About Kristin
Kristin Volk Funk, M.Ed., CCH, has worked as a coach and educator since 1977. She holds a Bachelors degree in psychology, a Masters degree in counseling and is certified by the American Board of Hypnotherapy. The work practiced in her office are mind/body connection techniques and are not a replacement for licensed mental health counseling.
With over thirty years experience, Kristin offers individual coaching and hypnosis sessions and consults in areas of personal growth, stress reduction, pain management, motivation and goal attainment at business, medical and educational settings. She is a frequent speaker at wellness events and has conducted seminars nationwide teaching relaxation and guided imagery.
Kristin contributes as a writer for various wellness newspapers and has produced several relaxation, hypnosis and meditation CDs. She is in private practice in Roseville, MN, a suburb of St. Paul.
About Hypnosis
Hypnotic suggestion from a trained and experienced practitioner, along with the power of your own concentration and determination, can help you realize many of the life goals that may have seemed elusive. Also viewed as “guided meditation”, hypnosis is a tool that can provide you with immense rewards and self mastery.
What is a Hypnosis Consultant?
The self-hypnotic state is a state of relaxed concentration which anyone can enter naturally. Hypnosis Consultants provide their clients with instruction in how to enter this natural state more easily and effectively. Hypnosis Consultants do not prescribe solutions; rather they suggest ways to achieve goals. Suggestion is the use of imagination and visualization for self-improvement using self-help techniques. Hypnosis is not therapy, but rather a coaching tool to help clients become more optimistic, confident and focused. Using relaxation and imagination, clients can be assisted to regain self-control, manage weight, regain a positive mental attitude and manage situational stress. Hypnosis can help clients improve sleep, lessen fears, become more successful, enhance personal skills and assets, explore spirituality, promote wellness in their lives, set positive life goals and attract into their lives what they need or hope for.
How Does Hypnosis Work?
Having an undesirable habit that we want to stop, but find virtually impossible to do so, is NOT a matter of personal weakness or a lack of willpower. It can be seen as a function of how our mind works: the two parts of our mind, our conscious mind and our subconscious mind, may simply be in conflict. In general, the conscious mind is involved in problem solving – it is our awareness. Conversely, although the subconscious mind is very powerful and protective of you, it lacks the thinking and rationalizing abilities of the conscious mind. It is more like a huge library that stores memory of events and emotions. It is also where our habits are formed and kept. Under hypnosis, the subconscious mind becomes accessible and open to suggestions that YOU WANT TO HEAR. It then stores this “new” information about the changes you want to make. Now that the conscious and subconscious minds view a problem (or habit) similarly, changes can be surprisingly easy to make!
What Does Hypnosis Feel Like?
While in a state of hypnosis, your breathing slows and the muscles in your body become completely relaxed. Mentally and physically, it is an extremely pleasant sensation. Some people experience a feeling of lightness; others feel securely weighted in the chair. Because you remain mentally very alert and because it is not a “new” experience, some may even doubt that they actually were hypnotized. A look at the clock will usually dispel this notion for, as with another extremely pleasant experience, time flies under hypnosis! At New Health Visions, a professional and comfortable environment is always provided to facilitate your relaxation and success.
Is Hypnosis Safe?
Yes! As a naturally occurring event, the hypnotic state is perfectly safe. Actually you cannot be hypnotized unless you want to be hypnotized. Since you will never lose consciousness and will hear every word during your session, you will never relinquish control of your own self will and decision making abilities. If a suggestion were made which you fundamentally disagreed with or resented, you would simply emerge from this state of relaxation on your own. This is why it is so important for you and your hypnotherapist to understand and agree on your goals before hypnotic induction. Your choice of hypnotherapist should be a well-trained professional whom you can trust to work with you.
Can I be Hypnotized?
Virtually anyone who wants to be hypnotized CAN BE HYPNOTIZED! There are three basic factors that will influence your success with hypnosis:
- Being willing to be hypnotized
- Using your imagination
- Being motivated to accomplish your goals
Your hypnotherapist is a guide who will gently lead and assist you into your relaxed state.
How is Hypnosis Accomplished?
At New Health Visions, you will have the opportunity to first discuss your goals and have your questions about hypnosis answered. Then, a combination of progressive relaxation and guided imagery will be used to help you achieve a hypnotic state. At this point, the suggestions for change that you and your hypnotherapist have decided upon will be given to your subconscious mind, enabling you to accomplish your goals.
If you are unable to attend a session, simply listening to my self hypnosis and guided imagery recordings can be of great benefit. They are deeply relaxing and are customized to assist you in achieving many specific life goals.
What to Expect at Your Hypnosis Session with Kristin
Hello! Thank you for taking time to explore my services and how I may be of assistance to you.
Your individual hypnosis session is strictly confidential, private and customized to your unique goals, personality and life challenges. We can meet in my office or remotely. If you choose remote participation, please try to ensure a quiet, comfortable and private setting for yourself. Headsets are recommended, but not required. In-person sessions are conducted in my relaxing and professional office space.
Together, we will explore not only your goals and desire to change, but also any self-limiting beliefs and triggers that may be blocking your success and happiness. I like to schedule 90 minutes per session. My experience has shown that to get the best results, a comfortable pace for inner exploration without either of us feeling rushed is optimal. The exploration part of the session runs from 30 to 45 minutes. The remaining time will be spent in the deeply relaxing state of hypnosis, integrating what we discussed and agreed upon within your subconscious mind.
Hypnosis allows new, healthy reactions and beliefs to enter the subconscious realm of the mind, where our automatic responses and habits reside and are activated.
During your session, I will help you reach a very deep, safe, pleasant and healing state of relaxation and also offer you tools and techniques to not only deal with life stress and challenges but to also increase your self-esteem and general well-being.
You can expect my total focus and dedication to assist you in reaching your goals. At the end of each session, I may make recommendations for future sessions, but the decision is entirely your own. In my 30 years of coaching and hypnosis work, I have gained utmost confidence in the ability of us all to create positive change by combining the power of the subconscious mind with the motivation to be happy and healthy.
Please feel free to email any questions you may have and to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation or a 90-minute session. Thank you for taking the time to explore my services and how they may help you reach your life goals!