Suzanne Matthiessen, Ch.T
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In Brief: About Hypnotherapy and Self Hypnosis
The mind has two levels: our conscious awareness and our subconscious thoughts. The state of hypnosis is created by establishing an openly-suggestible level of awareness through several steps referred to as “inductions,” thereby providing access to the subconscious mind. Suggestibility translates into how you receive and process information - it has nothing to do with giving up control of your own mind. The subconscious mind is considered to be the source or root of many of our thoughts, choices, actions and behaviors, both productive and harmful to self and others. No matter how strong your conscious desire to improve your life may be, if your subconscious mind is sabotaging your best intentions and goals, all you wind up doing is spinning around in the status quo, frustrated, defeated, and convinced you are doomed to always fail.
Hypnosis works with the ability of the subconscious mind to be reoriented to assist you in the process of changing unproductive habits and behaviors. It is a state of deep relaxation and calm while remaining mentally focused - very similar to the practice of mindfulness meditation. Positive suggestions are more readily accepted in this state, and work in tandem with the brain’s natural ability to be flexible or plastic, regardless of our age.
In Brief: About Therapeutic Imagery
Therapeutic imagery practices have been used as effective wellness tools worldwide for centuries, even though they have only gained favor by practitioners of traditional Western medicine in the past several decades. Over 200 research studies in the past 30 years have explored the role of mind-body relaxation techniques in helping people prepare for surgical and medical procedures and to recover more quickly, and can aid in transcending feelings of loss of control, fear, panic, anxiety, helplessness, and uncertainty. They can also help people manage the mental and emotional challenges associated with a variety of illnesses. The world-renowned Cleveland Clinic supports the use of therapeutic imagery in preparation for medical and surgical procedures including heart surgery, chemotherapy, dialysis, in vitro fertilization and other treatment procedures.
Imagery exercises can help bring about the state of mind and body most conducive to healing – deep inner calm and positive focus. Imagery can prompt beneficial changes in bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory patterns. It has also been found to decrease the side effects and complications of medical procedures and shorten hospital stays, increase self-confidence and self-control, decrease stress and anxiety, fortify the immune system, decrease pain, enhance sleep, and support the body's innate ability to heal.
Of great importance is assisting the client to connect to a Safe Place of internal sanctuary they can always return to in times of stress and uncertainty.
Therapeutic imagery involves all of the senses and feelings. It is not merely "creative visualization." It is a way of calmly and mindfully viewing your ideas, beliefs, and experiences without judgment and working to create positive inner and outer changes to break through the old status quo that keeps us stuck in a rut on multiple levels.
The most effective use of therapeutic imagery takes place by first establishing a comfortable state of hypnosis. The client is in a more receptive state and therefore has a better chance of receiving positive suggestive imagery and acting upon it in their daily lives with eyes open.
Many health care professionals are now inducing trance-like states through a relaxation procedure and “guiding” the client in an imagery process. By introducing a deeply relaxed state to the client, they are attempting to bypass the critical mind for greater receptivity and desired results. However, while some success occurs, often results are due to the placebo affect.
Please click here to learn more (including what I do not use hypnosis for): download my FAQ/Info sheet on Mindful Hypnosis.
Please click here to learn more about private Mind-Body coaching sessions and group trainings with Suzanne.
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Suzanne's Professional Hypnosis Training
My hypnotherapy education began in 1990 by receiving training and certification through the American Institute of Hypnotherapy as a clinical hypnotherapist; however, after changes in ownership and structure, the California Department of Education rescinded their ability to grant further certifications or degrees. I subsequently received advanced certification training (including additional specialized individual certificates in Hypnosis for Weight Loss, Pain Management and Sports Performance) and a diploma through the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, Los Angeles, CA, the first nationally accredited college of hypnotherapy in the United States, in existence for over 40 years.
HMI is a highly ethical and professional college of hypnotherapy, accredited through the ACCET and DECT, as well as approved for CEUs for licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, licensed Clinical Social Workers, Registered Nurses, and licensed Dentists and Dental Assistants. They offer extensive residence as well as distance education, not some weekend workshops held in hotel meeting rooms (or the like). Although not required, most HMI graduates practicing in the United States have malpractice insurance; however, no HMI graduate has ever been sued for malpractice. |
Important to know: Anyone in the U.S. who claims to have a "PhD in Clinical Hypnotherapy" simply does not. From this explanation posted on Wikipedia:
The Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy (DCH) degree is an unrecognized degree in the United States. When such a degree is available, it is often granted by schools offering distance education, usually in conjunction with existing hypnotherapy certification programs.
Because the majority of hypnotherapy degrees are offered through programs that are unaccredited in nature, they do not have to meet any requirements established by national licensing standards.
In most USA states, it is a criminal offence to use the title “Doctor” if the doctorate is received from an unaccredited institution.
Please click here to learn more about Mind-Body Coaching and Training with Suzanne. |
