Sound Mind

The usual disclaimer applies… I only review things I really, really like OR dislike. And while some may say that writing a favourable review for my partner’s company is as biased as it gets, well… yes. If you know me, you probably know that I’m about as analytical and evidence-​based as you can get. So the idea of hypnosis as something that can bring relief to people without physical intervention is one that I’m going to need proof on.
The thing is, I HAVE benefited from hypnosis. About three years ago, I cut myself really badly by doing something really stupid – I tried to pry up the drain cover in the shower with my bare hands. Seems really sensible, right? The cuts went really deep into my two index fingers, and required several stitches and many weeks to heal. I do have nerve damage though.
All of that, I can live with. What I COULDN“T live with was the images passing through my mind of looking down at my fingers, embedded in the shower grate, dripping blood. My mind would flash back to the image, many times a day. It was affecting my concentration, my sleep, and my ability to be calm.
I eventually realized that this was post-​traumatic stress. PTSD. No different than reliving a car accident, or any other traumatic condition where you have to face something that you’d rather not. And I couldn’t get it to stop. Eventually, once I realized what I was dealing with, I asked Valerie to hypnotize me and help me deal with the PTSD.
In one 45 minute session, I no longer think about the horror. I can look at my scars without flashing back, and the overall sensation is one of remembering, but not like I am still there. This was about 4 years ago, and I recall how it felt, but it’s clearly in the past.
Flash forward to now, and Val has relaunched her hypnotherapy practice, but will now be focussing on treating people with early-​stage dementia, as well as anyone who is interested in hypnosis as prevention. I can tell you right now, it works, and it’s worth looking into.