In Honor of Dr. K.

(This blog was originally posted on July 6, 2016)

Photo by Rick Hustead

One of the most interesting components of my hypnotherapy training at the Hypnosis Motivation Institute was video “classes” featuring HMI founder John Kappas, Ph.D. Dr. Kappas passed away a few years before I started my training; however, these tapes (now digital files, I’m sure) made it feel like he was still right there guiding future generations in his hypnotherapy method. Instructors at the hypnotherapy college continue to reference his methods and philosophies in their lectures.

The first time I “saw” Dr. Kappas was when I watched the 101-5 and 101-6 videos about his Emotional and Physical Sexuality concept. I had just completed the 101 mini-course about hypnosis and decided to pursue the hypnotherapy certification. My instructor suggested that everyone who planned to do the certification should watch these videos before the next (201) section of classes began in a few weeks. Ever the over-eager student, I reserved the videos and a viewing-booth right away and settled in to be amazed. Boy was I.

The first thing I noticed about Dr. Kappas was his incredible charisma and soft-yet-booming voice. I’m sure—I know—I went into a light trance watching the classes. I also thought he sometimes bore a strong physical resemblance to the late John Thaw, a British actor probably best known for portraying Inspector Morse in the popular television series. I’m sure that factor alone inspired me to “endeavor” to become the best hypnotherapist I could. (Sorry, I had to write that. I’m sure any Inspector Morse fans reading this blog got the pun.)

One of the first techniques I learned during my hypnotherapy training was how to do an inferred arm-raising induction. Dr. Kappas taught and believed this was the most effective way to help a client achieve hypnotic depth. It’s true. I confess that I did forgo the arm-raising induction for a very brief time when I started my practice. But I quickly realized/discovered that the hypnosis I was providing my clients without using this technique was not as intense or successful and quickly incorporated the I.A.-R. back into my hypnotherapy-induction repertoire. 

Dr. Kappas’s models of E. and P. sexuality and E. and P. suggestibility have also become a daily part of my own life. I can’t think of any situation social interaction in which these concepts do not somehow apply; they have certainly helped me to better understand behavior. I liken learning these theories and models to putting a technicolor spin on my psychology background and training. In addition to being a hypnotherapist, Dr. Kappas was also a psychologist; virtually every one of his therapeutic concepts is modeled on psychological theory. For example, did you know that passive-aggression is associated with very early stages of development? To address and change this behavior in hypnotherapy, I would desensitize the client to the various stimuli that trigger the resistance and help the person find more effective ways to express feelings and fulfill unmet needs.

When I look back on my life and various opportunities I have enjoyed, one of the greatest things I have ever done is become a certified hypnotherapist. This career enables me to incorporate the theories about the brain, psychology and emotion to talk directly to the client’s subconscious mind to help the person change unwanted behaviors beliefs and behaviors. Hypnosis is effective, drug-free and it has been around for centuries. And thanks (many, many thanks) to Dr. John Kappas’s teachings and the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, I am now part of this wonderful tradition and can help you achieve vocational and avocational self-improvement goals.

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/. 

© 2017

Ideas are Scary...At First!

(This blog was originally posted on February 9, 2015)

Photo by Rick Hustead

Last week, I saw a brilliant television advertisement for General Electric. Titled “Ideas Are Scary,” it shows how people react when introduced to a new idea: “Ideas are frightening, because they threaten what is known. They are the natural-born enemy of the way things are,” the narrator explains.

According to Hypnosis Motivation Institute founder John Kappas, Ph.D.’s Theory of Mind, the longer you have held a belief or been practicing a behavior, the more deeply you ingrain it in your mind. Eventually, it becomes a default, a comfort zone, a known. Every time you repeat that behavior or habit, you send another positive message to the SCM that reinforces your comfortable association with what you are doing. In his Theory of Mind, John Kappas, Ph.D., refers to the subconscious mind categorizing certain events or stimuli as “pleasure.” In this context, pleasure is something the person identifies as familiar or known, but not necessarily “pleasurable.” In other words, you are equally likely to continue to behave in a particular way even if it is uncomfortable, because that behavior is what you know and where your subconscious mind tells you that you are safe. However, anything “new” is initially considered painful; the subconscious mind will continue to reject it until repeated exposure to the stimulus makes it familiar (known) and can be accepted in the subconscious mind.

I have summarized the plot of this ad in the context of Dr. Kappas’s model, below:

·         The new idea is introduced as a hairy, unrecognizable creature lying on its back in a baby bed in a neonatal ward. Nurses huddle against the walls, pointing and talking to each other (presumably) about the unusual creature in their midst. Once out of the ward, the “ugly, messy” idea wanders around alone on the street. (Unknown: pain)

·         People throw objects at it from car windows; pedestrians stare, grimace and hurry past. The Idea is ushered out of businesses and even evicted from a café where it has stopped to rest. Sad music plays in the background as it shuffles out of the restaurant. With its shoulders slumped, the Idea finally curls up in a cardboard box on the street. (Rejection)

·      When it finally ventures back onto the street, the Idea passes General Electric, where an employee opens the glass front door and welcomes it inside. Here the Idea is finally, no longer scary. It is no longer messy or a threat to the status quo. The innovators and inventors at General Electric seek out and create new ideas, themselves. After all, new ideas are familiar, comfortable and “knowns” for them. They are ready and willing to nurture this fragile creature into an established concept or belief: (Repetition creates comfort)

·         By the end of the advertisement the Idea has been cleaned up: Its once limp and lank coat and tail and head feathers are now fluffed and their color returned to their former luster. The now-receptive audience gives Idea a standing ovation as it steps behind the podium on a stage to present its message to others: “But under the proper care, they become something beautiful,” the narrator concludes. (Acceptance of a new known in the subconscious mental script.)

This is by far the best illustration of the Theory of Mind that I have ever seen. I encourage you to click on the Ideas Are Scary link to watch this clever advertisement and see how it illustrates Dr. Kappas’s concept. For more information and examples of the Theory of Mind, I invite you to read more of my blogs at www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com.

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

© 2017

Referrals

(This blog was originally posted on June 14, 2016)

Photo by Rick Hustead

Recently, I had to take my cat to the vet. Her regular doctor was on vacation, so a new, per diem veterinarian examined her. At first I considered postponing the appointment until our regular vet returned, but I quickly rationalized that it shouldn’t really make a huge difference which veterinarian in the practice we saw. I knew that Dr. McFarland would not have hired someone who didn’t have the skills (veterinary and people) to do a good job for her regular clients and patients. I trusted her, so I was willing to give the new doctor the benefit of the doubt.

That is basically how referrals work, as well. As I mentioned in a previous blog titled My Professional Network Group, I am a member of a professional group that meets for lunch each week to promote personal and other members’ businesses. Word-of-mouth is an excellent way to get new clients because these individuals are more likely to take a chance on a person or company who is recommended by another person/vender they know, trust and are already doing business. One of my good friends and fellow Network Referral Group partner, Jennifer Lamm, is a mortgage broker with The Loan Gallery. Virtually every one of her clients has been referred to her by another client, whether it is a friend, relative, co-worker or another NRG member. The first time I ever had a chiropractic adjustment was when I met Dr. Brian Wildemuth, a chiropractor, about 10 years ago. He is another NRG member/group founder. My former riding instructor at the time kept urging me to get a chiropractic adjustment to help improve my posture on my horse. Several friends in the group saw Dr. B. regularly for adjustments, so I finally decided to give it a try. Now, I can’t believe I waited so long before I ever tried it, but it was definitely my friends’ encouragement and recommendations that sent me to his office that first time.

Our willingness and even preference to participate in various activities is founded on those early-life experiences—theory of mind—that helped to create our subconscious mental script. What feels comfortable? What feels “safe” (known)? What do you like (or dislike)? During early childhood, a primary caretaker (usually mom) has the most influence on our behavior in terms of helping to form our suggestibility. At around eight or nine years old, the secondary caretaker (usually) dad becomes more influential, as can teachers and peers/colleagues, etc. A successful, long-term (romantic) relationship is based on various qualities; trust, mutual respect, good communication and liking the other person also feature in other types of relationships that can influence behavior. Have you ever taken the advice or recommendation of a friend or colleague to listen to a new band or try a food you have never had, let alone thought of eating, before? Have you ever accepted an invitation to attend an office party with your spouse for one of his or her colleagues without knowing many or any of the other attendees before you arrive? All of these are examples of referrals, too.

The more comfortable we feel with/trust someone, the more suggestible we become to that person and the more likely we are to be influenced by him or her to change, try or even adopt a new behavior.

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

© 2017