{"id":251,"date":"2015-06-04T15:49:11","date_gmt":"2015-06-04T15:49:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/egreen.net\/?page_id=251"},"modified":"2015-06-04T15:49:11","modified_gmt":"2015-06-04T15:49:11","slug":"modesto-bee","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/egreen.net\/clinical-hypnosis\/in-the-news\/about-us\/modesto-bee\/","title":{"rendered":"Modesto Bee"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A_Trance_to_Quit\"<\/a>A Trance to quit<\/p>\n

Therapist helps kids stop smoking<\/p>\n

By Donna Birch<\/p>\n

Bee Staff Writer<\/p>\n

February 25, 1999<\/p>\n

Stockton – Kathy miller sat in an oversized recliner, nervously wringing hr hands. The 18-year-old wants to quit smoking. Virginia Lucas is going to help her.<\/p>\n

Lucas describes the technique she\u2019ll use to help the teen kink her nicotine habit. But miller is concerned about it effects.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t start barking like a dog or clucking like a chicken , will I?\u201d Miller sheepishly asks.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot unless you want to.\u201d Lucas replies<\/p>\n

Lucas is used to such questions concerning her smoking cessation method. She\u2019s a hypnotherapist at Evergreen Professional Hypnotherapy and uses her skills to help people quit smoking.<\/p>\n

She mostly works with adults, but for the past six years, Lucas has offered free hypnotherapy to teens who smoke and chew tobacco. She know how hare it is to quirt. She smoked for 12 years. \u201cI started when I was 18,\u201d Lucas says. \u201cIn those days, we didn\u2019t know (smoking) was bad for you.\u201d Now she says. \u201cMy fantasy is to stop so many people from smoking that the tobacco industry knows my name.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hypnosis has been around since the 18th century and was first practiced by a Austrian medical doctor. But people have lots of misconceptions about hypnosis, what it is and how it works. Some think hypnosis can make them do strange things. None of which is true.<\/p>\n

During hypnosis or hypnotherapy, the patient is in a relaxed but focused state of attention. At that point, the hypnotherapist gives the subject suggestion and new ideas bout themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cNon can make you do anything against your will.\u201d Lucas explains. \u201cfor a person to quit smoking (using hypnosis) they have to want to change.\u201d<\/p>\n

More than 100 teens have come to Lucas for help in six years. Most hear about her through work-of-mouth.<\/p>\n

Miller decided to try hypnosis after her fianc\u00e9, 21-year-old Kevin Williams, tried it three weeks earlier. He says he hasn\u2019t had a smoke since.<\/p>\n

Lucas, has only two requirements for teens to be eligible for the free hypnotherapy: All must be accompanied by a responsible adult and they have to want to quit for themselves, not just to please someone else.<\/p>\n

Lucas starts the session with a 10-minute conservation. She asks the basics: how long they\u2019ve smoked. Why the started and whether certain events trigger their urge to light up.<\/p>\n

In Miller\u2019s case peer pressure contributed to her habit. She started smoking when she was 15. \u201cI thought it was the cool thing to do.\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

The purpose of the interview, says Lucas, is to gauge how motivated the person is to quit. She asks her subject to read and sight a nonsmoking contract of commitment.<\/p>\n

Then it begins. Miller closes her eyes and relaxes in a recliner. After a few moments of deep breathing, Lucas gives Miller the suggestions that will help her quit.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can leave this office as a nonsmoker,\u201d Lucas says. \u201cGo back to when you 15, before you started smoking. You thought smoking was stinky and stupid. You have decided to stay away from smoking. The thought turns you off. You lost all cravings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Similar suggestions follow. At the end. Before Miller is brought back to a full state of awareness, Lucas tells her one last thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve kicked that habit. Kicked it in the butt. You are a nonsmoker becoming healthier.\u201d<\/p>\n

The session lasts about an hour. Miller gets a parting gift from Lucas: a little green card that reads \u201cProud nonsmoker,\u201d along with the date that she quit.\u201d<\/p>\n

While teens are offered one free individual hypnotherapy session, those who need some extra help can attend free reinforcement meetings where groups of ex-smokers meet.<\/p>\n

For more information on the free hypnotherapy for teen smokers, call Evergreen Professional Hypnotherapy at (209_ 472-0722 or the san Joaquin Safety Council (209) 472-7233<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Trance to quit Therapist helps kids stop smoking By Donna Birch Bee Staff Writer February 25, 1999 Stockton – Kathy miller sat in an oversized recliner, nervously wringing hr hands. The 18-year-old wants to quit smoking. Virginia Lucas is going to help her. Lucas describes the technique she\u2019ll use to help the teen kink… <\/p>\n

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