GUIDED AUDIO INTERVENTIONS

Listen HERE for free on SoundCloud.

This 34-minute guided hypnotherapy session, created and narrated by Dr. Ellwood, offers users a well-rounded arrangement; promoting deep relaxation and emotional health improvements. *Please note: This session includes use of water/body of water/underwater as metaphor.*

This page will soon host an online store where Dr. Ellwood's highly focused clinical hypnotherapy tracks can be purchased (as digital files) for $3.99 CAD, including:
 

• NIGHTMARE REDUCTION
• INSOMNIA
• PAIN MANAGEMENT
• ANGER MANAGEMENT
• WORRY/RUMINATION HABITS

What is hypnosis, really?

Hypnosis is a legitimate psychological phenomenon, that from a clinical perspective, reduces our frontal lobe’s interference with change. One of the jobs of our frontal lobe is to critically evaluate all input, and metaphorically organize it away within existing file folders. For many people, these folders are responsible for the persistent symptoms or behaviours that they want to change. Hypnotic states allow new information to pass through this 'gatekeeper' region of the brain more easily and reach our unconscious for consideration without being automatically limited to expanding an unhelpful file folder. Hypnotic states can promote the development of new files of understanding, belief, and motivation - rather than letting the filing cabinet at the 'front gate' determine the value and direction of the information. Many people find clinical hypnotherapy a helpful supplement or stand-alone method for reaching specific goals. 

Response to hypnosis varies. Many people can easily access a hypnotic state but others can have greater difficulty - practice can help. Similarly, some people experience noticeable changes after a focused hypnotherapy intervention while for others, change increases along with repeated hypnotherapy sessions.

Guided hypnosis is an inherently consensual process - your brain chooses the response to incoming suggestions. Yes, even the form of entertainment hypnosis you may be more familiar with is indeed consensual in that moment (this doesn’t mean people in the entertainment settings won’t regret what their mind consented to in front of a crowd!). 

With clinical hypnotherapy, hypnotic suggestions are strictly relevant to wellbeing and with your dignity and honoured trust in mind. Dr. Ellwood uses Ericksonian-style hypnotic induction, which is generally regarded as gentle, subtle, and highly collaborative. Dr. Ellwood, along with most doctoral-level professionals within the mental health field, does not view hypnotic ‘memory recovery’ techniques as having reliable accuracy or significant therapeutic value. In fact, 'memory recovery' carries the risk of causing greater, unnecessary harm (regardless if the recovered memory was real or falsely created through suggestion). Dr. Ellwood’s recordings will never include any ‘memory recovery’ encouragement or instruction to focus on a traumatic memory. That being said, sometimes people can be surprised by their own mind’s chosen activity during a deeply relaxed state with less of your usual gatekeepers on duty. If you are not a patient of the clinic, please consider your current state of mind and any likely risks for you personally before engaging in a guided hypnotherapy track. 

PLEASE NOTE:

Hypnotherapy is most appropriate for use during times of general psychological stability. Use of guided hypnotherapy recordings is not a recommended intervention to manage a mental health crisis - e.g. strong suicidal ideation, or psychotic/manic symptoms. If you are experiencing an unusual level of distress, or recent significant changes in your need for sleep/thinking/speech/behaviour, it is not advised that you introduce a hypnotic state. Phone 911, text/call 988, present to your nearest ER, tell a family member or friend, and/or make an appointment with a licensed mental health professional or your family physician in these instances.