I’ve been talking more about hypnosis lately, and I’m getting responses along the lines of, “You make people cluck like chickens, and that’s therapy?” I mean, these days, I’ve heard of stranger things, so maybe that would work! But hypnotherapy has nothing to do with stage performance or making people do things they don’t want to do. (I promise you, that’s not even in my wheelhouse.) I see hypnosis as a natural extension of meditation and a powerful healing tool that has been used in traditional indigenous cultures since the beginning of human time. It’s all about taking an inward journey to a deeper state of relaxation similar to lucid dreaming, where the body, mind, and spirit become more open and receptive to change.
Doing hypnosis in therapy is like listening to a deeper and more personalized guided meditation, all in the service of some change you would like to see or some aspect of self you’d like to explore. It feels like a very relaxing imaginary adventure where you can energetically sense the shift you’ve been waiting for. Oftentimes, people have visions and feel a pretty profound uplift in mood and energy. Or you can stay closer to the surface and just enjoy a more restful mind. You are always in control of the experience and can come out of it at any moment. It’s very safe and surprisingly effective.
Beyond the power of the hypnosis experience, the real point is to learn to access that quiet intuitive space as often as you can. That’s called self-hypnosis. When we relax our minds and enter a more creative sphere, we find new solutions, and, even more importantly, we find peace in situations that are normally stressful. In the end, it’s that moment-to-moment okay-ness with what’s happening that makes just about everything a little easier.
People often have questions about hypnosis, and every hypnotherapist works a little differently. In my practice, hypnosis is a tool for releasing old, stuck patterns and coming into greater balance, ease, and well-being. It’s a natural, gentle way to access a relaxed, open mind where the seeds of change can really take root. I sometimes incorporate hypnotherapy for help with:
- Anxiety
- Pregnancy symptoms and/or childbirth preparation
- Parenting stress
- Moving on from an old relationship
- A relentless inner critic
- Confidence-building
- Career changes
- Stress-related health issues
- Facing the loss of a loved one
- General stress management
I don’t use hypnosis with everyone I work with because it’s not what everyone needs, and I feel strongly about working with people in the way that feels best to them. But hypnosis is a great tool for those who want to try something new. If you’re curious or know someone you think might benefit, feel free to check out my counseling services. We’ll see what would be most helpful to you, and take it from there.
Wishing you much peace in this moment and in all the ones that come next,
Julia Aziz
This photo was taken last spring when I performed with the Wandering Bindis bellydance troupe at a women’s heart health conference. I didn’t share it at the time because I was still stifled by the worn-out belief that a woman can’t be both feminine and professional.
Where have I blamed myself for situations that were out of my control so I wouldn’t have to feel vulnerable?
Julia Aziz, LCSW-S, OIM 