(This blog was originally posted on January 2, 2014)
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| Photo courtesy of Microsoft |
Whenever I work
with a hypnotherapy client to help the person lose weight, the first thing I do
is to establish the motivation for losing the weight. Is there a health reason
such as diabetes control? Does the person want to improve his or her physical fitness
or just take off a few pounds after indulging during the holidays? Sometimes
friends or relatives in the person’s social circle put on pressure to drop the
pounds. Or, a client may use excess weight as a “shield” to protect against
emotional rejection or even a subconscious fear of returning to a previous
lower weight where an emotional trauma may have occurred, said John G. Kappas,
Ph.D., founder of Hypnosis Motivation Institute.
“If you are not
personally motivated to achieve the weight-loss goal, the weight-loss program
is unlikely to be successful,” Dr. Kappas warned.
Once the client
identifies what is motivating him or her to lose weight, I help the person to
resolve any previous issues or resistance to losing weight* and develop a
strong, positive self-image about being at the desired weight and feeling
comfortable with being physically attractive. When appropriate, I also refer
the client to be examined by a physician for guidance about an appropriate
exercise and nutritional regimen, which I will reinforce during the
hypnotherapy sessions. All hypnotic suggestions would incorporate the client’s
feeling motivated to feel physically, emotionally, mentally healthy and happier
every day and to project positive feelings and ideas of successfully losing
weight in a healthy way.
*California law allows access by California
residents to complementary and alternative health care practitioners who are
not providing services that require medical training and credentials. The
purpose of a program of hypnotherapy is for vocational and avocational
self-improvement (Business and Professions Code 2908) and as an alternative or
complementary treatment to healing arts services licensed by the state. A
hypnotherapist is not a licensed physician or psychologist, and hypnotherapy
services are not licensed by the state of California. Services are
non-diagnostic and do not include the practice of medicine, neither should they
be considered a substitute for licensed medical or psychological services or
procedures.
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®, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
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