In My Mind's Eye: Harnessing the Power of the Milky Way

I wrote this specialized Hypnosis script for my friend "Supa" this morning.  He is in M.D. Anderson taking aggressive chemo treatments for an aggressive form of Leukemia.   

Supa.....as you lie there, maybe feeling like a science experiment -tubes attached and other things...
you might begin to imagine ...in your mind's eye...the Entire universe....then the milky way....and when you can see the milky way in your minds eye- you can be very curious and excited.....how the tail of it swirls down to earth...around and down, down and around, down down further down stilll
until
the very tip of the tail of the milky way begins to enter the machine that attaches to all the things that  attach to you....
and...
you realize
those tubes...and other things....are EXACTLY what you need to get the stuff inside you to make you better....
how curious
as you begin to notice the sensations of the beatiful, sparkly, twinkly magical lights and light of the milky way flow through those tubes
and
you can notice those sensations...
you may begin to feel as if that beautiful, healing sparkling dancing magical milky way light is entering your body through the top of your head....
and...
.how interesting it is to feel it bathing your brain in its powerful protective sparkling milky band width of  lights....swirling, moving on through your entire body....
and now
I'd like you to take a few moments....just noticing the sensations all through your body, as this beatiful, sparkly, twinkly magical lights and light of the milky way whirl and swirl ....filling all of those spaces and places flowing... flowing enriching the nutrients in your blood....
 and
bringing fresh oxygen to allllllll of those places and spaces
now.....
all the way to your toes....
you may even notice your feet or your toes begin to tingle or vibrate, maybe in the left foot first or maybe the right foot, I don't know.....
as you
lie there with the right tubes bringing the right stuff into your body, including the magic of the universe and the milky way...you can know that it is always dancing around you, bathing you with its healing light...
and
it is always within you....and as you begin to see it in your minds eye...you can begin to notice those curious and healing sensations........

E-Therapy

 

Since the end of WWII, there has been an explosion of technology. Today, even those of us who try to resist technology, most likely have and use, a printer/copier, fax, and cell phone.  That being said, what are the benefits and draw backs of using technology to provide therapeutic solutions? Specifically, e-therapy “…defined as a licensed mental health care professional providing mental health services via e-mail, video conferencing, virtual reality technology, chat technology, or any combination of these”. What does e-therapy look like?

Distance counseling itself has been around for a long time in the forms of telephone counseling and emergency hotlines. On the internet, e-therapy is normally carried out in one of two forms: email and instant messaging, and data suggest e-therapy for many issues including smoking cessation, is successful. Research with soldiers and their families support e-therapy as an appropriate measure to address veterans’ concerns for confidentiality, which is a crucial element of successful therapy in any setting. E-therapy, particularly email and instant messaging (IM), provide other significant benefits that may be particularly appealing to veterans, as well as other client populations. First, the actual process of writing provides the client additional time and space to reflect on the answer and to create more reflective responses than might occur verbally-having time to write thoughts out may facilitate more significant intrapersonal processing.  Second, clients often find that e-therapy via email or IM makes it easier to reveal aspects of themselves they perceive as embarrassing or shameful. Counseling via these methods reduces stigma about “hot” issues such as addiction or suicide ideation. In addition, e-therapy may serve to reduce shame and stigma, increasing the using e-therapy may increase the likelihood of seeking help. Finally, the timing and convenience of e-therapy may have advantages over face to face methods. Veterans, and other client populations, do experience problems after typical office hours. Evenings and weekends are when alcohol and drug problems are more likely to flare up or get out of control, so having resources available via the internet can help manage crises (Briggs, & Reneson, 2010).

In contrast, there are those who hold strong opinions in the other direction, such as John M. Grohol, PsyD, who clearly states, “People don’t like to pay for services online, unless it is helping them in a game (think Farmville, Cityville or Second Life), or to buy a subscription to an established information source. Even that bastion of pay-for-service model — porn — has given way to free porn. Nobody pays for porn any more, which has devastated the porn industry (or so I hear!). Nobody pays for advice either (since there are hundreds of places you can get free advice online, including our own Ask the Therapist service, and Psych Central Answers)”(Grohol, 2011).

Still more challenges may be found in the actual application of e-therapy: When the same anonymity that can make it easier to share via email or IM presents a barrier, both counselors and clients remark that the lack of face to face contact inhibits the ability to read emotions and non-verbal cues. Additionally, there are issues surrounding the need for counselors to use the appropriate encryption software for protecting confidentiality during electronic transmission. If clients lack access to computers and equipment in private locations, obvious barriers exist. Finally, there is the notion that e-therapy is not suited for client crises such as suicide ideations, or for significant mental health issues, such as sexual abuse as a primary concern. However, other research has shown that suicidal clients may actually seek help more quickly via online counseling versus face-to-face, and those clients with significant mental health concerns such as eating disorders find online counseling to be helpful. In addition, e-therapy has been shown to be an effective mode of building therapeutic relationships. At the end of the day, the literature is mixed about efficacy, and further study is needed.

As a practitioner, Counselor Intern and lifelong learner, I am increasingly curious and intrigued how cutting edge technology may be used for clients, particularly surrounding the issues I am passionate about, and that are driven by our returning soldiers: traumatic brain injury (RBI), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, phantom limb pain, migraines, addiction, memory improvement/issues, social anxiety, sleep disorders, couples issues, marriage and family issues, and more. These issues may be addressed through a variety of technology driven connections, such as; telephone, cell phone, Skype, I-Chat or other VOIP. These types of sessions are chosen by clients who live one block away or 10,000 miles away. Considered by some as effective as office sessions and, for many, they are the most effective, logical, convenient and practical choice. Programs such as Skype, Gmail Video Chat, and Yahoo Messenger allow real-time communication with live video. All of these programs are free and available on the web. All you need is a computer with a built-in camera or a web cam. In addition, Skype is now available for use on iphones.

Never let time and space stand in your way of getting the Therapeutic solutions that you need, or desire. Not only am I developing my sites to keep up with technology, I also do what I can to provide access to all, especially given the current economic downturn.  Fees are decided on a sliding scale based upon what you tell me you can afford.  The lowest fee is the lowest fee at neighborhood clinics offering services to people with limited incomes, including artists and writers and students and creative people. 

As an advocate for parity and equal access to services, I pay attention to models that provide much needed mental health care education, support and services to those around the block, or around the globe, that need and desire my particular services, and are open to positive change. I am confident that my clients are intelligent, intuitive and already know everything they need to know to be successful at anything they truly desire, they just need a little help in accessing that special part of themselves. In the effort to further access in our field, I pledge to provide world-class therapeutic services, based on evidence driven research, assessment, and counseling. Furthermore, I pledge adherence to the ethical standards for internet on-line counseling by the ACA, which are as follows:

ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR INTERNET ON-LINE COUNSELING

Approved by the ACA Governing Council, October 1999

These guidelines establish appropriate standards for the use of electronic communications over the Internet to provide on-line counseling services, and should be used only in conjunction with the latest ACA Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice.

CONFIDENTIALITY

a. Privacy Information.

   Professional counselors ensure that clients are provided sufficient information to adequately address and explain the limitations of (i) computer technology in the counseling process in general and (ii) the difficulties of ensuring complete client confidentiality of information transmitted through electronic communications over the Internet through on-line counseling. (See A.12.a., B.1.a., B.1.g.)

1. SECURED SITES: To mitigate the risk of potential breaches of confidentiality, professional counselors provide one-on-one on-line counseling only through "secure" Web sites or e-mail communications applications which use appropriate encryption technology designed to protect the transmission of confidential information from access by unauthorized third parties.

2. NON-SECURED SITES: To mitigate the risk of potential breaches of confidentiality, professional counselors provide only general information from "non-secure" Web sites or e-mail communications applications.

3. GENERAL INFORMATION: Professional counselors may provide general information from either "secure" or "non-secure" Web sites, or through e-mail communications. General information includes non-client-specific, topical information on matters of general interest to the professional counselor's clients as a whole, third-party resource and referral information, addresses and phone numbers, and the like. Additionally, professional counselors using either "secure" or "non-secure" Web sites may provide "hot links" to third-party Web sites such as licensure boards, certification bodies, and other resource information providers. Professional counselors investigate and continually update the content, accuracy and appropriateness for the client of material contained in any "hot links" to third-party Web sites.

4. LIMITS OF CONFIDENTIALITY: Professional counselors inform clients of the limitations of confidentiality and identify foreseeable situations in which confidentiality must be breached in light of the law in both the state in which the client is located and the state in which the professional counselor is licensed.

b. Informational Notices.

1. SECURITY OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR'S SITE: Professional counselors provide a readily visible notice that (i) information transmitted over a Web site or e-mail server may not be secure; (ii) whether or not the professional counselor's site is secure; (iii) whether the information transmitted between the professional counselor and the client during on-line counseling will be encrypted; and (iv) whether the client will need special software to access and transmit confidential information and, if so, whether the professional counselor provides the software as part of the on-line counseling services. The notice should be viewable from all Web site and e-mail locations from which the client may send information. (See B.1.g.)

2. PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR IDENTIFICATION: Professional counselors provide a readily visible notice advising clients of the identities of all professional counselor(s) who will have access to the information transmitted by the client and, in the event that more than one professional counselor has access to the Web site or e-mail system, the manner, if any, in which the client may direct information to a particular professional counselor. Professional counselors inform clients if any or all of the sessions are supervised. Clients are also informed if and how the supervisor preserves session transcripts. Professional counselors provide background information on all professional counselor(s) and supervisor(s) with access to the on-line communications, including education, licensing and certification, and practice area information. (See B.l.g.)

3. CLIENT IDENTIFICATION: Professional counselors identify clients, verify identities of clients, and obtain alternative methods of contacting clients in emergency situations.

c.Client Waiver.

   Professional counselors require clients to execute client waiver agreements stating that the client (i) acknowledges the limitations inherent in ensuring client confidentiality of information transmitted through on-line counseling and (ii) agrees to waive the client's privilege of confidentiality with respect to any confidential information transmitted through on-line counseling that may be accessed by any third party without authorization of the client and despite the reasonable efforts of the professional counselor to arrange a secure on-line environment. Professional counselors refer clients to more traditional methods of counseling and do not provide on-line counseling services if the client is unable or unwilling to consent to the client waiver. (See B.1.b.)

d. Records of Electronic Communications.

   Professional counselors maintain appropriate procedures for ensuring the safety and confidentiality of client information acquired through electronic communications, including but not limited to encryption software; proprietary on-site file servers with fire walls; saving on-line or e-mail communications to the hard drive or file server computer systems; creating regular tape or diskette back-up copies; creating hard-copies of all electronic communications; and the like. Clients are informed about the length of time for, and method of, preserving session transcripts. Professional counselors warn clients of the possibility or frequency of technology failures and time delays in transmitting and receiving information. (See B.4.a., B.4.b.)

e. Electronic Transfer of Client Information.

   Professional counselors electronically transfer client confidential information to authorized third-party recipients only when (i) both the professional counselor and the authorized recipient have "secure" transfer and acceptance communication capabilities, (ii) the recipient is able to effectively protect the confidentiality of the client confidential information to be transferred; and (iii) the informed written consent of the client, acknowledging the limits of confidentiality, has been obtained. (See B.4.e., B.6.a., B.6.b.)

ESTABLISHING THE ON-LINE COUNSELING RELTIONSHIP

a.The Appropriateness of On-Line Counseling.

   Professional counselors develop an appropriate in-take procedure for potential clients to determine whether on-line counseling is appropriate for the needs of the client. Professional counselors warn potential clients that on-line counseling services may not be appropriate in certain situations and, to the extent possible, informs the client of specific limitations, potential risks, and/or potential benefits relevant to the client's anticipated use of on-line counseling services. Professional counselors ensure that clients are intellectually, emotionally, and physically capable of using the on-line counseling services, and of understanding the potential risks and/or limitations of such services. (See A.3.a., A.3.b.)

b.Counseling Plans.

   Professional counselors develop individual on-line counseling plans that are consistent with both the client's individual circumstances and the limitations of on-line counseling. Professional counselors shall specifically take into account the limitations, if any, on the use of any or all of the following in on-line counseling: initial client appraisal, diagnosis, and assessment methods employed by the professional counselor. Professional counselors who determine that on-line counseling is inappropriate for the client should avoid entering into or immediately terminate the on-line counseling relationship and encourage the client to continue the counseling relationship through an appropriate alternative method of counseling. (See A.11.b., A.11.c.)

c.Continuing Coverage.

   Professional counselors provide clients with a schedule of times during which the on-line counseling services will be available, including reasonable anticipated response times, and provide clients with an alternate means of contacting the professional counselor at other times, including in the event of emergencies. Professional counselors obtain from, and provide clients with, alternative means of communication, such as telephone numbers or pager numbers, for back-up purposes in the event the on-line counseling service is unavailable for any reason. Professional counselors provide clients with the name of at least one other professional counselor who will be able to respond to the client in the event the professional counselor is unable to do so for any extended period of time. (See A.11.a.)

d.Boundaries of Competence.

   Professional counselors provide on-line counseling services only in practice areas within their expertise and do not provide on-line counseling services to clients located in states in which professional counselors are not licensed. (See C.2.a., C.2.b.)

e. Minor or Incompetent Clients.

   Professional counselors must verify that clients are above the age of minority, are competent to enter into the counseling relationship with a professional counselor, and are able to give informed consent. In the event clients are minor children, incompetent, or incapable of giving informed consent, professional counselors must obtain the written consent of the legal guardian or other authorized legal representative of the client prior to commencing on-line counseling services to the client.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS

   Professional counselors confirm that their liability insurance provides coverage for on-line counseling services, and that the provision of such services is not prohibited by or otherwise violate any applicable (i) state or local statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances; (ii) codes of professional membership organizations and certifying boards; and/or (iii) codes of state licensing boards.

   Professional counselors seek appropriate legal and technical assistance in the development and implementation of their on-line counseling services (ACA, 1999). 

** On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being "not very open to try", and 10 being "very open to try", if you were to assign a number to how open you would be to working with your counselor in one of these methods-other than face to face?  What would be your preferred method (cell phone, email, "live chat video", instant messaging, etc) to interact with your counselor? *** Please take a moment to comment***  THANKS!  :))

References

ACA Governing Council, (1999). Ethical standards for internet on-line counseling.

            (http://mooramoora.org.au/bobrich/psych/ethical.html)

Briggs, C. A., & Reneson, S. (2010). Counseling addicted veterans: What to know and how to

            help. http://counselingoutfitters.com/vistas/vistas10/Article_88.pdf

Grohol, J.M., (2011).http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/01/08/the-state-of-e-therapy-

            2011/ The State of e-Therapy 2011

“I f You Can Conceive It, You Can Achieve It”

Before brain imaging technology, the efficacy of hypnosis as a viable therapeutic approach was difficult to prove up in the literature.  Today, cutting edge research such as brain imaging, and gene assay technology shows literal changes in the brain when we are in a focused state of altered conscious, or hypnotic states. These changes stimulate neural growth in our brain-literally re-wiring it in a process called Neuroplasticity.  Simply put, therapies that focus on positive change in ways of thinking make changes in the brain and in behavior. Good old fashioned hypnosis is found at the root of many of these approaches such as meditation, mindful meditation, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and others, and seems to be the vehicle for the mechanism for “brain change”.  In fact, current studies that rely on high tech measurement tools rather than case studies and self report instruments are bringing exciting evidence into the arena that mental training can stimulate Neuroplastic changes in the adult human brain (Slagter et al., 2007).

The possibilities are endless from a therapeutic perspective! With acceptance in the field of mental health, Clinical Hypnosis is widely applicable. Results are usually experienced in few sessions, sometimes in only one, making it relatively inexpensive compared to the average of twenty visits with other therapies. Current research supports clinical hypnosis in the relief of suffering surrounding many issues and difficult to treat disorders such as: 

• ·         Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) http://www.guckianwriter.com/articles.htm

• ·         Cystic fibrosis, Asthma, and other respiratory disorders http://www.liebertpub.com/prdetails.aspx?pr_id=771

• ·         Cerebral Palsy http://www.thenewmedicine.org/node/378

• ·         Burn Wound Care http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=buy.optionToBuy&id=2007-12188-001

• ·         Psychiatric Stress Disorders   http://www.bordeninstitute.army.mil/published_volumes/amputee/CCAchapter12.pdf

• ·         Phantom Limb Pain http://www.bordeninstitute.army.mil/published_volumes/amputee/amputee.html

• ·         Clinical Pain  http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2003-06077-004

• ·         Fibromyalgia http://www.asch.net/portals/0/journallibrary/articles/ajch-50/50-4/cardena50-4.pdf

• ·         Sole Anesthesia for Major Surgeries http://www.asch.net/portals/0/journallibrary/articles/ajch-51/51-2/hammond51-2.pdf

• ·         Body Image Concerns http://www.asch.net/portals/0/journallibrary/articles/ajch-50/50-4/walsh50-4.pdf

• ·         Women’s Issues http://psycnet.apa.org/books/10377/001

• ·         Addiction http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0306460380900209

• ·         Menopause http://psycnet.apa.org/books/10377/010

• ·        Chronic Pelvic Pain http://psycnet.apa.org/books/10377/006

• ·         Pediatric Procedure Related Pain http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/hea/25/3/307.pdf

• ·         Auto-Immune Disorders http://www.asch.net/portals/0/journallibrary/articles/ajch-50/50-2/torem50-2.pdf

Just to name a few! The application of Clinical Hypnosis often yields phenomenal results in a short amount of time.  From any of the challenging situations listed above, to simply checking one’s own negative self speak, Clinical Hypnosis can help us in changing the way think, thereby changing the way we feel; enhancing our own self-efficacy, self regulation, and successful performance in all facets of living.