Is hypnosis right for you?

Erika Flint, founder and CEO of Cascade Hypnosis Center.

At Bellingham-based Cascade Hypnosis Center, founder and CEO Erika Flint trains individuals to become hypnotists and manages a team of trained staff who help clients “feel better and get results without the struggle.” To learn more about hypnosis, The Northern Light asked Flint a few questions – here’s what she had to say:

What type of training have you undertaken?

I’ve taken two different hypnosis certification courses and completed hundreds of hours of ongoing education. The best training is hands-on experience – that is, seeing clients and instructing hypnosis. I’ve been working with clients and teaching hypnosis training courses for five years.

What types of ailments can be treated with hypnosis? 

I prefer to use the word issue, which is more inclusive of anything people have problems with. An issue that is a good candidate for hypnosis is when you know what you should be doing, but in the moment are unable to or unwilling to follow through. This disconnect between what you know (brain) and how you feel (heart) is often one of the root issues our clients suffer from.

Another primary issue we help with is reducing the sensation of pain in the body and other medical related issues. And for that we work alongside our client’s medical provider to achieve results.

We help people lose weight, stop smoking, sleep better, reduce stress and anxiety, recover from past experiences and relationships, reduce pain, improve motivation and performance, recover from substance abuse and we work with

kids and teens.

Why is hypnosis a suitable treatment option?

I prefer to use the term solution, or method. Treatment implies a medical condition which we work on with a referral from a client’s medical provider, but we do so much more than that. And treatment also implies something is being done to our clients. Our clients have all the solutions inside of them to be successful and a great hypnotist helps them discover and implement those solutions.

Hypnosis works at the level below conscious thinking, this is why it’s such an effective solution. For many of life’s issues we are able to put our attention on the issue using our conscious thinking, then fix the problem. When that option is not effective, meaning you know what to do – yet don’t follow through, then hypnosis is a great next approach.

It taps into our subconscious thinking – that part of us just below the surface, where we dream from and where our emotions live.

Hypnosis works directly with that very deep part of our consciousness to help our clients reprogram how they think and feel to achieve lasting results.

Can you debunk any myths about hypnosis? 

Hypnosis is not mind control, and your hypnotist has no control over you while in hypnosis whatsoever. That hypnosis myth makes for a great Hollywood movie though, and it is often part of what you’ll see on stage hypnosis shows. Both movies and stage hypnosis shows are primarily for entertainment, not for health or healing.

In the hypnosis office, the hypnotist has no control over the client. It’s more about clients regaining control over areas of their life where they feel out of control. The hypnotist serves as a coach or a guide in the process.

Hypnosis gives us direct access to our inner, deeper thoughts and emotions that are often driving our behavior and thoughts. When we make changes at this deep level, they tend to be long-lasting and feel easy. The struggle is gone; the frustration is gone.

What else should people know about hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a normal and natural state of mind. It’s focused awareness where you are highly receptive to positive ideas that change how you think and feel. A common example of everyday hypnosis includes watching a great movie that captivates you.

In the hypnosis office we use that same ability to offer focused awareness to help our clients achieve an optimal state of being. From that state, it’s easy to remove limiting beliefs and dissolve negative emotions to feel better get what they want out of life.

For those who want to learn more, how can they reach you?

Visit us online at CascadeHypnosisCenter.com, or give us a call today at 360/392-8723. We offer free consultations daily and would love to hear from you.