Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a powerful mind-body approach used in psychotherapy. It helps individuals achieve their goals, improve their mental health, and create positive changes. By guiding you into a focused state of relaxation, the “hypnotic state,” your therapist taps into your natural ability to imagine and focus on shifting thoughts, habits, and behaviours. This innovative technique is highly effective for addressing a range of concerns. They include anxiety, depression, PTSD, sleep issues, chronic pain, weight management, smoking cessation, unhelpful habits, phobias, and more.

We use hypnotherapy as a gentle and supportive tool to help clients uncover insights, quiet their minds, and reframe their thinking. It’s a collaborative process that empowers individuals to take control of their healing and personal growth.

How Does Hypnosis Work?

Hypnosis works by leveraging the mind’s natural ability to focus and imagine. In a hypnotic state, you are deeply relaxed yet fully aware. Your mind opens up and is receptive to accepting new ideas. The hypnotherapist will use this to offer suggestions that you are most likely to act upon.

Take the example of quitting smoking. During hypnosis, your therapist will suggest that you can overcome cravings and let go of the habit. Because your mind is open and focused, this suggestion can feel more impactful and improve your chances of success.

Hypnosis also helps quiet the chatter of the conscious mind, allowing you to explore your subconscious thoughts and uncover valuable insights. For instance, if you struggle with sleep, hypnotherapy can reveal the contributing subconscious stressors causing the difficulty. Hypnotherapy accesses the deeper parts of your mind, making treatment effective in shorter periods of time.

Myths About Hypnotherapy

Many people misunderstand hypnotherapy because of how it is portrayed in entertainment, such as stage hypnosis. No, hypnotherapy will not make you cluck like a chicken! Hypnotherapy will not make you lose control of your mind or body. Instead, it is a deeply collaborative and empowering process. You will remain in charge throughout the session and will not be forced to do anything against your will.

In fact, all forms of hypnosis are considered “self-hypnosis.” With practice, most people can reach a hypnotic state without assistance. Hypnotherapy is simply a tool to help you access this state more effectively and use it to achieve your goals. You will not be asleep during sessions, and you will be fully aware of what is happening.

What Issues Can Hypnotherapy Help With?

Hypnotherapy is a versatile and effective tool for addressing a wide range of mental health and wellness concerns. It can help individuals manage anxiety, depression, and PTSD by targeting the root causes of emotional distress.

Hypnotherapy is also beneficial for improving sleep, overcoming insomnia, and managing chronic pain. For those looking to make lifestyle changes, it can assist with weight management, smoking cessation, and breaking unhelpful habits. Additionally, it is highly effective for addressing phobias, fears, stress management, and psychosomatic conditions such as asthma.

By accessing the subconscious mind, hypnotherapy enables individuals to identify and resolve underlying issues, leading to meaningful and lasting change.

What Can I Expect During a Hypnosis Session?

A typical hypnotherapy session begins with a relaxation exercise to help calm your mind and body. Your hypnotherapist will then guide you through an induction technique, a series of steps to help you enter a deeper state of relaxation and focus. For example, they may ask you to imagine yourself in a peaceful, healing environment, like a beach or a forest.

Once you are in a state of hypnosis, the session will focus on your specific goals or concerns. The hypnotherapist will offer suggestions to reframe your thinking and create healthier patterns or behaviours. At the end of the session, your hypnotherapist will gently guide you back to the present moment. Most clients leave the hypnotherapy sessions feeling relaxed and refreshed.

Hypnotherapy sessions typically last 60 minutes. Your individual needs will determine how many treatments you require. Some clients notice significant improvements after just a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing hypnotherapy as part of a broader treatment plan.

Is Hypnotherapy Safe?

In general, hypnotherapy is very safe when practiced by a trained professional. It is a non-invasive technique with few risks or side effects. However, hypnotherapy may not be suitable for individuals with severe mental health conditions, such as psychosis. We recommend speaking to your primary healthcare team about this first.

Side effects are rare and can include headaches, dizziness, or feelings of anxiety. If you get distressed during a session, your hypnotherapist is trained to safely guide you through.

Birthing Unafraid – HypnoBirthing®

The Mongan Method HypnoBirthingⓇ is a world-renowned program that has been around for over 30 years.  It operates under the premise that birth is a natural biological event, not necessarily a medical one. Birthing is an act between mom and baby, and their bodies know what to do instinctively.

We offer group sessions for expectant people and their birth companions to support each other as you learn about and practice HypnoBirthing® techniques. We prepare for your childbirth by focusing on relaxation, breathing and self-hypnosis techniques to reduce fear and anxiety to create a calm and relaxing environment and have the birth experience you want.

Learn More About Birthing Unafraid – HypnoBirthing® Group Workshops

Begin Your Healing Journey with Hypnotherapy

At Shanti Psychotherapy, we are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that empowers individuals to achieve their goals and improve their well-being.

Hypnotherapy is an innovative and effective tool for addressing a wide range of challenges. It can help you uncover insights, break unhelpful patterns, and create positive changes in your life. If you’re ready to explore hypnotherapy, we offer a free 20-minute consultation. During this consultation, we can discuss your needs, explore how to support you and create a plan that aligns with your goals.

Contact a Member of Our Intake Team

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Being raised by a narcissistic parent can shape an entire life!

A child learns that love has to be earned and that their feelings come second. Those lessons follow them into adulthood, affecting relationships, self-worth, and self-perception.

Choosing distance is rarely sudden. It usually comes after years of trying to be seen, heard, and loved.

In her new article, Shanti clinician Rashmi Kumar, RP, who specializes in healing from narcissistic abuse, explores:

• Why children are wired to seek a parent’s approval, and what happens when love comes with conditions

• The lasting toll: people-pleasing, hypervigilance, self-blame, and trouble setting boundaries

• The breaking point, when no amount of effort will change their behaviour

• “Ambiguous loss,” grieving a parent who is still alive, and gentle ways to create your own closure

• What estrangement can mean for your relationship with the other parent

• Cultural pressure: when “family comes first” adds guilt to an already painful decision • How therapy can help you rebuild self-worth without losing your culture

Estrangement isn’t about ending love. It’s about ending harm.

It’s more common than you think, and you are not alone. You can heal from this, and we’re here to help.

📖 Read the full article: link in bio
📞 Free 20-minute consultation: (437) 747-0692
🌐 shantipsychotherapy.ca

#narcissisticparent #narcissisticabuse #familyestrangement #adultchildrenofnarcissists #ambiguousloss

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Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 18115076959999316
Being raised by a narcissistic parent can shape an entire life!A child learns that love has to be earned and that their feelings come second. Those lessons follow them into adulthood, affecting relationships, self-worth, and self-perception.Choosing distance is rarely sudden. It usually comes after years of trying to be seen, heard, and loved.In her new article, Shanti clinician Rashmi Kumar, RP, who specializes in healing from narcissistic abuse, explores:• Why children are wired to seek a parent’s approval, and what happens when love comes with conditions• The lasting toll: people-pleasing, hypervigilance, self-blame, and trouble setting boundaries• The breaking point, when no amount of effort will change their behaviour• “Ambiguous loss,” grieving a parent who is still alive, and gentle ways to create your own closure• What estrangement can mean for your relationship with the other parent• Cultural pressure: when “family comes first” adds guilt to an already painful decision • How therapy can help you rebuild self-worth without losing your cultureEstrangement isn’t about ending love. It’s about ending harm.It’s more common than you think, and you are not alone. You can heal from this, and we’re here to help.📖 Read the full article: link in bio 📞 Free 20-minute consultation: (437) 747-0692 🌐 shantipsychotherapy.ca#narcissisticparent #narcissisticabuse #familyestrangement #adultchildrenofnarcissists #ambiguousloss

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My high five "why": NO ONE should have to put aside their culture before they can heal.

I`m Angie Agrawal-Holstein, proud mom of three, a trauma therapist, and the founder of Shanti Psychotherapy.

I grew up second-generation South Asian in Southern Ontario. After 25 years in mental health, I know culture is the missing piece in care.

Research shows culturally adapted therapy brings 4.7 times greater odds of symptom remission (Hall et al., 2016). Yet most people have never heard of culturally relevant therapy or language matching. So they settle for one-size-fits-all care, and too many end up back in a revolving-door system.

At Shanti, therapy is offered in 15 languages by clinicians who understand family expectations, faith, stigma, and what it`s like to live between cultures. You don`t have to translate your feelings or explain where you come from. You can simply begin.

If we win the High Five Grant, it will fund a Canada-wide awareness campaign so people know this kind of care exists and can find it:

• A video series of our clinicians explaining culturally relevant therapy, in their own languages • Targeted outreach to newcomer and international student communities • Translated pamphlets for campus events, including our seven Laadliyan university chapters • Subsidized sessions through our Making Therapy Accessible Program

Culture isn`t a bonus in therapy. It`s essential.

Thank you @usbank and @highfivegrant for investing in mom entrepreneurs.

#highfivegrant #culturallyrelevanttherapy #languagematching #mentalhealthcanada #momentrepreneur #shantipsychotherapy

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Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 18111231313852175
My high five "why": NO ONE should have to put aside their culture before they can heal.I'm Angie Agrawal-Holstein, proud mom of three, a trauma therapist, and the founder of Shanti Psychotherapy.I grew up second-generation South Asian in Southern Ontario. After 25 years in mental health, I know culture is the missing piece in care.Research shows culturally adapted therapy brings 4.7 times greater odds of symptom remission (Hall et al., 2016). Yet most people have never heard of culturally relevant therapy or language matching. So they settle for one-size-fits-all care, and too many end up back in a revolving-door system.At Shanti, therapy is offered in 15 languages by clinicians who understand family expectations, faith, stigma, and what it's like to live between cultures. You don't have to translate your feelings or explain where you come from. You can simply begin.If we win the High Five Grant, it will fund a Canada-wide awareness campaign so people know this kind of care exists and can find it:• A video series of our clinicians explaining culturally relevant therapy, in their own languages • Targeted outreach to newcomer and international student communities • Translated pamphlets for campus events, including our seven Laadliyan university chapters • Subsidized sessions through our Making Therapy Accessible ProgramCulture isn't a bonus in therapy. It's essential.Thank you @usbank and @highfivegrant for investing in mom entrepreneurs.#highfivegrant #culturallyrelevanttherapy #languagematching #mentalhealthcanada #momentrepreneur #shantipsychotherapy

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Violence and aggression toward education staff are increasing, raising important questions about the mental health and behavioural supports available within schools.

In a recent CBC News article, Shanti founder and trauma therapist Angie Agrawal Holstein speaks to the growing expectations placed on educators:

“It is not possible for teachers to wear all these different hats of behaviour specializations, diagnostics, as well as the emotional counseling support.”

Supporting students also means ensuring educators have access to the right professionals, resources, and systems around them.

🔗 Read the full CBC News article for more on this important issue in our bio.

#shantipsychotherapy #mentalhealthinschools #teachermentalhealth #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthsupport education

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/violence-against-education-staff-in-n-w-t-on-the-rise-union-says-9.7322079

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Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 18336535264275213
Violence and aggression toward education staff are increasing, raising important questions about the mental health and behavioural supports available within schools.In a recent CBC News article, Shanti founder and trauma therapist Angie Agrawal Holstein speaks to the growing expectations placed on educators:“It is not possible for teachers to wear all these different hats of behaviour specializations, diagnostics, as well as the emotional counseling support.”Supporting students also means ensuring educators have access to the right professionals, resources, and systems around them.🔗 Read the full CBC News article for more on this important issue in our bio.#shantipsychotherapy #mentalhealthinschools #teachermentalhealth #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthsupport educationhttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/violence-against-education-staff-in-n-w-t-on-the-rise-union-says-9.7322079

28 5

Do you find yourself replaying conversations, expecting the worst, or getting stuck in the same thoughts over and over again?

Anxiety can make it difficult to switch off, even when you know your thoughts aren’t helping. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you identify unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge them, and develop practical tools to respond differently.

Learn how CBT can help you break free from cycles of worry and build healthier ways of coping.

📞 Book a free consultation to learn more: https://www.shantipsychotherapy.ca/

#CBT #AnxietySupport #Overthinking #MentalHealthSupport #Psychotherapy

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Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 18086477825645946
Do you find yourself replaying conversations, expecting the worst, or getting stuck in the same thoughts over and over again?Anxiety can make it difficult to switch off, even when you know your thoughts aren’t helping. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you identify unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge them, and develop practical tools to respond differently.Learn how CBT can help you break free from cycles of worry and build healthier ways of coping.📞 Book a free consultation to learn more: https://www.shantipsychotherapy.ca/#CBT #AnxietySupport #Overthinking #MentalHealthSupport #Psychotherapy

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Meet Sonomi, Registered Psychotherapist at Shanti Psychotherapy. 🌿

Sonomi supports parents navigating stress, overwhelm, family challenges, and the everyday realities of raising children. She is passionate about helping parents build stronger connections with themselves and their families through compassionate, practical support.

📍 Virtual and in-person appointments available
📞 Book a free consultation to learn more

#MeetTheTherapist #Psychotherapy #ParentingSupport #mentalhealth

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Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 17997714071982938
Meet Sonomi, Registered Psychotherapist at Shanti Psychotherapy. 🌿Sonomi supports parents navigating stress, overwhelm, family challenges, and the everyday realities of raising children. She is passionate about helping parents build stronger connections with themselves and their families through compassionate, practical support.📍 Virtual and in-person appointments available 📞 Book a free consultation to learn more#MeetTheTherapist #Psychotherapy #ParentingSupport #mentalhealth

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