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AHA Hypnotherapists Directory

Biography for Dana Shoaf, CHt

Dana Shoaf is a Certified Hypnotherapist, trained at the Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI)—the nation’s first Accredited College of Hypnotherapy—and the founder of Inner Alliance™, a practice devoted to restoring balance between mind and body through compassionate, integrative hypnotherapy.

Her work bridges science and spirit, blending evidence-based subconscious healing techniques with an intuitive understanding of the body’s innate wisdom. Through this synthesis, Dana helps clients access their own inner intelligence—cultivating peace, self-trust, and profound states of restoration.

With a background in holistic wellness and mind–body studies, Dana’s approach emphasizes the powerful link between subconscious patterns and physical well-being. She has supported clients through a wide range of experiences—from stress, anxiety, and trauma recovery to chronic illness and general wellness—helping each individual rediscover calm, clarity, and inner resilience.

At the heart of Dana’s philosophy lies a simple truth: when the mind feels safe, the body can remember how to heal. Through deeply guided sessions, she creates a sanctuary of safety and receptivity where the nervous system can rebalance and the body’s natural healing responses are reawakened.

Dana’s professional foundation is rooted in the classical works of Dave Elman and Milton Erickson, complemented by the modern insights of neuroplasticity, psychoneuroimmunology, and somatic awareness. Her methods are personalized, trauma-informed, and grounded in compassion—recognizing that every healing journey unfolds uniquely within each person’s story.

Beyond her one-on-one practice, Dana is passionate about education and community collaboration. Through Inner Alliance™, she offers workshops, small group experiences, and integrative partnerships with holistic and medical professionals who share her belief that healing is most powerful when it honors the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

Whether working with individuals seeking relief from physical or emotional challenges, or those wishing to deepen their overall sense of wellness, Dana’s work is devoted to guiding clients toward a place of calm empowerment—where insight, acceptance, and transformation naturally arise.

Inner Alliance™ serves as a sanctuary for those ready to reconnect with their own wisdom—a sacred space where science meets stillness, and healing becomes a living dialogue between mind and body.

Hypnotherapy Specialties

  1. Anxiety
  2. Breathing
  3. Child Birth
  4. Chronic Pain
  5. Dreams
  6. Fears
  7. Immune System
  8. Improve Health
  9. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  10. Motivation
  11. Pain Management
  12. Rejection
  13. Relaxation
  14. Self Confidence
  15. Self Defeating Behaviors
  16. Sleep Disorders
  17. Social Phobia
  18. Stop Smoking/Vaping
  19. Trauma
  20. Weight Loss

Experience

I bring over two decades of hands-on healing experience to my work, including 24 years as a licensed massage therapist. During that time, I worked with clients experiencing chronic pain, stress-related conditions, injury recovery, and emotional tension stored in the body. My practice was rooted in compassionate listening, intuitive touch, and creating a safe, supportive environment for transformation. Through this work, I developed a deep understanding of the mind-body connection and how physical symptoms often reflect unspoken emotional patterns.

As a massage therapist, I learned that true healing goes beyond muscles and joints. Many clients would relax physically, yet their stress, fears, and subconscious patterns remained active beneath the surface. This realization led me to expand my training and pursue hypnotherapy as a powerful complement to bodywork. I saw firsthand how lasting change requires addressing both the conscious and subconscious mind.

My transition into hypnotherapy allowed me to support clients on a deeper level, helping them release limiting beliefs, reduce anxiety, manage pain, and build confidence from within. Through guided imagery, relaxation techniques, and subconscious re-patterning, I assist clients in accessing their inner resources for healing and growth. My background in bodywork enhances my hypnotherapy practice, as I am highly attuned to subtle shifts in breathing, posture, and energy during sessions. This integrated approach creates a holistic experience that honors both the physical and emotional aspects of well-being.

With 24 years of therapeutic experience and formal hypnotherapy training, I offer clients a grounded, heart-centered approach to transformation. I understand the importance of trust, safety, and professionalism in every session. Whether working with physical discomfort, emotional challenges, or personal goals, I hold space with empathy and clinical skill. My passion is helping individuals reconnect with their inner strength, resilience, and capacity for lasting change.

Education

  • Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy
    Hypnosis Motivation Institute - Nationally Accredited College of Hypnotherapy - 818-758-2700
    Date Started: 02/18/2025 - Date Graduated: 02/18/2026
    Total Hours: 720 - Total Weeks: 52 - Total Years: 1
  • Massage Therapy
    Southeastern Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy
    Date Started: 08/01/2000 - Date Graduated: 03/01/2001

Continuing Education from the American Hypnosis Association

  1. Behavior Analysis - 07/2025
  2. Biofeedback 1 - 05/2025
  3. Biofeedback 2 - 05/2025
  4. Body Syndromes - 06/2025
  5. Child Hypnosis - 06/2025
  6. Crisis Intervention - 05/2025
  7. Cultivating Mindfulness Using a Mind-Body Approach - 07/2025
  8. Emergency Hypnosis - 05/2025
  9. Healing Power of Hypnotic Scripts - 08/2025
  10. Heart Medicine: Stop Painful Patterns and Find Peace and Freedom - 07/2025
  11. Imagery for Life Passages - 08/2025
  12. Integrative Depth Psychology and Psychotherapy: Clinical Application - 07/2025
  13. Intimate Conversations with Dr. John Kappas - 06/2025
  14. Introduction to Biofeedback 1 and 2 - 05/2025
  15. Introduction to Positive Psychology - 07/2025
  16. Introduction to Somatic and Parts Work for Healing Trauma - 07/2025
  17. Introduction to the Embodied Mind Theory - 07/2025
  18. Intuitive and Energy Healing - 05/2025
  19. Intuitive Healing and Development - Level One - 10/2025
  20. Intuitive Healing and Development - Level Two - 11/2025
  21. jumpSTART 2026! - 01/2026
  22. Metaphysical Imagery - 08/2025
  23. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) - 07/2025
  24. Mythic and Archetypal Imagery - 08/2025
  25. Psychosynthesis Transpersonal Workshop - 05/2025
  26. Rewiring the Inner Child That’s Still in Charge - 07/2025
  27. The Soul Speaks in Symbol: Healing Beyond Words - 07/2025
  28. Understanding and Working with Older Patients - 07/2025

Certifications

  • Certified Hypnotherapist
    American Hypnosis Association - 818-758-2700
    Certification Number: 013038
    Certification Valid To: Apr 15, 2028

Certifications from the American Hypnosis Association

  1. Advanced Handwriting Analysis - 08/2025
  2. Advanced Imagery - 08/2025
  3. Certified Practitioner Reiki Level One - 12/2025
  4. Certified Practitioner Reiki Level Two - 02/2026
  5. Driving Anxiety and Social Phobias - 06/2025
  6. Handwriting Analysis - 07/2025
  7. Hypnosis and Childbirth - 08/2025
  8. Hypnosis and Grief Recovery - 10/2025
  9. Hypnosis for Anxieties and Fears - 09/2025
  10. Hypnosis for Clients with Cancer - 09/2025
  11. Hypnosis for Immune Disorders - 05/2025
  12. Hypnosis for Insomnia and Sleep Disorders - 11/2025
  13. Pre and Post Surgery Hypnosis - 08/2025
  14. Smoking/Vaping Cessation - 08/2025
  15. Therapeutic Imagery Facilitator - 07/2025
  16. Therapeutic Imagery Master - 10/2025
  17. Trauma Recovery Hypnosis - 05/2025

Awards

  • High Honors Graduate - Clinical Hypnotherapy Program
    Hypnosis Motivation Institute - 02/18/2026

Professional Memberships

  • American Hypnosis Association
    Member Since: 2025

Website


https://DanaShoaf.com/

Languages Spoken

  • English

Contact Information

Dana Shoaf
Inner Alliance™
Pinnacle, North Carolina 27043, United States
 336-488-5195

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