When Jennalee Tracy didn't like the direction her life was taking, she turned to hypnosis to help her change. It worked. Tracy is now a certified hypnotist helping others take back control of their lives.
Tracy, who works for Port City Chiropractic (Portsmouth, NH), is one of a growing number of holistic practitioners many people now turn to for non-traditional approaches to health and wellness.
“People are taking more control of their healthcare and realizing it’s better to treat underlying causes than symptoms,” said Tracy, who has a psychology degree from the University of New Hampshire. “They’re also realizing it’s far less expensive to take care of their health now rather than it will be later on.”
Hypnosis can relieve insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and anxiety, and can aid weight loss, smoking cessation, and the elimination of self-defeating thoughts and behaviors.
In this interview, conducted in Portsmouth on October 20, 2010, Tracy discusses how hypnosis works and contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Tracy received certification from the Thomas Institute of Hypnosis and is a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists.
Hypnotherapy Enhances Holistic Healing Treatments
Suite 101: Why is hypnosis gaining in popularity?
JT: Now more than ever, people are open-minded about different healing options. Hypnosis is a great adjunct to most alternative therapies and traditional medicine. Most patients who come in for chiropractic care want to know more about other treatments and how they might make their lives healthier. Many patients now follow up a chiropractic adjustment with a hypnotherapy session—often during the same visit.
Suite 101: What is hypnotherapy’s underlying concept?
JT: Till age six, the mind is like a sponge and from that young age, we start creating programs and beliefs that can run us the rest of our lives. Since the subconscious mind controls about 95 percent of our daily actions, running on old thought patterns can keep you stuck in a rut. Hypnosis can get you out of that state, remove limiting beliefs, and offer you new thoughts to run on.
Suite 101: What does a hypnotherapist do?
JT: I use a mixing board with noise-canceling headphones that a client wears to get into a space of their own. I then speak into a microphone, using different hypnotic techniques like progressive relaxation and guided imagery, to increase subconscious receptivity to new thoughts or habits vital to the client. The client is aware and in control throughout the session and chooses what to say or not say.
Hypnosis Heals by Helping Creating New Thoughts, Habits
Suite 101: Could hypnosis boost athletic performance?
JT: Yes. It can enhance confidence and aspects relating to performance by using imagery, e.g. seeing one running or swimming their best ability. Hypnosis can also reduce pre-game jitters and enhance focus. When you can go there in the mind, the body can go there more fluidly when it’s time to perform.
Suite 101: How many sessions does it take to see changes?
JT: Some people see results after one session, but I almost always recommend three to five, followed by a reevaluation. I advise my clients to start with weekly sessions and then move to biweekly once their stable. Once your treatment is complete, you wouldn’t have to come back for months or even years.
Tracy sees hypnotherapy and holistic healing an addition to traditional health care, rather than an alternative. “I think it’s important to work alongside the medical field and being here gives me that opportunity.” Tracy said.
Andrew Leibs - Andrew Leibs is Suite101’s Feature Writer for Accessible Recreation. He is a longtime chronicler of the disability movement with ...
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