hello; and I've been hypnotized!

[rif]

The subject says it all. :D

I've lurked here on and off for a few years, and I've had a long-standing interest in hypnosis and NLP. I've practiced self-hypnosis on my own, but mostly to experience trance, rather than to implement practical self-improvement. Without feedback, I decided I had no idea if I was "doing it right."

I finally mustered the courage (if that's the right word) to go see a hypnotherapist, to learn self-hypnosis. Her story is quite inspiring: a cancer survivor who originally learned self-hypnosis to get through chemo treatments and such, which led her to go on and help others through hypnosis.

At any rate, I had my visit this morning. The induction process was different than I expected, as was the feel of my trance. (She did inform me beforehand she wasn't going to take me deep enough for a gall bladder surgery -- good sense of humor!) I was sometimes aware of the room, at least a little bit. But I will say that the time flew by. Which is good, because I've always wanted to learn and utilize time distortion for those boring times where I have to wait in line! :)

The best thing to come out of my session is that I arrived at work, and walked into a situation that would normally have gotten me worked up and angry. (Silly manager!) Today it did not phase me at all, and I dealt with it in a positive and hopefully effective manner. Although I was already a believer in hypnosis, I think this was a much stronger ratifier for me than any cataleptic phonemonon would have been!

At any rate, I just wanted to share my experience.

[Connie]

Thanks for sharing! :)

[Poodle]

Nice, isn't it? Now maybe you can understand why we love it so and just any old excuse will do.

[Merlin]

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c344/Myhrrhleine2/Other/welcome.gif http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c344/Myhrrhleine2/Other/welcome.gif http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c344/Myhrrhleine2/Other/welcome.gif
now,
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c344/Myhrrhleine2/Other/post.gif

[rif]

Thanks for reading, and the welcomes. :)

[Steffan_Effenburg]

I can relate to your experience, rif. After my first session with a hypnotherapist I felt like was on cloud 9, I kinda had this pleasant 'floaty' feeling and this lasted all through my return journey through London's crowded Underground which usually has me on edge.

Therapeutically speaking it has helped me tremendously but I cannot pinpoint how, I didn't jump out of bed the next morning kicking my heels to the chorus of New York, New York like I expected, it's more a subtle awareness that I'm far more comfortable negotiating the problematic situations, but only sometime after the situation occurs, never during. Strange, but I'm not complaining!

[rif]

I would like to go back in to experience a deeper, more focused state of hypnosis; something I don't think I've achieved. As Jack posted in another thread, a light state is often all that is needed. The problem is that I don't really have a feel for the state of hypnosis, and I thought experiencing a deeper state might help me with this. (By deeper, I mean more internally focused, something I have trouble with when I practice self-hypnosis.)

Here is where I could use some advice.

I am debating on whether to go back to the same hypnotherapist, or find a new one. I like her certs and affiliations, and the nature of her practice; but her focus is mainly on utilizing imagery. I'm not convinced this is the best entry point for me into trance, and I don't know that she uses other approaches. (For example, my self-practice gives me the best results when I start out taking myself through the Elman induction.)

However, I do like her, and I'm certainly willing to try. I talked to her this morning about working with her to achieve a more focused state and she is willing to do so. (She also reminded me to "let go" instead of worrying about depth. :))

My alternative choice is a hypnotist with some appropriate certs, but lacking some of the other affiliations or related education.

Any advice? I think I've just talked myself into seeing her again, after writing this...

--Jason

[Poodle]

We can't help you. We don't even know what you mean by certs and affiliations. Have you read Merlin's FAQ?

Not all hypnotherapists know how to use time diiiiiiissssstttttoooorrrrttttiiiioooonnnnn for after trance ends. Sorry, but we are not in the same room and cannot see what is or is not going on. Really do wish you the best of luck! Pood :)

[rif]

We can't help you. We don't even know what you mean by certs and affiliations. Have you read Merlin's FAQ?

Not all hypnotherapists know how to use time diiiiiiissssstttttoooorrrrttttiiiioooonnnnn for after trance ends. Sorry, but we are not in the same room and cannot see what is or is not going on. Really do wish you the best of luck! Pood :)

Re certs -- I meant things like National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists, the American Counceling Association, and working out of an office belonging to a major health center.

I have read Merlin's FAQ, thank you. (Good stuff in there.)

Thanks for at taking the time to comment, Poodle. I'll let you all know the outcome of my next visit!

[Terry]

We are all different of course, but personally I spurn certificates because so many are granted in a manner that decreases their value, ie they are bought, not earned.
When asked "whom should I see," my answer will always be, "the person you find most comfortable to talk to." I won;t tell you why, I will give you the pleasure of finding out for yourself, then you will never forget it...
That reminds me of a story:- At one time, I used to teach scouts who wanted to obtain their Fire Fighters badge, and I always warned them since I also was granted permission to give the test as well, that I never passed anyone unless they truly earned the badge, because it was too important a subject to be taken lightly.
One day, one of my boys was faced with a situation that meant life or death to his mother and grandmother, since they were caught in a house fire that moved very quickly. His presence of mind based on training made him act exactly as he should, and get everyone to safety etc, then after calling the fire department, dealing with the fire from a safe distance.
I have little doubt that the family were glad I didn't just pass him because he tried, I know I am.
Same applies to hypnosis, if you don;t want to expend the time and money to learn properly, don't bother, it will have no value, and give no value to you.

[Poodle]

refers to them as the "I LOVE ME wall". I don't know if anyone has ever noticed he does not join "organizations"; however, he is one of the most capable in the world in both hypnosis and NLP.

[skip]

I dont join, because I wouldnt want to belong to an organization that would have me as a member.

;)

skip

[Connie]

But you're a member of us here, Skip. The Forum club. :)

[rif]

We are all different of course, but personally I spurn certificates because so many are granted in a manner that decreases their value, ie they are bought, not earned.
...
Same applies to hypnosis, if you don;t want to expend the time and money to learn properly, don't bother, it will have no value, and give no value to you.


That's a good point, Terry, thanks for making it. I work in the computer industry, and I can say from my experience that there are plenty of (for example) Microsoft-certified individuals who barely seem to know what they are doing.

I am willing to expend the time and money, which is why I'm looking to go back and work some more with a trained hypnosis person.

--Jason

[Don]

I can say from my experience that there are plenty of (for example) Microsoft-certified individuals who barely seem to know what they are doing.
--Jason

Doesn't that go without saying? :D

There's a story about two men in a small plane flying to a small airport in Washington. Along the way the compass and radio go out. The pilot sees a man in an office building with an open window. He rolls down his the window on the airplane and yells, "Where am I?"

The man in the office put his hands around his mouth like a megaphone and replies, "In an airplane!"

"Thanks," replies the pilot. He then flies ahead for five minutes, banks left, and ten minutes later is lined up with the runway to the airport he was looking for.

"How did you do that?" asked the passenger. "The guy in the building gave you useless information."

"Ah," said the pilot. "It was useless, but it was accurate. When he gave me information that was accurate but useless I knew I must be at Microsoft and I new the directions from there." :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Terry]

That one I just gotta remember..:D

[Richard Porter]

Hi I'm new to this is there anybody out there?

[Poodle]

We are here and ...?

[Merlin]

No.
All these many posts are just random computer generations.
No one is here.