In Santa Clarita & Pasadena, CA
Karen & Carol
Karen Maleck-Whiteley and Carol Woodliff each have individual practices in hypnotherapy which combine the use of hypnosis, guided imagery and coaching to help people live healthier, happier lives. Karen practices in Santa Clarita, CA and Carol practices in San Marino (Pasadena), CA. Both Karen & Carol believe in personalized sessions. We work with you to help you tap into your own powers of mind, heart and spirit for change.
Many people have questions and misconceptions about hypnosis so we’ve created this page to give you a little more information about hypnosis and our approach to our practices. Once you’ve read this page, feel free to call either of us to schedule a free phone consultation to answer more of your questions or to see how hypnosis might work for your particular issue. Since the hypnotherapist is a guide to tapping into your own powers, it is important that you feel comfortable enough with your hypnotherapist in order to follow the instructions. So we encourage you to talk to one of us about your questions and find the hypnotherapist who you feel comfortable with (even if that isn’t one of us)!
Pasadena Area Hypnosis Services: Call Carol Woodliff at (626) 737-1478 or click on the link to the left for more information.
Santa Clarita Area Hypnosis Services: Call Karen Maleck-Whiteley at (661) 252-0650 or (661) 755-8354.
About Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy
Therapeutic hypnosis or hypnotherapy helps people use the natural relaxation, imagination and visualization skills they already have to change habits, overcome fears, achieve goals, increase performance and deal with pain and illness. Each year, there are more and more studies which show the effectiveness of using the power of the mind and techniques such as hypnosis, guided imagery and meditation-like skills to achieve success and assist in promoting health. Mainstream media is covering hypnosis and reporting on it effectiveness. For Media Articles on Hypnosis, click here.
Many people are only familiar with the stage uses of hypnosis or the hypnosis portrayed in movies. Consequently, people fear hypnosis as something that will take control of their mind and make them powerless or expect the hypnosis experience to be so powerful that all their problems will be solved in one session. Neither of these perceptions are accurate. While these stage shows and movies make for good entertainment, they are not what a client experiences in a therapeutic hypnosis session. A therapeutic hypnosis session combines relaxation with the use of imagination and learning techniques to help your subconscious mind learn what you want it to learn. The subconscious is the part of your mind that does thing automatically. It is the part of you that drives or brushes your teeth without thinking about “how” to do these things.
Hypnosis isn’t something that someone “does” to you. It is something you allow yourself to do. Most people experience states that could be called hypnosis several times a day. If you have ever:
- been so deep in thought that someone needed to call your name more than once to get your attention;
- been engrossed in a good book so that the rest of the world faded away;
- laid in bed in the morning in that half sleepy state and debated about getting out of bed;
- or driven on “auto-pilot” missing an exit;
- experienced guided visualizations in yoga or meditation classes
then you have been in a form of hypnosis.
Hypnosis is a way to work with the subconscious mind and allow new thoughts and feelings to take the place of the ones getting in the way of the life you want. The hypnotherapist uses a number of techniques from direct suggestions, to stories, imagery and visualization techniques to help you.
Imagery and guided visualization are very effective techniques, which can be used alone or in the context of a hypnotherapy session. Imagery refers to your internal sensory representation system. Images can include not only visual pictures, but also other sensory representations including sound, scent and sensations. For example, when you remember a favorite vacation, images and associated feelings may come to you. You may see the place, feel the temperature, smell the scents, or taste the foods you ate.
The subconscious mind responds well to metaphors, stories, pictures, and imagination. Imagery and guided visualization can help you tap into your inner resources to answer questions, assist in coping with illness, deal with internal conflicts and improve performance. They have been proven to promote relaxation, effect behavioral change and enhance performance in arenas like sports, testing and academic study, and the arts.
Studies have found that guided imagery is effective in managing stress, anxiety, depression, pain and the side effects of chemotherapy. Imagery has also been shown useful for easing anxiety related to surgery, and coping with chronic illness.
What Areas Can Be Addressed With Hypnosis?
Most areas of your life that you want to improve can be addressed with hypnosis. However, hypnosis is not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment. In some cases, a medical or psychological consultation may be required. For a list of many of the common uses of hypnosis, click here.
How Do I Know If I Can Be Hypnotized?
If you have the desire to be hypnotized and you are able to listen to and follow instructions, you can be hypnotized. Certain people are naturally deep subjects, others experience hypnosis in a lighter state. Clients may find that they can go deeper with practice. Suggestions given in lighter states of hypnosis can be just as effective as those given in deeper states. Karen and Carol are practiced at helping people who are willing but a little afraid of losing control feel comfortable. However, if you set out to prove that you can’t be hypnotized or aren’t willing to go along with the instructions or suggestions, you won’t be able be able to experience the benefits of hypnosis.
I Don’t Want to Lose Control!
After seeing stage shows, many people worry about being under the “control” of the hypnotherapist. This is a common misconception about hypnosis. Stage hypnotists seek out people who are willing to be hypnotized and willing to entertain. People who aren’t willing to put on a show are quickly dispatched back to their seats in the audience. You can hear and respond to everything during hypnosis and even choose to “wake up” at will. You cannot be compelled to do or say anything under hypnosis that is in conflict with your personal code. You won’t lose control and you won’t say or do anything you don’t want to do.
We encourgage you to contact either of us to answer your questions about hypnosis.