Introducing...Hypnosis!

(This blog was originally posted on October 5, 2014)

Photo courtesy of Microsoft

     From time to time, I am invited to do a presentation about hypnosis and my work as a certified hypnotherapist. Over the years, this has become one of my favorite community outreach activities because I have an opportunity to introduce and dispel common misconceptions about a therapeutic modality that can literally transform your life. 

     I cater each presentation to appeal to my expected audience. For example, if I am doing a presentation for high-school or college students, I will explain how hypnotherapy can help them increase self-confidence, prepare for exams and improve study skills. If I am addressing business executives, I describe similar benefits that include increasing self-confidence to improve decision-making skills, preparation for presentations and improving communication with colleagues. 

    In general, however, these presentations follow a similar format to how I handle a first hypnotherapy session with a new client. Since I include hypnosis and guided-imagery demonstrations in my presentations, if my audience will include anyone under 18 I always send a parental release form to be distributed and signed by the kids’ legal guardians a few days beforehand. Adults in the audience must sign a disclosure of services (release) document to participate in these exercises. 

    To start the presentation, I define what hypnosis is and explain how we naturally enter this state at least twice every day (i.e., half an hour before drifting into sleep and half an hour after waking up in the morning.) In addition, I provide examples of various uses of hypnosis, such as stage presentations, anesthesia for surgery, pain management, habit control, etc. 

    Next, I explain Hypnosis Motivation Institute founder John Kappas, Ph.D.’s Theory of Mind and the concept of suggestibility to prepare (and reassure) my audience for the hypnosis exercises we will do later in the demonstration. I want everyone to appreciate the power of their subconscious mind and conscious mind to facilitate or hinder desired behavior changes. More important, I want my audience to understand the mechanism by which hypnosis can help them to overwrite old mental scripts to help them change their behavior or beliefs and achieve their stated vocational and avocational self-improvement goals. 

     Similar to how I conduct an actual hypnotherapy session with a client, I do the hypnosis demonstration at the end of my presentation. This exercise includes an induction to the hypnotic state followed by a relaxation/imagery journey so the participants can experience hypnosis. To conclude the presentation I count them back up to alert and aware state and answer questions about my work as a hypnotherapist. 

     If you are interested in a similar presentation for you and your colleagues, please contact me at (661) 433-9430 or send e-mail to calminsensehypnosis@yahoo.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/.

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