Category: Specializations

Specializations

Therapeutic Imagery Master Certification

Brian Balke

This weekend I completed Cheryl O’Neil’s Therapeutic Imagery Series. The series is an extended course in guided hypnotic journeys that allows the client’s subconscious mind to speak freely. The sequence of journeys builds strength and confidence in the mental landscape to facilitate the exposure of deep motivations with “Divine Timing” – that is to say, when the subconscious is confident that the waking mind will not become confused or debilitated.

The series spans the full kaleidoscope of life’s experiences: from relationships to grief to unmet goals to psychic connection. Many of the journeys are suitable for group sessions, an activity that I intend to make a cornerstone of my practice.

I am proud of the association with Cheryl, not least because of her demonstrative patience, warmth, and positivity.

Specializations

Post-Traumatic Stress

Brian Balke

Imagine being forced from a place where everything is provided into a world where nothing is certain.

Being born is traumatic, but the newborn is hard-wired to open his or her eyes to seek a comforting face. When the mother presents her nipple, the sucking instinct teaches that if we cooperate, the world is full of wonderful surprises.

But events can break down that confidence. The persistent threat of violence, witnessing violence committed against others, and natural disasters: all threaten our core belief in safety. Our subconscious clamors for our conscious mind to make certain that never happens again.

Our Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) steals life’s wonderful surprises.

For those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the fear response takes over. The sights and sounds of the traumatic experience are brought back when a car horn sounds, or a waitress serves a certain sandwich at another table. PTSD sufferers withdraw from the world.

Through hypnotherapy, the subconscious is made part of the known effective therapies for PTS and PTSD: Innoculation Therapy builds habits that soothe fear; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy breaks down guilt and shame; and as self-esteem improves, Exposure Therapy allows us to find good in the situations that we’ve been avoiding.

If you are suffering from PTSD, talk to your doctor and psychotherapist about adding hypnotherapy to your treatment program. If they agree – or if you are eager for other methods to address PTS – contact Brian to discover just how powerful a tool hypnotherapy is for reconnecting with the love that surrounds us all.