Heal Addictions - Using the Power of Your Mind with Hypnosis

The purpose of this article is to help people understand how clinical hypnosis can help stop some addictions, dead in their tracks. After prayerful consideration, I am writing this article through the eyes of a Certified Hypnotist specializing in wellness; I am not a psychologist, psychiatrist or drug counselor, therefore I do not diagnose. As a Certified Hypnotist I help clients achieve wellness, a quality life and inner happiness. Over the years in my holistic wellness practice, I have seen a large number of clients with some form of addiction. I support and guide them as they successfully overcome their addiction via hypnosis. There are many types of addictions that can be successfully treated with hypnosis; I have seen adults, teens and children with addictions for healing and freedom of their addictions in the following areas:

• Self-sabotaging relationships - control issues; sex or pornography dependency, and ‘people pleasing’ issues; or
• Drugs, nicotine, alcohol; or
• Gambling, shopping, working; or
• Eating disorders.

The individual with an addiction must choose to receive hypnosis primarily for themselves, not for others. Hypnosis helps the individual utilize his or her own internal resources to increase their motivation and courage; this permits transformation from a place called ‘darkness,’ bringing them into a healthy shift called ‘light’. Most all of the people I have worked with in the greater Triad area (and beyond) have had the courage and strength to look at their addictions and addictive behaviors in the face. Several told their story of how their addiction controlled them, some had been controlled by others and a few were addicted to controlling others. Several shared their need to please everyone (‘people pleasers’) in order to feel good about themselves; a few appeared to be self-absorbed, they did not see their addiction overall as a problem and found ‘it’ comforting as a coping mechanism. I chose to not work with the latter. It is my personal choice to not work with anyone that is unwilling to let go of self-absorption.

• Addictions do not pick a religion. In my practice - many of my clients are Christians; I also work with clients that do not have a faith. I am a practicing Christian and, I believe in God and His magnificent healing powers.
• My clients have often verbalized that having a belief in a higher power has proven to make their transformation so much easier, giving new meaning to their lives. It also reminds us why we are worthy to succeed in life. Sadly, I have had clients that have said, “I have sinned therefore I can’t ask God for forgiveness.” I am truly blessed and privileged to say, “ We are all sinners – you are worthy, God loves you unconditionally.”

At Alternative Wellness & Beyond, each hypnosis session is individualized according to client needs:

• I help each client discover the underlying cause of their addiction. This core reason, (their comprehension of their ‘truth’) is deeply seated in their subconscious mind. Hypnosis allows my client to tap into the ‘Root Cause’, understand it and release it.
• During hypnosis, I frequently use a clinical tool, called ‘age regression’. Using my professional skills, I am able to help my clients get in touch with and understand their ‘wounded, inner child,’ as well as, its needs. They are able to heal the inner child and release him or her from their pain and unhappiness. My client then feels the joy of healing.
• My clients - (via their subconscious mind), are also freely able to encounter their “inner advisor”. Benefits of this are: mental, emotional and spiritual growth and strength.
• This also aids my clients with understanding their ‘authentic’ limiting beliefs, perceptions, triggers and stressors that stimulate their addiction.
• Their inner advisor helps them gain insight and make the needed, beneficial changes.
• In time, each hypnosis client is able to release unhealthy, non-beneficial emotions (i.e., shame, guilt, anger, hatred, feelings of unworthiness, etc.) and become free from negative emotions and the addiction itself. Pain is a powerful motivator; each one of has the same ability to learn from it in a positive manner or, we can receive the negative consequences of letting it take control of us. I’d like to add here, that no matter how long your pain has been present or where you have come from in your life - pain, does not have to be destructive. You can effectively learn from it and alter how your life looks and feels to you. You can help loosen your clenched grip on life and enjoy life’s blessings. (My clients often discuss afterwards, they are happily able to awaken forgotten, dormant desires).
• At the right time, I discuss with my clients - the benefits of forgiveness. I advocate self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others; this helps set my clients free from bondage. Liberation comes with self-healing!
• During hypnosis, self-healing takes place in the mind-body-spirit connection; a level of harmony and balance is then found between the subconscious and conscious minds and the physical body then obtains the benefits of healing.
• Because my clients choose to be free from their addictions, they are able to restore to health, unhealthy memories including verbal and/or physical abuse, (if any).
• During my client’s sessions, we also focus on ego strengthening: courage, motivation, confidence, and self-esteem as well as the reasons why, they choose freedom from their addiction. We discuss the importance of their staying focused on healthy desires, and on forward movement - on expectations of great changes that are to follow in their lives.
• We review the consequences of their actions caused by their addictive behaviors. We put the spotlight on the necessity for focused discipline and commitment for success. We discuss the importance of a support person during their transition from ‘addict’ to being whole.
• At Alternative Wellness& Beyond, all individuals who have an addiction must be willing to come from a place of darkness (addiction) to a place of desire for freedom from their addiction. They must be willing to consistently take forward steps and make a FIRM COMMITMENT to conquer his or her addiction. I do not ‘fix’ or rescue anyone.
• Our subconscious mind will make all changes we desire. I believe being a Certified Hypnotist is the greatest job in the world; I receive joy as I observe my clients using their powerful inner mind as a weapon against addictions. I see them taking back control!

At Alternative Wellness & Beyond, my clients find that because they desire to change, with hypnosis and through their powerful, subconscious mind - they are more easily able to make valuable, behavior modifications and improve on their decision making skills for making healthy, quality lifestyle choices.

• My hypnosis clients report that the healing process and the significant changes they make in their wellbeing are priceless.
• My clients becoming skilled with mental rehearsing. They reframe old, unhealthy imagery into new, positive mental images they desire in their life and within themselves.
• They recognize that hypnosis, self-hypnosis, Emotional Freedom Technique, continuing with self-observation and self-assessment of their progress, are inspirational steps that lead to setting themselves free from their addictions.
• My clients also gain knowledge of using favorable coping skills learned at my office. They realize these practical skills and proactive steps support them in taking back control of their lives and their destiny.

Hypnosis is not magic! As in ‘traditional’ addiction recovery, success with hypnosis is not expected immediately either. The causes for the client’s addictions have been present for quite some time, so they realize that with hypnosis, valuable change comes quickly but not always immediately. They also realize that their commitment to swiftly free former negativities accelerates their healing process.

• All my hypnosis clients are told, “YOUR success will be determined by your willingness to be disciplined and by your unwavering commitment to change and by your pledge to your success”.
• When a person transforms from darkness into light, they can be set free from their gloomy past forever; I encourage my clients to happily focus on their desired future successes.

Hypnosis is a natural approach to creating desired, beneficial changes and healing in your life. How natural is hypnosis? It is in fact, an all natural mind-body-spirit healing. A person is in total control during their hypnosis sessions and of their outcomes. No change will occur unless a client wants change.

• Hypnosis has been recognized by the medical profession as a legitimate, noteworthy modality for making beneficial changes and healing. With hypnosis and the desire to change, one can discover and understand the root cause of their problem(s), and make remarkable, beneficial changes in their life.
• As your hypnotist, I will simply assist you with healing. I will guide you to a heightened state of awareness and relaxation. This safe course of action allows you to tap into the most powerful part of your mind, (the subconscious mind). By tapping into your subconscious mind, you are able to ‘rewire’ (change) the mental programming that has saturated there from many external sources during your life time. One of the functions of the subconscious mind is for ‘it’ to turn you into what ‘it’ believes you to be; based on the programming stored in your ‘internal computer’ over your life time.

As a professional, I support my clients in individualized ways; I listen to and appreciate their pain, their feelings of being out of control, their perceived anger, etc. Their insight into their addiction is as important as their perception of other’s sense of disapproval of them and/or their addictions.

• I stay focused on helping my hypnosis clients say good-bye to their addiction, permanently.
• I can say, without a doubt, those that do the work required for success and take full responsibility for their success, are the individuals that apply every fiber of their being into their healing; they are the ones who realize they have a serious problem and they chose to do the work to recover. From all their focused work and healing, they reap what they sow; because they take control of their mental, emotional, spiritual and physical destiny, they recover successfully.
• I tell every client at Alternative Wellness & Beyond, “no matter what your issue is, when it’s all said and done, you and you alone are responsible for your health, wellness, happiness and success.”

I am delighted that my professional hypnosis training has readily allowed me to guide and support all my clients on their journey of wellness and success. Eating addictions affect people of all ages. If you or someone you know is overweight, obese or has an obsession with food, please tell them, “There is no need for you to dig your grave with a fork or a spoon. Instead, you can use the power of your awesome, subconscious mind to make valuable changes you desire.” A person can be released from any addiction, from their bondage and, all ‘poverty’ self images. With willingness to change, previous lies and covering up of one’s addiction, can be banished. With transformation, a person can:

• Wake up each day and be pleased with them self, not focusing on pleasing others.
• Actually take a vacation and enjoy it, contentedly leaving the job behind.
• Go into a store without shopping and can save money instead of gambling.
• Learn to release their hurts, guilt and forgive others and self.
• Appreciate decreased negative stress, increased happiness, more joy and better health.
• Take control of their life and their destiny!

In hypnosis, you simply use the power of your subconscious mind for optimal healing and well being; you discover how to break through your ‘mental blocks’. Because your words come from your thoughts and beliefs - words are like ‘power pellets’ that can either heal or destroy you. Your thoughts affect your emotions; your subconscious mind controls your emotions, self esteem and beliefs. All of these affect your immune system.

• If a person has suppressed hurtful emotions, learning to let go of the perceived offense (from others) and forgiving the ‘offender’ - is needed for true healing. Forgiving the ‘offender does not mean you condone what they did or said, what I am saying is, forgiveness sets you free from bondage, you become liberated from it’s control.

I am happily prepared to help all individuals that are ready to heal and ready to break through limiting patterns of behavior. My desire is for all individuals to experience the fulfilling life we all deserve. At Alternative Wellness & Beyond, my clients:

• Say good-bye to the ‘rejection trap’ - break free from being controlled and their bondage; they release their chains of insecurity. They get to stop addictions, dead in their tracks.
• Grow in confidence, begin to believe in them and accept themselves for the worthy person that they really are. I love helping my clients find inner peace and joy and take control of their life and destiny!

To schedule a day or evening appointment for a teen, child or adult hypnosis session or for a free confidential consultation with Polly Humphreys, Certified Hypnotist at Alternative Wellness & Beyond, call (336)988-5750. Gift certificates and Emotional Freedom Technique lessons can also be arranged. You will quickly learn why individuals come to Polly from the greater Triad area and Boone, Statesville, and Wilmington, NC areas as well as from Virginia, Tennessee and beyond.

EXPECT SUCCESS!