Harnessing the subconscious through hypnosis
Late last year, I received a call from a friend who lives in France. He was so excited to tell me that he quit smoking!
I met this friend in Paris decades ago but could not spend more than five minutes with him as he was a chain smoker. Five minutes in his company — inhaling all that smoke — and my asthma would kick in. So it was always a hello and goodbye situation between the two of us. The recent death of his best friend from lung cancer devastated him but jolted him to stop his decades-long smoking habit. A well-meaning friend suggested that he tried hypnosis and gave him the name of the institution ( Hypnose Ericksonniene) to go to. After one session, he was able to kick the habit and has not fallen off the wagon since. When he is in the company of smokers, he gets the urge to reach out for a stick but his strong will tells him not to do it. I was so impressed with his story that I took an interest in learning more about hypnotherapy.
Serendipitously, I bumped into my friend Ria Yap who told me that she quit being a public relations consultant because she felt she had a higher calling in life. Taking stock of her inner desire to help sick people, upon further research, she decided that she could help people with their health issues through hypnotherapy. Today, she is a certified hypnotherapist, graduating with honors at the Hypnosis Motivation Institute and was certified by the Hypnotherapists Union Local 472, both based in California.
“There is a deeper sense of fulfillment,” she says, “when you see people empower themselves by harmonizing the heart and mind.”
I have always been interested in alternative and complementary healing modalities like hypnosis, especially because I have a sweet tooth and can’t resist desserts. I really would like to delete sugar from my diet. It came to mind again when a cover of the August 2018 issue of Women’s Health caught my eye — “Hypnotherapy-The Hottest Trend in Wellness Right Now.” My friend’s healing from his nicotine addiction validated this claim.
Hypnosis, also referred to as hypnotherapy or hypnotic suggestion, is a trance-like state where you are brought to a heightened awareness and focus, usually with the help of a therapist. When under hypnosis, one usually feels calm and relaxed, and are more open to suggestions. The positive suggestions and imagery are discussed cognitively with the client before hypnosis because the most important part of therapy is the client’s belief in hypnosis together with the acceptance, willingness and determination to make positive changes in life.
As I learned more and more about its scientific basis and international acceptance, my resolve to try this modality grew. More so, when I heard additional testimonials of her clients.
Rosa, a cancer patient and with doctor’s approval, underwent pain management hypnosis before treatment.
“I was surprised to experience absolutely no pain as a side effect of chemotherapy. I had already done seven cycles previously, all accompanied by some pain and weakness that lasted around three days. After pain management hypnotherapy however, the next six sessions I had were painless.
Jane, a victim of trichotillomania (an irresistible urge to pull out one’s hair, usually from their scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows. a type of impulse control disorder) sought help to control this urge.
“I’ve dealt with trichotillomania for 14 years. I’ve tried all the possible cures you can search for in the web, but still no luck. At first I didn’t really believe in hypnotherapy, but I was desperate and I knew I had to do something out of the ordinary. I wanted to be cured!
Now, I feel more confident with myself, more aware of the conditions and stressors that will eventually lead me to pulling my hair. I hardly do it I feel more relaxed and stress free!”
To say that I am excited for my hypnotherapy appointment to manage my sugar addiction is an understatement. I am certain I’ll be part of Ria’s anecdotes very soon. That is another story for another time.
