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You Can Rewire Your Brain – training

Posted on by Shari

 

Rewiring the Brain: Insights from Hypnosis, Communication, and Coaching

Introduction to CAP and My Journey

As a hypnotist and college professor teaching communication, I’ve had a unique journey blending psychotherapy, hypnosis, and coaching. I’m also a proud member of the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists (CAP), an organization that has served as a vital resource for unlicensed therapists, coaches, and holistic practitioners in Colorado since the early 1990s.

CAP was initially created for legislative advocacy and education. Over time, its focus shifted, especially after regulatory changes reclassified registered psychotherapists as “unlicensed,” and halted new registrations. Despite these setbacks, our commitment to diversity in mental health care remains strong.

Embracing a Multidisciplinary Approach

CAP represents a wide spectrum of professionals—from licensed psychologists to hypnotists, coaches, and practitioners of alternative modalities like Chinese medicine. This diversity fosters a vibrant community for consultation, networking, and collective support.

Personally, my path into hypnosis began in 1991, inspired by a desire to help a loved one through cancer. While that specific instance wasn’t a success, it sparked a passion that has influenced my work ever since. I became a certified coach in 2019, further expanding my toolbox.

Intrapersonal Communication: What Are You Saying to Yourself?

One of the foundational concepts I teach in both hypnosis and communication is intrapersonal communication—the conversation you have with yourself. I often ask people: “What are the last three things you said to yourself?” This question reveals the tone of our inner dialogue, which significantly impacts mental health and self-image.

Would you say those things to a child? If not, why say them to yourself?

The Power of Repetition and Salience

Neuroscience shows that the brain is shaped by repetition. As Joe Dispenza puts it, “Neurons that fire together, wire together.” This means our thoughts create neural pathways—positive or negative—that become habits.

A classic example is the “Clean Plate Club.” Many of us were taught to finish all the food on our plate, even when full. These early messages override our body’s natural signals, leading to ingrained, sometimes unhealthy behaviors. Recognizing and reframing these early beliefs can break the cycle.

The Brain’s Ability to Change: Neuroplasticity and Mindset

Our brains are not fixed. Through neuroplasticity, we can rewire connections at any age. Carol Dweck’s research on fixed vs. growth mindset reinforces this: most skills aren’t innate—they’re developed through effort. Hypnosis and coaching both leverage this principle to foster personal growth.

As we age, adapting becomes even more important. I’ve personally experienced how lifestyle changes, intuitive awareness, and mental shifts are necessary for physical and emotional health.

Trusting Intuition and the Subconscious Mind

Our subconscious often picks up on things before our conscious mind does. Intuition plays a crucial role in decision-making and personal safety. Ignoring our inner voice can lead us astray, while tuning in can lead to powerful insights.

Reframing: A Tool for Healing

One powerful technique from both hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy is reframing. It involves reinterpreting past experiences to reduce emotional impact. This simple yet powerful mental shift can create immediate transformation when practiced with awareness.

Circle of Control: Managing What Matters

Stephen Covey’s “Circle of Control” concept encourages us to focus on what we can control, which expands our influence over time. It’s a valuable reminder that our energy is best spent on the actionable, not the abstract.

CAP Today: A Platform for Growth and Community

While CAP may no longer have the legislative clout it once did, it continues to be a place for education, professional development, and mutual support. We host regular presentations and discussions to help professionals grow and adapt in this evolving field.

We welcome coaches, therapists, hypnotists, and other healing professionals to join us. Your voice, experience, and energy can help keep this community vibrant and responsive to future needs.

Ready to Rewire Your Brain? Join My Free 3-Day Challenge!

If you’re curious about how to create real, lasting change in your mindset and emotional patterns, I invite you to join my free 3-Day Challenge: Rewire Your Brain for Clarity, Calm, and Change.

Each day includes:

  • A short video lesson
  • A downloadable tool or worksheet
  • A guided audio exercise for deep mental shifts

Whether you’re a coach, therapist, healer—or just someone seeking personal transformation—this challenge will help you understand how to leverage neuroplasticity and hypnosis-informed techniques in your everyday life.

 Click here to access the Free 3-Day Challenge

Telehealth Best Practices For Psychotherapy

Posted on by Leland Hoover

Telehealth Resources For Psychotherapists

The pandemic has dramatically accelerated the adoption of telehealth in medicine and in psychotherapy. What are the best practices for telehealth in psychotherapy?

On Jan 15, 2021,  Dr. Reo Leslie, Ph.D., presented these resources for practicing teletherapy to a Town Hall meeting of the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists.

 

 

Activism: How To Be Involved And Effect Change

Posted on by Leland Hoover
how to become an advocate

Mental health practices are as varied as the diverse population we serve. One size does not fit all. Research shows that the most important factor in therapeutic outcomes is the quality of the relationship. To ensure the continued availability of quality, diverse mental health practitioners in Colorado, therapists and their clients need to engage the legislature to build support for unlicensed psychotherapy in Colorado. Activism is not something that comes naturally to most therapists.

The pandemic and its economic disruption have caused a surge in panic attacks, anxiety, and a host of mental health issues. People need help. If our voices are not heard, our clients could lose the help they need when they need us most.

If you care about therapy and counseling but don’t know where to start, please read “ Ten Veteran Organizers on the Key to Effective Activism” by ten leading activists on how to engage the public and legislators for change. The techniques described here are not specific to mental health. These methods are about how to effect change outside a therapeutic setting that we can use to protect quality mental health practices in Colorado.

If you care about mental health, get involved!

 

Mold a Silent, Hidden Problem in our Environment

Posted on by JenHansen

 

Mold is a silent, hidden problem lurking in 50% of our homes and workspaces. It is stated up to 28% of the U.S. population or 80 million people are profoundly affected by mold toxins with symptoms that are both physical and psychiatric.

Now we are learning mold can affect everyone to some degree when chronically exposed—yet we have no idea of the number of those affected. That’s because those suffering, without the classic symptoms of a mold allergy, are chronically misdiagnosed by the medical community. They do not test positive for any typical medical tests, leaving them feeling even more confused and depressed.

Cherry, a resident in Denver, suffered for many years. When she had tested negative for a mold allergy, her doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong.

Her symptoms included, developing sleep apnea, inflammation issues, weight gain, fatigue, and immune issues.

Finally, after getting a diagnosis of CIRS from a functional medicine Doctor,  she received special testing and it showed high levels of mold toxicity in her system.

Cherry moved out of her home of 15 years (built in the 1910’s) into an apartment (built in the 1930’s) but it tested even higher for mold.  The landlord gave her the option of a newer apartment (built in the 1980’s) and this one tested higher than the first two! “The age of the house has nothing to do with it” Cherry stated. However, landlord liability can be loose in being required to remedy the issue and she doesn’t want to go through moving again until she can figure out her environmental needs. She has decided to purchase an air purification system costing $1000 that can move with her. At this point there is not enough proof for the medical and housing/building communities that mold is really that big of a problem to start legislating responsibility.

Residential home and building construction methods drastically changed in 1970. New innovations and technologies made it possible to build virtually with paper, also know as drywall, sheet rock and particle board cabinetry. All buildings are susceptible to water damage but many of the homes in Colorado’s building boom were after 1970s. With age and poor material, there’s an increased possibility of a leaky roof, flooded basement and plumbing problems. That leads to one major issue: Once water touches cellulose material, harmful mold can grow unseen. Occupants get sick and have no idea why.

Many people have all heard about fibromyalgia, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic inflammatory response syndrome, auto immune disorder and Alzheimer’s. However, did you know mold (also known as biotin illness) could be the possible culprit of these conditions?

Or, could these conditions be the symptoms of mold illness?

“Millions of people are suffering from chronic illnesses that, unbeknownst to them, are the result of exposure to environmental toxins and infectious agents such as mold and Borrelia, which causes Lyme disease,” writes Dr. Neil Nathan in his book, Toxic. Dr. Nathan continues in the book, “Because the symptoms of these illnesses are so varied and unusual, many of these individuals have sought medical care only to be dismissed, as if what they are experiencing is ‘in their head.’ Many (if not most) have tried to tough it out and continue to function without hope of improvement. Unfortunately, their illnesses are very real.”

Because it’s not on the medical community’s radar, the medical community doesn’t generally test for mycotoxins sensitivity or bio-toxin buildup. This illness is not an allergy, it is an inflammation within the body which is caused by an immune system gone haywire.

Genetics have been shown to be a known factor for sensitivity. People can get tested for the HLA-DR gene, and researchers have found that those with the gene can have challenges removing and recovering from toxins. Cherry carries this gene. 

“A common concern for those who are trying to understand cognitive problems in moldy patients is to answer how is it that inflammation in the body is inflammation in the brain,” according to NeuroQuant links mold Illness to structural change in brain

NeuroQuant continues, “The blood brain barrier, as it is called, results from additional “tight junction features” between cells that line blood vessels. These tight junctions are loosened by particular inflammatory processes including TGF beta-1 and IL-1B. These two compounds are well shown to be significantly elevated in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndromes acquired following exposure to the interior environment of water-damaged buildings

“Mold toxins are lipophilic, meaning their molecular structure consists of fatty acid molecules. For this reason, mold toxins migrate to and deposit in the brain because the brain is the ‘fattiest’ organ, consisting of 60% fat.”

Once the mold enters the brain the swelling caused starts to destroy neurons, receptors and hormone production. One study showed that 93 out of 100 fibromyalgia patients tested positive for mold sensitivity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705282/

If you suspect a client might be suffering from mold sensitivity or bio-toxin illness, here are some common complaints to be aware of: chronic fatigue, memory issues, mood swings, skin issues, gut issues, increased sensitivity to chemicals, muscle cramps and aches, headaches, mental focus, disorientation, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and of course, fibromyalgia, CFS,  CIRS and sleep apnea. The very first line of defense is to have one’s environment tested and remediated if needed.

Erik Hansen, of Green Home Solutions in Denver, states,https://www.greenhomesolutions.com/centennial-co/  “It is a good idea for people to be mindful of any unwanted moisture or humidity inside of their homes.  Very small amounts of moisture can lead to large mold problems. Any unwanted moisture, whether it from interior plumbing leaks or exterior precipitation, that comes into contact with building materials, can cause mold start growing within 24-48 hours. Without a moisture source, toxic mold will not be able to colonize.” 

If the environment tests positive, www.survivingmold.com has a wealth of information on testing, diagnosis, treatment and remediation solutions. Dr. Nathan’s book, Toxic is a great resource for mold illness and other environmental toxins that affects us.

The good news is that once the diagnosis is made, this is a very treatable condition. The treatment must be done carefully and slowly as it can shock the system as the body detoxifies and symptoms can worsen through the process, as the mold toxins are mobilized. Cherry is feeling better with treatment, but understands that this will be a lifelong battle to find and maintain a mold free home.

People are exposed to even more mold toxins in our environment, toxins that we ingest; citric acid, magnesium citrate and zinc citrate. Today’s citrates are grown on mold for mass production because it is much cheaper to use than natural citrates that come from acidic fruit. This mass-produced citrate is now used in so much of our food, medication and supplements and vaccines. It’s almost impossible to avoid. Do folks with mold allergies and sensitivities know this?