The Transparent Hypnotist

And so synchronicity strikes again, much like a random lightening bolt illuminating during a hot spell. Yesterday’s client story about success with an up and coming psychologist came about at an interesting time. As I continue to shift through past files, I came across two stories from the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. I suppose writer Michaela Gibson Morris has an interesting sense of irony. In this case, on May 9, she published two stories about hypnosis

One was a very personable article about two hypnotist, one a social worker who uses hypnosis for dealing with traumas (Melissa Ratliff) and one who does smoking cessation and phobia work (Steve Dunn). The article talks about their methods and philosophies.

But interestingly enough, on this same day, Morris wrote another article titled “Hypnosis not always best choice.” It is based on an interview with a clinical psychologist. This particular professional is a bit skeptical about using anything but “cognitive” approaches. The article does wisely point out some of the ideas that are important with work in hypnosis, such as it is not an instant, miracle cure for things like weight loss (you still have to do the work). On the whole, it is not a bad article and does state some good points, but it is just oddly titled perhaps. What a strange piece overall.

I should note that there are time stamps on the articles. The negative one actually appeared before the positive one. Perhaps the positive one happened because the paper wanted to show both sides? If so, bravo Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.

Over dinner last night, my partner and I discussed these articles. His take on hypnosis and psychology is that it would not be productive often in a psychology setting because it would mean less time seeing the same patients. It would mean a decrease in appointments, hence a potential decrease in income. That may be a good point. I would love to know Melissa Ratliff’s, the social worker first mentioned in this post, take on it.

And these articles are synchronistic because of the unusual session I had with a psychologist and her ideas that hypnosis can cut to the case in certain therapy situations. It can often lead to the break-through “ah ha” moment. Now I know I cannot really say such things, not being a psychologist myself, but I have heard this from other psychologists who have recommend clients my way. Maybe that will be a story for tomorrow.

Time for another Ellie Client Story.

She walked in, not really seemingly nervous, just really tired. This is was to be expected, though. It was only a few days before she had to defend her psychology dissertation. Not really junking out on stress, she was most fearful of catching a cold. The long nights, coffee, and wine (whine) had made her feel as though illness was lurking right behind her, ready to mug her in the next dark alley of susceptibility. The problem it seemed is that her schedule was so out of whack, she could no longer sleep.

Her aunt had come to see me for help getting past insomnia and had become a devotee to hypnosis. Her niece was skeptical (what are they teaching in those high-fluent colleges out there?), but desperate times mean desperate measures (so she said as a greeting). I gave her a choice between traditional hypnosis or client-based methods. Her frown deepened. She struggled with the choice even after several minutes of dissecting them with her analytics.

“You are doing therapy,” she finally said, not hiding the indignation she was experiencing. Who was she? The hypnosis police?

“I most certainly am not. I am not licensed,” I said in my calmest voice. Smiling a her (doing my best not to be condescending - I hate condescension), I continued, “Any therapeutic benefits you get out of this will come from within you, your own doing. I just guided you around the landscape of your mind to help you make inner changes.”

Ah, enter the philosophical debate.

“Isn’t that what therapist do?”

“You tell me.”

And she sputtered around a bit. A childlike expression began to twitch on the surface of her cultured and intelligent face.

Before she completely crumpled, I explained, “Hypnosis is all about suggestion. In traditional hypnosis, we tend to make a cognitive choice before the session begins about what suggestion we will induce. In client-based systems, all the suggestions come from your subconscious mind, you create them and we put those to work for you.”

This lightened her mood substantially.

“Let’s do client-based, then.”

So, the session passed by and before either of us knew it, we had come to a close. She looked somehow lighter, as though our hour together in the session had taken much weight off of her mental backpack.

“Wow,” said she,”that was amazing. It is like cutting to the chase with therapy. It gets to the heart of the issue and opens it right up.”

I smiled indulgently, “Your words, not mine.”

“Tou ché,” she answered.

My budding psychologist just emailed me this morning. She has had four nights of restful sleep.

My weekend was fairly insane, but life is slowly promising to get back to normal. As I am a little distracted, I thought it would be fun to clean out my files a bit and look back at the past week about what else has been going on in the world of hypnosis.

• Apparently the Russian Police are now using hypnosis to help them solve crimes.
• We owe a nice thank you to Dr. Joyce Brother’s who discussed hypnotherapy in her May 18 syndicated column. She answered a question about weight-loss hypnotherapy and if it works.
• And apparently the fictitious Dr. House had a hypnotic episode.

On the not so great side:

• Robert Baltovich has been acquitted in the 1990 murder of his girl friend, after key evidence from his first trial was considered inadmissible because it was obtained through hypnotic means.
• Wilbur Hebert will only serve two twelve month jail sentences working in the community (serving them concurrently) rather than going to jail. His granddaughter’s testimony saying that he sexual traumatized her was dismissed as inadmissible because her testimony stemmed from hypnosis. Also there was no remaining record from her 1989 hypnosis session.

Three Local (to someone) Stories

• Renee Sherman, of the Augusta Institute of Hypnotherapy, had a nice story about child-birth hypnosis in the Augusta Chronicle.
• John McGrail also had a nice write-up in Canyon News.
• Renee Johnson and Sherry Mills have opened a practice in Cookville, TN.

Since a couple of my posts this past week stemmed from paranoid fear and over coming it (in the sense that I expressed an opinion), it seems like a good topic in which to start the new week.

A friend of mine sent me an email from a forum she is involved with and it really delighted me. It is actually a private new age forum and one of the Ph.D.’s recently got to shoot a submachine gun. She found it empowering because she was able to get over the fear of loud noises and being jerked about (not sure if this was a gun fear or something more).

We seem to fear things that we don’t know, whether it is reacting to something one does not like or standing up for one’s self, it is the end results that get us each time. Well, in the hypnosis field, we have found a wonderful way to deal with fear. We can induce suggestions to help the subconscious mind over the fear hurdle or we can get to the bottom of the fear. But are there times when fear serves us well?

I know I have asked about phobias before, usually in the genre of how have you gotten over a phobia but let’s take a different route today. Please feel free to respond or just think about this.

What phobia holds you back from doing something and why is the phobia legitimate?

Breathe. Time to sit back and have a little fun after this past week’s intensity. I was thinking about the DockersTV Commercial Contest, which is all about a day in the life of your pants. And you know me (maybe you do), I love a good moment of creative competition. LOL. Exactly what is a day in the life of a hypnotist pant’s like

There are my trousers from yesterday, crumpled up upon the floor like a forgotten thought, kicked off quickly as I dove for the warm of my bed. Before that, though, they had moments of being sedentary and moments of pure activity.

They started the day out by being brought out of the darkness and security of the closet (yes, they came out of the closet). Then they lounged in the steam bath of the privy as I did a morning clean ritual. They relaxed and pent up wrinkles were released. As the soft fabric slid up, one leg at a time to reside on my body (I shall censure the rest of that line), my pants came to three dimensional life.

From there they relaxed with me over coffee, email, and blogging, rather wishing my hard wooden chair could indulge in the softness of a pillow. When they could stand sitting no longer, up they arose and headed out the door into the dullish sort of morning (it rained a little later). The coldness of my car seats were noted and we were off to the office.

Once we had arrived at our destination, we climbed the stairs to the office for several minutes of the getting-ready-for-clients ritual. They gracefully (I am allowed to be kind to myself) dodged the chairs in the waiting room while I put on water for tea. They waited patiently as scented candles were lit and enjoyed the moments of pure sound as the office soundtrack began.

Then they sat through a smoking cessation (wondering if they would ever get the residual smell of cigarette smoke out) and a harrowing regression. They pondered the plight of humanity. As a reward, they got to go for an afternoon stretch while listening to book six of Harry Potter on audio. This was a sign they would be in for an afternoon of marketing chores. Sigh.

They retraced the morning steps, car ride, and back to the house we went. My pants bustled about the kitchen, knocking into table legs as I prepared a seemingly complicated Shepherd’s Pie. After settling a bit and feeling a want for expansion, we sat down to enjoy Mesmer the movie (guess what is coming next Esoteric Saturday).

And we are back to where we started, pants crumpled and forgotten upon the floor. Hmmm. Actually, my poor trousers have a pretty mundane life. Oh, well. I suspect I will not make “The Hypnotist’s Pants” cinema featurette (but you never know) for the Dockers contest. But maybe your pants live a more spectacular day? If so, you should think about sharing a day in the life of your pants in video format. If I have inspired you to do so, you can enter at www.nbc.com/Dockers (also leave a link to it in this comment section, I’d love to see a day in the life of your pants).

Well, I just could not get it together today for another 10 Question for Hypnotists, but never fear there are some interesting ones lurking in the future.  They will begin again next Friday.

So today, I thought I would follow-up on yesterday’s posting. An interesting phenomenon occurred.  No one commented (not that that is unusual), but instead, I got several emails. First, for those who took exception to it, thank you for being kind enough to email me and discuss it, as opposed to publicly airing any grievances.  I am extremely appreciative.

But, here is the scary thing - several people said they had felt similar things, about being critical of the (US) government and how they are afraid if they share their opinions, it might somehow turn out badly for them. Words have a way of haunting us.

This leads me to a comment from a friend (you know who you are) who was a little disappointed with the post because I did not cite it or give specifics about why I feel the way I do.  But, if you will recall in the post, I mentioned I would not be citing anything, just sharing my feelings with you. In transpersonal psychology there is a lot that is said about ways of knowing something, usually intuitively.  There are no sources for my opinions, just an amalgamation of reading conspiracy theories (which spread negativity like wildfire) and such, in addition to my own thoughts about the country I have chosen as my own. I do not as yet think things are terribly dire, but I could see how they could get there.  My post is merely to serve as a warning, that we need to be careful and hang onto the ideas that made this nation fabulous. They are not to be squandered.

With that said, thank you to all who did email your thoughts. As I said, I was torn about posting yesterday as I did, but like hypnosis - change only happens if you want it to and I believe we can influence the future in positive ways.

And tomorrow, as this is not a political blog (we were only joining in the collective Bloggers Unite Day) we will return to our regular posting.

Today I was going to rail about governmental mind control and human rights. You know, stop bad governments from using mind control techniques on its people. I figured it would tie into theme of the blog since we have covered ideas about mind control and how they are not hypnosis. So, I sat down with the last bit of Irish Breakfast tea and began to look for sources. What I found instead were conspiracy theory pages, some very poorly designed and written diatribes, and some that there so well done, I could not tell if there was or was not evidence to support the claims.

Then I caught myself and was appalled at my behavior. I do not have to write a piece with research information that is well documented. I do not have to have “expert” quotes embedded in this. Instead, I need to write about human rights from my own experience and knowledge.

So, I visited Billy Warhol’s blog billiondollarbaloney.blogspot.com, where he has posted a piece entitled Shut the Hell Up!! - MSNBC Keith Olbermann to President Bush!!. Before I go on, let me phrase that my Nan raised me to never discuss politics, religion or sex in public forums. Just listen, she said, you will learn much about other people and they will never notice that you have not said a word. I have pretty much lived by this and find it hard to break out of the mold.

However, I found myself conflicted today. I have my own opinions about Keith Olbermann and I do so want to express them. However, after a morning of being ensconced in conspiracy theories, I have found myself wrapped and tangled in something more than my upbringing. I found myself tangled up in a pervasive sense of fear. Now in my line of work, I have always thought of fear as the enemy. It gets in the way of progress. But now, I am wondering if I am not wrong to feel apprehensive.

Do I exercise my human rights, those that the US Constitution empowered us with, especially the right to free speech (and by the way, do we even have a constitution anymore or is it just boat for tourist to visit)? Do I dare flex my mental muscles even with thoughts that might not fit a fascist government? Might Orwell and his big brother know what I really think? And if so, what will become of me? Will my blog get fingered and red marked, monitored by men in black, and one day, an ordinary day, while I am posting and drinking tea, will they burst into my house, and take my mighty keyboard away and throw me into some dark, wet , hell hole until I have been brainwashed and speak their language? That’s what those conspiracy theories say.

Or maybe, just maybe, I am already suffering from subtle manipulation or brainwashing. Perhaps it has creeped in like an uninvited guest that looks vaguely familiar so we do not ask it to leave. Somehow instead of feeling proud of our individual rights, something has caused a certain questioning of what is safe and what is not. There is that fear again. I do not believe its pervasiveness really has much to do with a few pages of negativity that I read this morning. I think it is more than that. You read about bloggers being arrested for being critical of their governments in the Middle East. To those who do not live in oppression, maybe this seems insane (well, it is insane), but how far away are really from that? Evolution can go one of two ways - forward or backwards. Will democracy fail and will we all find ourselves in such a world where we live in a tangible state of fear? This would be devolution.

And am I part of this decay process? By censuring my words, my thoughts and brushing them away like crumbs from my granola bar, am I am allowing myself to be controlled by fear, whether caused by inherent paranoia or a true threat? If it is paranoia, then this whole post is crazy. If it is real…

Here’s what it all comes down too - is the fear indeed a threat? Perhaps you are saying, my Ellie, you have an active imagination (true, true), but we now seem to be in a world where human rights seem to be faltering. Even in Mother America, supposed land of the free, do we take human rights for granted? Can we afford to do that?

And I will now begin to stop this babbling brook of words and as they slow to a trickle, perhaps you have read between my lines and gotten the message. Maybe not. Maybe you are wondering what I really think. Old habits die hard (thank you Nan). Caution is the word of the day, but Mr. Olbermann, today you are my hero.

I had meant to mention this sooner, but May 15, 2008 (tomorrow) is Bloggers Unite for Human Rights Day. It is a day when many bloggers gather together to address a cause that needs attention and now is a time when human rights need to be considered. I am not so sure what I will blog about, but I suspect there is plenty.

To learn more or to participate, visit Blog Catalog to join.

Also, feel free to list your blog in the comment section here if you are participating. A little linky love can go along way.

Have you been here before? No, I don’t mean this blog, but have you lived before this life, a life that did not include reading blogs in the morning with your coffee, a life that was very different than qualms with a nine to five or taking the kids to yet another soccer practice? I suspect this topic is the line in the sand for many when it comes to hypnosis. Past life regression. I can hear the chorus - I don’t believe in that (and you are just about to move on, but don’t, try to be a little more open minded) or the voices say “fascinating.” But for those of you nonbelievers, that’s okay. It is not necessary to believe (that is just my opinion). The information that does come up, real or imaginary, can be really helpful in dealing with difficulties. Some believe it was indeed a past life and in this life, you must overcome the obstacle that held you back in a past incarnation. Other’s believe it is your subconscious giving you signals that will help you cope better with something else, almost like your own metaphorical story

Anyway, Oprah is the lady of the day or at least her show should be in our consciousness. Why? Dr. Oz is on and the topic is past life regression. Since the show is pre-filmed, apparently Dr. Weiss was also present and took the audience on a group past life experience. Dr. Weiss wrote the fascinating book Many Lives, Many Masters.

To find out when the show airs at your location, click here.To learn more about the show, visit the Oprah web site.

I cannot believe it. None of you have opinions on music in regards to hypnosis or meditation? No one wants to share their favorite composers? In the word’s of Pink Floyd (and yes I am dating myself), is there anybody out there.

In answer to my question, yes, sometimes I use music within a hypnotic or meditative setting. Mainly, I use it in the office before a session. I think it adds to the atmosphere to have something soothing playing when clients walk through the door. However, during the actual session, I tend not to use it, unless there is a lot of noise happening around the outside of the office. I record my sessions with a digital recorder and have found it is hard to find the right volume to play music at so it does not complete with my voice on the recordings. When I do a professional audio, though, I will use it to help pace the audio.

I also use music during meditations, both guided and in my own practice. On hectic days when my mind is trying to keep up with life’s pace, I find it easier to concentrate on the sounds of individual notes. I look at that as a luxury, though. I do not always use it, as I do not want to become too dependent on it.

I was also thinking about last week’s poll. Some said being mesmerized was not the same as being hypnotized. In thinking about this, I thought about what we learned about animal hypnosis, and have begun to think that being mesmerized is a lot like that concept. It is not a state in which hypnosis necessarily occurs, but could occur for humans if suggestions and such were given. Maybe it is like the induction section of a hypnosis session when the state of hypnosis is obtained? Any thoughts?