Imagine... Hypnotherapy is the culmination of my studies and experiences over the past 39 years.

 My journey began with a diagnosis of cancer at age 26. One of the doctors after surgery told me to "get my affairs in order"; it was devastating. Then, my surgeon ( trained in France where physicians learned mind-body studies), came in. He gave me a small pamphlet which was in French and he had scribbled English translations. It explained guided imagery and relaxation in healing. He said, "There is still hope!" I clung to that learning to relax, meditate, practice guided imagery and visualize images of my body as healing. My thoughts became my reality. Last year I celebrated the turning 64!

I sought out knowledge reading anything that I could find on the mind-body connection. I attended trainings and seminars. At the Austin Center for Attitudinal Healing I trained as a facilitator to work with critically ill patients. Within six months I Founded the Phoenix Cancer Support Community of Central Texas and the journey began working tirelessly with Cancer and AIDS patients here in Austin. Then, it was a dream fulfilled to go to New Haven, Ct., to train with ECaP (Exceptional Cancer Patients - Dr. Bernie Siegel). This added greatly to the skills to facilitate weekly support groups. These groups became a wonderful opportunity to become student and teacher. So many valuable lessons came from the people in the groups. I thank them and am grateful for the lessons they provided.

A year of living on Maui was pivitol in my life. I rediscovered who I was and began to celebrate my life again.  I lived in the moment. It was just me and my dog, Spirit, loving every sunset. Laughter and play became an everyday event. During this time I studied comparitive religions and became ordained as a minister. My studies continued. It was a magical time in my life!

Then, in 2003, I had a fall which changed my life. I was left with severe chronic pain and permanently disabled. Depression overwhelmed me. Finally, in a last ditch effort when nothing in my life was working, I turned to self-hypnosis for healing. It was miraculous! Within weeks I learned to turn down a level 9 pain to a level 2 in about 20 seconds. This meant pain control drugs were eliminated. My depression was gone. My life had worth again. I was in control of my life again! Hypnosis gave me my life back! I decided to add hypnotherapy to my existing skills.

After interviewing 8 schools extensively, I chose the Heartsong Hypnotherapy School in Dallas, Texas. My reason was clear. Bette Epstein, the owner-instructor, is a gifted hypnotherapist who had the most comprehensive training available. She taught intuitive hypnotherapy; no scripts were allowed. You felt what was needed for your client. It was no cookie cutter solution, like use script #46 for this one! It was trusting intuition and feeling empathy to help them find the solution to their problem.The training was over 500 hours with time consuming projects and clinical work. We witnessed Bette transforming lives. She is an amazing lady and intuitively I knew that this was the perfect place to learn. When in the initial interview Bette asked me to do a guided imagery exercise for her, she told me, laughing, that I had been practicing hypnosis for over 30 years!

Then, after a move to Florida I added Neuro Linguistic Programming to my studies. Patti Smith of UP Hypnosis Institute and Michael Watson of Phoenix Services became my teachers. Michael worked with Richard Bandler & John Grinder while they developed NLP,  the methods for immediate change. I was also blessed to have an opportunity to train with Okka Holthuis, a remakable woman, who has worked internationally with hypnosis and past life regression for healing. These teachers and one very special friendship were clearly the reason that I had been drawn to relocate to Florida. The saying is "When you are ready the teacher will appear."

During this time another medical problem tested my beliefs and skills. In October of 2006 complications from a total knee replacement left me partially paralyzed. Herniated disks in the lumbar region pressed on the sciatic nerve causing severe pain, while damged nerve clusters caused paralysis from hip to foot. Using all of my healing skills and self-designed & imposed hours of intensive physical therapy I was walking with a cane within a month. Neurological testing showed that little nerve conduction and yet I was walking without a cane. In May of 2008 all function returned! (*If this is a test, God, I learned my lesson , okay?) I hope to expand my work with paralysis. But, again, it shows what miracles are possible, doesn't it?

I have used what I know to heal myself. But, these experiences were given to me so I can share with others. In the past there were times that I thought life just isn't fair; it was hard and a constant struggle. I felt cheated. Haven't we all at some time asked "Why me?" and related to the song  "Is that all there is?"

Now, I understand that the trials were to help me learn lessons. It has given me a different level of compassion, undrstanding and empathy which, I believe, makes me a better hypnotherapist.

Just as I thought my life had come to a wonderful point, it crumbled again with a new set of challenges. This made me stop seeing clients for 18 months. A neurological disorder left me with time lapses; at times I would lose an entire day. I certainly could not work not knowing if I might literally not recall a client or session. Out of this time came 2 books, workshops and the 5 step plan to restore joy and bliss to my life.

 My beliefs are to trust fully. To open myself to what I want, working at it until it becomes my reality. It is my goal to live the life of my dreams while assisting others in their healing. Our lives are what we imagine them to be. You imagine carefully! Then with you in control it will become your reality. But, you must see it, feel it and know it as reality. That is the secret to a full life! What we feel becomes our reality. Let me help you create the life that you want to live! You hold the key!

I differ from most hypnotherapist that I have met in my philosophy. In most cases you can be given the tools and controls that you need to resolve a problem in one session. I do not want to have you need a second vivit on a control issue. So, you are given the tools to take control from that point on. It is, afterall, your life - isn't it?

Thank you for your interest. I hope that this  information helps you make a choice. I look forward to hearing from you and hope that you will join me exploring the beauty of life; life as you imagined it would be!

Wishing you peace, love and healing!

In love & light,  Aubrey Joy Alexander

Imagine... Hypnotherapy - healing mind, body & spirit