How Our Program Works!
Positive Coaching
We offer an initial consultation to tailor a plan for you and your family after a diagnosis is made. We offer group positive coaching modeled on the principles of positive psychology, which promote affirmative language, positive perspectives, and activities for optimal emotional health and wellbeing.
We offer group visualization and breathing techniques to help shift collective family patterns to create a positive and supportive home environment. Additionally, we provide our clients with strategies to obtain an inner peacefulness, which enables a calm and relaxed emotional state even when in a hospital settings and other environments away from home. Some of these therapies may include music, with an emphasis on natural sounds from nature. New research has found that 'blue space' including sea, rivers, lakes and even urban water features can have a positive impact on wellbeing. [1]
Hypnotic Suggestions for:
Pain
Hypnotherapy for the management of chronic pain has been demonstrated to provide relief for the symptoms of pain in cancer. Hypnosis has demonstrated positive outcomes for the reduction of chronic and procedural-related pain in oncology.
A study of breast cancer patients found that those assigned to treatment that included clinical hypnosis demonstrated significantly less pain. In addition, patients who underwent hypnosis reported significantly less of an increase in pain over time. [2]
Nausea
It has been reported that 70% to 80% of all cancer patients who receive chemotherapy experience nausea and vomiting. [3] Clinical hypnosis has been studied for relief of nausea and vomiting as a consequence to chemotherapy. In a randomized study of the efficacy of hypnosis in reducing nausea and vomiting in children receiving chemotherapy, researchers found children participating in hypnosis had less anticipatory nausea and vomiting and less overall vomiting compared with controls who did not undergo hypnosis. [4]
This finding demonstrates that in children whom did not hold the anticipation of nausea and vomiting were less likely to experience these effects. The shift in anticipation can be applied to a broader population with the aid of hypnosis.
Sleep
Cancer patients experience sleeping difficulties for a number of reasons, including anxiety related to diagnosis, depression, pain, fatigue, and other treatment-related side effects. Cancer patients have been reported to be nearly three times more likely than members of the general population to meet diagnostic criteria for insomnia. [5]
We offer tools along with hypnosis to help cancer patients and their families structure their lives for optimal sleep and relaxation. Along with hypnotic suggestions to help the body to relax, we devise a plan for our clients and their family-caretakers to create a home environment that promotes relaxation.
Pre and Post-Surgery Support
Preparing for surgery emotionally can cause anxiety, uncertainty, and other traumas. Clinical hypnosis can assuage fears, calm emotional tumult, and help support family and loved ones. Results of a study of 200 breast cancer patients who underwent a pre-surgical hypnosis intervention to improve post-surgical side effects suggest that, to reduce post-surgical nausea, clinical hypnotic interventions should be designed to specifically target patient expectancies and distress. [6]
Our methods are tailored to the needs of both the patient and their family, which explore patterns of thought that may anticipate negative effects. Hypnosis is an effective tool to shift behavioral patterns of thought to support a more positive outcome.
It is our goal to stay abreast of the latest clinical studies and treatment modalities for complementary cancer care. To read about more research-based evidence, click HERE!
Please apply below. We work to design individual support plans for each client and their caregivers.
References:
1. Smedley, Tim. The Guardian. What Impact do Seas Lakes and Rivers have on People's Health. 2013
2. Spiegel D, Bloom JR: Group therapy and hypnosis reduce metastatic breast carcinoma pain. Psychosom Med 45(4):333–339, 2009.
3. Morrow GR: Behavioural factors influencing the development and expression of chemotherapy induced side effects. Brit J Cancer 19(suppl):S54–S60, 1992.
4. Jacknow DS, Tschann JM, Link MP, et al: Hypnosis in the prevention of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting in children: A prospective study. J Dev Behav Pediatr 15(4):258–264, 1994.
5. Morin CM, LeBlanc M, Daley M, et al: Epidemiology of insomnia: Prevalence, self-help treatments, consultations, and determinants, of help-seeking behaviors. Sleep Med 7(2):123–130, 2006.
6. Montgomery GH, Hallquist MN, Schnur JB, et al: Mediators of a brief hypnosis intervention to control side effects in breast surgery patients: Response expectancies and emotional distress. J Consult Clin Psychol 78(1):80–88, 2010.
Important Disclaimer: The information contained on this website is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians or licensed mental healthcare professionals. If you are under the care of a medical or mental health professional, please defer to his or her guidance before moving forward with any services offered on this website.