Hypnotherapy makes use of what is called the trance state. Trance is something we are in often. Think of the last time you were engrossed in a movie. You may have thought that the movie seemed shorter than the actual time. You may also have felt the feelings just as if you were there. During the movie your attention was focused on the movie. There were other sounds but they didn't bother you even if you did notice them. These experiences are all signs of trance.

In hypnotherapy, trance is used to help you focus inside yourself and allow images, thoughts and emotions to surface. The process to move someone into trance is called an induction. There are many types of inductions. When doing Healing Touch™ Cathy uses the energy work as the induction. Almost everyone gets very relaxed during energy work. She can then have them focus on her voice and help them go within to discover answers. She firmly believes each one person has all the answers within. She is simply a facilitator.

Can hypnotherapy make me do anything I don't want?
Therapeutic hypnotherapy is not used for mind control. The entire purpose of hypnotherapy is to help you become more of who you truly are, not to force or trick you into becoming or doing something you are not. It can release inhibitions and allow you to do things that you would like to do but have been afraid.

How can Hypnotherapy help me?
Hypnotherapy can help you go to the source of the problem. For instance, if you have little self-confidence, Hypnotherapy can help you go to the source of where that began. Something may have happened when you were a child and you decided you could never do anything right. Hypnotherapy can help you go back to a belief system and change it to something more beneficial.

What are some areas in which I can use Hypnotherapy?
You can take any behavior pattern or feeling and use that as a bridge to go to the source of the emotion or behavior. Behaviors can be any kind of addiction (alcohol and other drugs, food, sex, shopping, etc.) The source of any feeling (anger, fear, anxiety, etc.) can be traced back to where it began.

Once I trace the feeling or behavior back, then what happens?
The next step is releasing the energy. The feeling or behavior pattern is caused by trapped energy. The therapist will facilitate your releasing the trapped energy by expressing it in some way. This could be through tears, yelling, talking, loving, anger release or any number of ways.

How does Hypnotherapy differ from Spiritual Energetic Psychotherapy™ (SEP)?
Hypnotherapy is more active in the release of the trapped energy than SEP. Rarely in SEP are you led to release the feelings through crying or anger release. In SEP you are guided to locate the energy of the feelings and then breathe it out. Both therapies are heart focused.

Which is better, SEP or Hypnotherapy?
For most people the choice is a matter of personal preference. Both are forms of brief therapy. Some people do better expressing their anger by hitting a punching bag with a hose. Others would rather breathe out the feelings. SEP might work better for people who have a difficult time relaxing or cannot bring themselves to express feelings with someone else present.

How was Cathy trained?
Cathy received her training from Diane Zimberoff of the Wellness Institute. Diane has developed a number of modalities that she has named Heart Centered therapies. Cathy first attended a 6-day training. After that she was in a 2-year internship program which met for 5 days, 4 times a year. The 6-day training gave her the information and an introduction to the skills. The Internship provided an opportunity to hone her skills, learn other skills and, more than anything, do her own personal work which allowed her to be a better therapist. If you are interested in Heart-Centered training such as Cathy received, please go to The Wellness Center.