Hypnotherapy is a process that enables individuals to heighten their self-awareness, curiosity, and personal growth.
At Mind Body Soul Kelowna, we welcome hypnotherapy as a way to address a range of concerns including creating life-long healthy habits and tackling big issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, addiction, grief, trauma, and major life transitions. Hypnotherapy is a private journey in building one’s self, through the power of their subconscious mind. Hypnotherapy is the process of using hypnosis to interact with the subconscious mind in an open-reflective process to create positive change in your life. Through hypnosis, your behaviour can be modified to benefit you by replacing the old beliefs or behaviors that you no longer need or want with the new ones you desire. By harnessing the power of your own subconscious mind, Hypnotherapy is often quick and effective in resolving personal issues and improving focus and performance. You can effectively replace limiting behaviours with attitudes and actions that promote growth and success. Whether dealing with crisis, times of transition, or other challenges, we all have an inherent strength to overcome life’s challenges.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is simply a state of relaxed focus or a heightened state of awareness. It is a natural state that each of us enters at least twice a day, once when we are falling asleep and once when we are waking up. That kind of fuzzy, timeless state between dreaming and awake is a trance state. People enter natural states of hypnosis often throughout the day. Some common examples of this are while they are driving, day dreaming, watching TV, listening to music, and falling in love.
Will I remember what happened during the session?
Hypnosis is a heightened state of awareness and focus, not a state of amnesia. It is possible to experience some amnesia but that is only under special circumstances and it is not a common occurrence.
Will I spill all my secrets or do something that I wouldn’t normally do?
Hypnosis cannot make you do something that is against your morals or ethics. No one can make you do something that you really don’t want to do, even while in hypnosis. The point of Hypnotherapy is to facilitate positive changes by accessing your powerful subconscious mind. In order for those changes to take place you must want to make the change.
Will I lose control?
You are always in control and you will be very present during the session. In Hypnosis it is normal for your senses to be heightened so it is possible to be even more aware of your surroundings while you are in state.
Is Hypnosis Dangerous?
Hypnosis is not dangerous. It is IMPOSSIBLE to get “stuck” in a state of hypnosis. Since we must enter a hypnotic state to fall asleep, it is possible to fall asleep during a session. The hypnotherapist will ensure that you are at the perfect depth to facilitate change and since sleep isn’t one of those states you will just be redirected back into the right state for the change that you are seeking. You will always come back to full waking state after every session or whenever you want to, should you choose to come out of state before the end of the session. You are always in control.
The number one job of the subconscious mind is to protect you and it is always working to protect you. This includes while you are in a state of hypnosis.
Can I be Hypnotized?
Yes! It is a natural state that everyone enters throughout the day so everyone has the ability to be hypnotized.
ANXIETY
“Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in North America, affecting 40 million adults age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population. Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive and persistent feelings of nervousness, anxiety, and even fear. These types of disorders interfere with an individual’s everyday life for an extended period of time. Professional care combined with active engagement in self-management strategies can foster recovery and improve the well-being of people affected by these disorders, ultimately enabling them to lead full and active lives.”
RESILIENCE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS
We feel powerless. Counseling helps to determine new perspectives, while identifying strengths and different options.
“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
— A. A. MILNE
EVERYONE HAS A STORY
Often, I will ask a client- “What is the story you are making up in your head right now?” They will look at me with a confused look on their face and most will say “But I am not telling myself anything”. The fact is they are probably unaware of their internal dialogue. They may relate better to the question “what are you feeling right now?” Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on how your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes affect your feelings and behavior.
It is important to become aware of your thoughts and beliefs and look for distortions and assumptions. This is especially important in relationships. So we start with thinking, which informs emotions and ultimately determines reactions and behaviors.
