People experience hypnosis when both
their mind and body are willing to relax
All humans are unique, and thus how hypnosis works will be different for each of us. Some will naturally anticipate enjoying it, while others may feel a little nervous at first.
Some clients are hesitant to allow their thoughts to slow down, because their critical mind is acting as a sentry, guarding them from relaxing and accepting new approaches to achieving their goals. Often, clients are more relaxed by the second session.
A good hypnotist will never push a client to become more relaxed. We’re not biologically designed to speed up certain processes in the mind/body matrix. We’re incapable of forcing someone to go to sleep more quickly, for example. In fact, doing so creates resistance, and produces the opposite effect. Learning to relax your mind involves implicitly accepting that for a certain amount of time, you’re willing to suspend other concerns. That’s how hypnosis works.
The more your cognitive mind becomes distracted,
the greater your receptivity to hypnotic suggestions
During a normal day at work, you may, for example, tend to be focused on tasks that involve computation, planning, making decisions affecting production of a product, designing a brochure, or expanding a business. In short, you’re utilizing your cognitive (conscious) mind to accomplish these goals. How hypnosis works is to distract your conscious mind. It’s unable to process information in its customary, analytical manner. This creates an opportunity to engage your subconscious mind.
How hypnosis works is that you’re
always aware while in the hypnotic state
Just to clarify: you are never unconscious during a hypnosis session. That is to say, you never lose consciousness. You’ll always hear the hypnotist’s voice, though it may begin to seem distant once you’re deeply relaxed. If a client falls asleep they will still be receptive to hypnotic suggestions, because their subconscious is listening.
How hypnosis works is to uncover your true potential for change
Gradually your mind accepts the fact that you no longer need to exert conscious control of your thoughts and feelings, as you subconsciously become aware of what the hypnotist is saying, while feeling relaxed and somewhat detached.
For example, the hypnotist may suggest you reflect on a painful circumstance you experienced in your past. Possibly memories or feelings which you’d long ago forgotten might surface, or you might perceive the experience very differently than how you’d remembered it. This is completely natural and normal.
The hypnotist might engage you in conversation to help you reframe your feelings towards this event in a more positive light. Later, as you reflect back upon your session, you’ll likely notice that a weight has been lifted off your shoulders, causing you to feel more confident and at peace. Yet, how hypnosis works is always different for everyone.
Many different circumstances lead people to seek a hypnotist
The reasons people seek hypnosis vary widely from one person to the next. Fear of leaving the home, fear of not reaching one’s monthly sales quota, lowering alcohol intake and a desire to discover the most suitable career path are just a few examples. Hypnotherapy can be an important tool to increase your self-confidence in a myriad of ways. Remember, a little change in one area of your life can dramatically affect the entire spectrum of your life.
One of the extra bonuses I provide all of my clients is an MP3 or cd recording of each session. Being diligent about listening to your session recording a few times a week will definitely help with your daily progress.
Are there any other questions lingering in your mind that you’d like to ask? If so, post them below, and I’ll respond to them shortly or call me and schedule a complimentary session.
Our Emotions Run Deep,
Especially in Personal Relationships
Even before emerging into this world, we become deeply connected to someone beyond ourselves. We know how easily babies respond to their mother’s voice, her mood swings, and her habits, such as the type of music she listens to. Our brains are literally hard-wired to make a connection with thousands of people, ideas and places in our world. Consider the full spectrum of human emotions we access throughout our lives: from ecstasy, astonishment and curiosity to boredom, defiance, jealousy and depression.
We’ve All Been There:
Sometimes Emotional Detachment Causes A lot of Pain
While many couples seek a relationship with someone who shares their core value set, others will look for someone with values and beliefs that differ from their own. An intelligent, serious college student might prefer dating a man seeking a masters in physics, while a pilot may find an artist’s lifestyle enticing. When engaged in these relationships, our subconscious mind is constantly evaluating whether our partner’s values match ours, or whether they’re radically different from ours.
Inevitably, at some point all relationships reach a point where communication temporarily breaks down. During these difficult moments, I believe our Achilles Heel lies in our inability toclearly see ourselves the way others see us. This affects our capacity to perceive both our limiting patterns and strengths, as well as to effectively resolve conflicts. Also, over time some people change dramatically, causing a permanent breakup of the relationship. Suddenly, the ex-partner is faced with the painful dilemma of learning how to make a radical adjustment to their life without their significant other.
How Can I Learn to Feel Emotional Detachment from My Ex Partner?
Naturally, the fear and angst a person feels after a breakup can sometimes be paralyzing. The build-up of anxiety in the limbic system of your brain from Emotional Detachment can cause obsessive thinking, insomnia and even depression. Hypnotherapy provides immediate relief by deeply relaxing your subconscious mind, restoring you to a greater sense of balance, and a calmer perspective.
Neuroscience has shown us that we are infinitely more creative than we realize. Your subconscious imagination enhances your ability to emotionally detach from a former partnership. Deep hypnotic states have enabled clients to accelerate their ability to radically accept their new circumstances, while perceiving new opportunities for growth. After one session, one client informed me that after seeing her former partner in a café, she observed “there’s the man I used to date.”
Brain Working Recursive Therapy (BWRT) has also proven to be highly effective for redirecting the fear and panic response accompanying the end of a romance. The protocols for BWRT are different than hypnosis, and focus on blocking the panic response produced by the reptilian brain. It is an astounding process that is already gaining recognition amongst therapists and psychotherapists to help with Emotional Detachment.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your relationship, treatment for Emotional Detachment normally takes anywhere from three to six sessions.
How long has the powerful, trance-inducing experience called hypnosis been practiced? That, in fact, might be hard to determine. It is known, however, that 4,000 years ago sleep temples were used by the Egyptians in Heliopolis to facilitate dream interpretation and meditation. In some cases, individuals visited particular temples to have their ailments treated by way of chanting, and thus entering a trance-like state. Ancient written records suggest that practices resembling hypnosis, albeit by a different name, originated not only with the Egyptians but also with the Chinese, Hindus, and Greeks along with other cultures of the Middle East.
While hypnotic processes continued to spread through Europe during the dark ages and middle ages, it was notably during the 18th century when both physicians and philosophers helped craft and hone the fledgling science. During this time, Dr. Frantz Anton Mesmer, an Austrian physician, started experimenting with magnets to remove ailments by putting the human body into a trance-like state. He theorized that the human body possessed an etheric current which he later called “animal magnetism” that flowed from the head to the feet: Mesmer held large “salons” where patients lined up to be treated for various conditions. Despite the fact his work stirred up much controversy, Mesmer did receive credit for helping to establish a connection between the treatment of the emotions and a patient’s physical health.
Meanwhile, in 1842 a Scottish surgeon named Dr. James Braid expanded upon Mesmer’s work and coined the term “hypnosis” based on the Greek word, “Hypnos” for sleep. Braid misconstrued the idea of hypnosis as a tool to induce a sleep-like state, which led to a brief period of time where members of the medical community utilized hypnosis as a sedation tool for surgical procedures. Other significant thinkers of the era, including Sigmund Freud, also attempted to better understand the benefits of hypnosis. As we now well know, psychoanalysis became one of Freud’s greatest achievements.
In the early 19th Century, Dr. James Esdaile, a British physician, used hypnosis to induce surgical anesthesia in over 300 patients in India. Meanwhile, in the United States, the first extensive medical application of hypnosis alongside anesthesia occurred during the Civil War. This effort was spearheaded by Dr. Henry Munroe, a dentist trained in hypnotherapy. Dr. Munroe hypnotized his patients into a very deeply relaxed state, enabling them to feel numbness in their jaw prior to dental surgery. As a result, he administered a much lower dosage of chloroform. Dr. Munroe also taught hypnosis to two young men, the Mayo brothers, who proceeded to assist thousands of patients during dental surgery. Later these two brilliant, enterprising young men founded the Mayo Clinic.
Today, hypnotherapy is highly regarded by JAMA (The Journal of American Medicine) for its effectiveness in pain management.
Why is hypnosis so effective? Simply put, once you are deeply relaxed, your subconscious mind facilitates a deeper connection between both your body and your mind. This heightened state of awareness, along with powerful hypnotic suggestions, promotes transformation and healing at very deep levels.
90% of people who come to see me don’t know what hypnotherapy is. What they do know is they want to make a change. As you read this right now, you know you want to make a change, and you’re aware that resources are out there to make it happen.
So today’s post is all about answering the top 3 questions about what hypnotherapy is, and what it takes to take the next step so you can get the help you need.
The very first question that everyone asks is “How does the process of hypnosis actually work?” Hypnosis is a very heightened state of awareness that you reach through deep relaxation. Once your analytical mind is relaxed, I’m able to guide you, through the use of positive suggestions and metaphors, to reframe negative perceptions of outdated beliefs and behaviors. Once these are dispelled from your subconscious mind, you develop a heightened awareness of your true feelings, whether it concerns either a past or present experience.
The second most common question is…..you guessed it! “Katie, will you make me cluck like a chicken?” Absolutely not. As a certified hypnotherapist I have a strong code of ethics. I’m here to help you be your absolute best self . My work involves guiding your subconscious to release sabotaging thoughts and behaviors, while replacing them with more empowering strategies.
Besides, you have your own principles which you’d never violate. (ie would you show up at work dressed in a tiger costume?) If you answered a resounding “No!,” this means you’d never respond to any suggestion contrary to your core beliefs.
I run into people while travelling all over the country, who often ask me “How do I choose a good hypnotherapist?” Here’s both a suggestion and a question: What qualities do you want someone to possess whose mission is to help you make an important change in your life? Some characteristics that spring to mind include being a good listener, being sensitive to your personal need for help, and displaying a broad knowledge of hypnosis, including how to address your unique situation. And above all, making sure they are fully certified in hypnotherapy by a physical college (not an online institution).
Hopefully by now you’re aware that when using hypnosis, changes to your personal behavior and beliefs are experienced as a result of reaching heightened self-awareness through deep relaxation, and that certified hypnotists practice high ethical standards preventing any violation of your personal codes of conduct. Finally, consider the qualities and values you’re seeking in the hypnotherapist who will help you achieve successful results. It will be well worth the effort.
Are there any other questions lingering in your mind that you’d like to ask? If so, post them below, and I’ll respond to them shortly.
Katie is the definition of amazing. She can take any fear or phobia you possess and turn it into one of your strengths. You leave the session feeling like a new person. If you want to change your life, come here. Thank you for your amazing work Katie!
Katie was exactly what I needed to restore/find my professional confidence. I had a big promotional opportunity in my field and while I felt qualified, I was apprehensive about the new role and interview. Over the course of 3 sessions Katie was able to break down some mental blocks I ...
Katie- Just arrived at Scott's home in Palm Desert about 3 hours ago. I had listened to my relaxation tape 2 times this past week and slept like a baby last night. Usually before a flight if I can sleep the night before I end up waking up in the ...
I sought Katie out to help me get over a lifelong phobia (I prefer not to disclose specifics) after an occurrence at work and a traumatic experience on vacation in NY. I was in desperate need of help, but skeptical as I'd have this deep rooted fear for as long ...
Katie Ramseur was very helpful in my desire to overcome anxiety and stress. I found her professional, caring and knowledgeable; she listened carefully to understand my specific needs, then addressed them in our work. The connection I felt with her, was very clear and effortless. I always felt in control ...
So the last thing I am is one of these "woo woo: people -- into alternative medicine, checking my "chakras", meditating, in touch with my inner self.... just not me. So when I first met Katie at a business event, I thought, "Oh, that's nice that she helps folks through ...
"I visited Katie to get a new perspective on my alcohol consumption, which had become a problem. Although I only had a few sessions, I enjoyed them greatly and each time felt better when I left than when I came in. Overall, she helped me take a new look at ...
"The very instant I met Katie I intuitively felt comfortable which is rare for me. I sought hypnotic therapy for a gambling problem and after our 3rd session I hadn't just kicked my bad habit but was exploring many other spiritual avenues that raised my awareness about the world and ...
My sessions with Katie were a complete success. My cigarette cravings were removed and I felt better immediately. My second session she helped me work on controlling my overeating, especially sweets and I can honestly say that too has seen a huge improvement. Thank you Katie for helping my success!
Katie has helped me keep working as a registered nurse. I had become nearly incapacitated by stress in my work life, to the point of being phobic. I just wanted to quit and push the \"reset\" button!During my first appointment with her, Katie listened with great empathy as my story ...
"As a therapist/healer, Katie is a 15 on a 1 to 10 scale. She has helped me generate a positive self-image from a long history of self-sabotaging negativity. Her capacity to deeply listen to, hear, and address my concerns is stellar. Her depth of knowledge of ...
