lifeLine Psychotherapy
Services
In Memory of Hoang Lan, my devoted and loving mother
1937-2002
Treatment Modalities
Counseling
Whether it's for a specific problem or a chronic mental health issue, counseling is a traditional, straightforward approach. It's what most people think of when they hear the term "talk therapy."
The goal is to identify what's causing your distress, as well as the underlying thoughts and beliefs that may be reinforcing the problem. The next step is learning to replace those unproductive thoughts and beliefs -- and the self-sabotaging behaviors that follow -- with new, healthy perspectives.
The process is targeted and can be short-term. You will know you're "done" when you have learned effective coping skills that you use consistently when a stressful situation pops up. Whatever symptoms were bothering you when you began therapy will no longer hold the same emotional charge. You won't be triggered as often or as intensely. And you will have the tools to deal with it when it does happen.
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If you want to dig a little deeper, we will use a psychodynamic approach. This involves exploring how your early upbringing, family life, any traumas you may have experienced or witnessed, and other environmental factors have shaped the way you participate in your life, for good or for bad.
This helps us identify patterns of thought and behavior that have developed and evolved over time, and how your "default setting" affects your relationships, family and social life, work, school and even your physical or spiritual well being.
We take a deeper look at the patterns that aren't working for you anymore, and then work together to create new, healthier perspectives that allow you to respond effectively to your triggers. In this way, you improve your self image, enjoy more meaningful relationships, and adopt a positive approach to all aspects of your life. Psychotherapy is personal-growth oriented.
Psychotherapy
Hypnosis and Hypnotist vs Hypnotherapist
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There are many fears, misunderstandings, myths, and confusions about the use of hypnosis, so I will spend a bit more time explaining and identifyng the differences. There is a huge difference between a Hypnotist and a Clinical Hypnotherapist in the field of subconscious healing.
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A regular hypnotist is somebody who has learned the craft from the internet, books, a short 40 – 60 hour course, where they have learned to induce a hypnotic state on a willing person. Anybody can be a Hypnotist. A regular hypnotist does not need a graduate level psychology degree (which normally takes 8 years of education and more if they wish to specialize in a field). A regular hypnotist or even a certified hypnotist is not clinically qualified to diagnose and treat psychological issues.
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Then there are stage hypnotists who performs in front of an audience on a stage and is purely for entertainment purposes. The hypnotist relies upon willing people who are prone to suggestions. It's a fun stage show for everyone. Unfortunately, stage hypnotism has over the years placed hypnotherapy on the same page. As soon as you mention to someone the word hypnosis, they automatically associate that word with hypnotist, look into my eyes, look into my eyes. Its all very comical and fun to watch a stage hypnotist performing on stage but hypnosis used with psychotherapy is a very serious clinical treatment.
A qualified clinical therapist who combines traditional therapy with hypnosis is considered a hypnotherapists. They have the education, the skills, and knowledge on how to use hypnosis as part of the therapeutic process for psychological relief from many psychological issues. Using and combining traditional therapy with hypnosis brings great results and hypnotherapy is becoming a very well known psycho-therapeutic tool that is now being used by medical professionals and physicians in the areas of dental treatment, pain management, neurology, and many other medical professions.
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