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You’re getting sleepy… very sleepy… …and when you wake up you will cluck like a chicken. This is what many people think of when they think of hypnosis. But hypnosis is much more than a funny party trick. Hypnotherapy has been used for centuries. In fact, in ancient times priests and shamans used altered stated […]
You’re getting sleepy… very sleepy…
…and when you wake up you will cluck like a chicken.
This is what many people think of when they think of hypnosis. But hypnosis is much more than a funny party trick.
Hypnotherapy has been used for centuries. In fact, in ancient times priests and shamans used altered stated of consciousness as a way to bring about healing. Today, therapists use guided hypnosis, or a trance-like state, to help their clients make changes or regain control in certain areas of their life.
How Hypnosis Works
Hypnotherapy is used to treat everything from substance abuse, phobias, anxiety disorders and sexual dysfunction. It is also used for pain management.
The therapist first guides their client into a calm and relaxed state. The client is awake the entire time, simply very relaxed. This relaxed state allows the client to access and “speak” directly with their subconscious mind, the part of the mind that controls most of our habits and behavior.
When a relaxed state is reached, the therapist will assist the client in thinking about experiences and situations in positive ways. This is essentially feeding the subconscious new information that will help the client begin to experience new patterns of thought and behavior.
Finding the Right Therapist
Not all therapists are qualified to use hypnosis as an adjunct therapy. If you believe hypnosis could help you with a particular problem or issue you are having, look for a hypnotherapist who’s a member of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) or the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis.
Beyond qualifications, it’s also very important to find a hypnotherapist with whom you feel comfortable with. It’s a good idea to speak with each therapist on the phone before committing to a session. This will help you get a sense of their personality and whether they might be a good fit.
Final Thoughts
Hypnosis can work for just about anyone, as long as they are open to the idea and have chosen a therapist they trust. Roughly 70% of the population is open to suggestion and can benefit from hypnosis. Young children are particularly good candidates.
If you or someone you know has tried other forms of therapy without success and are interested in hypnosis, please get in touch with me. I would be more than happy to discuss how I may be able to help you.
Few things are more sad or difficult than finding out that a loved one has suffered a personal loss. Many times we fail to reach out to a loved one in grief out of shyness or uncertainty. We worry that we don’t have the words, or know what we can do to help or console […]
Few things are more sad or difficult than finding out that a loved one has suffered a personal loss. Many times we fail to reach out to a loved one in grief out of shyness or uncertainty. We worry that we don’t have the words, or know what we can do to help or console our friend.
Many times, it’s easier to offer a virtual hug or send a text instead of picking up the phone or talking face-to-face. Of course, the most difficult things for us to do are what can be the most helpful to a person in mourning.
Listen
When someone is grieving, they tend to hear clichés such as: “They’re in a better place”, “at least they’re not suffering” and “it was his time”. Instead of a cliché, offer an ear. Ask them about their loved one by name (“Tell me about Jim”) and encourage them to talk about their memories.
Share Memories
If you knew the deceased, you can offer a great deal of condolence by sharing positive memories that perhaps your loved one was unaware of.
Give a Gift or Memento
Simple gestures such as a card, a plant or other small gift can bring comfort to your friend or relative in their time of grief. It also can be easier to approach them if you have a small card or gift in tow. If your loved one is a person of faith, then be sure to get an appropriately themed card or book to encourage them to lean on their faith.
Offer Help and Hope
Instead of saying “let me know how I can help”, offer specific help such as bringing a meal on a particular day, running an errand for them or helping with child care or housework. You can also ask, “What can I do to help?”
Offer hope by believing in their ability to move forward. You can also offer to take your loved one to a grief support group at their church or a local Meetup group. It can help the bereaved to talk or listen to others going through the same thing.
Check in with them later
With our own busy lives, it can be difficult to remember to follow up, so set a reminder on your phone or calendar to check up on your friend down the road. Give them a call or drop by to visit them and see how they’re doing.
With a little love and support, you can help your loved one see that there are brighter days ahead.
If you or a loved one could use professional help through the grieving process, please contact me today.
When a serious illness strikes a family, everyone’s life is thrown into turmoil. Whether the illness is chronic or acute, no one can really prepare you for the responsibility of caregiving and the emotions that go with it. Unfortunately, as we throw ourselves into overdrive, doing everything we can to deliver the best care to […]
When a serious illness strikes a family, everyone’s life is thrown into turmoil. Whether the illness is chronic or acute, no one can really prepare you for the responsibility of caregiving and the emotions that go with it.
Unfortunately, as we throw ourselves into overdrive, doing everything we can to deliver the best care to our loved one, we typically put our own self-care on the backburner, which ultimately leads to caregiver burnout.
If you’re feeling worn out, here are some ways you can care for yourself while caring for your loved one:
Give Yourself Space
You’re no doubt overwhelmed and inundated with activities that surround your loved one’s care. It’s important that you take time to get away for some quiet reflection. Take a walk in nature or a long drive to clear your head and catch your breath.
Eat Right
If there were any time in your life you craved comfort foods, now would be it! But loading up on carbs and sugar is not what your body needs. Do your best to forego donuts and pasta and instead opt for fruits and vegetables.
Connect with Others
It’s easy to become isolated during this time. You’re tired and emotional, and besides the goings-on at various doctors’ appointments, you may feel you have little to offer in the way of sterling conversation.
It’s important that you remain socially active and connect with others. This could mean finding a local support group, or grabbing a latte with friends every Thursday morning. You need to remember who you are as a person, not just a caregiver, and social interactions will help you feel human.
Get Help
Many family caregivers feel it’s their entire responsibility to provide care for their loved one. But you don’t have to do everything by yourself. Reach out to other family members and friends for help. Look into getting a home health aid who can step in for you so you can have a couple hours off each week.
You may also want to consider seeking the guidance of a family therapist who can help you navigate your emotions and offer tools to help you cope with your new day-to-day reality.
If you’d like to explore therapy options, please get in touch with me. I’d love to discuss how I might be able to help you and your family during this difficult time.
