Sometimes all it takes to bring a sense of calm and ease to your day is to breathe... Not simply breathe as you do throughout the day but to actually be aware of your breath and how it can affect your body and mind.

It is such a simple process and takes just 3 to 5 minutes to really make a change in your physical and mental well-being.

Begin by simply closing your eyes and focusing on the idea that you are taking a moment to simply be aware of breathing. This is sometimes called "mindful breathing". There is no need to breathe in any particular way, simply be aware of the breath as it comes in and out of your body. You may find it helpful to focus on a particular area of your body and how it feels as you breathe, such as the nose, the back of the throat or the bottom of your lungs. Just breathe and be aware of how it feels.

As you experience this breathing just allow yourself to begin noticing how the air makes other parts of your body feel. Let it flow however it comes to mind. Within about a minute you will notice that you're feeling more calm, your body is more relaxed, your heart rate has slowed, your bloodpressure has decreased... simply from focusing attention to your natural, easy breathing.

Just allow yourself 3 to 5 minutes of letting the breath be the experience and allowing yourself to notice whatever beneficial changes it brings about in your body and mind. Notice how good it feels to just be aware of your breath. After a few minutes, just tell yourself that you choose to have this inner awareness and calm to stay with you throught the rest of your day. Then tell yourself it is time to move forward into that day and slowly open your eyes and just move gently at first until you get back to whatever adventures your day can present.

Breathing in this way on a regular basis will make a definite difference in your physical and mental well-being. Take the few minutes and enjoy!

Many Blessings,

Jim

James Duncan, CHt

President - Infinity Institute International

1302 N. Altadena Ave. Dept 100 Royal Oak, MI 48067

(248) 439-0673

www.InfinityInst.com

www.DuncanHypnotherapy.com

It is always exciting and motivating to those interested in the possibilities (and fact) of hypnosis as adjunct medical modality when anecdotal evidence of hypnosis success in medical cases can be shared, as these tend to have an exceptional impact. Yet these cases also have the greatest danger of being written off by the uninformed and skeptical as "stories" or exaggerations because they tend to be "a friend of a friend", or "A colleague of mine had a client..." or better yet, "I remember reading in my training about..."

I would like to share my own very recent personal story of Achilles Tendon rupture. With the use of hypnosis, the recovery process time has been reduced by 50% and pain has been virtually non-existent. The ease of this healing journey has been truly empowering not only in my own sense of well-being but in my ability to demonstrate the effectiveness of hypnosis on medical issues in one situation ranging from severe injury, to surgical success and recovery to pain management and healing imagery.

On March 5, 2009 while working with dancers and actors from a local theater group (a hobby based on the career of my youth as a classically trained dancer and choreographer), a simple jump, much like one might make over a puddle, resulted in a massive rupture of the right Achilles tendon with complete separation from the calf muscle. The momentary initial shock of the injury was sharp pain as I collapsed to the floor. Fortunately, I knew exactly what had happened based on the sound and sensation and past experience with other severe muscle injuries, as well as professional dancer friends who had experienced this same injury in the past and had described it in horrifyingly graphic detail. My first response, based on how I teach Pain Management hypnosis to both my clients and students was, "I know what this warning pain is. I am going NOW to get treatment. I no longer need the warning. If something else develops that needs attention I will allow a warning sensation that is tolerable." And I simply shut off the pain without a second thought. Within ten minutes of the injury, with my calf muscle completely retracted up to the back of my knee and my foot unable to move, I was pain-free and actually quite numb from the knee down. My ride to the emergency room with a friend who was there was actually focused more on the production we were involved in rather than the injury.

The emergency room physicians confirmed what I thought to be the problem and placed me in temporary cast directing me to a surgeon the next day. The following morning, I met with my Orthopedic Surgeon, who scheduled me for surgery 4 days later and wrapped the lower leg in a method called a "Double Jones" wrap. I remained free of pain and in fact, on March 8, two days before the surgery, I attended a rehearsal with the theater group to continue working with them, knowing I might need to take several days off from the production post-surgery. Granted, I was not on my feet much, but I hobbled about on crutches when needed.

The surgical plan and recovery process was set up in the following way: Surgery on March 10, followed by ten days in the "Big Cast", two more weeks in a second cast forcing further flexion of the repaired tendon and muscle all with no weight bearing; if the desired healing was accomplished with that cast, it would be followed by three to four weeks in an orthopedic walking boot to be worn 24 hours a day starting out locked with my ankle at a 90 degree angle.

On March 10, I had an extremely successful surgery, which I had hypnotically prepared myself for using all the usual suggestions for vital signs being normal, need for minimal anesthetic, blood flow and bruising minimization and rapid recovery with appropriate thirst and hunger following surgery among other things. An interesting twist to this story is that I chose NOT to use hypnoanesthesia, a technique for which I am fully qualified, for the surgery or push to use it. I preferred to let the experts work and I would simply focus on bending into the surgery and assisting MY surgical team. The Anesthesiologist had recommended twilight sleep with a simple nerve block to the leg rather than having to put me completely out. The twist came when the nerve block was in place and they tested my legs, I was still able to feel sensation in both of them equally so the decision was made to use general anesthetic, which I supported fully and quite honestly preferred at that moment.

When I awoke, I was extremely comfortable and felt ready to leave and was extremely comfortable and alert. I was discharged shortly after with a pain pump inserted into the nerve block and told to eat very lightly because I would risk becoming ill. Since I had covered that item in my hypnotic preparation and had not eaten in about 18 hours I was not concerned and my first meal post surgery was sitting comfortably at my family dinner table. We had chicken fettuccini alfredo with Italian bread and a large salad. I felt WONDERFUL and free of any pain or nausea.

As a side note: Two days post surgery I was feeling fine and well enough to go to rehearsal but was forbidden by the production's director but I did return on the 5th day and have not missed a rehearsal since. Ironically the only pain I experienced through the entire post-surgical process was a day and a half later when one of my movements must have slightly dislodged the proper placement of the nerve block line and rather than delivering a drip of analgesia it was actually irritating the nerve to my lower leg. For 12 hours overnight I was in searing pain that I could momentarily lessen with hypnosis but would always return. This is the key to Hypnoanesthesia when properly accomplished; if something NEEDS attention there will be a warning sign to let you know it needs to be addressed, Since this particular issue was indeed in need of attention and was directly to a main nerve, the sensation was not the usual minor sensation I suggest and program for my clients. Demonstrating perfectly that hypnosis cannot completely override the body's need to protect itself if the hypnosis could result in further harm or there is a real physiological need. I had the distinct idea that the problem was the pain pump line and called the anesthesiologist's office to tell them of the problem and they assured me it was not the pain pump. 12 hours after this began when the pump beeped to let me know it was empty and time to remove it, I had the line out within moments and within 1 minute of having removed the line; I was again completely free of any discomfort. If I should ever have to face this type of situation again I will know better and will remove the line at the first indication that it was not doing the intended job. The saga continues and ten days out, I returned to the surgeon for a check and to have the second smaller cast placed on my leg. I explained that I had been pain-free and feeling great and when they removed the "Big Cast" the doctor was amazed at how clean and healed the incision was and how free of swelling, bruising or any post-operative problem I was. The fact was that I had range of movement past the range they aim for with the second cast and further still than what they require to put a patient into the walking boot. The result, I was given the walking boot and told to adjust the range of motion in the supports as I saw fit as long as I was not experiencing any unreasonable discomfort. I was to return in two weeks for a recheck to see how much longer I would use the boot. April 10, two week check-up following the boot. My use of hypnosis has kept me free of pain through the entire process and has returned me to a range of motion greater than that of an uninjured, average person. I was sent from the doctor's office with a referral for physical therapy for strengthening and told I no longer had to use the boot. This freedom was granted on the day I would have possibly been getting the walking boot for the first time if the planned second cast had done its intended job. Recovery in half the time expected!

Now, this is not a Hypnosis is a magic wand story. I assure you I am walking gingerly, but this is more as a protective caution and as a result of some natural loss of muscle tone and strength over the past month of restricted movement. And let's face it, my leg muscle was ripped from my ankle tendon and then trimmed and stitched back together. And while it is not magic, it is certainly magical to know I work in a field and teach the techniques that allow such remarkable things to happen through the power of the mind and the desire to allow the body to heal naturally and in concert with your medical team. This is not some story I heard or read, this is my story and it is completely documented. Hypnosis Works!

Many Blessings, James Duncan, CHt www.DuncanHypnotherapy.com

President – Infinity Institute International A State Licensed School of Hypnosis www.InfinityInst.com

Is the job getting to you? Kids' schedules of soccer and dance classes too much? Health problems stressing you out? Finances in turmoil?

Make the time each day to take a little hypnosis coffee break and re-energize yourself. With a simple and easy process you can refocus your energy and get a grip on those stressors that seems to slow you down and block you from accomplishing everything you want to accomplish. Wellness practitioners and therapists will also get far greater results from their client and patients if they would stress the importance of taking just a few short minutes each day to relax and refocus on an inner sense of ease and well-being.

There are so many simple programs out on the market. Self-hypnosis programs in CD, tape and MP3 format to just use whenever needed. Some are better than others, but anything that can be used to relax and step back from challenges for a few moments will have some benefit.

If everyone looked at it like they look at taking a coffee break, it would become a natural part of the day and productivity and overall well-being would increase across the board. This concept of making time for just a few short minutes to refocus on well-being is exactly why I recently created a self-hypnosis program recording entitled HYPNOSIS COFFEE BREAK. In the time it takes you to go to the break room, get a cup of coffee and chit chat for a few minutes with co-workers, Or in the time it takes to stop your housework and make a cup of tea, or even in the time it takes to fold a basket of clothes, you can use a Hypnosis Coffee Break and really take back control of your well-being and focus.

The Hypnosis Coffee Break program is simple, easily learned and takes only 8 minutes to complete. What could be better? And if it isn't this particular program, there are plenty of other self-hypnosis relaxation and de-stressing programs out there that are 15 minutes or less in length. Certainly within the limits of a work break or easily able to fit into a busy day of running around the home.

Folks with health issues can even use the programs in their MP3 players as they wait in a doctor's waiting room for an appointment. What could be a better use of otherwise wasted time?

Get in the habit of taking those few short minutes to re-energize, re-focus and get back into wellness. Take a daily Hypnosis Coffee Break!

Many Blessings

Jim

James Duncan, C.Ht Diplomate - IMDHA 108 East 5th Street Suite F Royal Oak, MI 48067 (248) 635-2935 www.DuncanHypnotherapy.com

It is a truth in all of medicine that sometimes when a health challenge is being dealt with and the results are less than expected, the key to turning that result around is simply relaxing. Taking this approach can make all the difference to those who face these challenges or journeys of recovery and the process is exceptionally simple.

I have found in my work with clients facing concerns from infertility, to cancer, to heart disease and high blood pressure, to muscle contracture or language loss from brain injury, that when the practice of relaxing through simple hypnosis is a part of the process that the successful outcomes are greatly increased. By settling the mind and allowing the body to release unnecessary tension on a regular basis the body begins to do what it is designed and meant to do, whether that is to heal and regenerate itself or if it is to allow natural processes to take place as they were designed to without worrying about it.

Having a health concern and being focused on the desired outcome DOES NOT mean one must stress or worry about that outcome. Hypnosis is a wonderful, enjoyable process that has immeasurable benefit. It is also one of the few forms of therapy or more correctly "self-help" that people WANT to use once they have experienced it. The fact is, that almost every person who experiences the ease of hypnosis or self-hypnosis wants to use it again and again because it is so recognizably enjoyable and ultimately effective.

The key to making this outcome turnaround happen is to let the client/patient know that relieving stress has been proven scientifically to greatly enhance success in therapies and treatments for just about every health challenge. This fact is also a simple yet powerful waking hypnotic suggestion. It is then a simple task of using a simple relaxation or stress relief self-hypnosis recording on a daily basis.

Basic self-hypnosis recordings can be found to fit just about any need and are available all over in stores and on the Internet or through your local Certified IMDHA Hypnotherapist. (For a practitioner near you go to www.IMDHA.com) The International Medical & Dental Hypnotherapy Association is a global organization dedicated to providing referral of qualified hypnotherapists who specialize in augmenting and working with the medical community.

In my private practice every client receives a generic goal achievement program I have available in my office and on-line entitled FLOW TO YOUR GOALS. The recording is 14 minutes long and is unique in that it is completely free of specific focus so it can be used simply as a general relaxation process. The interesting thing about this recording is that if one states a goal for themselves as they begin the self-hypnosis process it then becomes a powerful goal achievement session by design. And because the recording itself is completely free of specific focus it can be used at bedtime while your spouse or significant other is in bed and they can simply enjoy the relaxation process of the recording without any influence of the client's specific goal.

In my office, each client is given one or two single sentence goals to use that are geared toward their specific presenting issue. They then read or repeat the goal to themselves five times before they start the recording. It is that simple. The CD packaging also includes complete and simple instructions on how to properly formulate a goal or affirmation so that the subconscious mind is more likely to accept and activate the goal. This gives the client the confidence that they can also create goals for themselves for any aspect of their lives. It is just amazing how effective and far reaching this one simple hypnotic tool can be in so many areas of wellbeing.

Goals for health challenges can focus on anything. Examples might be: "I relax into my body's natural ability to heal and repair the damage of the past", "I enjoy that my body natural knows how to heal and repair itself.", "I let go of worry and allow my body to do what it is designed to do.", "I am always relaxed and my body responds with health and healing.", "With each new day I enjoy that I think more clearly and my speech flows freely", "With each new day of increasing ease, I feel my muscles become soft as they relax and open like a beautiful blooming flower.", etc. You get the idea.

Ultimately the goal is to achieve an outcome, and yet, even if the ultimate therapeutic goal is not achieved, you will find that the client/patient who has used daily self-hypnosis practice will be much more relaxed, calm and free of stress or worry about that outcome. The reason for this secondary success is that the subconscious mind is designed to be our "protector" and as such it will always act on anything it perceives is more beneficial, protective or forward moving for us. The very first subconscious realization that releasing stress and worry not only feels good but improves every area of life (and it will make that realization) that new concept will become active as the subconscious operating program. This is the base concept of all hypnosis.

So if you want to enhance the effectiveness of your therapies and you are not already utilizing hypnosis for your clients/patients, I strongly urge that you take the opportunity to test this out for yourself. There will be no harm, but the potential gains are priceless for those who are facing health challenges.

Allow your dreams...

Jim

James Duncan, C.Ht - IMDHA Diplomate

108 East 5th Street Suite F Royal Oak, MI 48067

(248) 635-2935

www.DuncanHypnotherapy.com

As wellness practitioners, many times in the course of our work we encounter a client who has endured pain that just doesn't seem to respond to any therapeutic approach. A very simple Hypnotic technique can teach them that they have the ability to control the intensity of the sensation. The key to the success of the technique is surprisingly in teaching them how to increase the pain.

Even in the hypnosis world, many practitioners fail to take advantage of using the client's own understanding of the pain to its full advantage by immediately working on reducing the pain sensation. For a client who has unsuccessfully tried every available means of pain reduction, this approach is often destined to fail, because they have developed a belief system that proven pain reduction methods do not work for them. The instant the concept of reducing or eliminating the pain is introduced, their belief in the indestructible nature of their pain overrides the suggestions for relief. While the suggestions may be expertly provided and may often bring the desired relief, they are not appropriate in every situation with every client.

In some instances it is best to teach the client that they can control the pain by first offering hypnotic suggestion to allow them to increase the pain sensation a bit. During session work the client will be asked to rate the sensation on a pain scale before beginning the trance work. The induction of hypnotic state is then processed and again they are asked to rate the pain. At that point suggestion is then given to focus their attention completely on that sensation and to begin to use a dial or some similar metaphor to slowly INCREASE the pain. They are given a moment to process this and then asked to rate the pain once more. It is at this point that we have made the subconscious acknowledgement that they can control the sensations they experience.

The key to using this increased pain and subconscious understanding to the clients advantage is to now fully explain in the session that they have just demonstrated quite easily how they are able to control the pain by increasing it. This is the transformation point of their pain experience. We then use this understanding by suggestion that they now use that same dial, or whatever metaphor that was chosen, to slowly dial down the sensation. First by bringing it back to the original level the client had stated in increments, and then continuing that dialing down of the sensation to a lower level. When they have achieved this goal, reinforcement of the accomplishment is anchored.

It is often beneficial to repeat the process of increasing the sensation again and then reducing it even farther. This demonstrates for the client that the reduction was indeed in their control and not a singular event. This success is also reinforced. At that point it is best to have the client dial down the sensation to the level that is best for them right now and allow them to confirm when they have reached it. The client is then asked if this level would be good to keep in place for the remainder of the day. If so, suggest that they lock this setting into the dial for the remainder of the day. If they feel that it should be even lower, have them dial it to that setting and when they acknowledge success, lock that into the dial.

Additional suggestions are now given that they are easily able to close their eyes and count down from 10 to 1 will cause them to easily access this state at any time they need or desire to adjust the dial as they see fit. It may be beneficial to offer suggestion that every day now that they have mastered the control of the situation that they easily and comfortably awaken each day at the lowest level of discomfort that they experienced the previous day, and they easily access this state to dial the sensation down even further to the best level for them until they have completely dialed the sensations down to zero and maintain that level permanently.

The amazing benefit of teaching a person to increase their pain in the process of reducing it cannot be stressed enough. The goal is to give every client a feeling of control of every aspect of their well-being and this technique is one of the most tangible aspects of regaining that feeling of control.

Many Blessings

James Duncan, CHt

www.DuncanHypnotherapy.com

One of the things to consider is that this concept is in some part outside of the realm of hypnosis or mind power. I am all about this type of work and while I do not overtly advertise it in my Hypnotherapy materials I have a large clientele based on "vibrational/energy" work and regularly teach a 2-day class on the subject. There are aspects of hypnosis in this area of life improvement but it is nothing that really needs to be learned or taught, as we are all born with a perfect cellular knowledge of the healing abilities of our own bodies and of the healing power of creation both externally and within us.

There is also the need to understand that in some situations the dis-ease or illness is meant to run its course. Depending on beliefs that could be due to anything from soul planning to karma to simple biology. Whatever the belief system, those issues can play into the outcomes, whether those outcomes are beneficial or detrimental. Yet, we have all heard or seen individual cases where belief systems have been changed as a result of outcomes. So those systems are obviously only a factor, not a determining force.

The key to spontaneous remission I believe is founded in the simplicity and the power of that simplicity of LIFE FORCE. One does not necessarily have to understand it or know about it or believe in it, but there usually is some level of acceptance of NOW that takes place. Even if that acceptance is, "Now I am determined (or have decided) that I can no longer be ill." That NOW MOMENT makes the difference. It is interesting to think that that same now moment is not always a moment of power, it can actually be a moment of denial. But denial can be a very powerful energy.

The simplicity of the vibration or energy of life is that it comes from a place without protocol or dogma. In my 2-day course, Elevated Communication Healing Techniques, I stress that healing originates from the motivation and action of approaching life and the work we do from LOVE. Not romantic or familial love, but the love that is defined as an underlying understanding or affinity based on recognition of oneness. The other aspect of that is that LOVE is completely free of ego. When there is no ego attached to the energy we communicate or generate for ourselves, that energy or vibration is of that healing energy of creation (the creation point).

It is important to remember that healing is not repair, but rather it is a return to original design for well-being. That return does not repair anything, what it does is it causes anything that is not a part of that original design to simply fall away from the reality of the now moment. Keeping that original design in the cellular memory and the now of each moment then maintains that design.

I have found that spontaneous or at least rapid healing usually comes from several basic things.

1) Realization of a lesson to be learned or a task to be accomplished. 2) Absolute denial of the challenge. This is action based, not fear based, as in "I deny you permission" rather than "I can't believe this is happening". 3) Absolute acceptance of divine order. (Divinity in whatever form it takes for that person) 4) Giving into and accepting the intercession of those communicating a healing/creative energy to the person so that their vibrational rate can entrain itself to that vibration of wellness being communicated.

Of course there are other ways this takes place and subtleties within these that vary from situation to situation. But with striking regularity these are the key factors I encounter in my work.

The other key point to realize in all of it is that healing protocols and dogma based techniques are limiting and bring ego into the mixture. Each individual has their own truth and each person who communicates love (ego free) and healing energy to another has their own truth. But if we keep the protocol and dogma out of the mix and only use whatever portions of any techniques we have ever learned or experienced that FEEL LIKE OUR TRUTH, then the work and the healing is much more likely to take place in a rapid or instantaneous way. In other words, if you go and take a healing/energy/vibrational workshop or class and the instructor tells you "This is the only way to do this and if you don't do it exactly this way it is wrong and won't work.".... RUN FOR THE HILLS! There is NO WRONG WAY to communicate LOVE and there is no wrong way to communicate the healing vibration of creation if the intent and motivation is for the benefit of the recipient.

This then comes to the idea of the space-time continuum. If NOW is the only tangible moment of power and NOW is the only constant in that continuum. NOW is ALWAYS and it can account for the instantaneous manifestation of healing. In essence, healing "normally" takes place in the NOW moments that are strung together over a long succession of experience. But if the purpose of the lesson or the recognition of the communication of healing is complete and falls within the truth of the person in need of healing, then they will heal... NOW.

Since now is always just now, and there is really no need to string NOW out for an extended string of experience. This realization takes place at a cellular level and as a result the cellular body refreshes the cellular memory for this recognition of NOW and everything that falls outside of the design for well-being instantly disappears.

In a nutshell, ALL healing is actually instantaneous and spontaneous. There is some moment in the process when a person is afflicted with the concern and then the next moment it is gone. It is like stopping a car. One moment you are driving and the next moment that movement has stopped. But both took place NOW. Spontaneous remission or healing is simply the cellular recognition that NOW is always the same and the moment of being free of the challenge can only take place in the NOW. Since NOW is ALWAYS NOW, there is no reason to wait.

Just some thoughts on the matter (and my head is still intact). :-)

Those interested in the discussion group for Elevated Communication Healing Techniques is welcome at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Elevated_Communication/?yguid=163163804

LOVE & HEALING

Jim

James Duncan, CHt 108 E. 5th St., Suite F Royal Oak, MI 48067 248-635-2935 www.DuncanHypnotherapy.com

"Accepting one's "limitations" can be disabling and often support groups support staying stuck rather than getting well."

This concept, recently stated on a discussion board by my friend and colleague, Michael Ellner, is a large part of the work that I do in reframing any limiting health condition and dealing with anyone in any number of "recovery" programs. Anyone who has taken my course in "Reframing Dis-Ease" or read some of my articles or posts on topics such as "Addiction vs. Habit", "PTSD", or blogs and posts in various professional web groups on limiting labels of "syndromes", will know that my approach is "the issue isn't the issue" but more the beliefs in what part those issues may play in the grand scheme of a person's reality or experience of the moment as they OVERCOME the challenge.

While I feel everyone has to do the work for their clients in the best and safest manner they see fit or to CYA (cover your hind end) to a point of feeling safe in their practice, I have to say that sometimes I am surprised at reluctance to assist a client unless there is someone else to take responsibility for any possible shortcoming of the work or the simple fear of those shortcomings.

An example of this would be working with "addiction" or substance abuse issues. Since I do not diagnose or treat anyone, if a person comes to me claiming to be an alcoholic or drug addict, I will work with them. I require them to commit to being monitored by a physician if there is any question of dangerous withdrawal, but I do not require contact with that physician or approval by the physician to be recorded in my files. Hypnotherapy is a course of recovery and well-being that is completely in the hands and mind of the client. It involves words and concepts for well-being and nothing more.

In the same way, I know many people will require their addicted clients to be involved in an approved recovery program. This is where I differ greatly from many people in the hypnotherapy field. My only suggestion to such clients is that if THEY feel the support system is beneficial to the outcome to then use it, if not, that is fine. If they are involved in a support system, they should continue to use it but if at any time it no longer feels beneficial then they have every right to discontinue that system. MY only concern and requirement is that they stay focused on the well-being they are striving to achieve. At the first indication that this dedication is not present, I will discontinue the work until they demonstrate that dedication is in place.

I personally find many recovery support groups to be anchors to the problem rather than ways to get past it, as well as limiting by creating a new social landscape for the person's life that may not be as forward moving and beneficial as one would optimally desire. Interestingly, Dependence on a substance or habit is replaced with dependence on the group. This, while overcomes a possibly dangerous or harmful issue, creates another issue. While dependence on a group could be argued as far better than dependence on a harmful lifestyle, the root of dependence has not been addressed. Independence and well-being has not been achieved.

As for health support groups, many are exceptional and yet others focus on the problems rather than the way to rise above them and flourish and thrive in the reality the person wishes to create for their own well-being. In the health support world, the "living with..." concept bothers me. I LIVE WITH the things I love and care to live with; my wife, my children, my favorite belongings. I DEAL WITH or FACE or OVERCOME my challenges. If anyone has ever had a roommate they disliked greatly or worked with someone who made their life miserable, the idea will become very understandable. The idea of walking into a room with someone you live with that you hate is a very destructive feeling and in no way beneficial. So why would we want to create a support and recovery concept around living with something we hate and never want in our lives? It makes no sense.

Sometimes the greatest support we can give someone in recovery or who is overcoming a health challenge is to not imply the effect of the issue on the person's life AT ALL except when it is required to discuss or assess a particular situation in the perspective of "right now". By doing so it assists that person in stepping outside the limitations they or others may have been placing on them. It gives them a framework of living and moving forward without that frameworkbeing defined by the challenge they are overcoming.

Many Blessings, Jim

James Duncan, CHt Certified Hypnotherapist ~ IMDHA Fellow 108 E 5th St - Space F Royal Oak, MI 48067 USA www.DuncanHypnotherapy.com

Let's look at the concept of PTSD. I'm going to put it right out there... I simply don't like the term and I do not use it or acknowledge it as an operative term in my practice. Let me explain why I approach this serious concern for many people in such a way and why I believe the outcomes for this type of client are always rewarding as a result. Just as I do with the word, DISEASE by separating it for all my clients and students into its component meaning of DIS-EASE, or "a lack of ease". I feel the same way about Post Traumatic Stress DIS-ORDER. Meaning there is a lack of ORDER in the life of someone who is challenged by the effects of a past event. The problem with the diagnosis of PTSD is that it becomes a label of victimization and subconsciously removes personal responsibility for the effects of the situation, so does the label of PTSD. Why? Because once something has occurred (implied as past) everything after it is, in fact POST, so the label is subconsciously understood as ALWAYS TRUE. The term TRAUMATIC in combination with the POST, implies that this past was indeed traumatic and begins over time, on a grander scale to make ALL of the past (not just the event) a traumatic past. The word STRESS then anchors that the past of trauma CAUSES stress. Since we cannot un-experience the past the implied suggestion is that the past WAS traumatic and it DOES cause stress. Then of course, the DISORDER is perceived as something that is out of our control. "I can't possibly change it because I have been told by an expert that I am suffering with a DISORDER", But if we divide it up as DIS-ORDER or "a lack of order", we see it for what it is. This deflates the concepts of the label. It implies we CAN bring things back INTO order. It is in OUR control. We can all put things in order, from the names in our address book, to our clothes closet, to our thoughts and eventually our coping skills and emotions. In a nutshell, that is my take on the PTSD label. That is only half of the equation though. The next step is to answer the question; how do we go about helping a client through this type of challenge and the label that goes with it? We need to approach it as a simple thing without the belief systems that go with the label. First, stop using the term with the client and ask them to reframe their language as well and stop using the term PTSD. If they insist on using it, then suggest they use the whole name and not the Acronym and they must say it in a way which denies ownership of the label. "I was diagnosed with..." is a great way to talk about ANY challenge since a diagnosis is something that is done TO you from an outside source. You can't own it. I teach this concept in "Reframing Dis-Ease" classes and lectures regularly. The key is that humans are possessive. What we HAVE we want to keep. What we LOSE or HAD we want to get back. It is simple human nature. So I and my clients never say "I have..." or "I had..." there are many ways to state the situation in a language that promotes overcoming the challenge without using those detrimental terms. Second, Find a new way to describe or name their CURRENT situation. Instead of calling it Post Traumatic Stress Disorder you can do one of two things. Call it exactly what the trauma was or give it a new temporary expression of experience. An example might be, "I am overcoming the challenges of the Iraq War". By naming it, the challenge becomes specific and finite and in some instances even has a "lifespan". Or perhaps you might say, "I am overcoming some detrimental effects of a robbery". The word SOME takes away the totality of the challenge and instead of MY HOUSE being broken into, you are taking away the possessive quality of the statement. MY gives it personalization and the word BROKEN has obvious detrimental meaning) Start calling the issues PAST traumas, or even better PAST DETRIMENTAL EXPERIENCES, so that the suggestion puts the problem in the PAST where it belongs and where it literally is. The use of the term, POST places it in the now and just describes the timeframe of recognizing NOW came after the event and so the event is still the subconscious focus. There are so many possible specifics within the presenting issues of anyone coming in with these concerns and this label, but the core of getting to the state of well-being that everyone deserves is to first erase the label and deflate the belief system created by that label. Then we can use the same tools we use every day by getting IN THE ZONE with the client and listening to what they are really telling you they need for themselves. Forget the label and your own beliefs about what it means and just look at the client as they describe their needs for well-being. You will be right where you need to be in helping that client to help themselves. I like to say that in the world of hypnosis PTSD stands for, "Permanent Total Stress Deflation" or Permanent Tangible Stress Defeat" Many Blessings Jim www.DuncanHypnotherapy.com

I was recently asked by a college student to provide a fairly concise definition of what I believed the nature of adulthood to be. While I thought it would not be a very easy concept to put into words the task proved more difficult than I initially imagined. There is so much to the nature of being an ADULT, and yet it really comes down to just a few basic thoughts. So, after putting those basic thoughts together for the student, I then began to contemplate how these ideas could be integrated into the therapeutic setting. How can we help others to help themselves through coming to an agreement with these ideas of adulthood?

With that in mind I would like to share some of those concepts with you and perhaps they will help you to develop your own concepts of what being an adult means both personally and professional. With this new definition in hand, you may then consider using these ideas to bring about a sense of well-being with your clients based on their own sense of adulthood. And so I offer...

I believe an adult is someone who has come to a point in their lives when they are able to reasonably weigh and then act on an understanding of what is protective and beneficial not only of themselves but of those they care for and encounter in daily life. There is a sense of responsibility to the value of life and the reality that others may be experiencing and honor enough to not judge that value or reality but act accordingly and appropriately in regard to it in an ethical and benign way while not allowing others to adversely influence their own reality or sense of self. Adulthood is a place in life when you begin to place others before yourself without bringing harm or emotional damage to your own person. It is also important to keep the freedom of childlike qualities in your life and to inspire and foster those same qualities in others so that the adventure of life continues and one doesn't become jaded, hardened or narrow minded. Understanding the value of the child we all desire to retain and the human nature of exploration and discovery is a large part of that protective quality of adulthood, because if that sense exploration and discovery is stifled or lost, then too, forward movement and growth in life are lost. I believe an adult is someone who acknowledges fear but is not paralyzed by it and faces it with all the resources they may have to deflate the power of that fear. In that same respect an adult does not spread or promote fear and makes every effort to protect children and those who may be overtaken by fear from it. Yet, it is an adult quality to not minimize things which should cause concern. It is simply that the concern should be dealt with rationally and efficiency in the best possible way, always keeping a goal in sight that does not include the worst case scenario but always being prepared to deal with that possibility. This approach to reasonable concern teaches through example and is an important facet of adulthood. Lastly, I think an adult is someone who willingly shares wisdom and experience, especially with children, not out of ego, but as a desire to enrich those with whom they are sharing. Wisdom comes from mistakes and successes, knowing that every latitude of that range is valuable. It is important to teach through example that all of life is simply experiences. There are no good or bad experiences, rather just experiences and it is how we respond (not react) to those experiences that make them beneficial or detrimental. While there are experiences we may never want to see again, it is in how we handle ourselves with grace and dignity that makes us adults and stronger for those moments. Each of them create the wonderful person we become, moment by moment. In fostering that understanding the adult enriches the life of anyone with whom they share that outlook.

These are the basic ideas that came to me in response to the request to define an adult. I realize that there is so much more to what we become as we mature and embrace our adulthood, and yet I believe that at the core of it all are these core concepts. The beauty and reverence for life that each adult is meant to enjoy can be found, I believe through these ideas and the subtle nuances and variations that each of us develop through our own experiences. In the wellness professions, acknowledging an understanding of these ideas may be the very key to helping another person find their balance and ultimate well-being.

Many Blessings

Jim

James Duncan, CHt Certified Hypnotherapist ~ IMDHA Fellow 108 E 5th St - Space F Royal Oak, MI 48067 USA 248-635-2935 www.DuncanHypnotherapy.com

James Duncan, CHt. is the Director of Mentoring Programs for the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association and has a private practice in Royal Oak, MI. Find him on the web at www.DuncanHypnotherapy.com.

© 2007

Let's look at the concept of PTSD. I'm going to put it right out there... I simply don't like the term and I do not use it or acknowledge it as an operative term in my practice. Let me explain why I approach this serious concern for many people in such a way and why I believe the outcomes for this type of client are always rewarding as a result.

Just as I do with the word, DISEASE by separating it for all my clients and students into its component meaning of DIS-EASE, or "a lack of ease". I feel the same way about Post Traumatic Stress DIS-ORDER. Meaning there is a lack of ORDER in the life of someone who is challenged by the effects of a past event. The problem with the diagnosis of PTSD is that it becomes a label of victimization and subconsciously removes personal responsibility for the effects of the situation, so does the label of PTSD.

Why? Because once something has occurred (implied as past) everything after it is, in fact POST, so the label is subconsciously understood as ALWAYS TRUE. The term TRAUMATIC in combination with the POST, implies that this past was indeed traumatic and begins over time, on a grander scale to make ALL of the past (not just the event) a traumatic past. The word STRESS then anchors that the past of trauma CAUSES stress. Since we cannot un-experience the past the implied suggestion is that the past WAS traumatic and it DOES cause stress. Then of course, the DISORDER is perceived as something that is out of our control. "I can't possibly change it because I have been told by an expert that I am suffering with a DISORDER", But if we divide it up as DIS-ORDER or "a lack of order", we see it for what it is. This deflates the concepts of the label. It implies we CAN bring things back INTO order. It is in OUR control. We can all put things in order, from the names in our address book, to our clothes closet, to our thoughts and eventually our coping skills and emotions.

In a nutshell, that is my take on the PTSD label. That is only half of the equation though. The next step is to answer the question; how do we go about helping a client through this type of challenge and the label that goes with it? We need to approach it as a simple thing without the belief systems that go with the label.

First, stop using the term with the client and ask them to reframe their language as well and stop using the term PTSD. If they insist on using it, then suggest they use the whole name and not the Acronym and they must say it in a way which denies ownership of the label. "I was diagnosed with..." is a great way to talk about ANY challenge since a diagnosis is something that is done TO you from an outside source. You can't own it. I teach this concept in "Reframing Dis-Ease" classes and lectures regularly. The key is that humans are possessive. What we HAVE we want to keep. What we LOSE or HAD we want to get back. It is simple human nature. So I and my clients never say "I have..." or "I had..." there are many ways to state the situation in a language that promotes overcoming the challenge without using those detrimental terms.

Second, Find a new way to describe or name their CURRENT situation. Instead of calling it Post Traumatic Stress Disorder you can do one of two things. Call it exactly what the trauma was or give it a new temporary expression of experience. An example might be, "I am overcoming the challenges of the Iraq War". By naming it, the challenge becomes specific and finite and in some instances even has a "lifespan". Or perhaps you might say, "I am overcoming some detrimental effects of a robbery". The word SOME takes away the totality of the challenge and instead of MY HOUSE being broken into, you are taking away the possessive quality of the statement. MY gives it personalization and the word BROKEN has obvious detrimental meaning)

Start calling the issues PAST traumas, or even better PAST DETRIMENTAL EXPERIENCES, so that the suggestion puts the problem in the PAST where it belongs and where it literally is. The use of the term, POST places it in the now and just describes the timeframe of recognizing NOW came after the event and so the event is still the subconscious focus.

There are so many possible specifics within the presenting issues of anyone coming in with these concerns and this label, but the core of getting to the state of well-being that everyone deserves is to first erase the label and deflate the belief system created by that label. Then we can use the same tools we use every day by getting IN THE ZONE with the client and listening to what they are really telling you they need for themselves. Forget the label and your own beliefs about what it means and just look at the client as they describe their needs for well-being. You will be right where you need to be in helping that client to help themselves.

I like to say that in the world of hypnosis PTSD stands for, "Permanent Total Stress Deflation" or Permanent Tangible Stress Defeat"

Many Blessings Jim

www.DuncanHypnotherapy.com