Who can benefit from hypnosis?
Anyone of average intelligence who is willing to concentrate, follow instructions and use their imagination can benefit from hypnotherapy.
What is hypnosis like?
Hypnosis is a natural state of consciousness and we often experience hypnosis during the day. Have you ever driven somewhere and arrived not being aware of driving to your destination. That’s highway hypnosis. Have you ever found yourself daydreaming that’s also hypnosis? Hypnosis gives you many of the benefits of a restful night’s sleep. Clients report being more relaxed, having heightened awareness, having gained insights and coming out more refreshed after hypnosis. You will be amazed at the deep levels of healing that can be achieved in just one session! Along with using Hypnotherapy to create positive changes in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, we use a variety of other methods and healing modalities such as Voice Analysis, Sound and Energy, Rapid Resolution Therapy. Common experiences reported during hypnosis are feeling deeply relaxed with sensations of lightness or heaviness. Clients also sometimes report their bodies feeling a slight numbness. Most clients report feeling very relaxed and sometimes have a feeling of expansion. Your experience will be unique to you. Clients oftentimes are surprised by their statements and receive insights into confusing patterns.
Is not hypnosis being put to sleep?
Hypnosis is not a state of sleep, but a natural state of mind that can produce extraordinary levels of relaxation and heighten awareness of mind, body, and emotions. The principles and theories upon which hypnotherapy is based are accessing and utilizing the power of one’s inner resources. Hypnosis helps the client to transcend the critical, analytical level of mind, and facilitate the acceptance of suggestions, directions, and instructions desired by the Client. You can never be made to do anything you do not want to do! Hypnosis is used to induce a state of increased relaxation with full awareness. You are able to remember everything and actually increase your concentration during and after as a result of hypnosis.
Does hypnosis actually work?
Clinical Hypnotherapy, when used by a professional clinician has long been recognized by the National Board Certified Hypnotherapist as a highly effective science and method for personal empowerment, symptom reduction with greater ease and confidence, and greater freedom to unblock limitations keeping individuals from moving forward in their life. Thousands of individuals have benefited and found great relief from hypnosis. See the benefits below. Hypnotherapy can be used by itself or as an aid to counseling. Hypnosis enables you to get to the core of the problem and release blocks so you perceive things differently and you are free to make changes to move forward in your life. The hypnotherapy communicates with your subconscious mind to discover and release any blocks to your happiness and success. During this process, you will feel relaxed and you will hear and remember everything that is said.
How can pastoral counseling help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in counseling. Counselors can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues, and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Counseling can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from counseling depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from counseling include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek counseling
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Do I really need pastoral counseling? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, counseling is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking spiritual counseling. Counseling provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Why do people go to spiritual counseling and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have many different motivations for coming to counseling. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance in managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts, and creative blocks. Counseling can help provide some much-needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking counseling are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
What is pastoral counseling like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for counseling, counseling will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous counseling session. Depending on your specific needs, counseling can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your counselor (usually weekly).
It is important to understand that you will get more results from counseling if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of counseling is to help you bring what you learn in the session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in counseling sessions, your counselor may suggest some things you can do outside of counseling to support your process – such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking counseling are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.
Does what we talk about in pastoral counseling remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and a spiritual counselor. Successful counseling requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the counselor’s office. Every spiritual counselor should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in the session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your counselor to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (you’re your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law, your counselor cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
However, state law and professional ethics require the pastoral counselor to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
- Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
- If the pastoral counselor has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threated to harm another person.