What would your clients and colleagues say is your therapist superpower?

My clients and colleagues often say that when we meet for a therapy session or just to discuss something that is bothering them, they feel at ease and relaxed knowing that whatever issue, concern or aspiration they share with me will be listened to with empathy, respect, positive unconditional regard and without judgement. If I had to choose one superpower it would be my keen ability to listen to others without judgement.

What does a typical session with you look like?

I offer a warm and confidential environment where my clients can feel safe and at ease and can express their concerns, issues, and problems as they see them.  I also conduct sessions via Zoom and a few days before the Zoom session I sent them an email on how to prepare for the session so that they can get the most benefit. At the beginning of each therapy session, I allow time for the client to provide some feedback on any concern or changes in their life. During this time, I give them the floor (10 minor more if needed) and go into compassionate listening mode, make heart connection with them, and allow them to unburden. I listened with empathy, respect, positive unconditional regard.  Only then do I begin the therapy session by having them lie down, use the pillow and blanket to make themselves as comfortable as possible.

In every hypnotherapy session I begin by gently guiding the client into a relaxed state. Once the client is relaxed, I begin the actual therapy.  When the hypnosis session is over, I guide the client out of hypnosis I ask them how they feel and if they have any other additional questions for me.  If there are any questions I listen and answer them if time allows. If I’m not able to answer all their questions.  I write them down and later send them an email with any other suggestions.  After every session I send a follow-up email thanking them for attending the session.

What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?

My growing love for helping and counseling others began at the age of 21 when I trained as a volunteer family and pregnancy counselor at Planned Parenthood in Anaheim.  Twice weekly I was faced with a room full of teenagers (and their parents as well) who were dealing with pregnancy for the first time.  Some of the teenagers were as young as 14 years and I was able to feel their fear(s), anxiety, stress, and confusion. I was well trained and dealt with these groups of teenagers first as a group and then counseling them individually.  Although I found it difficult at first, I soon came to fully enjoy helping these nervous and confused teens and parents, and I was so gratified to receive wonderful feedback from them.

I also enjoyed a wonderful and successful thirty-year career as a medical business advisor and consultant to medical practices in Southern California.  Much of my success came from being able to listen to medical doctors and guide them and their business in a profitable direction.  Interestingly enough at least 50% of this consultancy involved listening to them at length, understanding what behaviors were holding them back and then helping them to understand and change these behaviors to have them focus positively on a different path.

The most powerful inspiration to become a clinical hypnotherapist is my husband, a combat veteran with a 100% combat related disability rating.  His experiences with military trauma and PTSD in his past and the many trials he’s experienced in dealing with them have motivated me to focus on stress, anxiety, and trauma clients. I have seen how the mental health professional counseling offered by the Veterans Administration mental health program has helped my husband and other veterans heal from the deeply imbedded issues of trauma, grief, and sorrow that they have tucked away into their subconscious mind. I feel that my husband has made large strides in changing many negative memories he has tried to keep buried.  This personal life experience has deepened my level of compassion and sympathy for those experiencing trauma, stress, and anxiety.

Witnessing the vast life-empowering improvements my husband has made has reinforced the extreme joy and satisfaction I receive from helping others.  I have often felt that this satisfaction has been one of the strongest guideposts in my own personal development as a clinical hypnotherapist.

For more information, please visit www.roseriojashypnosis.com.