Thanks for sharing your story of becoming a hypnotherapist. I agree, it's not woo woo and in fact, it works! I used it for quitting smoking (arrived at the therapist's office a two pack a day smoker and left a non smoker....) My hypnotherapist also saw me through my grief after the death of my father... When journalists like yourself write about it, it can only lead to others trying it out too and hopefully, gaining relief...or a good night's sleep! Well done. And would you mind moving to North Vancouver where I live? My hypnotherapist retired years ago!
Thx for such a good explanation Leah. Since i am 81 and still get horrible rising waves of anxiety that only little ativans seem to bring me back i will look into using hypnosis instead. You can tell i am 81 because as you can see i dont know how to male my iPad capitalist my i,s!
Great question Robin! It actually pre-dates modern psychotherapy, and goes all the way back to the Greeks. Freud practiced it extensively (though his interest was primarily in retrieving or uncovering repressed traumatic memories -- which is controversial these days and nothing like what I do). But the short answer is, YES. EMDR and other practices commonly used in contemporary psychotherapy incorporate hypno techniques, often for the purposes of trauma processing/healing, overcoming phobias, etc. Hypnosis itself is really just a state of "trance" -- which humans have found ways of inducing in ourselves since the dawn of history -- for fun mostly, because trances feel great! They're like a creative flow state or getting lost in a pleasurable day dream. Time disappears. We induce them in ourselves all the time without even knowing it -- through dancing, drum circles, repetitive beats, meditation, chanting, repetitive exercise, singing, creative work. All a hypnotherapist does really is teach the client how to guide him or herself into this receptive day dream state (you get better and better at it with practice -- part of my training was learning how to do it on myself) and then, once the "day dream" is induced, the therapist offers positive guidance tailored to the client's goals, for instance: drinking less, sleeping more deeply, exercising more, overcoming social/work anxiety and stress. It's a great way to adjust habits and thought patterns in a more positive direction -- plus it's deeply relaxing.
Well, there's one thing I know for damn sure: another phase will come. In the meantime, this is a BOOK. "The Shed at the End of the Garden (close by the tracks)", or "The Shed of All Things", or if you wanna make a fast buck "The Sh*t Shed", complete with asterisk.
What a cool journey, Leah! I'm married to a former-actor-now-a-hypnotherapist, myself. I love the twists and turns of life, if we actually allow them to twist and turn us...😂 So glad you're back in the shed!
No kidding! I'd love to know about your husband's journey into hypnotherapy... amazing coincidence. I read your marvellous newsletter Mary and I'm so grateful we got randomly chucked on the same "break out room" years ago.
I feel the same way, Leah! And re: my hubby, he came to hypnotherapy after a leukemia diagnosis 20 years ago. Changed all our lives in so many wonderful ways!
"The wood expanded in the damp warm weather. The door barely latched. The shed was stuffed to the beams with crap." This lovely description of your shed made me think of my own recent similar state of being; I've since cleaned myself up too.
Leah, honest, have you been sleeping in MY shed? Sounds so familiar.
Now, you are falling DEEPLY asleep :)
Thanks for sharing your story of becoming a hypnotherapist. I agree, it's not woo woo and in fact, it works! I used it for quitting smoking (arrived at the therapist's office a two pack a day smoker and left a non smoker....) My hypnotherapist also saw me through my grief after the death of my father... When journalists like yourself write about it, it can only lead to others trying it out too and hopefully, gaining relief...or a good night's sleep! Well done. And would you mind moving to North Vancouver where I live? My hypnotherapist retired years ago!
Thx for such a good explanation Leah. Since i am 81 and still get horrible rising waves of anxiety that only little ativans seem to bring me back i will look into using hypnosis instead. You can tell i am 81 because as you can see i dont know how to male my iPad capitalist my i,s!
Can I be your patient (or client or whatever). Seriously, I want to do this!!
Absolutely— I’ll mail you. x
Leah, that is very interesting, hypnosis, is it commonly used in therapy?
Great question Robin! It actually pre-dates modern psychotherapy, and goes all the way back to the Greeks. Freud practiced it extensively (though his interest was primarily in retrieving or uncovering repressed traumatic memories -- which is controversial these days and nothing like what I do). But the short answer is, YES. EMDR and other practices commonly used in contemporary psychotherapy incorporate hypno techniques, often for the purposes of trauma processing/healing, overcoming phobias, etc. Hypnosis itself is really just a state of "trance" -- which humans have found ways of inducing in ourselves since the dawn of history -- for fun mostly, because trances feel great! They're like a creative flow state or getting lost in a pleasurable day dream. Time disappears. We induce them in ourselves all the time without even knowing it -- through dancing, drum circles, repetitive beats, meditation, chanting, repetitive exercise, singing, creative work. All a hypnotherapist does really is teach the client how to guide him or herself into this receptive day dream state (you get better and better at it with practice -- part of my training was learning how to do it on myself) and then, once the "day dream" is induced, the therapist offers positive guidance tailored to the client's goals, for instance: drinking less, sleeping more deeply, exercising more, overcoming social/work anxiety and stress. It's a great way to adjust habits and thought patterns in a more positive direction -- plus it's deeply relaxing.
Well, there's one thing I know for damn sure: another phase will come. In the meantime, this is a BOOK. "The Shed at the End of the Garden (close by the tracks)", or "The Shed of All Things", or if you wanna make a fast buck "The Sh*t Shed", complete with asterisk.
Sheds of Play. Sheds of Grey. The Shed We're In.... oh god, I could go on!
Go for the verb/noun pun: Shed of Words.
OK, seriously, your post distills the ebb and flow of your London life....each paragraph a chapter.
Love the lady shed and also the new ideas. Funny what can rush in.
Agreed, life is full of surprises. x
What a cool journey, Leah! I'm married to a former-actor-now-a-hypnotherapist, myself. I love the twists and turns of life, if we actually allow them to twist and turn us...😂 So glad you're back in the shed!
No kidding! I'd love to know about your husband's journey into hypnotherapy... amazing coincidence. I read your marvellous newsletter Mary and I'm so grateful we got randomly chucked on the same "break out room" years ago.
I feel the same way, Leah! And re: my hubby, he came to hypnotherapy after a leukemia diagnosis 20 years ago. Changed all our lives in so many wonderful ways!
That special room ‘shed’ light. You’re on your next exciting path.
I defer to your design sensibility as always, but yes there is something about light! I'm in the shed now and it's particularly lovely... thank you. x
Well done You !!
gulp. and thanks. x
Great work spot and space for your new passion.
Happy to see your new single life is moving forward and not filled with the uncertainty of last fall.
"The wood expanded in the damp warm weather. The door barely latched. The shed was stuffed to the beams with crap." This lovely description of your shed made me think of my own recent similar state of being; I've since cleaned myself up too.