.”

Find more information about Patterson’s practice and how to take lessons in hypnotism here.