Gained Confidence

Two years ago I had taken up horseback riding as an adult. I love horses and I love the sport but was overwhelmed by frustration because I was allowing my anxieties and fears to block me from progressing and fully enjoying the experience of being on horseback. I was physically and emotionally frozen by my fears and unable to think in the moment.

After my sessions with Jill I was able to break through many barriers and work towards and gain new skills that I never even thought possible. I am now able to jump a course and feel the exhilaration of jumping it with the horse instead of feeling the terrors of possibly making a mistake.

Happily, I would also like to add that this new gained confidence from riding has spread into many other areas of my life. Any expectations that I may have had of hypnotherapy had been greatly exceeded.

NT

Uncontrollable Anxiety

I became interested in hypnotherapy for a very specific reason – uncontrollable anxiety. I had met Jill in an unrelated way, and was inquiring about what she did and how it worked, more out of interest in something new. When I asked about issues with anxiety and panic she said that hypnotherapy was highly effective in changing habits and how we perceive a given situation. It sounded interesting because I had already come to the conclusion that I over-reacted to many situations due to my upbringing and the ways in which I had seen my dad react to situations. I really felt that I was imitating his reactions, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t bring about a change in the basic, almost primal way, that I reacted i.e.: heart pounding, adrenaline rushing, fearing the worst, not being able to concentrate, worrying constantly about the next thing. Very small inconveniences became things to fear. I would wake up early in the morning (4 am) in a panic because of issues I had going around and around in my head. I couldn’t quiet them. So I decided to give it a try. I was very excited about the way Jill had described it working, and it did work. I felt a difference after the first session. Then after the 2nd and 3rd sessions, I noticed several big changes. Situations where, in the past, I would have reacted poorly, I was calm and sensible. I was so excited! It might sound small to other people when I explain it to them, but to me it was (and is) huge!! I woke up in the middle of the night one evening shortly after the 2nd session and had a vague feeling of anxiety try to creep in — and I actually laughed out loud. It was nothing short of amazing. I went back to bed and fell asleep immediately, where in the past, the anxiety would have taken hold.
I have told many friends about the process – and they see the difference in me. They know what I have been through in trying to sort this problem out and they are also pretty amazed at the results. I would recommend it to anyone for a wide variety of issues. I had been through counseling (5 sessions) prior to this, and while it was a positive experience, the hypnotherapy was so much more effective and efficient. Amazing really.
Thank you Jill for introducing me to, and bringing me through such an amazing process!

JP

Marriage Counselling

I was very skeptical of counselling sessions as both my wife and I had attempted several times, through different professionals, and found it was of no benefit or help. Jill was very much our last attempt at salvaging a marriage of over 15 years. Her methods, mannerisms and guidance were a breath of fresh air, and resulted in breakthroughs we were never expecting. I was most impressed with Jill’s objectivity, patience and sensitivity to our problems. Having confidence in those you turn to for support is crucial, and it was never in question with Jill. I will, and have recommended her services, but am please to say, we wont be needing them further.

AP

How to Choose a Counsellor or Counselling Practice

Choosing the right Counsellor is an essential element in your process of change. Your relationship with your counsellor provides you with the right energy, knowledge, support and encouragement to face issues or patterns in your life that are no longer working for you and to steer/guide you in a more useful positive direction.

The Counsellor that you choose not only needs to have the education and knowledge base to understand the key ingredients you are experiencing and provide realistic solutions, they also need to connect with you in a way that feels safe and comfortable.

Just as a hair stylist, dentist, hygienist, physiotherapist may or may not be the right fit, so is true with your Counsellor/Therapist.

Speaking by email or on the phone is often the first connection, do you like the message you are receiving or the energy from that person. During the first session is the energy/environment comfortable for you. Does it seem that they not only understand where you are coming from but able to formulate a plan to move you forward.

Is their personality pleasant or enjoyable to you? Do you feel confident that they know what they are talking about?

Finding the right Counselling Practice/Counsellor may take time yet it will be time that will be well worth it. It is so important to me that the relationship feels right that I offer a free 20 minute consultation.

Can You Lose Weight With Hypnosis?

Yes, Hypnosis Is the Answer! Weight Loss Is Jill’s Specialty

I probably deal with weight loss and emotional eating sessions more than any other issue, and it seems that most of my clients are coming in by referral. Clients are coming in and saying “Do to me what you did to my Mom! (or Dad, Brother, etc.)?

The reason most people fail at weight loss is that the approach that they use is just too simplistic. Dieting alone will end in failure for most people. How you eat and how it affects your body weight depends on many factors. For example:

  • Family training
  • Mood and emotions
  • Habit
  • Quality of your diet
  • Sensitivity to different foods
  • Knowledge about food
  • Exercise level
  • Genetic predisposition, etc.

Programs that do not take a number of these factors into consideration are going to have only limited success. Limited in either the amount of weight you lose or how long you can keep it off.

Hypnosis or hypnotherapy (done right) affects subconscious factors such as family training, mood/emotions, habits and exercise level. Diet programs alone are unable to do this. Even diet programs that include exercise programs are not going to work for most people in the long run.

Most people who come to me have tried diets and have failed. They have tried exercise programs too, and have also failed. This is both good and bad. It’s bad because clients will come to me feeling frustrated because of past failures. The good news is that I do not have to educate my clients on how they should eat and exercise to lose weight. All I has to do is remove the subconscious programming that is getting in the way of their success.

Using hypnotherapy, specifically the 5-PATH system, I can remove the old programming that is causing you to eat out of habit, emotions, family training and increase your level of exercise. I will do this through the use of hypnotherapy and teaching you self-hypnosis so that you can continue to reinforce continued success for the rest of your life, or work on almost anything you want to work on in the future (i.e., self-esteem, confidence, motivation, stress management, etc.).

In addition to doing hypnosis I will also do some education. Part of the program involves teaching clients about the secret language of feelings. Yes, that is right, feelings have a secret language. It is because clients often don’t understand how to respond to feelings that they get in trouble. Rather than responding to feelings in a satisfying way (thus reducing or eliminating the distress of emotional problems) they wind up eating and then feeling even worse! Education also helps you understand the important role that healthy nutrition and moving your body in a way that is comfortable for you impacts your mood, confidence and energy.

Your mind and body are connected, when you allow one to be in balance the other will follow.

Allow me to help you once and for all feel the success that you have been missing and learn to enjoy this one body of yours.

Family Systems Theory

Family Systems therapy helps individuals, families, communities, and organizations solve major life problems through understanding and improving human relationships. This theory is based on the knowledge that couples, families and their individual members function as an entwined emotional group that influence and are influenced by each another’s behaviours and choices. Counsellors/Therapists know that the relationship between the parts of a system – that is, the individuals within the family – can alter the whole system in sometimes predictable or patterned – and sometimes unknown – ways.

Family Systems therapy/counselling can bring positive change in challenging relationship patterns causing martial conflict, loss of self, anxiety projected onto children, impaired work performance, poor health, and feelings of emotional isolation. Therapists/counsellors work to improve relationships in intact, single-parent, step-parent, and other nuclear family configurations.

Looking at how the emotional system works in the family that shaped you helps me understand how you were conditioned to respond to stress or pressures within your Family system and extended social networks. During therapy/counselling, I will help you explore your emotional system, become aware of the automatic techniques you use to deal with stress, and recognize the resources and patterns adopted from your family system.

I can then suggest effective options for solving problems that have the best long-term outcome for you, your partner and your family

By knowing yourself and recognizing the influence of the deep connections you have to family and society, you can predict patterns, become less judgmental, more sensitive, while still remaining connected.

Pet Loss

Pets are a huge part of many people’s lives. More than “an animal” a pet is your companion, confidant, friend and often protector. Your pet is there to cheer you up, listen to you, make you laugh and give you love. More than anything, your pet gives you this love unconditionally. No matter what kind of day you are having your pet is happy to see you, even if you have only been gone for a few moments. Many of us love our pet so much that we attribute human characteristics to them. Pets seem endlessly patient, eager to spend time with you creating a strong connection.

For seniors and singles a pet (especially a dog) creates a connection to the outside world. Urging you out of your house for walks, where you often meet, connect and socialize with other dogs and dog owners.

The healing aspects of pets have been well documented. Dogs and cats are used for therapeutic purposes in long-term care and hospital settings. Patients calm down and relax while stroking a pet. What they give you is immeasurable and when you lose them it is often an agonizing experience.

The grief experience is often palpable and unavoidable. Your routine is now upset- no more feedings, walks or cuddling. Coming home to a house empty of pets can be a physically and emotionally painful experience. This process has no timeline and although it is experienced uniquely by everyone there are some commonalities.

Initially you may feel overwhelmed by your pet’s death and have a hard time processing and accepting it. This is often followed by intense feelings of unfairness towards the situation. These feelings of unfairness can linger for a very long time and may come and go in waves.

Eventually you may find yourself falling into a depression as you realize the gravity of the situation, you will never see your pet again. The emptiness of the house and the change of your routine highlight the pain.

Although the length and intensity of this process is unique for everyone there are ways to help you work through it.

First and foremost is to acknowledge the importance this special pet had in your life. Allow yourself to feel, experience and express whatever emotions come up. You are mourning a family member, allow that process to happen, accept and embrace it. Others around you may not understand your deep connection to your special friend and your consequent sadness. During this time take good care to spend time with those who understand and appreciate your loss.

You may choose to honour your pet’s memory with a symbol. Veterinary clinics may offer your pet’s ashes, a ceramic foot print or another memento. Choose to hold onto whatever you feel is important.

Pet memorial services are a nice way to allow others who loved your pet to say goodbye to him/her and comfort you.

When, how and if you add another pet to your family is up to you. Adding another pet does not mean replacing the memory of the pet that you have lost, but it can help you to move along when you are ready. Do it when you believe that you are able to emotionally focus on the pet you are adding as a new and distinct member of your family. This new pet, especially if adopted from a shelter, will love and comfort you as you continue your journey of healing.

If intense feelings of grief persist for an extended period of time seek out help from a therapist who can help you relieve this emotional pressure and get things back on track.

Stop Smoking

Use hypnosis to stop smoking without gaining weight!You can stop smoking for good! Thousands and thousands of people across the country have quit smoking using hypnosis. I am experienced with this important and life-changing issue. I am successful if my clients become non-smokers. I know smoking cessation and the importance of physical, mental and emotional health.

Here is how it works. You will come in and meet with me. I will learn about your smoking habit and discuss how you want to quit. You can stop all at once or taper off.

I require that you make a minimum of two appointments, three to seven days apart. Most people will either stop smoking or cut back to only one or two cigarettes a day after the first session. The next session will usually be ten times more powerful and effective than the first session.

There are small percentage, about 10-20 percent, that will require more sessions to quit smoking. For that small percentage that need more help, I am there for them, too.

You don’t have to gain weight because you quit smoking! Follow my plan and you may even lose weight. My educative component helps you to replace the smoking habit with good positive behaviours. These good behaviours help you to take advantage of the time you used to spend smoking. If you now smoke 30 cigarettes a day and spend about 5 minutes on each cigarette that equals about 150 minutes, or 2 1/2 hours a day smoking. You need to plan for that time. If you don’t, you will tend to gain weight.

I can tell you much more about my program. Call me for more details. I am happy to answer your questions by phone or email.

Are you living with Chronic Stress

In today’s hectic world many people are living with chronic stress. If you answer yes to two or more of these questions you might be living a chronically stressful lifestyle.

Do you:

  • Eat emotionally
  • Feel overwhelmed
  • Drink too much or take drugs
  • Feel anxious, jumpy or panicky
  • Seem more forgetful than usual
  • Lose your temper more frequently
  • Have a hard time falling/staying asleep
  • Have difficulty concentrating
  • Cry often
  • Find relationships challenging?

Your mind is amazing with the best of intentions. It scans each event that happens to keep you safe. If your mind interprets an event as positive you move forward with positive energy. If it is viewed as negative, instantly your body responds physically with the fight, flight or freeze response. This response is hardwired from our primitive days but in the modern world we cannot always use the fight, flight or freeze responses.

Each stress response you experience releases hormones into your body to help you achieve fight, flight, or freeze. These stress hormones have been linked to illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes. They have also been linked to negative emotional symptoms like anxiety and panic.

Chronic stress is emotionally and physically exhausting!

How can you reduce this chronic stress?

The first step is to examine the balance in your life. What is your level of commitment to family, friends, work, school, spirituality, self care? Which area feels overloaded? Which area feels ignored?

We feel stressed when we are taking on too much to do it well so look to “give away” the areas that feel overloaded. Brainstorm how you can “plump up” the areas that feel ignored. Creating that balance like leveling out a teeter totter helps to keep you stable and even.

Lean to say no if you cannot or do not want to take on another responsibility. Delete emotionally draining people or situations from your life when possible. Nurture your body (the only one you will ever have) by moving it, feeding it well and giving it the sleep that it needs. Focus on the humour in situations. Remember, it is your mind’s interpretation of an event that decides whether it is positive or negative. Create the most positive experience for yourself that you can.

Find help when you need it. Deep relaxation, therapy and hypnotherapy can help you release negative emotional pressure and restructure old patterns and habits that are holding you back.

“Create your new tomorrow”!

Adlerian Psychology

I am trained in Adlerian psychology. A hallmark of Adlerian Psychology is the promotion family-member equality, parent education, balance in life style, and holism in individuals.

This Therapeutic model originated in the early 1900s from the work of Alfred Adler. Adler was a contemporary of Freud and Jung, yet he had a different take on people and how we work.

Adler saw individuals as creative, goal-directed selves that need a sense of belonging, connectedness to others, desire to contribute to the greater good of the community. He was optimistic about people and encouraging to his patients. Alfred Adler was focussed on developing a model of therapy that was useful in helping all people including children, parents and couples create and achieve harmonious relationships, while being responsible for their behaviour.

Adler believed that people have choices about how they behave rather than being “pushed into behaviour” as was a popular belief with other Psychiatrists at the time.

Adler’s goal for individual or family counselling was for each member of a family or couple to spend time with their therapist/ counsellor. As this one-to-one relationship develops Adler believed the therapist/counsellor can then provide critical encouragement, foster insight, and promote change in each family member’s style of life. Family members “lay down their weapons? to discover new, positive aspects of each other.

Adler had placed a lot of emphasis on how important an early child’s training in life developed and how those early learnings were compiled into their little rulebook for living. This guide book he believed became their “private logic” for living their life. This Private Logic Adler believed was an individual’s guide book directing them throughout their life. The challenge then becomes the understanding that what a child viewed as appropriate, with our adult learning and knowledge might not be a suitable way to move through life.

Therapy assits with understanding the “mistaken beliefs” of the child and remodelling those beliefs into an appropriate system for us as adults.

Adler also was a strong proponent of parenting that fostered a child to become a responsible contributing member of their family which he felt would translate later to a good contributing member of the community. He was friends with Maria Montessori and their shared similar passions for positive encouragement, requiring responsibility and the importance of good parenting.

In my University training at the Adler School I was required to teach a 6 week Parenting Course following the Adlerian philosophy.

In later sessions, the family or couple is unified as a cooperative, caring whole with a more generous view of everyone’s welfare.

During sessions, clients set paths toward long-term goals, develop maps and plans for dealing with life situations, and harness the power in knowing that we can make choices and thus make changes if we choose. Everything can be different tomorrow than it is today.