Our Amazing Mind

I had a great experience this morning. I knew I had to get up at 6am to be at work for my first client at 8:30am. As I went to sleep I thought about the time I wanted to get up.

At 4:30 am I woke and went downstairs to see if my elderly dog, Trixie, was OK. I laid on the couch and fell asleep. I kept dreaming that I was a visitor in someones home (they had a British accent!) and I needed to take a shower.  I got frustrated because when I stepped into the shower none of my products were there. This kept going on and the shower area kept changing until I began to be aware of the dream. Oh darn I thought, I’ll bet it’s 6am.

I forced my eyes open in the dim light only to discover it was 5:55am. Gee I had 5 more minutes. Thanks subconscious mind for waking me up.  I got up and took a shower.  I just love how our minds work to help us!

The power of the mind. WOW! www.hypnosisconcepts.com  to hear my voice clip so you can RELAX!  Take care, Laurie

Vacation and Imagery

Well, I’m off to Hawaii on vacation tomorrow. What I notice when I take the time to relax and see the sights is that my mind has clearer visions of beauty. Colors are more vivid when I am relaxed, maybe because I am in a “noticing” more. I see more detail in the sea, trees, and landscapes. I feel the atmosphere around me more intently. It think beauty has its special vibration that is more intense.

The clients I see when I return get the advantage of clearer descriptions of images of nature and beauty. I tend to describe in more detail and can get a client to feel more as if they are really there. It’s like I transfer my experience of beauty to them!

So off I go to get refreshed, clear my mind, unwind and create more beauty and healing for my clients upon my return. Aloha!! Laurie

Coming soon….new relaxation CD at the beach. www.hypnosisconcepts.com

About Celebrations

My family is coming upon the “busy season” of celebration. Lots of birthdays, 4th of July, anniversaries.

I grew up with a wonderful grandmother who celebrated everything. My grandmother had a hard beginning, and although I was never able to talk to her about it (she died when I was 12), I imagine she realized that she could make her life terrible or happy. She embraced family with all of her heart and love.

Celebrations we at the heart of our family with good food, children’s laughter and fun. Now of course that was my perspective as a child (someone had to prepare all the food and clean up!), but it made enough of an impression on me to inspire me to carry on the traditions. My mother took after her mom and was superb at creating celebrations so it was easy for me to follow the family traditions.

When people gather it is special. When everyone participates it’s even better! And when there is laughter it is just sweet.

Find something to celebrate and enjoy.
Tale care, Laurie
www.hypnosisconcepts.com

Things have to give

If any of you are following my blog it looks like I disappeared!  My father has been in the hospital and then a nursing home. We maneuvered through the lung cancer scare to find out he was aspirating fluid into his lungs causing pneumonia. So things have to give on ones life when stuff happens.

The stress of a loved one being ill is intense. The time it takes, running to the hospital or nursing home, talking to doctors, waiting for test results, and informing everyone who cares (lots of time on the phone and email).  It really brings out the people who care which is the good part of it all. Love flourishes when family comes together in a crisis.

My June workshop, Gaining Rapport With Yourself, scheduled for June 25, 2010, is meant to allow the attendees to stay in touch with themselves. The stronger we are, the easier it is for us to be there for others.  www.hypnosisconcepts.com/workshops  

Take care of yourself, Laurie

Dual Approach To Positive Results

How do you get positive results with hypnotherapy?  I take a dual approach.

Understand that most issues have two sources: The first is habit and the second is the cause.

For instance, if someone suffers from insomnia, they expect not to fall asleep causing it to become a repetitive behavior, a habit.  That person also admits they are obsessed with worry about things they have no control over. The belief is that worrying will help them anticipate the worst case scenario, allowing them to avoid unpleasant experiences.  This is the cause of the excessive worring, which results in the insomnia problem. When that issue is resolved and the habit is corrected, the problem usually resolves itself.

THE DUAL APPROACH:

Step one is reprogramming the mind away from the stress response (i.e. anxiety, insomnia, stress, fear etc.) I do this by working with my client to let go of physical, mental, and emotional stress. (see first session worksheet  http://www.hypnosisconcepts.com/FirstSessionWorksheet.pdf ). Then I help create the positive outcome..what my client wants instead of what they don’t want.

Step two is about getting curious to find out the cause of the negative stress response.  This in done by allowing the subconscious mind to find the source that drives the negative stress behavior.  The results can be eye opening and produce amazing changes.  Take care, Laurie Miller

www.hypnosisconcepts.com

Training in Hypnotherapy

Training to become a hypnotherapist varies a lot. Part of the reason is that the field of hypnosis is not generally regulated by the state. (There are a few exceptions)  Hypnotherapists are bound by the professional standards of the psychology licensing laws, but we are not licensed as a stand alone profession….yet.

I attended the California College of Hypnosis in Garden Grove, CA where I took a sixteen week course,  attaining certification as a Master Hypnotist. Then transferring to the Inner Mind Institute in Irvine, I continued my education of two more sixteen week courses to receive certification as a  Hypnotherapist and Clinical Hypnotherapist.  I have also attend hundreds of workshops, seminars, conventions to sharpen my skills. (http://www.hypnosisconcepts.com/aboutlaurie1.htm)

Because the profession of  hypnosis and hypnotherapy is not regulated, we as a profession regulate ourselves. There are several large organizations that test applicants and uphold professional code of ethics. I am the President of the International Association of Clinical Hypnotherapy (IACH) www.hypnosis4u.org  We have monthly meetings in Orange County, CA featuring professional speakers. We test new hypnotherapists, administering a written, oral and practical exam. 

There are many private hypnotherapy schools. Each has a bit different curriculum and training requirements.  I think that to be proficient you should have minimum of 100 hours of training.  On line courses are effective in relaying information and techniques, but practical experience is the only way to be a self-assured, professional and effective hypnotherapist.  I would highly recommend a class room situation for training.  The school you pick is really subject to what you like and where it is located. Take care, Laurie

www.hypnosisconcepts.com

Giving To YOU

When the economy started into it downward trend and my friends and clients became  victims of layoffs, recession, stock market disaster, and generally bad financial news their stress level skyrocketed.

During these times I believe if we all gave a little of ourselves, whether it be monetary, service, favors, or good deeds— our mood, energy, and  expectations will be lifted.

I decided I wanted to give back in some way.  I developed a low cost workshop series that has been well received.  The cost is $10 per person for a two hour experiential workshop.

I started with “Relief from Stress” and continued with “Get Back On Track” and “Taming Self Sabotage”.  This month, January 2010, I introduced “The Magic of Good Luck”, addressing the positive behaviors of people with good luck.

http://www.hypnosisconcepts.com/workshops.htm

I have been having fun and my clients, their friends and associates have been enjoying the experience. My hope is to inspire positive emotions that will increase joy and prosperity in tough times.  A laugh and a smile go a long way!  Take care, Laurie Miller  www.hypnosisconcepts.com

The History of Hypnosis Concepts

The word synchronicity comes to mind as I tell you the story of how I became the founder of Hypnosis Concepts.  I attended the California College of Hypnosis for my Master Hypnosis training, and then transferred to the Inner Mind Institute to finish my Hypnotherapist certificate and Clinical Hypnotherapy certificate. http://www.hypnosisconcepts.com/aboutlaurie1.htm

This will sound strange, but I went into a copy place to have some copies made (before the day of home printers! Ouch that ages me!) I started talking to a young man about my training and he was so interested he decided to attend hypnosis school at the Inner Mind Institute. 

About a year later, Yates Catlin, the owner,  decided to move to Las Vegas and sold the school to this fellow (can’t remember his name).   I was renting a therapy room from Yates and running a co-op of hypnotherapists. When the school moved to Costa Mesa, so did I.

To make a long story short, I was miserable. The therapy rooms had no windows. The owner kept the business office locked so that the therapists couldn’t use it.  It was dark and claustrophobic!  I had to leave, and of course that was the best thing that ever happened to me. 

Along with another therapist (more on him later) we created Hypnosis Concepts. My father’s secretary, Cathy, was the person who gets credit for coming up with my company name. We rented space from an audio cassette company (yes we made cassette tapes on boom boxes in those days)  and started a co-op of 8 therapists!  My rent was $50 a month (shared office).

 A couple of years later, we moved to an executive suite in Irvine where I stayed for 20 years. Four years ago I moved to my current location in Newport Beach. Hypnosis Concepts has thrived over the times and I am so happy that one day a long time ago I walked into that copy place!!  Take care, Laurie Miller www.hypnosisconcepts.com

The Eye of the Storm

Sometimes life is very chaotic. Too many things happening at once, appointments, family issues, stress, and health issues.  Holiday time tends to be like that for many people.  Then sometimes, for no reason, it all stops. Just like the eye of  the storm. It gets quiet and calm. You can hear yourself think. Everything seems brighter and clearer. You can breathe a little more deeply. You stop trying to fix everything. Peace washes over you. http://www.hypnosisconcepts.com/stress1.htm

This is a gift, a time to get your balance, take back your power, get centered.  Like the full moon on New Years Eve, bright, soothing, beautiful.  We know the eye of the storm will pass and chaos will reign again. Cherish those moments and use them to do something kind and nice for yourself.   Take care, Laurie Miller www.hypnosisconcepts.com

Turning Shy into Confident

Believe it or not I was once a very shy person. As a kid I wouldn’t even make a phone call. I have a twin sister so I always had someone to be with or follow. Speaking in front of a class was painful.

What I realized about shy people is that they are focused a lot of the time on what they are feeling or experiencing.  So when they have to face others, they project that others can see how uncomfortable they are. http://www.hypnosisconcepts.com/confidence1.htm

When I graduated from the California College of Hypnosis, I was top of my class. They presented me with a beautiful certificate on a plaque and then asked me to hypnotize the whole class. I was instantly terrified!  I had studied to be a hypnotherapist and then freaked (only inside) at the thought of hypnotizing a group.

Slowly I worked on my shyness and started to turn outward, realizing that others were not judging me as I judged myself.  About 2 or 3 years into my career I met a young man (I was in my early thirties) who was only 19 years old.  He was a fantastic hypnotist and we complimented each other. Soon Hypnosis Concepts was born and we were partners. Through hypnosis and his patience I became comfortable teaching classes and speaking in public.

Before I knew it, my confidence grew and one day I realized that I could teach the classes by myself.  He went on to get his graduate degree in psychology and I kept building Hypnosis Concepts and my self esteem. I still have a shy streak, but it doesn’t hold me back from what I love to do…teach about the field I love..hypnosis! Take care, Laurie Miller www.hypnosisconcepts.com

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