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| 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 Emotional
and Physical 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 fulfil 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/.
© 2016
