Hypnosis and Relaxation

What Does Relaxation Look Like?
Stress is part of our every day lives. It is advantageous for all of us to find ways to manage the stress level we experience day to day. Learning relaxation techniques can help reduce stress, manage our anxieties, worries, concerns, and fears.

Relaxation looks different for each person. Relaxation doesn't have to be meditating for forty five minutes.

Relaxation can be as simple as taking a quiet meditative walk, or reading a book, or listening to music, or singing, and or dancing.

Using Imagery And Visualization:
Imagery and visualization are very useful tools in enhancing someone’s relaxation. For example imagine closing your eyes and hearing the sounds of river as it flows over the rocks in the mountains. See the colors in the sky, notice the shades of green of the mountains, feel the wind blowing gently on your face. Imagine touching the river with your hands. See yourself drinking the water from the river. notice how refreshing the water tastes on that warm sunny day. Using all the various senses in imagery can help enhance your relaxation experience.

Imagery and visualization can help someone improve the quality of their life. By visualizing what you dream, hope, and desire for yourself you then can begin to turn it into a reality.

How Relaxation Is Used In Therapy:
At Merrill’s practice in Scarsdale, NY she helps the client figure out what is relaxing for them, and has them implement these strategies in their daily life. Merrill uses relaxation techniques, imagery, and visualization as an adjunct to treating Panic Disorder, Anxieties, Phobias and Fears, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Trichotillomania.

What Is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a trance like state where we can tune into our selves in a reflective, deep manner, and access information more quickly from our unconscious mind. People are fully aware and are still in charge when they are in a hypnotic state. At Merrill’s practice in Scarsdale, NY she offers hypnosis to her client’s when it seems it would be helpful to their healing process.

Hypnosis is much like when someone is daydreaming or totally absorbed in a book or movie where you are fully conscious but are able to tune out outside distractions.

Many people describe their hypnotic experience as feeling very relaxed, being aware, hearing everything, but feeling as though they are far away. Hypnosis is a useful tool to help the client quickly access certain emotional, physical, and psychological blocks. Furthermore, Hypnosis is a creative process where the client generally is more open to suggestions, relaxation, and imagination.

How Hypnosis is Used In Therapy:
Hypnosis can be used for a variety of issues and concerns. In Merrill’s practice (Scarsdale, NY) she uses hypnosis as an adjunct to helping her clients manage their Anxieties, Panic Disorder, Phobias and Fears, and Trichotillomania. Merrill will also at times use it in conjunction with Reiki to help the client to deepen their relaxation and connection to their mind, body, and soul.