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Healthy Body:

    As counselors, we help our clients work through emotional, mental, spiritual, and relational issues. Often times, we forget to integrate physical well-being.  We need to inquire about the client’s diet, sleep, and exercise.  Also, make sure the client has had a physical within the last year. We remind the client that we are not MDs or dieticians, and the purpose for inquiring about one’s physical habits is so we can better help the individual work towards goals and improve overall lifestyle.


Diet:

    With all the fads and trends, how does a counselor know what is the best approach to helping a client make wise decisions regarding diet? You want to look for diets that enhance the brain. Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Mark Hyman, and Dr. Nicholas Perricone work from the philosophy that what you eat either enhances your brain or hinders it. They are more concerned about one’s overall health and brain function than they are with tricks and gimmicks. Dr. Amen provides a list of the top 50 brain foods along with practical suggestions to help a person begin introducing healthy foods into their lifestyle. Remember, when you are working with clients, the focus is on a healthy lifestyle rather than focusing on a particular diet. Inquire about when the client had his or her last meal and what he or she ate. Sometimes clients might say they feel sluggish or grumpy to discover that they haven’t eaten all day.  Or, clients may feel jittery and you discover that they drank 62 oz of Mountain Dew. You want to help the client be aware of how he or she is treating one’s body and mind. Again, you want to remind the client to consult with a physician prior to changing diet plans.


Exercise:

    Exercise is beneficial and a necessity for everyone. Exercise boosts blood flow and keeps the brain healthy. We have more energy and a positive outlook on our situations when we engage in regular exercise. We feel better about ourselves, which helps us with our work, relationships, and spirituality. Discuss your client’s exercise regimen. Find out the type and frequency of their exercise routine, and make sure they are keeping hydrated.  Remind the client to consult with a physician prior to beginning a new exercise program.


Sleep:

    Sleep rejuvenates the brain, which means we need to practice good sleep habits. Adults need at least 8 hours of sleep. Inquire about your client’s sleep environment: is it free from clutter and distractions; comfortable room temperature, is the room dark, and is the TV off. You also want to inquire about sleep habits. For example, does the client wash one’s face before going to bed; meditate/pray; stretch muscles for about ten minutes to relax the body. You want to make sure the client avoids caffeine, alcohol, vigorous exercise, and eating heavy meals before bedtime.  Dinner should be eaten at least three hours before bedtime. Also inquire if the client has a regular sleep schedule. Sleep is critical to overall well-being, and we need to educate our clients on the value of sleep.


Breathing:

    Breathing is so basic, and yet often overlooked in counseling sessions. Breathing is involved in everything we do. When we are tense, stressed, and anxious, our breathing becomes shallow, and we breathe from our chest. We need to teach our clients diaphragmatic or belly breathing. Have your client sit comfortably and have him place one hand on his abdomen and one hand on his chest. Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Tell the client to breathe deeply into the abdomen and feel it expand to the count of five and pause to the count of one. Client will exhale slowly to the count of five. Repeat at least five times. Watch to make sure the client’s chest has minimal movement and that his muscles are relaxed. The breathing should be smoothed and relaxed throughout the exercise. You will also instruct the client to think of positive thoughts or emotions while doing this exercise. 
As counselors we need to demonstrate to our clients the value of having a healthy mind and body. If we want God to use us as His instruments then we need to take good care of ourselves so we can better serve His Kingdom.

Malinda Fasol, PhD, LPC, NCC
Focus for Living
Website: www.focusforliving.net

_Recommended Resources:
    Amen: Change Your Brain Change Your Life
    Amen: Healing Anxiety and Depression
    Amen: Change your Brain Change your Life Cookbook
    Hyman: The UltraMind Solution
    Perricone: The Perricone Promise and The Perricone Prescription
    www.amenclinics.com
    www.drhyman.com
    www.heartmathstore.com

_ Healthy Mind:

    Our thoughts are powerful, and can impact our mood and behavior. According to Dr. Daniel Amen, when we have positive thoughts (ie; kind, joyful, hopeful), our bodies release chemicals that help calm our deep limbic system and calm our bodies.  We tend to think clearer, have a positive outlook, and are able to view other options, solutions, or possibilities. Our thoughts and emotions are proactive rather than reactive. Scripture is clear about what we are to think on: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8 NIV). Additionally, the body tends to reflect a healthy mind. We relax our muscles, smile more often, and breathe slower. We are more aware of nutrition and exercise. We tend to respect the temple in which God has given us.

    In counseling, the clients typically demonstrate faulty or distorted thinking. Their minds are clouded with countless thoughts assumed to be true. Their emotions, behaviors, and physical well-being reflect negative thinking. Every time we have negative thoughts, the brain releases chemicals to the deep limbic system that cause the body to feel bad (Amen,2003). They feel depressed or anxious, engage in unhealthy behaviors, and display muscle tension. Through cognitive therapy and other techniques, counselors help clients examine distorted thinking, core beliefs, and identify common themes or messages. Clients learn to replace faulty or negative thinking with positive thoughts. As counselors, we need to also address the clients’ physical well-being by educating them on proper nutrition, exercise, sleep, and proper breathing.


Healthy Mind and Body - part II

Malinda Fasol, PhD, LPC, NCC
Focus for Living
Website: www.focusforliving.net

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Models of the Mind

    In order to comprehend how hypnosis works, it is important to understand the 3 different levels of the mind. They consist of unconscious, subconscious, and conscious. The key aspect of these models is that all of its components are best understood as functions rather than physical parts.


Unconscious Mind

    Even though it is called unconscious mind, it is a very active level of consciousness. The unconscious mind works automatically to take care of functions that are associated with Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). Some of the bodily functions that are associated with the unconscious mind are breathing, physical/emotional responses, heart rate, and protective functions such as reflexes and immune system.


Subconscious Mind

    The subconscious mind is who you really are. All the developments from our experiences that make up our personality store permanent memory into the subconscious mind and it is limitless as to how much they store. During hypnosis, all of your experiences that are held in the subconscious can be revealed. The more important or more emotionally packed a particular event is in your past, the more easily it can be found and revivified. However, there may be some challenges on the revivification if the event is blocked by a protective function which can make the retrieval more difficult. Some of the functions of the subconscious mind that makes up your personality include habits, beliefs, imagination, and protective functions (resisting incoming information that is inconsistent with previously accepted information).


Conscious Mind

    The conscious mind focuses on the current state of mind; however, the conscious mind can easily be refocused on the past and create imagination of the future or into a complete fantasy. Unlike the subconscious mind, the conscious mind is limited to how much it can hold. The functions of the conscious mind consist of protective thought process, logics, and interact with the critical factor which resides between the conscious and subconscious.

    It is important to understand that hypnosis does not cause someone to lose consciousnesses. Hypnosis is not a state of unconsciousness, but rather a stated of focused consciousness.

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Gina Ahn, PsyD, CH

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 469.733.6092

_What is hypnosis?

    Hypnosis means a heightened state of suggestibility. An individual who is hypnotized may look as if he is sleeping but the person is fully awake and understands what is going on during the process. Hypnosis is common and I am sure that everyone has already experienced it without even being aware that they were hypnotized. For instance, one type of hypnosis is called highway hypnosis. Highway hypnosis is when you experience time distortion or momentarily wonder which causes you to miss your exit. Another example of hypnosis is when a person focuses on a task so much that he induces self-hypnosis. At this point he becomes unaware of the surroundings and is only focused on this particular task. Although people do not realize it, hypnosis is common and you would not even realize you have been hypnotized until you understand what hypnosis is all about. If fact, anyone of normal intelligence who is willing to follow instructions can be hypnotized.


The benefit of hypnotherapy  

    Hypnotherapy is a unique type of therapy that I like to consider “express” therapy.  Unlike any other therapy method, hypnotherapy can overcome client’s issues in as short as 5 to 7 sessions.  It is a life-changing therapy that helps clients overcome bad habits, increase motivation, become disciplined, confident, develop happiness, and many more.  In addition, hypnotherapy not only targets the mind but also manages or eliminates physical components of chronic pain, stress and anxiety as well as child birthing.


Recommendation

    I would recommend hypnosis to those who have not experienced it. I personally found the experience to be eye-opening and realized that after my sessions I have changed into a person who is more confident and motivated. I believe that hypnosis works and it can make a huge difference in your life as well.


Hypnotherapy - part II

Gina Ahn, PsyD, CH

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 469.733.6092