Hypnosis for fear of flying... (by Laetitia)

Today was my second hypnotherapy session with Orange County hypnotherapist Vrisayda Boggess to work on my fear of flying issues. Despite the fact that I spent a significant portion of my childhood and teenage years flying, I have been developing an increasing fear of flying ever since a particularly rough flight back from nationals a few years ago, where the plane dropped about 200 feet. This flying phobia had escalated to the point that I even begin to feel dread just planning a trip, and would find myself in hysterics and tears when it came time to go to the airport. Not fun! I still somehow through logic managed to get myself to the airport and on the plane, but believe me when I tell you that the trip is fun for NO ONE. So, I decided to face this problem head on, knowing that it would only get worse on its own, and I finally took action and made an appointment for hypnotherapy.

I found a hypnotherapist in Orange County named Vrisayda Boggess, and, I have to say, she is really worth the drive. She is a consummate professional, and is great about explaining the process of hypnosis, what to expect in your session, and what techniques and follow up are necessary to maximize the benefits of the hypnosis session after the fact. My first session was two weeks ago, and lasted about an hour. Vrisayda recorded that session and provided the recording to me on a CD, so that I could listen to it every day until my next session.

I listened to the recording every night going to bed, and I have to say, I was already noticing positive changes. I found that it was getting easier and easier to think of the plane ride as a positive part of the trip, something to look forward to, and also found it easier to quell and push back those negative, fear-driven "but something could go wrong" feelings.

Today's follow-up session was focused on regression work, taking me back in time to find the incident in my past that triggered these feelings of fear. Interestingly enough, it actually was not related to flying at all, but was something that my unconscious mind had connected the fear of flying with.

My next plane trip is to Photoshop World in Las Vegas at the beginning of October, and I am actually looking forward to it because I want to try out my new-found powers!

My perception of hypnosis is definitely different now. Like many people, I had visions of brainwashing and clucking like a chicken in front of an audience. But really, it's true what they say - you would never do anything in a hypnotic state that you wouldn't do in real life. The best way I can describe it is to say that it is like like drifting off to not-quite-sleep, and being in a frame of mind where you are just very open and agreeable to whatever is suggested to you. It puts you in the mind set of one of those days where you say "Eh, why not cluck like a chicken? Who cares? Ba-bwooooook!" instead of worrying about being embarrassed. I actually find the whole process very soothing and agreeable, and I can think of so many more potential applications where hypnosis could be of help... motivation to exercise, curbing a sweet tooth, getting to sleep faster, enhancing creativity... the list goes on and on for me. And who knows, if it can cure my fear of flying in just two sessions, maybe it can cure... dare I say? My infamous fear of vegetables? Probably. But I hate vegetables so much that I really don't even want to stop hating them.