Overwhelm and Invalidation; a painful pair We live in such an anxiety driven society don't we? The amount of items to tend to every day seems at times never ending. We can all identify the various subjects and topics that can bring about a state of overwhelm with a variety of symptoms as a result. Often clients who come in to address stress cycles will tell a similar story. Though different in its details, the common denominators are indeed apparent. Add the fact that often people feel that they can't even mention the depth of their experience with peers because someone will have a story about ..read more

Transforming Pain into Pleasure In addressing a topic often shrouded in silence, it is time I shed light on vaginismus - a common experience among women that remains largely unspoken, even with medical professionals, partners and practitioners. Despite its prevalence, the term may be unfamiliar to many. Recent studies (1.) have uncovered a wide-ranging occurence of vaginismus, affecting 7% to 68% of the female population globally, varying by country. These statistics, while illuminating, underscore the pervasive shame and guilt associated with the condition, hindering women from seeking the h ..read more

A fair question, which will elicit different responses depending on who you ask. Some people will immediately reply, oh no way, nobody can control me, I have a strong mind. Others are the exact opposite and quite like the idea of hypnosis and its possibilities. Of course there are also the individuals who are not quite sure yet and are perhaps reticent. The differences in opinion stem from the many misconceptions about hypnosis and hypnotherapy including myths that hypnosis is used for evil, to try and obtain dark secrets, is against one’s religion, is an attempt to control you or, that it's ..read more

As a hypnotherapist as far as I am concerned, quality sleep is the one of the most important factors in our lives. Yes, we need our tummies filled and love and a roof over our head in a safe space and all that absolutely. If you have the ability to read this via internet chances are you have some of those basic needs covered and can still have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or both. It can make life miserable can't it? I have had several instances in my life where sleep just wasn't great to say the least and I felt horrible for days (and nights). Foggy, couldn't focus, I get grumpy ..read more

Hypnotherapy for weight loss is one of the better known applications of hypnosis. It is right up there with hypnosis to quit smoking. I believe that to be the case because these are topics people tend to talk about more openly. There always seems to be someone who has heard of someone who knows someone having used hypnosis to assist them shedding excess weight. Of course more and more celebs talking about their journeys is quite impactful and useful as well.  Even though it is one of the better known applications of hypnosis, as a practitioner it can be one of the more challenging ones ..read more

Even though for many there is still a lot of mystery around hypnosis, you may have heard or know of somebody that has used hypnotherapy to quit smoking. What is it that hypnosis does, that makes it such an efficient tool to leave this nasty habit in the past?  Let's start by looking into the top 5 reasons why people start smoking in the first place.  In my experience, I have found clients sharing the following: Peer pressure (an estimated 90% of smokers) Parents were smokers Rebellion Curiosity Stress, anxiety, major life event (later in life) I'm sure you can agree that ..read more

Sadly anxiety has become the number one Mental Health issue in North America.  It is estimated that one third of the American adult population experiences anxiety in their life - National Institute of Mental Health. To put this in perspective: these numbers are similar to the obesity statistics of 2011-2012.  So what is anxiety really, why has it become such a big issue and more importantly what can be done about it? We all experience anxiety in our lives at one point or another. Occasional anxiety is quite acceptable and a normal part of life.  We may be anxious when ..read more

Have you ever read a self help book? Maybe more than one? Perhaps even devoured anything and everything you can get your hands on.  Reading stories, theories and practices on how to focus on the positive regardless of the feeling state you are in.  The words of the book inspiring and encouraging you to turn your life around.  A few weeks later you find yourself searching for another book that may deliver another message and words of wisdom to allow you truly to see the glass half full and change the way you feel.  Did this practice ever leave you feeling frustrated? Annoye ..read more

The Roots As long as I can remember I have always found joy in helping people.  Cliche? Perhaps... yet isn't there always a bit of cliche in simple truth? Growing up in Belgium, in a small town where everybody knows one another, helping people is just something one witnesses on a day-to-day basis.  It is never questioned or analyzed, just lived.  Interestingly enough as time goes by and we 'grow up', obtaining financial rewards and social status often pull us in different directions and this was most definitely the case for me.  Graduated from culinary school and later obt ..read more

A fair question, which will elicit different responses depending on who you ask. Some people will immediately reply, oh no way, nobody can control me, I have a strong mind. Others are the exact opposite and quite like the idea of hypnosis and its possibilities. Of course there are also the individuals who are not quite sure yet and are perhaps reticent. The differences in opinion stem from the many misconceptions about hypnosis and hypnotherapy including myths that hypnosis is used for evil, to try and obtain dark secrets, is against one’s religion, is an attempt to control you or, that it's ..read more