Client Testimonial: Anxiety & Fear of Death

Got this email from a client yesterday. We did three sessions focused on her persistent fear of death, and the resulting anxiety it caused. Here are her unedited words:


"I was living my life in a state of constant worry, fearing death at every turn. My phobia was becoming a crippling force in my life, leaving me nervous, exhausted, and unable to focus on the things that matter most. I wasn't sure what to expect with hypnosis, but working with Sean has helped me immensely. 


Letting go of some of my fears has been like a weight being lifted from my shoulders. I'm now able to channel my extra energy into my relationships with the people I love, projects that fulfill me, and generally much more positive thoughts. I now know what life feels like for people who don't have a fear that deeply haunts them, and I only wish I had tried hypnosis sooner. 


Re-listening to the sessions has the result of weeks of psychotherapy within only a few minutes. In some senses, you're allowing yourself to relax and reprogram in your brain whatever it is that's been wired wrong in the first place. And most refreshing of all, unlike what TV would lead you to believe about hypnosis, you feel more in control over your own thoughts than ever before."


-A.R. (Atlanta, GA)

Success Story: Fear of Elevators

Here's a message I just received from a client I've been working with on a fear of elevators, as well as a fear of flying. Prior to her initial session, her fear (stemming from claustrophobia) was so intense, she wouldn't even consider taking a ride on an elevator. In fact, the mere thought of an elevator was enough to make her feel extremely anxious and uncomfortable. Daring to look at one was almost unthinkable.

As far as her fear of flying is concerned, she has never taken a flight. Her fear of being trapped on a plane, unable to escape, had to this point prevented her from even considering making a reservation.

After her first session, she took a ride on an elevator (itself a huge step), felt more comfortable, but still had a bit of anxiety. After her second session with me, she sent the following email...

"Hi, Sean! Oh my god!! So today I was at SCAD to finish up projects and such for finals. I can’t even tell you how many times I rode the elevator!!! It was liberating! The first time, I was just a tiny bit nervous walking into it and when the doors closed. But I was totally fine on the ride and when it stopped because after it got all lined up, the doors opened. I can’t even begin to tell you how good this feels for me. I was relaxed and comfortable. This is so exciting for me. =) I honestly can’t thank you enough. And I'm thinking about booking a flight somewhere super soon! Thanks again! *Jenn"

Amazing Feedback from a Client

People sometimes wonder if the testimonials on my site are real, or if I just made them up. Well, I can tell you I'm simply not creative enough to make this stuff up!

The following are the words of a current client I've been working with on several issues that have been bothering her for years... some since childhood. After a couple sessions, the change has been so powerful that she's felt a need to express it in messages to me and other friends of hers. Below is a mix of what she wrote to them, to me, and on her blog. Take a look...

"I am FASCINATED!

I was as skeptical as anyone could possibly be... and positive that there was no way I could ever relax like that. It is not as bizarre as it sounds nor as terrifying to be "out of control" (which you are not) as I thought it would be. Friends of ours know Sean socially so I asked... got excellent feedback and took the plunge.

Sean is really fun and funny.

One of my fears is the phone. Sean called this morning to confirm due to ice on the roads and I called him back. No big deal?

Easy for you to say! I could answer a call most of the time, but returning a call was like pulling teeth. I saw the message, hit the button without thinking (or panicking) and called Sean back. Be there in 5 minutes, the roads are fine. I noticed how easy that was. So far so good....very good.

Unfortunately, in 5 minutes I was sliding backward on the steep, icy hill at his entrance. Had to call again (good grief...was this a test?) and ask if Sean could come rescue me.

Superman Sean came to my rescue and while "listening to the sound of his voice", he talked me down the hill. This is the "when pigs fly" moment. Shyness and stage fright were only the start of things... performance anxiety had a way of literally paralyzing me. In fact, the day of my first session with Sean, I could hardly make my way to his big comfy chair... with Sean pointing to it.

(In the past) when performance anxiety kicked in I simply could not function... there was no following directions, no appropriate response, just nothingness, as if frozen... as if drawing an enormous blank. Sliding down this hill, with two parked cars mere feet away, was a disaster waiting to happen in every sense.

When Sean arrived and explained how to get out of this mess we had the kicker: No panic attack, no shaking, no blanking out, no fainting or freezing, except from the cold. Nothing short of miraculous.

This was big... really BIG. What on Earth had just happened?
From the start I wondered how I was going to know this was working. I wondered what life would be like without being gripped by that powerful sensation of fear. What would "not panic" feel like? What does the absence of anything feel like? Would I recognize any change if it happened?

Tentatively, I would say it feels good. It feels safe. I feel grateful to the point of tears which feels odd... the tears part. I can see that there is more than a glimmer of hope... so much more.

This feels like Relief... quiet, very calm, relief.

The coolest thing is that it is effortless. I feel as if someone has reached down, pulled me up out of a deep pit and set me on my feet.

Strength, plus hypnosis, now have me skidding happily toward yet another great adventure. Yahoooooooooooo! Feel as if I am conquering my world!

No matter... high-five, fist bump, big hug and THANK YOU, Sean."

Ann Russell
Roswell, GA

Today's appearance on Q100's "The Bert Show"

Today I made my second appearance on "The Bert Show"... the popular morning show on Q100 in Atlanta. This time I got to talk about stop smoking hypnosis again (and how I'll soon be working with co-host Jenn Hobby), New Year's Resolutions, and then also answered some questions from listeners... which begins in part 2 below.

Public Speaking Confidence: Case Study

Just got a message from a client I worked with this past summer. When she first came in, she was terrified at the thought of speaking in front of her class. After a few sessions, and with the help of hypnosis CD recordings made during those sessions, this was the result:

"I just wanted to let you know that my presentation back in August went really well. I didn't look nervous at all, although I was but that is normal. Some people said that I was one of the best speakers in the class. After that I had another presentation, and it also went well.

Thank you very much for all your help."

-S.N.

Auburn, AL

I want to draw your attention to one important phrase she wrote: "although I was but that is normal." This is really so beautiful, because it is absolutely natural to have some nervous feelings of excitement when speaking publicly.

Typically, only seasoned veterans with years of experience feel completely comfortable when doing so. At least, that's been my experience. After years of doing improv comedy, I felt as comfortable on stage as I did in my own living room. Same thing goes with being in a classroom environment, in front of a TV camera, or anywhere else.

What's important in the beginning, at least when you've had experiences speaking that are so uncomfortable and tense, is that you acknowledge those feelings and move forward confidently. Usually, the other people in the room can't tell you're a bit nervous on the inside... even if you have a few butterflies.

For this client of mine, her experience will continue to improve with the more opportunities she has to speak. The best part is that she now knows she can do it, and that she can do it well. How pleasant it will be for her when those feelings dissolve completely... and she can really start having fun.

It's a blast to feel comfortable in front of an audience... very empowering. I think it's something everyone should experience at least a few times, and I'm happy to help others like her get on the path to that destination.

How I Helped an Iraq War Vet

This is an email I received today from an Iraq War vet I worked with just before Christmas 2008. It's nice to be of service to someone who's been of service.



Take a look:

"Hey, Sean. I'm not too entirely sure you remember me, but I had a visit with you just before Christmas. I just want to thank you so very much for everything. I still listen to our session every night just prior to falling asleep, and it totally helps me get in the right frame of mind to leave all of the day's worries and anxieties behind me.

Just recently I made the decision to completely stop taking the meds prescribed to me for sleeping/anxiety/hypervigilance, and I'm not lying when I say that I haven't slept this well in what seems like forever.

Crowds aren't as much of a problem for me, and I actually give other drivers on the road the benefit of the doubt instead of losing my mind!

When I left your office that day, I felt a high and a peace that I believe helped me start a new chapter in my life.

Thank you so much for doing what you do, man."

Taylor Michel, US Army Soldier
Fort Belvoir, VA