BREAK THE GRIP OF FEARS and PHOBIAS

A common reason that many people visit a hypnotist is to overcome debilitating fears and unreasonable phobias. They often feel out of control and that they are victims of circumstances.

Fears are a natural part of life.

Everyone fears something such as a being robbed or being hurt in an accident. This type of fear is not necessarily bad as it may prompt you to take precautions, such as locking doors or wearing safety belts.

Many fears develop during childhood, but fears can develop anytime. Some fears that develop during adulthood are caused by chemical imbalances such as a hypoglycemic reaction or allergic reactions, but many are the result of repressed memories. One indication of whether a fear is physical is the duration of the reaction.

Psychological reactions are usually triggered by anticipatory stress and become less intense once the anticipated event begins. Physical reactions tend to become more intense once the event is initiated.

If you experience fear strongly and/or frequently, you may begin to fear losing control. You can actually become afraid to feel the fear and go out of your way to avoid anything that might trigger it. When this happens, the fear has become a phobia. A fear may also be considered a phobia when you can feel the sensation of being afraid without even recognizing what first triggered that feeling of fright.

Whenever a fear or phobia gets in someone’s way, interfering with their lifestyle, or causing them to avoid something they would like to do, then it should be treated.

In mild cases, where a person recognizes the fear triggers and would like help controlling reactions, post-hypnotic suggestions can help you learn to control your breathing, slow your heartbeat, and achieve a more relaxed state of mind. This allows you to deal with problems in a calm and balanced manner.

More severe cases are often the result of a traumatic childhood event. Most of the time, the event can no longer be recalled by the conscious mind however, experiences are still retained in your subconscious. In these cases, the hypnotherapist may employ regression techniques.

Age regression is one of the most powerful tools available to the hypnotherapy client. With it, I can guide you back in time and help you re-examine any events or experiences that initially triggered a fear from a distanced and objective point of view. Once the cause is revealed, the fear of losing control dissolves. Control is once again recovered.

Once a sense of control established, repeatedly confronting and de-sensitizing the fear through hypnotherapy swiftly reduces and soon removes the fear.

*If you or someone you know would like help using guided imagery or visualization to reduce and eliminate unreasonable fears or phobias, and gain control over your life, you may contact Shanimah Ra – 810-599-8783 or email: AskDrRa@gmail.com.

******************************************************************************
Disclaimer: Hypnosis cannot and should not stand alone as the sole medical or psychological intervention for any disorder. Hypnosis should not be used instead of appropriate medical, dental or psychological treatment. Any individual with a medical or psychological problem should first consult a medical doctor or psychiatrist for diagnosis and professional advice. Hypnosis should only be practiced by those who have been appropriately trained, who practice appropriately and within the scope of their training.
******************************************************************************

ANGELS TELL ME: MOMENTS

Angels Tell Me…


If you take a dollar bill, which is 6.14 inches (or 6 inches, if you are rounding), and used that as a visual to compare time to actual space; the very generous lifespan of a human of 120 years would look like 736.8 inches or 61.4 feet.

The age of modern humanity as we know it is calculated to be approximately 50,000 years or about 12792 dollar bills, laid end-to-end, which would be about 4.84 miles. Most people could walk that distance in a little over an hour.

Scientists theorized that the human race has been evolving for about 200 thousand years or the length of 614,000 dollar bills, laid end-to-end, or 102,333 feet, or almost 19.5 miles.

The Earth has been around for about 4.5 billion years and the whole universe (according to the Big Bang Theory [not the Bible]) has been revolving in the void for about 14 billion years. That is a 14 with 9 zeros after it. The calculations for converting that time into spatial distance are astronomical, so I won’t do them here.

The whole point of this exercise is that, if you are walking along and you are only going for 61.4 feet of the millions of miles available – you’d better make every inch count!! Shanimah 5/14/2012

HYPNOTHERAPY FOR CHILDREN?

CHILDREN ARE OFTEN THE BEST SUBJECTS FOR HYPNOTHERAPY!

·         How can your child benefit from Hypnotherapy?

In more ways than you might think. Hypnotherapy can help to eliminate infant habits such as bed-wetting and nose-picking. It can help develop good study habits, improve concentration and learning ability, develop motivation, creativity and self-esteem. Hypnotherapy can help deal with grief or loss. Most importantly, it can prevent potential psychological damage that might be caused by misunderstanding the words of an adult.

“I have files filled with case histories of adults who have sought help understanding childhood memories.” states Shanimah Leal Ra, PhD. “It is amazing how much damage can be done by a well-meaning, but misunderstood remark; especially when it comes from a trusted source like a parent or teacher.” Children all have individual personalities, just as do adults. They respond to comments by authority figures each in their own way.

For instance, a parent might see a poor report card and try to use reverse psychology to motivate the child. The parent might say something like: “I can’t believe any kid of mine is this dumb.” If the child has enough self-confidence; it might provoke him into putting forth more effort. But, if the child is insecure, a statement like that could make him believe that he is truly dumb or worse, that his father or mother doesn’t love him.

Hypnotherapy can help children to understand what was really meant and prevent the misunderstanding from becoming an emotional scar that would limit their personal growth or performance potential throughout their life.

·         Children are actually the best subjects for hypnotherapy!

Prior to beginning any program, I take the time to interview with children, to find out what the child likes and dislikes. We discover, together, the best imagery to use. It’s easy for children to have a positive experience with hypnotherapy.

Once they develop an adequate attention span, children are easily hypnotized. Children spend most of their waking hours playing games and indulging in fantasies and pretend experiences in which they become totally absorbed. These are excellent methods and techniques with which to implement therapeutic suggestions.

Children may not realize the potential power of visualization. Yet, we all have this natural talent for dreaming and picturing things in our minds; children even more so. They respond beautifully to fairy tales and bedtime stories. They like to imagine that they have a part in the story being told and they slip into hypnosis easily.

Teenagers benefit immensely from hypnotherapy. It can be successful with improving concentration and learning abilities. It has also proven to be helpful in dealing with behaviour problems such as delinquency and addictions. With teenagers however, motivation plays a much larger roll. It is essential that they understand and want the change.

I have multiple degrees in Clinical Hypnotherapy; I also do Etheric Energy Work, practice EFT techniques and am a Reiki Master, which compliments my therapy toolbox,” explains Dr. Ra.                                                                             ©1/25/2012

Website: www.321relaxhealingtherapy.com

E-mail:  AskDrRa@gmail.com

HYPNOSIS BENEFITS STROKE RECOVERY

            As we age, we may become vulnerable to conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke. An interesting case study by two Los Angeles researchers sheds doubt on traditional views about the chances for recovery from one of these unnatural conditions – stroke.

As early as 1987, researchers Holroyd and Hill found that recovery from stroke could be extended long after the six month accepted medical viewpoint of that time. Their findings, published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, Vol. 37, issue 2, 1989, presented that, using hypnosis – a technique not normally associated with the treatment of stroke, researchers helped a 66 year-old female regain several physical capacities. These included use of her disabled arm and the ability to walk without a cane. Hypnotherapy with the subject began six months post-stroke and lasted for six months.

Stroke Recovery Hypnotherapy

Under hypnosis, the patient was guided through imagery that recalled memories of previous abilities, including swimming in a river as a child. In addition to the hypnosis sessions, the woman was given audiotapes with which to practice at home.

Follow-up a year after the stroke showed verifiable improvement in the physical capabilities of the patient.

Researchers Holroyd of UCLA and Hill of Permanente Center in Lomita, CA. speculated that, even though therapy for strokes is traditionally perceived as not being useful beyond six months post-stroke, the capacity of the mind to learn new information and processes does not have an end-point. This has developed into a new vein of scientific research called “Neuroplasticity.” 

Imagery works on the mind in a way that is not yet clearly understood. As ongoing results show, however, the ability of imagery to push the envelope of traditional limits of effective therapy holds exciting possibilities and it is an arena that merits further investigation.

An interesting side note: Hypnotherapy for recovery was initiated at the request of the patient after a neurologist had concluded that she would not likely gain any further improvement in her physical condition.

Sometimes, it seems, the patient knows best! 

If you or someone you know would like help using guided imagery or visualization to complement traditional therapy for stroke or any other condition, you may contact Shanimah Ra – email: AskDrRa@gmail.com.

******************************************************************************

Disclaimer:  Hypnosis cannot and should not stand alone as the sole medical or psychological intervention for any disorder.  Hypnosis should not be used instead of appropriate medical, dental or psychological treatment.  Any individual with a medical or psychological problem should first consult a medical doctor or psychiatrist for diagnosis and professional advice.  Hypnosis should only be practiced by those who have been appropriately trained, who practice appropriately and within the scope of their training.
******************************************************************************

DEBUNKING THE MYTHS ABOUT HYPNOSIS

What is hypnosis? Hypnosis is a powerful therapeutic tool for accessing the subconscious mind and achieving personal goals or affecting desired changes. It may be used alone or in conjunction with other therapeutic or medical techniques.

Despite its incredible power, there are few therapeutic tools less understood or more plagued by misconceptions. Hypnosis has existed since prehistoric times and modern western medicine has been trying to understand it since the 1700’s. It has only been within the last two decades that we have truly begun to understand how hypnosis works and what it can do for us.

Unfortunately, many misconceptions that have developed over the centuries still persist today. If you ask the average person on the street what he or she thinks hypnosis is, they may respond with any number of answers including sleep, unconsciousness, mind control, or even magic. All of these ideas are wrong, but unfortunately continue, perpetuated by Hollywood novels and films. Many vampire and spy movies for instance, portray hypnosis as a way for the villain to gain control over the victim. These fallacies prevent many people, who could truly benefit from hypnotherapy, from ever trying it. Those who do try hypnotherapy often spend their first session unlearning their misunderstandings.

Hypnosis is not sleep, unconsciousness, mind control, or even magic. In fact, it is a heightened state of awareness. In most cases, the subject is fully aware and able to respond to requests, either verbally or by signaling, such as raising a finger. Ask a hypnotized person to make a specific, reasonable movement and they will comply.

There is no surrender of control or will-power, no magic. No one can be hypnotized against their will, and what is more, no hypnotized person can be forced to do anything against their will, beliefs, or core values.

Scientists now know hypnosis to be a state of selective thinking in which the subject, who is in control of his or her own thoughts, chooses to experience only what is relevant to the task at hand, thereby blocking out all other stimuli.

However you think of it, hypnosis is a simple, relaxing method for communicating directly with the subconscious mind. Few people realize the immense power that their own subconscious mind has over their life. The causes of many bad habits are rooted in memories or mistaken perceptions that have long been forgotten by the conscious mind but retained in the subconscious. Hypnosis helps to access the subconscious to change those unwanted habits quickly and easily.

Although hypnosis is not a panacea, there are many areas in which it has proven to be tremendously helpful including memory enhancement, improving concentration and focus, relieving insomnia, overcoming phobias and fears, eliminating harmful habits such as smoking and nail-biting, relieving pain, and stress management.

Hypnosis is a self-improvement tool anyone can learn and everyone should use.

© Dr. Shanimah Ra, Certified Hypnotherapist and Angel Therapy Practitioner® 2012

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER THROUGH HYPNOSIS

Everyone dreams. Some people dream of love, some dream of wealth, some dream of success. Unfortunately, few people learn how to turn their dreams into reality. One of the reasons for this is something that has recently been identified as “Playpen Syndrome.”

Playpen syndrome is like a bureaucracy. It is propagated by people and agencies who want to avoid being bothered by ambition, creativity, new ideas or progress. It stifles individuality and prevents the achievement of goals. Fortunately, hypnotherapy can help the players leave the playpen behind.

Playpen syndrome begins when children learn from parents, teachers, or other authority figures that they will only be liked if they do as they are told; if they create problems, they won’t be liked. Parents don’t intentionally create this attitude, but they often place their children in safe, out-of-the-way areas. The young, impressionable mind gets the idea that they will be liked and taken care of as long as they don’t cause any problems.

These mistaken ideas stifle creativity and send a message to the subconscious mind that keeping the status quo is the same as being liked and should be the goal of their life. They do not learn to explore, take small risks, or find solutions to the challenges of their environment.

The message is reinforced as they grow up. They participate in sports activities and continue to play on teams regardless of their skill level and without any real motivation to improve their skills. Later they work in an environment that will secure their job, with benefits, regardless of their skill level or the quality of their work. All their lives they are cared for by someone else and never take the initiative to take control of their lives and make their dreams come true.

Hypnotherapy can help anyone develop the tools they need to achieve their dreams and free themselves from the Playpen syndrome. The program focuses on Goal Setting and Achievement, and may also include attitude, confidence, and motivation.

Effective goal setting requires both a sense of completion and reward. The major problem most people have with goals is that they only set the long term accomplishment goals. They don’t look at the steps they need to achieve to get to the end goal. They fail to see any reward, even when they do make progress.

Activity goals are just as important as accomplishment goals. Activity goals are the steps by which we reach our final outcome goals. A student, for example, wants to become an engineer and this is his or her accomplishment goal. One at a time, they must attend each class, complete the written assignments, and pass each test and exam. These are activity goals. Once completed successfully, each activity goal provides an essential sense of accomplishment and the motivation to continue.

Motivation and attitude are just as essential as proper goal setting. You must have a strong desire to achieve your goals. You must have confidence to know that you can succeed. Hypnotherapy can help you find these things within yourself.

© Dr. Shanimah Ra, Certified Hypnotherapist and Angel Therapy Practitioner® 2012

My Infinite Angels: IN PAIN? CALL THE DOCTOR… AND THE HYPNOTHERAPIST!

My Infinite Angels: IN PAIN? CALL THE DOCTOR… AND THE HYPNOTHERAPIST!: Pain. We all experience it at one time or another. Migraine headaches. Back pain. Chronic pain from illness or injury. Birthing pains. Pain ...