People have been entering hypnotic-type trances for thousands and thousands of years; various forms of meditation play an important role in many cultures' religions. But the scientific conception of hypnotism wasn't born until the late 1700s.

The father of modern hypnotism is Franz Mesmer, an Austrian physician. Mesmer believed hypnosis to be a mystical force flowing from the hypnotist into the subject (he called it "animal magnetism"). Although critics quickly dismissed the magical element of his theory, Mesmer's assumption, that the power behind hypnosis came from the hypnotist and was in some way inflicted upon the subject, took hold for some time. Hypnosis was originally known as mesmerism, after Mesmer, and we still use its derivative, "mesmerize," today.

It is a trance state characterized by focused attention, heightened awareness, deep relaxation and enhanced creativity. It's not really like sleep because the subject is alert the whole time. It is most often compared to daydreaming, or the feeling of "losing yourself" in a book or movie. You are fully conscious, but you tune out most of the stimuli around you. You focus intently on the subject at hand, to the near exclusion of any other thought.

Numerous studies have compared the physical "body signs" of hypnotic subjects with those of unhypnotized people. Due to the relaxation involved in the hypnotism process in most of these studies,the subject's heart rate and respiration slowed down.

The most notable data comes from electroencephalographs (EEGs), measurements of the electrical activity of the brain. Extensive EEG research has demonstrated that brains produce different brain waves, rhythms of electrical voltage, depending on their mental state. Deep sleep has a different rhythm than dreaming, for example, and full alertness has a different rhythm than relaxation.

EEGs from subjects under hypnosis showed a boost in the lower frequency waves associated with dreaming and sleep, and a drop in the higher frequency waves associated with full wakefulness. Brain-wave information is not a definitive indicator of how the mind is operating, but this pattern does fit the hypothesis that the conscious mind backs off during hypnosis and the subconscious mind takes a more active role.

Family constellation (Familienaufstellung) was developed in Germany by Bert Hellinger who created a model that draws from traditions in family systems therapy, existential phenomenology, and the Zulu family traditions. When Hellinger studied the Zulu traditions he walked away with the essence of the following concepts that are deeply rooted in his work:

• I am not alone.
• I am part of something greater.
• I am connected to my source through my ancestors.
• I have (seen and unseen) resources that are always available to me.

Bert Hellinger, who studied and treated families for more than 50 years, observed that many of us unconsciously take on destructive familial patterns of anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, aloneness, alcoholism and even illness as a way of "belonging" in our families. Bonded by a deep love, a child will often sacrifice his own best interests in a vain attempt to ease the suffering of a parent or other family member.

Hellinger coined the concept of “Orders of Love” in a systemic family sense, meaning that order in a family system must exist similar to the order experienced in nature. Order can be described as a natural pattern. One of the orders, for example, is that every member has a right to belong. If that order is respected harmony and love ensue. Negative consequences arise if the order is disrespected which may affect the family system for generations. Any trauma that is experienced in the family gets carried on to the next generations. Once a person accepts and understands and honors the order in the system, healing can take place.

During a constellation, the individual is invited by the facilitator to select representatives from the group to set up their family system/constellation. S/he then places these representatives in particular positions around the central working area. When complete, the individual converses with the facilitator and watches the process unfold. The aim for the representatives is to tune into the knowing field, much to what Einstein called the zero point field and Hellinger coined the knowing field. Facing and accepting everything the way it is, as it emerges, from the realm of observation and non-judgment, allows for insight into the true nature of reality and invites acceptance, and therefore, transformation.

Constellation work has to be experienced. One cannot learn or gain insights from reading it in books. Hellinger once said that “the spirit moves like wind.” He feels that whatever is written down loses its vitality, its basic connection to real life. Furthermore, it renders itself into fixed patterns and empty sentences and becomes oversimplified and generalized. He deeply feels that the world needs to be experienced as it is, as a lived, felt sense without any intention to change it. Developing a stance of acceptance and understanding is one of the core principles in his work.

Family Constellations is typically done in a group setting. However, individual sessions are also possible by utilizing figures to set up a constellation. In hypnotherapy sessions, for instance, constellation work is also a possibility to connect to the knowing field. Sytemic coaching/constellations are also widely used in organizational coaching. Organizational coaching provides insight into the undercurrent of organizations. Business Constellations offer an opportunity to experience the natural balancing forces which influence organizational health to supporting lasting resolution.

Now is the time to understand
That all your ideas of right and wrong
Were just a child’s training wheels
To be laid aside
So you can finally live
With truthfulness and love.

Now is the time for the world to know
That every thought and action is sacred.

This is the time
For you to deeply compute the impossibility
That there is anything but Grace.

Now, why not consider
A lasting truth with
Yourself and the past?

~Hafiz

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Changing the Tunes of your Blues: A way out of depressive episodes

The human soul needs tender nourishment or it withers away. Asleep behind an impenetrable veil, the true essence of existence often hides behind boredom or related symptoms. While observing or participating in art or dance, playing or listening to music or experiencing some other form of artistic expression, the soul can surface momentarily but then retreats to hiding or silence once again. We often equate ourselves with our symptoms as indicated by the statements “I am depressed” or “I am miserable.” When individuals identify with depressive thoughts and feelings they strip themselves of their soul’s true meaning, of the value and joy of their existence. In an instant, self-worth and positive expectancy that change is possible slowly depletes. Yet, it is exactly that very ingredient of hope and positive expectancy that is highly needed in the process of creating lasting solutions. Therefore, it is calming and assuring to remember that our symptoms are not our identity, or our true self, but merely a sign that something deep inside of us is waking up. This awakening can aid a person in escaping from an existence that approximates a vacuum. A mundane life might not be a spiritually rewarding life for an artistic soul.

A marked characteristics of this awakening lies in the strong sensation that these symptoms bring into one’s life. The symptom forces an individual to take a look – a deep look – to awaken the senses. Welcoming rather than denying these sensations can be a primary step towards healing. During this welcoming state observing the symptoms and becoming aware of them is the primary task to enable the understanding of the true self. Just as there are many ways and techniques to play the song Amazing Grace there are also various techniques to relieve symptoms effectively.

One can devote time to meditate each day although the paramount essence lies in making your life a meditation beginning with simple steps that anyone can easily accomplish. Each day, starting in the morning, one can observe their senses during mundane, daily activities.

For instance, while playing feeling the guitar string on the fingertips as the finger presses down on the fret board, feeling the vibration of the instrument, hearing each tone clearly; while in the shower feeling the water trickle slowly down the body, noticing the temperature of the water; while eating paying full attention, chewing food slowly and isolating the taste of the food on the palate; noticing one’s feet on the ground, feeling one’s hands on the steering wheel, listen to all the surrounding sounds, and many more small acts of mindful awareness. Before going to sleep one can consciously bring to mind three things that have worked really well during the day or send gratitude to three people that one has encountered during the day.

The mindful cultivation of these small steps results in increased strengthening of the prefrontal cortex in your brain that adheres to higher order brain functions such as awareness, concentration, and decision making than the activation in the right frontal lobe that activates when a depressive thought is formed. As one begins to perceive the world in a new way novelty is created and novelty is necessary to grow more brain cells and to keep one’s mind healthy. An individual will start to become more mindful and live in the moment. Gentle, daily practice habituates the mind to create new neuronal pathways that make it easier to combat depressive thoughts in the future. Step by step the brain recognizes that there are a myriad of choices to react to stimuli and that the possibility exists to change the tuning at will.

One has to keep in mind that there are many pathways into depression, and at the same time, there are many pathways out of depression. What essentially works lies in the beauty of each individual. Therefore, taking one step at a time is important regardless what therapeutic intervention one chooses. Enlisting the help of a professional in the healing arts may be a first or a second step while keeping hope and positive expectation alive.

Author:

Anita Jung practices as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Austin, TX. She comes from a family of musicians, and has provided therapy services for musicians of the SIMS Foundation for twenty years. She is a Fellow of the American Psychotherapy Association. An Approved Consultant of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and teaches workshops to professionals around the globe. Her website is www.anitajung.com and her email is ajunglpc@yahoo.com. She welcomes questions and comments about this article.

©2015 Anita Jung

Symptoms

What is Anxiety?

Everyone has experienced anxious feelings and sensations before especially when we encounter stressful situations. Intense anxiety, on the contrary, can go along with intense fear, apprehension, or dread when faced with mundane everyday events. When anxiety reaches intense levels such as panic attacks, sudden notions of intense fear and worry combined with overwhelming physical symptoms, such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, nausea, shaking, and more.

Who has Anxiety?

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health conditions in America. Women develop anxiety disorders almost twice more than men during their lifetime. Anxiety also affects youth ages 13-18.

What are the Core Symptoms of Anxiety?

Intense fear and worry is often combined with overwhelming physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, shaking, and more. Most of the time, feelings are generally out of proportion to the actual situation which makes it difficult to make decisions, handle work situations or school assignments, or maintaining friendships. When anxiety reaches intense levels people can suddenly experience a panic attack.

What Causes Anxiety?

There are multiple causes of anxiety and not one situation fits all. Anxiety disorders has roots in an interaction of psychosocial factors, for instance childhood adversity, stress, or trauma, and a genetic vulnerability, which mainly manifests in neurobiological and neuropsychological dysfunctions. Biological causes can include genetics, head injuries, hormonal imbalances, blood sugar issues, drug abuse, medication side effects, etc.

Treatment

All individuals who experience anxiety benefit from supportive talks and attention to the emotional problems that are associated with the anxiety.

Psychotherapy consists of psychoeducation such as providing information about the physiology of the bodily symptoms of anxiety reactions and the rationale of available treatment possibilities. A focus on utilizing tools to regulate emotions and restoring inner balance is part of every treatment. At times, medication along with psychotherapy can provide relief. Hypnosis has been proven to be highly effective. Psychotherapy also works best when combined with regular exercise, mindfulness training, yoga, meditation, biofeedback, accupuncture, osteopathy, or homeopathy.

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Anita Jung, is the founder of the Jung Wellness Institute and an internationally acclaimed lecturer, trainer, and business consultant. Anita holds a degree in Counseling Psychology, has traveled extensively and is well versed in cultural implications of leaving one’s homeland and family. She brings her wealth of experience to her psychotherapy sessions, audio recordings, lectures, consultations, and workshops.

Originally from Europe, she resides in the United States. She is a proponent for innovative, transformative care combining traditional and non-traditional mind-body approaches. Her work in community collaborations is extensive and taps into the world of the arts to inspire change and sustain a healthy state of living. Her creativity spans from her work with her clients to creating and publishing several musical, hypnotherapeutic CDS.

Anita specializes in mind-body approaches, Ericksonian hypnotherapy, Family therapy, and Brief Therapy approaches. She began her career studying Bioenergetics Analysis with Alexander Lowen and post-modern approaches to counseling with Insoo Kim Berg and Michael White until she became inspired by Milton H. Erickson approaches. Her teachers include Stephen Gilligan, Jeffrey Zeig and Bill O'Hanlon amongst many other European mentors. Anita is known internationally for incorporating music as a tool in hypnotic work, not to be defined as music therapy, yet, rather as an active co-therapist in the utilization of hypnosis and other therapeutic approaches.

Anita served as the Division Director for Counseling and Psychiatric Services at a prominent local non-profit organization for twenty years. She has developed, transformed, and implemented various therapeutic/behavioral health programs such as youth and adult counseling, psychiatric services, supervised visitation programs for families, family violence intervention groups, and combining counseling with drumming or aerial dance. The Shared Psychiatric Services program won an achievement award by the American Psychiatric Association for "A Family-Focused Partnership to Engage High-Risk Children and Adolescents in Service."

In her own words:

“As a practicing licensed professional counselor, I often need to explain that life, not just therapy, is a process. I often need to explain that hearing the stories in my office does not bring me down, rather that I find all stories inspirational because I know that wellness and joy are right around the corner. My life as a psychotherapist has created a clientele in three normally mutually exclusive areas: the psychological worlds of inner and philosophical enquiry that most psychotherapists inhabit, the transformative world of music, poetry, and the arts, and the world of vocation, work and organizational leadership. As the founder of the Jung Wellness Institute I am dedicated to tapping into each person’s world view and talents to support their growth and development”.

Professional Affiliations include:

• Approved Consultant - American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH)
• Former Diplomate and Fellow - American Psychotherapy Association
• Clinical Advisory Panel - SIMS Foundation
• Immediate Past President - American Society of Clinical Hypnosis 2021
• Board Member - International Society of Clinical Hypnosis 2021
• President - Central Texas Society of Clinical Hypnosis (CTSCH)
• LPC-S Approved Clinical Supervisor - Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
• Advisor and Co-Creator - Karisha Community, a medical model to transform healthcare

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) working in collaboration. I hold a Masters of Arts in Counseling from St. Edwards University (Austin, TX) and a Masters of Arts in Philology from Volgograd Pedagogical University (Volgograd, Russia) where the main areas of my interests lied in philosophy, literature, psychology, and, of course, languages. I am fluent in Russian and English and can provide services in both languages. For the past year I have been a member of a professional team at Lifeworks (Austin, TX) where I had an invaluable opportunity to provide services to a wide range of clients in both individual and group settings, addressing a variety of intra and interpersonal challenges.

Born in Russia, I have resided in the United States for the past 20 years and over that time have had wonderful opportunities to travel and work with people in many different settings. Prior to making my decision to go back to school and study counseling, I had my own art business where I was privileged to work on various art projects in my client' homes. Often, I found myself entering not only their homes but also their lives, listening to many fascinating stories about challenges they faced or successes they’ve achieved. Pretty quickly I realized that there is a tremendous need for people to be heard and understood and that working with people is exactly what I wanted to do.

I have gained tremendous insight and knowledge over the years working in various professional settings and through years of formal education, but I believe the most valuable learning happens each day through my personal roles of wife for the last 18 years, mother of two beautiful teenage boys, daughter of an inspiring and resilient couple, and friend to some amazing individuals.

Services:

I enjoy working with adults and adolescence, addressing a wide range of challenges. I work from the belief that the human body and mind work together and constantly strive to find an inner peace and balance through self-healing. My role as a counselor is to help you create self-awareness, to facilitate the healing process, and to support you on your journey to finding your inner peace and increasing life satisfaction. My approach to counseling is holistic and is heavily informed by new and constantly emerging discoveries in the field of neuroscience. I utilize not only traditional talk therapy in my work with clients but also such mind-body techniquesas mindfulness and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

However, I believe that the relationship I build with my clients is by far more important than any technique I can use. If there is no trust, acceptance, authenticity, and mutual respect in our relationship, there can be no therapeutic change! In my practice I strive to create a nonjudgmental, open, and supportive environment for my clients to deal with their challenges and to find ways to improve the quality of their lives.

Adult and adolescence individual therapy addresses the following challenges through interpersonal therapy and body-mind techniques:

To contact Kate directly please email connect@jungwellnessinstitute.com
or call #512-850-8778.

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