Yesterday I started working with a new client, a 26-year-old man who's suffered from some level of anxiety most of his life. Even though he's seen counselors and even a psychiatrist, he had no idea what what the disconnect was between mind and body that has been causing the panic attacks, jitteriness, digestive problems, etc.
He responded so quickly and beautifully to the diaphragmatic breathing I taught him, and then to the custom relaxation CD I made for him. There was a huge difference in him over the 90 minutes we spent together.
I know he'll do his homework (practice the breathing technique and listen to his CD daily) because he's wonderfully motivated to be completely well.
What a great experience for us both! Looking forward to our next session.
Showing posts with label Lives of Quiet Desperation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lives of Quiet Desperation. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Asking for Help
I work with a lot of very strong people. Some of my clients have never before asked for help and their call to my office creates its own anxiety.
Many people have a chip on their shoulder about asking for help and accepting it when it's offered. They say they feel weak if they ask for help and strong when they tackle their problems on their own or just pretend those problems don't exist at all.
I see it differently. I see the strength in asking for help and accepting it. I see the courage it takes to admit that you're only human after all and don't have all the answers. Yes, it is a vulnerable position to place oneself in. And in that vulnerability is an opening for the Light to shine in and do its most sacred work.
Many people have a chip on their shoulder about asking for help and accepting it when it's offered. They say they feel weak if they ask for help and strong when they tackle their problems on their own or just pretend those problems don't exist at all.
I see it differently. I see the strength in asking for help and accepting it. I see the courage it takes to admit that you're only human after all and don't have all the answers. Yes, it is a vulnerable position to place oneself in. And in that vulnerability is an opening for the Light to shine in and do its most sacred work.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Full Moon, Full Heart
Last week was very intense for me. Nothing really specifically bad or wrong, just that the world was "too much with me." A lot of people around me are in great need of one thing or another: money, hope, peace... I've been holding space for them and my arms started aching from that heaviness.
Friday afternoon I found myself as depressed as I ever remember being. The depression lifted after several hours, but boy was it awful while it lasted. I remember what it was like to live that way 24x7, so I was able to be grateful that it's no longer that way for me. I may visit depression once in a while, but I no longer live there. Yay!
I had read that this full moon Sunday would be a perfect time to set intentions so I applied myself this morning to writing what I call a "Manifestation." I wrote a journal entry dated March 20, 2011 and described what my life was like on that day. In performing that exercise, I realized that I have been so caught up in being in the moment (actually, so caught up in getting through each day) that I had somehow lost a larger vision of what is possible. As I wrote out my "druthers" for my life, I felt my vibration recalibrate upwards. Those few minutes of focus on what can be made what is more bearable and shifted things back into a more positive perspective for me overall. I ended my Manifestation as I always do: For this or more, I give thanks.
Friday afternoon I found myself as depressed as I ever remember being. The depression lifted after several hours, but boy was it awful while it lasted. I remember what it was like to live that way 24x7, so I was able to be grateful that it's no longer that way for me. I may visit depression once in a while, but I no longer live there. Yay!
I had read that this full moon Sunday would be a perfect time to set intentions so I applied myself this morning to writing what I call a "Manifestation." I wrote a journal entry dated March 20, 2011 and described what my life was like on that day. In performing that exercise, I realized that I have been so caught up in being in the moment (actually, so caught up in getting through each day) that I had somehow lost a larger vision of what is possible. As I wrote out my "druthers" for my life, I felt my vibration recalibrate upwards. Those few minutes of focus on what can be made what is more bearable and shifted things back into a more positive perspective for me overall. I ended my Manifestation as I always do: For this or more, I give thanks.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Be Kind Because Everyone Is Fighting a Battle
Once in a while I get contacted by high school students who want to interview a hypnotherapist for a paper they're writing. So when V.J. from Washington High School contacted me via email, I was happy to schedule an appointment for her to come in.
Communication was informal to the point of irritation for me. Aha, I thought, here's a high school student who really doesn't know how to write. What a shame!
V.J. turned out to be a sophomore, so was younger than the usual juniors and seniors working on the projects I've been involved with before. She seemed ill at ease and tentative. The first question she asked me was rather surprising, "Why did you become a psychologist?"
"I'm not a psychologist," I answered. "I'm a hypnotherapist." Well, she didn't even know what that was and stumbled on the word again and again. She had found me on TherapyTribe.com and assumed that since I was listed there I must be a psychologist. She hadn't looked at my website. So what have you done, I found myself wondering with a mental snort. I forced myself to be patient and kind when I really wanted to be snippy and condescending.
Her questions were rudimentary and even with my extended explanations about the nature of my work, we were done with the formal interview in about 15 minutes. So I offered to record a hypnotherapy CD for her and she accepted.
"What's going on in your life that you might need some help with," I asked perfunctorily.
Her reply shocked me to the core. Her father had been murdered last year. Her step-mother and step-brothers were now on trial for the crime. V.J. has had to go back and forth to the San Joaquin Valley to attend the trial. Her biggest problem was that she had a hard time "facing" the step-mother she had grown attached to, had gone shopping with, etc. V.J. mentioned that it had been hard for her to concentrate on school with all that was happening. But she was trying because it had been important to her dad for her to get good grades so she had actually pulled up her poor grades to an all-time high since his death.
Amazing how quickly perspective changes when we stop judging and start listening with our hearts.
Communication was informal to the point of irritation for me. Aha, I thought, here's a high school student who really doesn't know how to write. What a shame!
V.J. turned out to be a sophomore, so was younger than the usual juniors and seniors working on the projects I've been involved with before. She seemed ill at ease and tentative. The first question she asked me was rather surprising, "Why did you become a psychologist?"
"I'm not a psychologist," I answered. "I'm a hypnotherapist." Well, she didn't even know what that was and stumbled on the word again and again. She had found me on TherapyTribe.com and assumed that since I was listed there I must be a psychologist. She hadn't looked at my website. So what have you done, I found myself wondering with a mental snort. I forced myself to be patient and kind when I really wanted to be snippy and condescending.
Her questions were rudimentary and even with my extended explanations about the nature of my work, we were done with the formal interview in about 15 minutes. So I offered to record a hypnotherapy CD for her and she accepted.
"What's going on in your life that you might need some help with," I asked perfunctorily.
Her reply shocked me to the core. Her father had been murdered last year. Her step-mother and step-brothers were now on trial for the crime. V.J. has had to go back and forth to the San Joaquin Valley to attend the trial. Her biggest problem was that she had a hard time "facing" the step-mother she had grown attached to, had gone shopping with, etc. V.J. mentioned that it had been hard for her to concentrate on school with all that was happening. But she was trying because it had been important to her dad for her to get good grades so she had actually pulled up her poor grades to an all-time high since his death.
Amazing how quickly perspective changes when we stop judging and start listening with our hearts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
