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Welcome!
Joyce Higgins is
a licensed Marriage and
Family Therapist who offers
psychotherapy. She specializes
in using Clinical Hypnosis
and
Guided Imagery for physical,
emotional, and relational
issues. She works both with
children and adults.
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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 were at the Milton Erickson Institute under the supervision of Drs. Joe Persinger and Kim Kaiser. Joyce
met in consultation with Dr. Lorna Cutler, also a specialist in clinical hypnosis, for six years. In addition, she received her Certification
from the Academy for Guided Imagery. Ms. Higgins 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 imagination 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 dialogging with
your own inner wisdom. Therefore, I feel this is a respectful as well as an effective way of working.
How I Use Interactive
Guided Imagery and Hypnosis:
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 relax and go inward 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 dialog
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 accessguidance from within or to help us with many physical and emotional issues. We can also use it, or clinical hypnosis, to prepare ourselves
for a variety of medical procedures and in preparation for dentistry, surgery or childbirth.
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 dialogging with your own Inner Advisor to ask if there is anything else
that would be helpful for you to know.
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.
Anxiety and Phobias:
Regression hypnosis to find the source of the anxiety
or phobia can be very effective in itself. When we find out the source, and it is understood, the phobia is often cured.
Desensitization
therapy is another way to manage a phobia, calling upon the power within.
Relieving and Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(IBS):
There is a very effective hypnosis protocol, written and researched by Olafur S. Palsson, Psy.D. Dr. Palsson has
given me permission to use this protocol because of my training and experience. It consists of just seven sessions of clinical
hypnosis. At the end of the second session, I give you a 15-minute CD in my voice made specially for you to reinforce on a daily
basis what we are doing in session. A high percentaqe of patients who have participated in the protocol have experienced relief
from their symptoms. You can learn more about the protocol and its effectiveness by going to www.ibshypnosis.com. This
same protocol, modified, can be used effectively for any stress-related illness because it gives the patient inner control over their
own anxiety.
Pain Management:
I now use a similar protocol (as for IBS) of seven sessions of hypnosis for pain management. So far in my experience, this has proven helpful to those with physical pain who have experienced it, as self-reported by my clients.
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 dialog 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 |
7765 Healdsburg Ave. Suite 5, Sebastopol, CA. 95472
(707)522-0402
E-Mail: jhiggins@sonic.net
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