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Hypnotherapy/Soma-Focus and Support for the Autonomic Nervous System
Enhancing connections between the mind , body and the autonomic nervous system.
See also: My Counseling Services | Neuroscience/New Brain Science | Biofeedback | Heart Rate Variability | AcuGraph for Autonomic Documentation | Autonomic Science [opens in new window]
Recent research has shown positive effects on the immune system when people use certain techniques that involve both relaxation and concentration of the mind. Soma-Focus is the term used by Marc Schoen, Ph.D. to describe a method to control the nervous system that historically has been called hypnotherapy. My opinion is that the word, "Hypnotherapy", is incorrect.* It describes a set of methods that can bring coherence to the relationship between a person's conscious mind and their autonomic nervous system which controls the physical body. Recent neurological research is documenting the validity of techniques offered by practitioners of what has become known as Behavioral Medicine*, or sometimes Mind-Body medicine. Dr. Schoen has conducted important research that showed reduction in inflammation with body-focus hypnosis counseling [described on his site].
Note: I favor the approach of psychotherapist/hypnotherapist Milton Erickson and the more recent development of "Positive Psychology". I do not ask the person to emotionally relive past traumas.
All too often people are unaware of the distinct difference between their conscious mind and their body with its Autonomic Nervous System. The ANS influences the function of organs and systems such as heart rate, digestion, fight/flight alert mechanism, etc.
Hypnotherapy helps to bring the body and mind into a more coherent teamwork arrangement. This can be especially helpful for the integrative medicine and biological dental services at clinics such as NIHA.
I have seen many advances in hypnotherapy, having been a registered hypnotherapist in Washington state starting in the mid 1980s. Recent advances in neurobiology have brought hypnotherapy to the front ranks of therapies that can be easily added to integrative medicine programs.
I offer hypnotherapy as a focused method of improving the communications between the inner automatic survival mechanisms and the conscious mind. I practice what has been called "post-Ericksonian hypnotherapy," keeping the patient's self-control as the focus of my work.
Other Techniques: I have been trained in EMDR (a type of eye movement therapy) by Clancy McKenzie, M.D. I have been trained in Mental Field Therapy by Dietrich Klinghardt, M.D., Ph.D. (this includes an eye movement therapy). Guided Imagery. "Brain Health & Wellness" technique of Charles Gant, M.D.
* The Wikipedia entry credits surgeon James Braid with the scientific application of techniques that were then discovered to have earlier been practiced by Ayurvedic and Oriental doctors. Now that we have gained an appreciation of the Autonomic Nervous System [link] we can understand the power of that unseen inner controlling system that can coordinate sometimes miraculous-appearing improvements in mental and physical health.
| Recent NICABM Presentations: |
| The Brain Plasticity and Depression Connection |
| The Neurobiology of Mindfulness: Clinical Applications |
| How We Can Change the Wiring of Our Brains |
| The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy |
| How the Mind Changes the Brain |
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Resources
Learn Hypnosis through the Hypnosis Motivation Institute: http://www.hypnosis.edu/
Self-Hypnosis for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
http://www.helpforibs.com/hypnosis/
http://www.helpforibs.com/shop/books/hypnoibs.asp
Stage Fright Hypnosis:
http://www.real-hypnosis.com/stagefrighthypnosis.html
Calming the Amygdala [and emotions]:
http://www.hypnosisnetwork.com/library/hypnosis-expanding-the-science.php
Skin: The Mirror of Our Emotions:
http://www.hypnotherapyawareness.com/article_mirror_of_emotions.html
The Whole Brain Learning Institute
In addition to the classical hypnosis methods, there are also the stereo and subliminal recordings of the Whole Brain Learning Institute. I have used their products starting over 20 years ago. They remain superb tools for you to use at home, work or on the go (as appropriate for the purpose of the recording... some should not be used while driving, for instance).
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