Many Parts to a Whole Life (Therapy)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a transformative experience in the hypnosis class I taught over the weekend, so of course I have to tell you all about it.  Part of My Mission in Life is to tell everyone about the astounding Power of Hypnosis.

 

My student is nearing the final phase of the advanced portion of the Hypnotherapy Certification Course, and in order to become certified she must demonstrate that she’s competent to hypnotize and effect transformation in her clients using several different tools and techniques.  We’re covering Parts Therapy for the next two weeks.

 

Parts Therapy is a way to use hypnosis to train a specific part of the mind, the part of mind that’s responsible for the origin and continuation of certain thoughts, emotions, sensations, and behaviors.  It’s an astonishingly powerful technique.  I’ve used it hundreds of times and it always provides profound changes for my clients and an endless source of learning for me and my students.  Parts Therapy involves deep trance, regression, inner child work, releasing, and suggestions for future success.  One of the fascinating aspects of teaching hypnosis is that I can explain a technique, demonstrate it for you, supervise you as you practice it with a client, and it will still work on you when it’s your turn to sit in the comfy chair—even though you’re expecting it.

 

In classes I sometimes sit in the comfy chair to experience my students’ work.  I don’t go into a deep trance in my classroom because I’m in teaching mode and I need to be lucid in order to supervise and be helpful.  Even so, I experience most of the effects and usually all of the benefits of hypnosis whenever I participate in the practicum.  With hypnosis, the benefits are always available to the client, the teacher, the student, and the observer.  The same is true with all energy work.

 

In this class I submitted to the intake interview and presented the issue that’s been on my mind for several months: Money.  I want to be free of my limiting beliefs regarding money and income.

 

She took me expertly through the intake conversation and easily identified the issues, associations in my past, and several clues in my body language that inspired her to write my hypnotic script right there on the spot (another skill that must be demonstrated in order to become certified).

 

With her help, I easily entered a light trance and easily regressed—mentally went back in time—to an incident in early childhood that influenced my lifelong attitudes about money.  In the trance I was six years old and back in the basement of my childhood home in Glendale, NY.  I could smell the room and feel the concrete floor and all of the colors and textures were vivid, including the furniture and even the sounds of traffic in the street.  My brother was there, and my father was nearby.  I was able to re-experience it and at the same time be outside of it and my comprehension and ability to place it in perspective was immediate.  It was amazing.

 

I’ve been a subject for Parts Therapy training many times, and each time it’s extraordinary.  It’s not enough to say that it’s helpful.  It can do in a few minutes what a lifetime of trying to figure out on your own probably won’t do.  You’re able to see, clearly and truly see what happened, the story you created as a result of what happened, and the difference between the two AND how to reconcile them into something powerful as a way to live from now on.

 

I got what I was looking for and I swear I feel lighter, less serious about all of it, and I’m celebrating the success that I know I’m going to have—just as my hypnotist suggested.  She allowed me to collaborate on my hypnotic script and my subconscious mind adopted it, as we both expected.  It seems like a magic trick, but it’s science.

 

My student is extraordinary, too.  She is a Doctor of Toxicology with many years of experience as a professional scientist.  She is methodical and thorough and is able to proceed with objectivity while staying focused on the plan.  I am humbled to be her teacher, and joyful with the knowledge that she is going to be great hypnotherapist.  The feeling of leading another person through this work and have them passionately embrace it is beyond words. It’s indescribable.  It’s one of the greatest feelings in the world.

 

If you’re a Certified Hypnotherapist and you want to learn more about Parts Therapy, I’m going to teach it in a separate workshop in Scottsdale, AZ in of March 2018.  See you there!

A Few Words About My Credentials and Background

A question just came up about my credentials. Here is my answer:

My academic background is in Communication and I have a Master’s Degree in Communication and Information Studies from Rutgers University, New Jersey, US. My interest at the time of my early studies was in Organizational Communication and that was also the subject of my dissertation. I eventually began to study interpersonal communication and relationships. At this time in my career and studies I am interested in intra-personal communication: how a person communicates with the self. How do we manage change? Why is it easy or difficult? What are the processes, how do we learn them, and why do we seek or avoid them?

I began my Hypnosis studies and my private hypnotism practice in 2008. I conduct private sessions, group sessions, and I also provide entertainment in a most respectful way. I am certified by two schools, with about 350 credit hours of training. I attend two international hypnosis conferences every year and this year I was honored to teach seminars and a workshop at both. I also have a school, the Open Mind Institute of Hypnosis where I certify professionals. My current project and quest is to have my school approved by the State of New Jersey.

To date, I have conducted more than 750 sessions and approximately 1,400 clinical hours. I am not a doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist and I do not conduct psychotherapy sessions. I do not diagnose, treat, heal, or cure. My specialties are Stress & Anxiety Reduction, Smoking Cessation, Weight Loss, and Dealing with Chronic Pain. I refer to and consult other professionals all the time, such as doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, attorneys, massage therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, registered dietitians, and law enforcement as a way to help my many clients. I work within the law at all times and I adhere to the Code of Ethics of my profession.

My clients include people from all walks of life including doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and just about every kind of holistic practitioner you can think of—and we refer clients to each other and I am always willing to exchange services. I am happy to say I have never turned down a client in need, although several times I have declined to work with medical and psychiatric issues, referring them to other professionals for more appropriate care.

If you would like to know more, just give me a call, I am always happy to talk about what I do. You are also welcome to schedule a free consultation with me, over the phone or in my office. Yes, FREE. I have 20-30 minutes on certain days. I will answer all of your questions and I will not pressure you to make an appointment. My most successful clients are intelligent people who want to improve, and they come forward when they are ready to begin.

My Facebook page is here: http://www.Facebook.com/TranceFormationHypnosis

Self-Hypnosis and Visualization

Now that the New Year is fully underway, let me ask: How are you doing with your New Years Resolutions?  Are they working out?  Let’s go over a few facts that you can use to stay on track or get back on track.

On track or off track, our lives are examples of the Subconscious Mind at work.  Do you know that about 88% of your functioning is motivated by the subconscious?  That’s why you can’t explain some things about your behaviors, and why they seem to be “automatic.”  The part of your mind that runs programs in the background is in charge, and it runs the programs that it thinks are best for you.

Your subconscious does what it thinks is best, including: smoking, overeating, worrying, nail-biting, you name it.  Somewhere along the line, your subconscious learned that these behaviors are “good” and necessary, and it will keep running the programs until it learns to do something else instead. The conscious mind wants to be in charge, though, so it will rationalize and justify so that it can feel it has “decided” what to do.  The conscious and subconscious are in conflict—fertile ground for stress and anxiety.

Here’s how to re-train the subconscious mind:  Get into a comfortable position, sitting or lying, in a safe and secure environment.  Allow your mind to relax along with your body.  Concentrate on the rhythm of your breathing until body and mind relax and it seems as if you are in a daydream state.  With practice, you will be able to achieve this state at will, in just a few seconds.  At the point that you go into this state, visualize your desired state as clearly and imaginatively as possible.  See yourself, or pretend or imagine that you are doing the desired behaviors and that you have achieved the goal.  Just pretend.  In this highly suggestible state, affirmations are not necessary, because the imagination works faster than the words.  Trust in the immense power of your own suggestibility, and allow your imagination to teach your subconscious how to do something new or different.  Imagine that you are feeling physically energize and contented and just so happy in every cell of your entire body.  Really feel the sensations, and allow them to continue long after your self-hypnosis session is over.  Imagine or pretend that you are allowing yourself to have the best outcome that you can possibly imagine!

When your conscious mind and subconscious mind are pointing in the same direction, you become unstoppable!

If you have any question about self-hypnosis, give me a call!  (732) 272-7230.

Talk To Me

Talk To Me

In the hypnotism part of sessions with clients, I do most of the talking.  Sometimes we have a simple conversation, but that’s rare.  Usually clients answer some questions with very short answers.  Depending on the depth of the trance, they may not say anything.

Feedback is essential.  During the trance I always test my clients’ depth by observing their responses to certain suggestions.  At the lightest level of trance they will lose control of simple motor functions.  At the deepest levels they will experience hallucinations and negative hallucinations (not seeing something that is there).  I always test.

The feedback I need is immediately after the trance.  I want to know what their experience was like for them, if they were comfortable, if there was any idea or impulse or memory they want to talk about.  I want to know whatever impressions they had that they might want to talk about.  I want to know what hypnosis was like for them.

I don’t ask these things out of curiosity; I ask because the information is essential to their success, and to the way I will conduct the next trance session.  For example, if I know what their individual idea of hypnosis is, I can suggest it to them and they will be able to slip into that state more easily and quickly.  Their answers to my questions also reveal whether I went too quickly or too slowly of if they need concrete or more accurate instructions and descriptions.  Sometimes they pick up on subtleties that I miss, because they are extremely attentive to certain details while in the trance state.

I won’t know most of this information if I don’t ask, because during hypnosis they are sitting passively in a chair, physically relaxed.  Of course, there are many signs that I can see: rapid eye movement, changes in breathing, especially in response to suggestions of physical relaxation, abreactions, fidgeting, etc.

Abreactions are physical movements in response to suggestions.  They can vary in intensity, and they are always significant and must be explored if the client is to be successful.  I always ask about physical reactions, because I need to know what was going on at that time.  It may have been their subconscious reacting in some way–or they might have been physically cold or uncomfortable.  It’s essential that I find out more, so I can help them succeed in the best possible way.

Sometimes certain words or phrases are distracting to them because they remind them of specific situations.  I like to snap my fingers as a cue, but some clients are startled by that, so I’ll do something else such as a gentle knock on my wooden desk.

Feedback closes the loop of communication with my client.  A few simple explanations and descriptions from them help me to understand what to do differently in order that they achieve what they set out to do!

Are You Resolved? Really?

Welcome to the end-of-year season!  This is the time of year when we all go inward for introspection.  Hopefully, we assess ourselves, decide which changes we will make, and begin fine tuning ourselves and our lives.  Now that we’re here, let’s take a look at the positives and the pitfalls of making New Year’s Resolutions.

First, the pitfalls.  New Year’s Resolutions are laughed at.  They are both the joke and the punch line.  A great many people just don’t believe that lasting change is possible, so they will deride your efforts to make positive changes.

Every year at the gym, right after the New Year, there is increased traffic due to people wanting to get into shape right after the holidays.  We expect this traffic.  You want to know what the joke is?  They will all be gone in about a month.  These folks even have a name: “Resolutioners.”  It is well known that most people will not sustain the changes they plan. Here’s a tip: only tell the people in your life who will be supportive, and who are also interested in making changes for the better!

A resolution means perseverance and determination.  Changes don’t have to be painful, but the effort that you put in is equal to the results you will get.  Don’t get caught up with distractions from your goal!

Here are some ways you can reinforce your decision to change for the better.

Watch your self-talk.  Whatever doubts you have are expressed in the way we talk to ourselves.  All doubt comes from the conscious mind.  The unconscious does not argue; it only does what we tell it to do.  As you are making changes in your life, change the way you talk to yourself.  Talk as if you are a great coach to yourself.  You love yourself and you want to have the best life you can get, right?  Be a positive influence upon your own mind.

Give yourself positive reinforcement.  Now that change is in the air, give yourself the best possible chance by seeking opportunities to practice the principles that you know are right for you.  You will probably be better off making new habits and changing People, Places, and Things.

Encourage yourself to change by changing the little things: routes traveled, daily rituals and routines, and personal habits.  By doing this, new opportunities for lasting change will come into your consciousness.  When this happens, give thanks!  This is your powerful subconscious mind guiding you toward the changes you want!  Give yourself the gift of change, and go for it!

Hypertension? Hypnosis Works!

It’s true—hypnosis can be used to help correct high blood pressure.

Here’s how hypnosis works:

The brain is in charge of the body, and it runs all the systems. The mind learns many lessons over a lifetime, and the lessons turn into automatic behaviors such as how to walk and how we behave in relationships. The subconscious remembers everything and acts upon the lessons in order to make sure we survive.

Your subconscious wants to maintain the status quo at all times, so it’s also in charge of healing. When you catch cold, your mind begins to make all the systems of your body work together to bring your body back into balance. You can’t achieve wellness unless your mind works on it—but it’s the part of your mind that works in the background, without you having to concentrate on the issue.

Of course, hypnosis is not a panacea for wellness. With regard to medical conditions, it is not and never can be a substitute for expert medical or psychiatric care. No responsible hypnotherapist should work with an ill client without the agreement of the primary care physician. The hypnotist provides adjunct care as part of a team of wellness practitioners.

If there is a medical issue, it’s possible that the mind has forgotten how to relieve that condition over time. Hypnosis is simply a way of changing your mind so that your subconscious mind can re-learn wellness and balance, and learn to work in a different way.

Clinical applications of hypnosis are effective for an astonishing variety of physical problems, and the subconscious mind seems unlimited in its power to heal the body.

Happy New Year! Time for a change?

How’s it going? How was your holiday season? I’m in touch with quite a few people who had their share of stress over the New Year’s holiday. I wish I could get them into my office for 2-3 sessions because I know I can give each of them a great tune-up! It’s now the New Year, and millions of people are eager to change a whole bunch of things in their lives.

As we long for change and new beginnings, we also resist change at some level. People who resist change manage to hang onto the old, reject the new, and repeat their previous experiences with each new season and setting.

Most of your behaviors are automatic, or subconscious. These include bodily functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and blinking—plus a range of unwanted behaviors. How do you know which behaviors are automatic? Simple: they are the ones you can’t explain. You simply don’t know why you can’t stop or replace them with behaviors you desire. Sometimes you make up reasons and excuses such as, “I was raised that way,” or “I’m just too old to change,” but deep down you know that the subconscious desire is too strong for you to change with just plain willpower.

Your subconscious is the part of your mind that has always paid attention and never sleeps. It has learned many lessons, and it likes to act on those lessons at all times. Unfortunately, the subconscious also learns lessons that might not be good for us.

Over the years many of us learn to over-eat, for example. We learn to rely on any number of quick fixes and mood-altering situations. If you can relate to this and are having a devil of a time reforming your behaviors, welcome to your Subconscious Mind! It’s where your hidden desires demand to be satisfied. It’s an amazing and wonderful place. I know, because I work there full-time.

There’s another way: Hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is a way into the subconscious in order to remove unwanted behaviors, alter your Life Script, and improve general wellness.

Hypnosis is science, although it seems like magic. In the hands of a skilled, educated professional working with a motivated client, the results are fascinating. When you succeed with hypnotherapy, you understand the infinite power of your own subconscious wisdom, and you recognize that you are powerful. At the moment that your conscious desires and subconscious capacity for learning align, you become unstoppable! Right now, whatever condition you are in, I assure you that your internal resources are abundant, and they are accessible to you.

Hypnosis is commonly known to work wonders for people who want to quit smoking or lose weight. It’s also great for reducing stress and anxiety. Did you know it can help you re-write your Life Script? Yes, you can change your subconscious expectations of how much you earn annually, general health and conditioning, even the kind of people you will attract into your life. You can use hypnosis to improve your golf game, heal faster from surgery, and deal with grief. The subconscious, while in hypnosis, is ready to learn new lessons and change the course of your life.

If this sounds hard to believe, it’s because you’re thinking about this with your conscious mind. Your conscious mind is the part that reasons, analyzes, and uses willpower. Your subconscious, on the other hand, only does what you tell it to do—when it opens up for learning.

For a professionally trained hypnotist, the process is simple, short term, and highly effective. We can help you unlock your subconscious, because we have the keys to the front door.

To Everything There Is A Season

As a summertime man who lives on the coast of New Jersey, I miss the summer months when I can forget about coats and gloves, and go for a drive with the top down.  This year I’m trying something new:  I’m doing whatever I can to appreciate the beauty of the changing seasons.  Mother Nature has her way, and she is consistent.

As the seasons change in a temperate climate, one day the temperature drops considerably, suddenly getting our attention.  If we had been watching more closely, we would have seen the signs of change all along.  The first day of autumn can seem like a typical summer day.  Then a day comes that’s nothing like summer, and we become conscious that the seasons are changing all the time.

I have this theory that people are seasonal, too. [Read more →]