| My Credentials | Clinical Hypnosis | Guided Imagery |
| Effectiveness | How I Work | Childbirth Preparation |
| Surgery Preparation | Medical/Dental Procedures |
| Children’s Issues | The Gift | Contact Me |

Credentials:

     Ms. Higgins has been working with clients since 1988 here in Sonoma County. She has used clinical hypnosis as a tool for assisting clients since 1992. Her training has included a Masters in Counseling from the University of San Francisco and seven years of internships. Her final internships focused on clinical hypnosis at the Erickson Institute under the supervision of Dr. Joe Persinger and Dr. Kim Kaiser. Joyce met in consultation with Dr. Lorna Cutler, also a specialist in clinical hypnosis, for six years. In addition, she has trained at the Academy for Guided Imagery in Mill Valley, CA.
Joyce is a member in good standing of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) and the local Redwood Empire Chapter of CAMFT.

What is Clinical Hypnosis?

     Clinical Hypnosis is simply choosing to go into a relaxed, focused state to connect with your inner mind for the purpose of healing. You do this for yourself. I assist you. You are always conscious and in control. You can return fully to the room simply by opening your eyes.

     A trance (focused) state is one that is very natural and normal for all of us. We are in trance when we are watching an interesting movie or TV program, reading a good book, or simply “daydreaming.” In clinical hypnosis we use this natural ability that we already have to enhance our health and wellbeing.

What is Guided Imagery?

     Guided Imagery is using our powers of imaging for our own benefit. Some people see images clearly, others see color, some merely sense a presence. We use our left brain to our advantage as we go about our daily lives. It is the rational, logical side of our brain. In this form of therapy, we are using primarily the power of our right brain. The right brain is the intuitive, creative and imaginative part of us. We can add what we learn from this wonderful resource to our powers of logic and “common sense” to help direct us in our lives. We are truly marvelous beings with so much untapped power within! I assist you in learning to connect with this power.

Effectiveness of Hypnosis and Guided Imagery:

     The mind-body connection is very real. You can test this out for yourself . Close your eyes for a moment and imagine you are biting into a very juicy yellow lemon. (If you were able to focus on it, the thought caused you to salivate.) Our thoughts carry a lot of power and can directly affect our bodily processes.

     From my professional and personal experience, I also know that we can safely go deeper into physical and emotional issues in a given time period using hypnosis and guided imagery. For this reason, therapists often refer their clients to me for clinical hypnosis to assist with specific issues.

     I don’t assume that I know what you need. We discover this as I guide you in dialoguing with your own inner wisdom. Therefore, I feel this is a respectful as well as an effective way of working.

How I Use Guided Imagery:

     When you come in, we discuss what’s happening for you in your life currently and what you feel you need. Then, when you are ready, I will ask if you would like to go in and relax to see what you can learn about what you need. This is usually in the first session. I assist you to relax with some imagery. I then ask you to find a safe, pleasant place to be. From that safe place we might invite in an image of your inner advisor or an image of a symptom you are experiencing. You can then dialogue with the image to find out what you can learn that will be helpful to you. I merely guide you in the process as you work. Then, we summarize together what has just taken place and what you understand it to mean for your life.

     We can use Guided Imagery to access guidance from within or to help us with many physical and emotional issues. We can also use it to prepare ourselves for a variety of medical procedures and in preparation for dentistry, surgery or childbirth.

Preparation for Childbirth:

     When we meet, I give you options for what we can do together in preparation for your child’s birth. These include imagery for: diminishing nausea during pregnancy; bonding with your child in utero; suggestions and practice for pain control for delivery; preparation for accessing inner guidance during delivery; empowerment before and during the birth and suggestions for a natural, normal, healthy conclusion to the birthing process.

     The above can be accomplished in two sessions. Whenever possible, I also like to have the opportunity to work with you first to explore and resolve anything that might get in the way of a positive experience in childbirth. That can take a few minutes or one or more sessions. You can decide which of these options works best for you.

Preparation for Surgery:

     In preparing for surgery, I teach you how to go into a relaxed, calm state whenever you breathe deeply. Then, while in a deeply relaxed state, I offer positive suggestions to your inner mind for: sleeping well before the surgery, control of pain from within, ignoring any negative or detrimental thoughts or feelings expressed in your presence before, during or after surgery, control of bleeding during surgery, recovering with a minimum of discomfort following surgery, regaining muscle tone and healing well. I experienced this preparation for myself when I had surgery, and it really worked for me. Since then, I know I would not submit to any serious medical procedure without it.

Preparation for Medical Procedures or Dentistry:

     This will include breathing, relaxation, pain control, positive suggestions for a good recovery and anything else that is appropriate for the procedure you will be experiencing. I gain the information needed in conversation with you. I also do any research into the procedure that will help my understanding. I customize our work to meet your specific concerns and needs. I also assist you in dialoguing with your own Inner Advisor to ask if there is anything else that would be helpful for you to know.

Working with Children and Adolescents:

     Guided Imagery is easy for children because it comes so naturally for them. I always interview the parents separately from the child so that I can get some history and any information that would be helpful. Then, I invite the parent(s) to be present for at least the first session with a young child. Parents can enjoy the relaxation, too! After that, we can decide what is best, depending on the needs and preferences of the child.

     Some of the issues guided imagery is useful for with children and adolescents are stress-related issues such as: anxieties or fears, sleep disturbances, bed wetting, overeating, rashes, eczema, nail biting, gastrointestinal symptoms and asthma. It can also be used effectively for pain control when they are undergoing medical or dental procedures and for any acute or chronic pain. I enjoy teaching the tools of self-hypnosis. Clients learn that they can use these skills for any stressful situation now and in the future.

     Guided Imagery is also empowering and can be utilized well for building self-esteem. And, adolescents can envision the future they want for themselves. It is then easier for them to overcome obstacles when they hold the vision or goals they are working toward.

The Gift of this Work:

     The skills that you gain in the ability to relax more deeply, to control your own pain, to learn from a symptom, or to dialogue with your own Inner Advisor can be used to your benefit whenever you need them for the rest of your life.

How to Contact Me:

     You can contact me by calling my voice mail: (707) 522-0402 or by E-mail: jhiggins@sonic.net

     NOTE: Please be advised that I will not give clinical evaluations nor answer treatment questions via E-mail. These services require a scheduled phone interview or office visit.

My office is handicapped accessible in Sebastopol, CA.

Joyce Higgins, M.A., M.F.T. | Contact Us |

Health Psychology Associates
7765 Healdsburg Ave. Suite 12
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707)522-0402
E-Mail: hypnosis@sonic.net