As an artist and a creative Clinical Hypnotherapist, I’m a fan of the philosophy that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” For this reason, various visuals (2 and 3 dimensional) are some of my favorite teaching tools. For example, when working with clients who are seeking stress management help, I offer an illustrative symbol for stress that sits on a table next to my chair. The symbol is a small figurine that I repeatedly reach for while talking with clients. The figurine is of a man carrying a large sack of coal on his back. The man is bent over beneath the weight of the coal-filled sack.
This is a good analogy for the stress management work that I do with clients year round. For example, I ask clients, “What are you carrying on your back that feels like a burden?” Then, our work often consists of hoisting the sack off the client’s back, and onto the floor between us. We “metaphorically” let the sack’s contents gently spill onto the floor allowing the coal pieces to receive some light. From this higher perspective…we let the exploration begin.
The client and I sit patiently together, identifying, sorting, and clarifying what each piece of coal (or burden) represents. The process often uncovers guilt, shame, and regret. I also find that many clients are carrying burdens for other people—burdens over which they have no power to change. If they determine they are carrying a burden that is truly someone else’s responsibility, then they can consider “energetically” (sometimes during hypnotherapy) giving the piece of coal back to its rightful owner. This personal inventory process offers my clients an opportunity to strengthen their boundaries and choose to address burdens that are appropriately within their realms of control.
One of my clients, Celeste, carried the burden of continually worrying about her older brother. She expended lots of energy trying to help—as well as trying to “fix” his problems. She researched and offered professional resources galore. Unfortunately, there was no appreciation or follow-up on the resources by her brother (as he continued self-destructive behaviors). Several times, Celeste organized an intervention with a skilled therapist, other family members, and several of her brother’s friends (who were in recovery already). Unfortunately, her brother was unwilling to receive any treatment.
Eventually, through her own personal growth work, Celeste learned that she didn’t need to continually carry another adult’s burdens or suffering. Realizing this was a pivotal moment in her life. It was a moment when she came home to herself. She made her own health, well-being, and personal growth major priorities in her life. And, she finally brought the focus back to issues within herself that were in need of emotional healing. Celeste focused on areas of her life where she did have power and could create healthy change…and cultivate personal fulfillment.
I often see a recurring gift that clients receive after they’ve gone through this process of sorting through their “coal sacks” with me. Once a layer of the emotional exploration is complete and they have clarified and compassionately released burdens that are not appropriately theirs to bear—a clearing appears. After they’ve created some space and added breathing room, they then have an opportunity to invite in what they need in their lives today.
This process of lightening up and moving forward can be a great way for each of us to update our internal landscapes and continually clear out heavy burdens we have no control over. We lose emotional weight, which then often inspires losing physical weight (an added benefit). As a result, we no longer need to “feed” the sack of stress-full burdens!
And, while I’m on the topic of lightening up, if emotional eating is a challenge and a habit in your life—then join me January 11th in Walnut Creek for a workshop (details below). It’s the first workshop on this topic where we are inviting men to attend at the Women’s Health Center. Due to many requests by men to attend, I am delighted to include both men and women. I hope to see many of you ALIVE readers at this event!
Finally, when we dive in and embrace, renew, or release, both physically and emotionally, we are honoring who we are in this precious moment—mind, body, and spirit. And, from this recharged, lighter place we can declare that we are ready to move forward…and wholeheartedly savor this New Year!
Trina’s Inspiring Workshop: Managing Emotional and Compulsive Eating—for Women & Men—John Muir Women’s Health Center: Tuesday, Jan 11, 6:30-8:30 pm. 1656 N. California Blvd., Suite 100, Walnut Creek. Seats are limited—register today: (925) 941-7900 option 3. For more info, go to www.TrinaSwerdlow.com & click on “Private Sessions & Workshops”
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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