One side of my clinic I really enjoy working with is self image. Self image is defined as the idea one has of one's abilities, appearance, and personality of your own or those who surround you. Most of my hypnotherapy/coaching clients have come to me with a desire to change their self image whether it is weight loss, unwanted behaviors and characteristics that they see as flaws. We all see the change that we want to make but struggle to make it and wonder why. How many times have you started a plan to lose weight and had no follow through? What is found through hypnotherapy and coaching is that you are fully capable of follow through but there are blockages that sabotage your efforts to reaching your set goal. Blockages I find are what create poor self image.
Wikipedia describes poor self image- “Poor self-image may be the result of accumulated criticisms that the person collected as a child which have led to damaging their own view of themselves. Children in particular are vulnerable to accepting negative judgments from authority figures because they have yet to develop competency in evaluating such reports. Also, adolescents are highly targeted to suffer from poor body image issues. Individuals that already exhibit a low-sense of self-worth may be vulnerable to develop social disorders.” I would like to add to this by identifying that this is also in our adult lives. Whether it is divorce, work bullies, family opinions, sports or even critical adults we can not escape development of poor self image no matter what age we are. Your self image is constantly changing.
Through hypnotherapy/coaching sessions I have found it very interesting that most clients are unaware of what is limiting them. They are unable to find a plan that works for them to make an effective change. Several times it has been said “ I have been on so many plans and none of them work for me” or “I know what I need to do but lack the confidence and ability to follow through”. This is the truth, you do know what you need to do and what will work for you. What you may want to look at is why it is not working for you and find a plan set by you that will help you reach your goal.
"Thank you Cherise for making my hypnotherapy sessions for weight loss safe and comfortable. The difference is amazing. I no longer eat until I’m uncomfortable, and I am much more conscious of what I am eating. The choice is mine and I feel so much more in control. This has spilled over into other areas of my life. It wasn't easy, but you found my inner language. Thank you so much!" - N
With coaching we narrow down the goal to be a reasonable to start the path for success. One I hear a lot “I want to lose weight” a more reasonable goal to start may be “I want to eat healthier” or “I want to be at the gym more”. Once we narrow down the goal that our mind is setting out to do we open up the subconscious with hypnotherapy and find the blockages that are limiting you to reach that goal. Blockages that may limit your route to success. These limiting factors may be found in situations you have not yet dealt with be it past or present or even factors you are unaware of. As you start chipping away at the limiting factors of the small goals the big goal will be easier to attain. Our own self image has been found to sabotage whether its weight loss, sports or making needed changes for success. Through techniques of gestalt coaching, regression to cause, future pacing and self creating hypnotherapy/coaching can help you find your confidence and allow you to be successful in whatever you set out to do.
“A poor self-image is the magnifying glass that can transform a trivial mistake or an imperfection into an overwhelming symbol of personal defeat.”
-David D. Burns