Weight Loss and Hypnotherapy

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It is important to be personally motivated to achieve your weight-loss
goal in order for this program to be successful.

 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.”

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/.

I Am Not a Wallflower, But...




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When you are at a party, take the opportunity to hang out with
new people that you otherwise probably never would have met.

                This morning, I had brunch with relatives I had not seen since I was about 10 years old. It was a family reunion of sorts, and it was a lot of fun to get reacquainted with them. I really did enjoy myself; but I bet some of you would wonder about that if you had been there. You see, when the size of a group (or party) gets big, I tend to get very “small.” If I am in a group larger than three people—and even that may be pushing it sometimes—I tend to hang back. I prefer to watch and listen to the interactions going on around me. Maybe you are the same way. Here are some suggestions to help you enjoy the company of the other people there—albeit in your own way—and on your (smaller-scale) terms.

·        Do not pressure yourself to interact with everyone—or anyone—right away. Narrow your focus of interaction to chat with the person sitting/standing immediately beside you or across the table from you.

·         Remember (and remind) yourself that you were invited to the event because the host likes your company. Not only do you share at least one common interest with the person, so do the other guests. Trust that the host values your friendship/relationship and wants his or her other guests to get to know and appreciate your special qualities, too!

·         Offer to help set up or serve the food or even clean up, afterward. These activities are a great way to let you ease into the party by interacting with the guests without necessarily having to say too much at first. While you are helping out, your subconscious can “people watch” and listen to other guests’ conversations that will help you identify the individuals who appear to share your interests. Meanwhile, you will probably have many opportunities to communicate with them one-on-one as the guests wander in and out of the kitchen or serving area.

·         If you are still really having trouble getting into the event, try this mental game: Visualize, imagine, picture or pretend that you are someone else whom you really admire and respect. Perhaps this person is a role model in your life—a public figure, mentor or even a celebrity—whom you know is very comfortable interacting with a lot of people. If you don’t have a specific example in your life, a diplomat or a foreign ambassador make great examples for your large gathering/party alter-ego in this exercise. No matter where they are or whom they are with, part of their job is to make small talk to help others feel at ease.
 

You may be very comfortable and relaxed just hanging out (and hanging back) while everyone else interacts. However, it is important to remind ourselves that the reason we accepted the invitation to attend this event is to meet and talk to the other guests! Take this great opportunity to hang out with new people that you otherwise probably never would have met, and demonstrate to everyone around just how interesting and fun you are to be around!

  

 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/.

Happy New Year!

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As 2013 draws to a close, I want to thank my clients and everyone who has supported me and Calminsense Hypnotherapy® this year—and since I launched my hypnotherapy practice in 2005. It is hard to believe that nine years have gone by!

In addition to helping equestrians achieve their competition goals and improve their relationship and communication with their horse, I help people quit smoking, lose weight and maintain motivation to achieve a variety of vocational and avocational self-improvement goals. In 2014, I am also expanding the focus of my hypnotherapy practice to help individuals overcome performance anxiety in various areas: public speaking, preparation for school and state examinations, overcoming writer’s block, etc. I am also starting to work with individuals to deal with pain management*, hypnosis for pre- and post-surgery*, immune disorders* and post-traumatic stress disorder.* I continue to hone my skills in various techniques to increase my experience and expertise in applicable hypnotherapy techniques. I have recently earned certifications in: Emergency Hypnosis, Hypnosis and PTSD, Hypnosis for Crisis Intervention, Hypnosis and Eating Disorders and Hypnosis and Substance Abuse.

Finally, I revamped my website (www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com), which launched right before Christmas 2013. Please check out the new features, including a Questions & Answers section (Hypnotherapy tab), a list of my certifications, a description of the services I provide and more. As my hypnotherapy practice expands, I am now offering hypnotherapy sessions via Skype so I can work with you “virtually” even if we are not in the same state or even in the same time zone. Please contact me at calminsensehypnosis@yahoo.com or call (661) 433-9430 for more information.

I hope you and yours have a very happy, healthy and safe New Year. I look forward to working with you in 2014!

 

*Requires a referral from a licensed medical practitioner and/or licensed mental health worker.

 

 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/.

What Will the New Year Hold For You?

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It is important to associate positive emotion with positive energy/intent
to see your goals manifest the way you want them to.

                As the New Year approaches, many people begin take stock of all they have experienced this year. Some of us have experienced excitement and joy; some of us have experienced sorrow or disappointment. Some events were unexpected. Other events were planned. You may want to do some things over and over again…others, perhaps, not so much.

                As you think about all you have experienced in 2013, now allow your thoughts to turn to what you would like to do next year. What goal(s) do you want to achieve? With whom you want to spend time—and how much time—in the next 365 days? Take a few minutes to visualize, imagine, picture or pretend how you will spend the next year. Is there some place you want to visit or would like to live? What do you need to do get there? Do you want or need new to learn new skills? Is this the year you are going to quit an unhealthy behavior or habit? Set a reasonable and realistic timetable to achieve your goal, including specific plans to achieve it. Your goal(s) should be worded in such a way that your subconscious mind hears and understands that you are in the process of achieving them: i.e., I am quitting smoking, I have dropped (my goal of) pounds, etc.

Remember, the subconscious cannot differentiate between positive and negative, fantasy and reality. Use positive imagery and bring up positive emotions (confidence, enthusiasm, joy, etc.) to associate with these images. It is important to attach positive emotion with positive energy/intent to see your goals manifest the way you want them to.

 

 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/.

Affirmations



Photo courtesy of Microsoft

The best time to write affirmations is 30 minutes before you drift
off to sleep at night or within 30 minutes of waking up.

A lot of people write affirmations to reinforce positive behaviors and attitudes that they have adopted to change and improve their lives. I write affirmations, and I encourage my hypnotherapy clients to do this as well.

The best time to write affirmations is 30 minutes after you wake up or 30 minutes before you drift off to sleep. These times are important because this is when your subconscious mind is most receptive to  receive and process these messages. The subconscious mind does not know the difference between fantasy and reality, negative and positive, so be sure to use positive imagery and words that will reinforce your positive behaviors and attitudes. I also advise my clients to not watch or listen to the news or any programs/broadcasts that may contain negative or violent messages/imagery before bed.
 

 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/.

Where Does Suggestibility Come From?

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Words, tone of voice and body language influence suggestibility
from a very young age.

As I described in my previous blog (“Emotional and Physical Suggestibility,” 12/27/13), “suggestibility” refers to how we learn and process information. According to Hypnosis Motivation Founder John G. Kappas, Ph.D., we get our early suggestibility from how the primary caretaker (usually the mother) takes care of and interacts with us during early childhood (birth up to age 5). Words, tone of voice and body language create suggestibility, he explains.

For example, Mom says, “Clean your room, and then you can go out and play.” The physically suggestible child learns that Mom says what she means and means what she says: there will be no playtime until the room is clean. However, if Mom is inconsistent and does not always mean what she says or say what she means, the child learns by inference and will develop physical suggestibility. For example, Mom does not follow through with her demand that the child finish cleaning his room before being allowed to play: he fusses and cries until she finally relents and allows him to go outside to play. This child will develop emotional suggestibility. He will learn by inference and metaphor, constantly looking for hidden messages or meanings in each interaction or experience: “I know what you said; what did you mean?”

Although the primary caretaker is very influential in terms of developing a child’s suggestibility, other people in the youngster’s life also influence this learning process. Peers, teachers and others impact the child’s suggestibility between the ages 6 to 9. Children also become more critical and discerning from age 8, Kappas advises. Between ages 9 to 14, the secondary caretaker (usually father) also influences the child’s suggestibility.

 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/.

Emotional and Physical Suggestibility

Photo courtesy of Microsoft

 

“Would you please tell me your name?”

The way you respond to this question says a lot about you—your “suggestibility” and how you communicate and learn. John G. Kappas, Ph.D.’s discovery that not everyone receives suggestions the same way revolutionized the field of hypnotherapy.

In Kappasinian hypnotherapy, there are two kinds of suggestibility.

·         Physical    Literal and direct. “Yes”/ “No” (I will tell you my name.)

·         Emotional Inference and metaphor (looking for the meaning behind the words). “My name is…”

Suggestibility runs along a spectrum. It is not determined by gender or sexuality. While you may possess more “physical” than “emotional” suggestibility traits, you will still retain some characteristics of the subdominant suggestibility types. When I create hypnotic scripts for my clients, I always use their words to describe their goals, motivations for achieving that goal, emotions surrounding it, etc. However, your suggestibility will determine which words/phrases I use during your hypnotherapy session. For example, if you are a Physical Suggestible, and you are working with me to help you relax I will tailor the hypnotic script to include direct and literal suggestions/imagery: “relaxing.” If you are an Emotional Suggestible, I will use the metaphors and inferential imagery that represents relaxation to you: e.g., “calm, comfort” or even a nature scene that represents relaxation to you.

  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/.