What Clients Have Experienced

Every client’s experience is unique, but many people notice similar kinds of shifts after doing this work.

Performance, Creativity, & Professional Growth

Before working with Michael, I was feeling a lot of anxiety, tension, and fear when I had to play something important. I wanted to take auditions, be principal bassoon, but I kept thinking, 'You're getting scared all the time. Maybe you can't do that.'

After working with Michael, I don't think that way anymore.

Marlène Ngalissamy

Principal Bassoon, Toronto Symphony

You have certainly had the most profound impact on my life imaginable. Every element in my life has done a complete 180 in the past year!

Carin Miller

Principal Bassoon, Oregon Symphony

It was incredibly valuable to explore the different parts of myself without trying to force anything to change. Now I’m listening to myself much more deeply and building direction from within instead of from what others expect.

I feel more self-guided, more integrated, and there has been a very substantial shift.

T.K. DeWitt

Associate Principal Bassoon/Contrabassoon, Kansas City Symphony

First we conquered the performance anxiety and confidence issues I was experiencing as a professional musician. Then we moved on to growth and expansion in every other area of my life.

Stephanie Busby

Bassoonist, Boston Ballet

I’d been struggling with performance anxiety for more than five years, and I was also scared to reach out at first because there’s a lot of shame around talking about it. But I’m so glad I did.

Before, every single week when we had studio class, I would get nervous like three days beforehand, and every day I would think about what might happen when I actually performed.

Now I’m a lot calmer, especially in terms of performance. I just go, and I just play.

One of the biggest changes is that I don’t view my feelings as a threat anymore. Even when the feelings are still there, my brain isn’t treating them like something dangerous, so I don’t go into fight-or-flight mode. That didn’t just help me in performance — it changed how I move through stressful days in general.

I would definitely recommend Michael to anyone who struggles with performance anxiety, or even just with having a healthier work-life balance in music.

Janice Sheng, flutist

I was recommended to Michael by a friend who had really good things to say about the work. I honestly didn't believe anything would help, but I tried to just change my mind set on that and just be very open about it.

Michael understands the music world. He's been through it himself and that made it feel non-judgmental and easy to share and be open about what I needed in a way that didn't feel like therapy.

He helped me get a renewed sense of being able to separate my identity from my performance. It took off so much of the pressure I was putting on myself and gave me a lot more inspiration and clarity in how I practice, how I perform, and even how I teach.

I'd recommend Michael for anyone dealing with performance anxiety, past traumas that affect their relationship with their instrument, or just being so busy they can't organize their brain.

If you're on the fence, I'd say: in order to be helped, you have to be vulnerable. You have to admit that you're struggling, and that's okay. Being vulnerable and being honest is where you need to start.

Tiffany Yeung, violinist

When I first started working with Michael, I was at a pretty low point in terms of how I viewed myself and my career. I thought it would be hard for me to open up about stuff like that but that turned out not to be the case at all. In fact, Michael was able to meet me exactly where I was and those worries went away very quickly.

One of my favorite parts of working with Michael was learning how to approach a situation or issue from multiple angles.

I'm used to processing my experiences intellectually, but approaching them at a more body-based and emotional level is where I felt the most benefit and even joy.

My biggest transformation was being aware of my emotions in an accepting way. Previously, I ignored or avoided them as much as possible because they felt stressful and overwhelming. Now I'm able to be with and incorporate my emotions and those parts of myself in a way that honors them and feels much healthier.

I would recommend Michael to anyone who creates in any medium and struggles with self-confidence. Vulnerability and shame can really gunk up the creative process at the very beginning, and then you spiral into not creating at all. A deeper investigation into the emotional side of creating would benefit many people.

Tim F.

Writer and Educator

Working with Michael has deeply impacted my performance, my well-being, and helped me to recover from a deep episode of anxiety in a way that felt so genuine and rock solid within myself.

You can't put a price on the place that Michael has helped me find within myself.

David Eby

Cellist, Educator, and Author

Personal Growth & Life Changes

Many clients also notice meaningful changes in their relationships, confidence, and overall wellbeing.

I had spent so long caregiving and dealing with emergencies that I'd lost the ability to come down from that constant red-alert state. I couldn’t function, and thought I'd have to give up performing.

Michael helped me find a starting place in the swirl of my thoughts and feelings. I learned how to quiet my nervous system, and everything began to shift. I sleep better, eat better, my relationships are healthier, and I feel confident and safe in situations that used to feel fraught, including on stage.

What’s changed isn’t just my habits, it’s my whole relationship with myself.

Now I’m excited about new things instead of frightened of them. And whether I'm caregiving or performing, it's now from a completely different place — not of obligation, but genuine satisfaction.

What surprised me most was how fun and creative it felt — like playing a game that retrains your brain toward joy. It felt magical, like opening a door a crack and having light flood in.

Portland, Oregon

I came to work with Michael to improve my relationship with my teenage son. He was recommended to me by a mutual friend who touted his ability to work through the weeds and get to the essence of what's really going on.

I had never done any therapy before and wasn't used to talking with somebody who could actually resonate with me, but Michael did that in a way that made me feel comfortable. He helped cut through the noise and brought me to the point where I could see how I had been fooling myself and he called me out on it, which was great. But he never made me feel stupid or shut down.

His voice and his approach to dealing with hard stuff are very calming. Being able to discuss your inner life with someone who won't judge you, and who helps you learn not to judge yourself, is invaluable.

When thinking about the difference between how I felt before and how I feel now, there's no comparison. I feel like I'm a good parent. My son and I are 100 percent closer now. He calls me out of the blue. He answers when I call. We have an amazing relationship now.

Both of our children have said to us that they feel lucky to have parents like us. They feel like they can come to us with a problem and we can talk about it. And there's just more love. I feel much happier now. Wow!

Suzanne Nelsen

My work with Michael was extremely groundbreaking for me. I haven't done this kind of work with anybody else.

The way my physical, mental, and emotional state would change right in the moment as Michael was working with me was really quite impressive. It gave me a much greater sense of peace and just made me calmer knowing there was a healthier way to deal with all of this instead of having my emotions take over and overwhelm me.

I would recommend Michael to anyone who wants to learn how to better deal with their emotions more effectively or have more of a say in parts of their life where they feel stuck or out of control.

Riccardo Diano

My session with Michael was very revealing and eye opening. He really helped me sort through the doubts in my head and get to the root of what really drives me and where my focus needs to be for me to feel fulfilled, both in my career and in my personal life.

I’ve always struggled with getting things started and taking the first step. This session felt more like a leap forward.

Michael took the time that was needed and asked all the right questions to help me find a mindset that allows me to move forward instead of staying stuck.

Thank you Michael for helping me realize what I already knew but couldn’t see.

Scott C.

Each session with Michael felt like a suspended moment with myself.

He listens deeply, with unconditional acceptance and without judgment. Our sessions helped me tame several fears that had shaped different aspects of my life.

In fact, it’s more accurate to say that I learned to welcome, understand, and accept those fears — which allowed me to finally let them go.

What I remember most is the incredible sense of inner peace I experienced during our sessions.

Stéphanie F.

I have never felt so listened to, cared for, held, and seen in my life. That was amazing! I can see why you are so successful. You have a true gift of presence with a person. Working with you has been one of the best decisions I've ever made and I look forward to more sessions and more growth in the future.

Joe Hoyt

When I started working with Michael, I was studying a major that I disliked, working a job that I disliked, and I felt completely unmotivated.

I struggled with basic executive functioning. Even simple tasks felt overwhelming.

Now I'm so proud of myself because I'm capable of completing a mountain of tasks smoothly. I'm no longer missing assignments or pushing away my responsibilities.

I'm making much better choices and I feel like I'm finally on a path toward success. I couldn't have gotten there without his help.

Jake Ohanion

Since we don't see each other this week, I wanted to check in and let you know how great everything is going. I've noticed so many positive changes since starting to work with you, and am feeling much more confident and comfortable with everything...my work, how I interact with people, and even (somewhat surprisingly) how people interact with me. The work you do is amazing. Thank you so much!

Anonymous

When I started coaching with Michael, I was really hoping for a real shift in my life and thinking. I felt stuck in several areas and was hoping for a breakthrough.

The experience working with him was very positive. I not only achieved what I had hoped for, but it happened much faster than I expected. I felt safe with him, which made the whole process. easier.

This was one of the most powerful and authentic ways I've had for shifting my energy, gaining new perspectives, and healing emotionally. I now have more tools to understand and process my feelings and experiences.

This feels both inspiring and liberating. My sense of wellbeing has deepened, my confidence and trust have grown, and I feel more excited, optimistic, and dedicated to my life.

A grateful musician in transition

Other Client Experiences

While most people come to work on performance, confidence, or life challenges, some clients have also reported unexpected changes in areas such as phobias, allergies, and physical symptoms.

I don’t refer people lightly—especially when it comes to coaching. As a coach myself, my standards are extremely high, and Michael is the only person I refer others to. He’s warm, nonjudgmental, and incredibly effective. His work draws on evidence-based approaches and deep experience, creating exactly what each person needs in the moment. There’s no fluff or gimmicks—just real results.

In only five or six sessions, the changes for me have been profound. One session completely shifted my relationship with chronic pain—I actually forgot we’d worked on it until I realized the pain was gone.

After another session, my lifelong fear of heights—something we hadn’t even discussed—simply vanished.

More recently, Michael helped me uncover the emotional root of my lifelong eczema and develop a new relationship with it as a kind of “dashboard light” for when I’m out of touch with my emotions. Since then, the eczema that once covered my face has almost completely disappeared.

I’ve worked with and learned from some incredible coaches, and Michael is the best I’ve ever encountered.

If you have the chance to work with him, I highly recommend it.

Anna Kolak
Coach & Consultant

Michael is an incredible and gifted hypnotherapist and coach. During our session Michael helped me work through a lifelong phobia of getting blood drawn.

By the end of the session I felt genuine peace and empowerment around something that had always triggered panic. I feel like a completely different person around this area of my life.

Maria Henning

In just two sessions Michael helped me completely eliminate severe anxiety about an upcoming medical procedure and a lifelong fear of heights.

A year and a half later, the fear is still gone. It’s simply not something that bothers me anymore and that's been an almost miraculous experience!

Roger S.

I’d been dealing with allergies for over a decade, and as a professional trumpet player, I constantly had to choose between severe allergy symptoms or the terrible dry mouth caused by medication.

After just two hypnosis sessions with Michael, my allergy symptoms were completely alleviated — without any side effects. I haven’t even thought about taking medication since.

Taz Eddy

They told me the pollen count was high today, but I haven’t noticed anything. Normally I’d be sneezing and blowing my nose constantly, but not anymore. I was even at a friend’s house last night petting their dog and three cats and didn’t get a single sniffle.

After my sessions with Michael, my allergies are gone. He quickly put me at ease, explained how the process works, and guided me through an experience that left me without the old symptoms. Highly recommended.

Terance Schmidt

After a year of battling a persistent allergy rash, I found no relief from allergy testing, dermatology and allergist visits, eliminating products, or pharmaceutical treatments.

It was only after meeting with Michael for a single NLP session that things finally shifted and the rash subsided. I’m genuinely grateful for his holistic approach and the time he invested in helping me resolve the issue.

Melissa Wild

I want to thank Michael Sundell for helping me get over my gluten sensitivity! We had a powerful session three weeks ago, and I've been eating all kinds of gluten ever since without any side effects whatsoever. I'm simply blown away and jumping for joy. My favorite snack is dipping bread in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and I've been enjoying it immensely!

Heather Evans

I had been suffering from fibromyalgia for four years and hadn’t experienced a pain-free day in that time. Michael’s calm presence immediately put me at ease and made me feel truly understood. By the end of our session, my bone pain was gone and we discussed ways to help it stay that way. I was skeptical at first because many things hadn’t worked before, but the shift happened very quickly. I would highly recommend Michael!

Zoe Plant