New clients are often amused when they enter my office and catch sight of the tan leather tool belt that is slung over the back of a chair. In each pocket of this leather tool belt is a card naming the different “Life Tools” that I offer in my private practice. Sometimes, a hammer can be seen hanging from the tool belt’s metal loop. When I notice a new client curiously checking out the tool belt, I explain that I teach people how to stop reaching for a hammer to clobber themselves…..after they’ve made a mistake or if they haven’t done something “perfectly.”
In addition to being a humorous “conversational icebreaker” for new clients, my visual depiction of healthy “Life Tools” reminds returning clients to reach downward (inside themselves) for healthy tools rather than reaching outward for self-soothing methods that can add to their challenges. Self-soothing methods might include attempting to avoid, numb, outrun, or distract from uncomfortable thoughts and emotions by overeating, overdrinking, overspending, etc.
When it comes to my own self-care, one tool that I personally would find difficult to get along without is self-hypnosis. When I’m unable to sleep (yep, I know how to ruminate with the best of ‘em!), one of my most effective ways of relaxing is practicing self-hypnosis.
For this reason, I teach many of my clients how to use self-hypnosis to relax their minds and their bodies so they learn how to “let go” of each day’s stressors and “invite in” restful sleep. That way, the next morning—after they’ve had a chance to refresh and recharge—they’re more likely to take effective action toward solving the challenges that may have initially triggered the “passive worry cycle.”
In addition to sharing relaxation techniques, I teach clients how to use self-hypnosis as a supportive tool for propelling them toward their personal and professional goals. For instance, many clients who contact me are seeking hypnosis after procrastination (sometimes referred to as “analysis paralysis”) has them feeling stuck or blocked from moving forward in their lives.
Now, let’s get real here. When many of you hear the term hypnosis, I bet you think about the “eerie” mind-control scenarios from Hollywood’s depictions. Or, if you’ve seen stage hypnosis, then you probably think of a guy swinging a pocket watch while telling his volunteer to quack like a duck. Am I right?
If so, then I want to share with you that stage hypnosis is for entertainment, whereas hypnotherapy is a powerful tool for personal growth and positive transformation. Simply put, hypnotherapy is a way to relax and calm your mind, body, and emotions in order to enter a focused state where unhealthy habits and challenges can be explored.
During hypnotherapy, you are given an opportunity to gain insights into your established patterns of behaviors, move through emotional blocks, and head toward your personal and professional goals. It may help to think of your mind as consisting of two parts—the conscious and the unconscious. Your conscious mind operates within your awareness and on a surface level. By contrast, your unconscious mind operates outside of your conscious awareness and below the surface. Hypnotherapy addresses your challenges and behaviors at a deep, unconscious level—below the surface—to address issues from the inside out.
During hypnotherapy, most of my clients feel an increase of concentration, and their awareness becomes heightened, allowing them to notice sounds, scents, or images that are part of their experience. Landscapes that they often choose for their hypnosis work include beautiful forests, gardens, or sunny beach scenes. And, even though their eyes are closed, clients will be speaking and connecting with me verbally throughout their hypnotherapy session.
While experiencing this deeply relaxed and comfortable state, I teach clients how to connect with their own inner wisdom the Higher Self. Creativity, clarity, and insights are often available during this rich, “soul-nourishing” state. And the truth is, most of my clients, after completing their first hypnotherapy sessions, gratefully express how profound and inspiring their hypnotherapy experiences were.
Sound intriguing? If so, then consider adding self-hypnosis to your self-care toolkit. Discover holistic ways to cultivate restful sleep patterns by learning tools that shed light on underlying self-defeating habits. Finally, how about creating a new goal in your life that includes leaving insomnia and procrastination in the dust?
Trina Swerdlow, BFA, CCHT, is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, an artist, and the author of the 2-CD Set, Weight Loss: Powerful & Easy-to-Use Tools for Releasing Excess Weight. Her artwork and personal profile are included in Outstanding American Illustrators Today 2. She is the author and illustrator of Stress Reduction Journal: Meditate and Journal Your Way to Better Health. Trina has a private practice in downtown Danville. She soulfully shares her creative approach to personal growth and passionately supports her clients in reaching their goals. You can reach her at: (925) 285.5759, or info@TrinaSwerdlow.com.
Certified Clinical Hypnotherapy services in California can be alternative or complementary to licensed healing arts, such as psychotherapy.
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