john-wlindsay

Why I decided to become a Hypnotherapist

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 21:40:43 GMT

This old Chestnut!?

This story is a bit different from my usual posts related to my business, but I want to share why I do what I do and, honestly, why I love it. This journey started back during COVID, after a cross-country move to Montana to start a plant for someone who, it turned out, couldn’t pay me. I soon found myself in Wyoming working with kids in recovery—an area I had experience with, having grown up around similar programs. But this time, I was dealing with teens who had high levels of trauma. I was in a 3.5 facility, meaning it was often their last chance before jail. Yet, the real beginning came even earlier, rooted in a very personal experience.

A few years before, my son came to live with me. He’d made a mistake serious enough to be removed from his prior living situation, and this entailed a lot of changes, including a new school, new activities, and new friends. We faced resistance, especially around him no longer being able to participate in the sports and clubs he’d been part of at his old school. I made sure he had support, getting him into family therapy that included his mother, grandparents, and me. During this process, he was diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder), which explained a lot of his struggles. We also discovered that his grandmother displayed traits characteristic of sociopathy. These new insights helped me navigate a complicated situation, as his grandparents often tried to sidestep his new school’s rules and hold onto old routines. I ultimately had to establish clear boundaries, helping my son understand that his new situation required new commitments.

Personally, I was diagnosed with ADD back in school (when ADHD was a newer concept). Over the years, I recognized traits of both ASD and ADHD within myself, along with dysgraphia and dyslexia, which made it clear why I prefer "easy mode" for some things! Now, interestingly, I’m on track to graduate with honors with my first college degree in hypnotherapy—a field that’s helped me find ways to manage my focus. It’s been an unexpected path, one that ties back to the challenges and tools I’ve found to adapt and overcome in my own neurodivergent journey.

Like many people, my parents divorced when I was young. Psychologically, I became what’s known as the “identified patient”—the person in a family who reacts outwardly to life’s chaos, often becoming the focus of interventions so others don’t have to confront their issues. This role shaped my early understanding of psychology, though it wasn’t until years later that I’d begin formalizing that understanding in my hypnotherapy studies.

What ultimately drove me toward hypnotherapy, especially during the COVID era, was a combination of my body breaking down from years of intense physical work and a growing interest in understanding the mind. I became drawn to pioneers like Dolores Cannon and John Mack, who explored human consciousness and trauma in transformative ways. I was hungry to understand why people act as they do, especially in extreme situations. Studying hypnotherapy shifted my worldview entirely—I stopped labeling people as “good” or “bad” and began to see them as products of their experiences, acting in ways that often make sense when you understand their history.

Setting boundaries is crucial—real boundaries, not vague agreements. Boundaries are statements, not open for negotiation. I've come to think of it like "checking" in hockey: assertive but not aggressive. And in the therapeutic context, I integrate aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that emphasizes separating oneself from emotional reactions. Emotions are normal, but they don’t define us. Building resilience is key—it’s about finding strength, setting clear boundaries, and learning to stand up for yourself without becoming antagonistic.

My approach in therapy is rooted in this balance of compassion and assertiveness, of boundary-setting with empathy. I don’t care what the specific struggle is because, just like with curing meat, when people are placed in the right conditions and given the right amount of time, they can thrive. Over 45, 90, or even 120 days, real change is possible. This is why I focus on areas such as neurodivergence (especially ADHD), habit-building and addiction, spiritually inclined hypnotherapy, and even sports hypnosis for performance improvement.

This story isn’t just to “trauma bond,” but to offer a real sense of why I transitioned from being a European-trained master butcher and chef to hypnotherapy. The quick version might be, "I had the time, and it seemed interesting." But in reality, it was a long road, one paved by the need to heal and help others find their own strength through all the twists life throws our way.

Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 17:39:31 GMT

A Tool for Self-Empowerment and Building Self-Reliance

Entrepreneurship is often painted as a glamorous path, but the reality is far more complex and challenging. In my own journey, I've started multiple ventures, from quick-turnaround projects to capital-intensive businesses, each requiring me to overcome setbacks and develop mental resilience. Recently, in the realm of hypnotherapy, I’ve come to appreciate a powerful tool for nurturing self-empowerment: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT is not just a therapy modality—it’s a philosophy of life that has empowered me to embrace challenges, push through obstacles, and approach my thoughts with clarity. For anyone looking to build a strong, self-reliant mindset—whether in business, personal growth, or in healing—ACT offers a powerful framework.

What is ACT?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a behavioral approach that teaches us to accept our thoughts rather than battle with them, identify what matters most, and take committed action toward those values. Unlike some therapies that focus on altering the content of thoughts, ACT emphasizes accepting thoughts and feelings as they are. Rather than getting wrapped up in unhelpful or critical thoughts, ACT helps us build a sense of detachment, viewing our thoughts more objectively, much like watching clouds drift by in the sky.

This acceptance isn’t about giving up. Instead, it’s about acknowledging thoughts without letting them derail our actions, and ultimately letting our core values guide us. ACT helps us observe our thoughts and feelings with curiosity, enabling us to respond to them in ways that are aligned with our personal values, instead of reacting out of habit or fear.

The Power of ACT for Entrepreneurs

Building a business, like any creative endeavor, requires resilience, adaptability, and a relentless focus on the end goal. Entrepreneurs face daily challenges, from managing stress and risk to navigating failure and setbacks. ACT offers an approach that builds resilience by empowering us to work with, rather than against, our minds. It allows entrepreneurs to:

Manage Stress and Anxiety

Stress is inevitable, but ACT encourages us to accept those stressors without letting them dictate our actions. Through mindful acceptance, we can develop a more grounded approach to stress, focusing on what we can control while letting go of the need to control everything.

Increase Clarity in Decision-Making

By learning to separate ourselves from our thoughts and view them objectively, ACT gives us a clearer view of our goals and values. This can be essential in business, where decisions are complex, and outcomes uncertain. By grounding ourselves in values rather than momentary anxieties, we make decisions that are aligned with our long-term vision.

Overcome Mental Blocks

Every entrepreneur experiences moments of doubt, fear of failure, and impostor syndrome. In ACT, these thoughts are not “problems” to be fixed but experiences to be observed. Just as clouds float by in meditation, ACT encourages us to view our thoughts as temporary mental events rather than truths that define us. This shift in perspective makes mental blocks less daunting and easier to move through.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset

Growth is central to entrepreneurship, and ACT’s focus on committed action fosters a growth mindset by encouraging us to take action in alignment with our values, regardless of what thoughts or fears may arise. By accepting and understanding these fears, we are better equipped to push through them and grow, learning along the way.

Applying ACT in Hypnotherapy: Building Resilience from Within

In my hypnotherapy practice, I blend ACT principles with hypnosis to help clients build inner strength, resilience, and a greater sense of self-trust. Hypnosis itself is a state of deep relaxation where the mind is open to suggestion, allowing people to explore their thoughts and beliefs on a profound level. When combined with ACT, hypnosis can help clients detach from unhelpful thoughts and foster a mindset that’s focused on acceptance and personal values. For instance, when clients encounter recurring blocks or limiting beliefs, hypnosis can help them “examine the cloud,” much like in meditation. Once we see these thoughts for what they are, they lose their hold, allowing us to “put the cloud back” and let it drift away.

Through this combination, hypnotherapy becomes not just a process of healing but a journey of self-discovery, one that empowers clients to become their strongest, most resilient selves. This is particularly powerful for entrepreneurs and high-achievers who often carry intense internal pressures. Learning to accept and work with those pressures, rather than against them, can lead to tremendous personal transformation and a stronger, more resilient mindset.

Practical Steps for Using ACT to Build Self-Reliance

If you’re interested in building self-reliance and empowering yourself through ACT, here are a few practical steps to start:

Practice Mindful Observation

Begin with a mindfulness practice that helps you observe your thoughts without judgment. Picture them as clouds drifting by, or waves in the ocean—temporary and ever-changing.

Define Your Core Values

Take time to identify the values that truly matter to you. These will serve as your “north star” when navigating challenges and making decisions.

Commit to Value-Driven Actions

Start taking small, value-driven actions each day, regardless of any critical thoughts or fears that arise. By focusing on actions aligned with your values, you’ll begin to cultivate a stronger sense of self-trust and inner resilience.

Reframe Setbacks

When you encounter setbacks, view them as learning opportunities. Practice acceptance by acknowledging the frustration, then refocus on your values and consider what you can learn from the experience.

Seek Support When Needed

Working with a coach, therapist, or hypnotherapist trained in ACT can be incredibly beneficial for exploring and applying ACT principles in a personalized way.

Final Thoughts

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has become a cornerstone of my approach to both business and hypnotherapy, empowering myself and others to approach life with resilience, clarity, and an unwavering sense of purpose. ACT is not just a therapy technique; it’s a mindset and a way of being that fosters true self-reliance. For any entrepreneur or individual looking to strengthen their mindset, ACT offers a unique and powerful toolkit, one that empowers us to face challenges head-on and grow into our fullest potential.

Find your core values, and take action toward the life you want. Self-reliance isn’t about never needing help; it’s about building a foundation of strength from within, so that when challenges arise, you can stand tall and face them with confidence.

Understanding ARFID: The Eating Disorder Affecting People on the Autism Spectrum

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 20:54:03 GMT

The Eating Disorder Affecting People on the Autism Spectrum

voidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a relatively new classification in the field of eating disorders. Unlike more well-known disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, ARFID is less about body image concerns and more about an individual's extreme aversion to certain foods. This condition often leads to nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, and difficulties in maintaining a balanced diet. What sets ARFID apart is its strong association with people on the autism spectrum, making it a complex and challenging condition to manage.

In recent years, growing attention has been given to ARFID, particularly in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The sensory sensitivities and rigid behaviors often seen in individuals on the spectrum play a significant role in the manifestation of ARFID. While conventional therapies focus on nutritional counseling and behavioral interventions, we have developed a unique and highly effective protocol using hypnotherapy to help clients with ARFID explore and embrace new foods.

What is ARFID?

ARFID is characterized by an individual's persistent avoidance of food or a restricted range of accepted foods. This aversion may be based on the sensory characteristics of food—such as its taste, texture, smell, or color—or due to negative experiences associated with eating, like choking or vomiting. Unlike picky eating, ARFID is a severe condition that can lead to significant health issues due to poor nutritional intake.

Many people with ARFID have no concerns about body shape or weight, which differentiates this disorder from traditional eating disorders. Instead, they experience intense anxiety around trying new foods or those outside their “safe” category.

ARFID and the Autism Spectrum

Research shows that individuals with autism spectrum disorder are particularly vulnerable to ARFID. Sensory sensitivities—a hallmark of autism—make certain textures, tastes, or smells overwhelming, leading to severe food avoidance. For someone on the spectrum, the feel of certain foods may trigger discomfort or even pain, making it nearly impossible to eat them without extreme stress. Furthermore, the rigid and repetitive behaviors seen in autism contribute to the preference for familiar, safe foods, reinforcing the cycle of restricted eating.

This connection between ARFID and autism is a crucial aspect that differentiates treatment strategies for individuals on the spectrum from those for neurotypical individuals. Traditional methods that push exposure to new foods without addressing the underlying anxiety or sensory sensitivities often lead to frustration and limited success.

Our Hypnotherapy-Based Protocol

Through our work with clients, we’ve seen firsthand how ARFID impacts individuals on the autism spectrum. Recognizing the limitations of conventional approaches, we developed a hypnotherapy protocol tailored to help clients with ARFID gradually overcome their food-related fears and sensory sensitivities.

Hypnotherapy works by accessing the subconscious mind, where deep-rooted anxieties and aversions around food are stored. In a relaxed state, clients are guided through a process that reframes their relationship with food, reducing the overwhelming fear and resistance that accompanies trying something new. This form of therapy addresses both the psychological and sensory components of ARFID, making it a powerful tool in facilitating change.

Key Elements of Our Hypnotherapy Approach:

Creating a Safe Environment: The first step is building trust and safety. For individuals on the spectrum, feeling secure and understood is crucial. Our sessions focus on calming techniques, ensuring clients are in a stress-free state before any food-related work begins.
Gradual Desensitization: We never force clients to try new foods right away. Instead, we guide them through visualization techniques where they imagine interacting with different foods in a comfortable, controlled environment. This reduces the intensity of their aversions over time, preparing them for real-life exposure.
Addressing Sensory Sensitivities: Since sensory issues are a significant aspect of ARFID in individuals with autism, we focus on techniques that help the mind become more tolerant of various textures, smells, and tastes. Through repeated exposure in the safe context of a hypnotherapy session, the sensory overwhelm is diminished, making it easier for clients to expand their dietary choices.
Building a Positive Association with Food: Hypnotherapy allows us to create new, positive associations with eating. By connecting food to pleasurable and empowering experiences, clients begin to view food as less of a threat and more as an opportunity for nourishment and adventure.
Empowering the Individual: One of the most rewarding aspects of our hypnotherapy protocol is seeing clients gain the confidence to explore new foods. We encourage them to become adventurous eaters in small, manageable steps. Each success, no matter how small, reinforces their ability to overcome the anxiety and restrictions that ARFID imposes.

Success Stories and Results

Through our protocol, we’ve seen significant improvements in individuals who had previously been unable to expand their diets. Clients who once relied on a narrow range of foods are now willing to try new textures, flavors, and combinations they would never have considered before. The gradual and personalized nature of our approach ensures long-term success, as it aligns with the unique needs and challenges of each client, particularly those on the autism spectrum.

Our experience shows that individuals with ARFID and autism can overcome the limitations imposed by their eating disorder. With the right support and a patient, step-by-step approach, they can develop a more balanced and nourishing relationship with food.

Conclusion

ARFID is a complex and often misunderstood eating disorder, particularly in individuals on the autism spectrum. Traditional interventions may fall short due to the unique sensory and psychological challenges these individuals face. However, by using hypnotherapy, we offer a promising and effective alternative. Our protocol focuses on gently shifting food-related anxieties and helping clients develop a sense of adventure around eating. Through gradual desensitization, positive associations, and a supportive therapeutic environment, clients can broaden their food choices, improve their health, and gain the confidence to approach eating with curiosity and excitement.

As awareness of ARFID grows, especially in relation to autism, it’s crucial that more personalized and sensitive treatment methods are developed. Hypnotherapy offers a compelling solution, opening doors to recovery that were previously closed.