While for many of us the notion of hypnotism involves a swinging pendulum or conjures up images of participants forced on a stage to face humiliation, others see hypnotherapy as a tool for self-fulfillment, something to help navigate the stresses and strains of life. I met with Beryl Comar, a US-trained hypnotherapist and life-management coach, to discuss the deeper meaning behind the art of suggestion and the positive and stabilising impact it can have on people's day to day lives and well-being.
ChangeMakers, in Dubai's Knowledge Village, is where all the "magic happens", enthuses Ms Comar. She uses a combination of tools and techniques to achieve the results that her clients expect, ranging from NeuroLinguistic Psychology (NLP), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Hypnotherapy. "The strong connection between the mind and body should be harnessed and maximised in order to achieve personal change and growth," explains Ms Comar.
"The use of hypnotherapy can be traced back to the age of the pharaohs, when it was highly valued as complementary medicine and remains so to date." Hypnotherapy is suitable for both children and adults, providing that the subject is a willing participant and free of any misconceptions about hypnosis and how it works. "It is a 100 per cent consent state," Ms Comar highlights. "Hypnosis is an approved form of therapy, and it can only be used in a positive way. No one can keep you in hypnosis against your will."
The therapy has been used successfully to treat a range of problems, including anxiety, addictive behaviours, insomnia, grief, weight control and many other concerns. "One of our most popular forms of hypnosis is past-life regression, which is a fun way to delve into your past; by drawing parallels to your current life you can often learn some valuable lessons," she says. Many celebrities have gone down this path. Shirley MacLaine, in her book The Camino: A Journey of a Spirit, documents her past-life experiences in a fascinating and captivating manner, encouraging all of us to take a closer look at who we are.
Ms Comar says hypnosis is far from a frightening experience. Rather, it's a deep state of relaxation that allows the mind to be more alert than when we are in a normal state of consciousness. As well as enabling you to help yourself overcome your problems or achieve desired changes, hypnotherapy equips you with the tools necessary for self-realisation and focus, rather than merely treating symptoms, she says. Ms Comar also teaches self-hypnosis, a useful tool for those who don't have the time for personal sessions.
"By far the most useful self-hypnosis technique I teach is the 'Executive Power Nap', which I truly believe will revolutionise your life," says Ms Comar. "Each breath taken while under the power nap will have the equivalent benefit of 10 minutes of regular sleep, resulting in a deep sense of vitalisation after only a few minutes of self-hypnosis." This may well be an answer for busy executives working 15-hour days or for those mums who would really benefit from a few minutes of peace and quiet from the daily grind. A selection of self-help disks is available for purchase at Ms Comar's office for Dh60 a piece.
Your first session starts with an informal evaluation, during which your goals will be established and a recommended course of action set. "I spend a significant time with the client during the first session alleviating any fears and answering any questions, and providing they are completely comfortable with the idea of hypnosis the actual session begins by being guided into a deep state of physical and mental relaxation," Ms Comar explains. "You will feel very relaxed, yet extremely alert mentally. You will be aware of everything around you and you will remember everything that happens during the session."
Suggestions for the changes you desire will be given to your subconscious. The way your mind was previously programmed, which was holding you back and preventing you from achieving your goals, will be rewired, allowing you to eliminate problems, Ms Comar stresses. She advises that the duration of the treatment programme varies depending on the severity of the problem, but adds that the vast majority of clients receive the desired outcome within four to six sessions or fewer. The consultancy fee for a one and a half-hour session is Dh750.
"Adults require more than an hour per session, as it allows them to relax and settle into the session without clock-watching," says Ms Comar. "That also cuts down on the number of overall sessions required." The consultations are completely confidential and come with a satisfaction guarantee. "If both the client and I are in agreement that I will not be able to help them or the treatment has failed because of an agreed reason, then they have a right for up to a 100 per cent refund," Ms Comar says. Ready for a session? Phone 050 655 4523.
