Depth Hypnosis

Depth Hypnosis is a highly effective therapeutic model created by Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D., in the mid-1990s. It offers a psycho-spiritual approach to healing that offers a much deeper window into the psyche and personal power of the individual than traditional therapeutic approaches. Many clients turn to this spiritual counseling model when they have reached a plateau with conventional talk therapy and are ready to delve deeper into their process of self-understanding and growth. This work is ideal for those interested in spiritual growth, personal transformation, and self-mastery.

The structure of Depth Hypnosis places the client firmly in control and requires the practitioner to guide and support the client in accessing the insights that lie within their own consciousness. The synergistic combination of key principles of transpersonal psychology, Buddhism, hypnotherapy, energy medicine, and the earth-based wisdom of shamanism provides a single access point to the ancient healing traditions of many world cultures. This access is valuable, as it allows the client to step outside of the structures within which they may have experienced deep wounding, offering them direct access to their internal resources. The focus of Depth Hypnosis is the empowerment of the individual.

The Elements of Depth Hypnosis

A New Take on Hypnotherapy

Depth Hypnosis differs greatly from Ericksonian hypnosis, or suggestion hypnosis, which is what most people think of when they hear the word hypnosis. Suggestion hypnosis is done by the hypnotherapist implanting suggestions into the client’s subconscious mind. Suggestion hypnosis can be effective at times, in particular as a short-term alleviation of symptoms, and can therefore be a bit of a band-aid.

Depth Hypnosis offers an approach that transcends the words hypnosis or hypnotherapy and embodies a rich blend of spiritual, psychological, and therapeutic elements. Depth Hypnosis counters the practices of suggestion hypnosis by going beneath the presenting issues to the root cause, creating an atmosphere for true and lasting holistic healing to occur.

The "Depth" portion of the name of this modality arises from the ability to work at a deeply personal level in a non-threatening, safe, and empowering manner - it does not refer to the client entering a deep hypnotic trance or being unconscious. The term "Hypnosis" describes times in which the client is guided by the practitioner into a state of alert yet focused relaxation while remaining fully conscious and in control of the process. This lightly altered mental state may be referred to as a trance or hypnotic state, and most closely resembles daydreaming, meditating, or that relaxed state of mind between being soundly asleep and fully awake.

All of the hypnotherapeutic practices within Depth Hypnosis are considered to be light trance work, which is similar to meditation, so the client is always aware of what is happening during the session. The primary hypnotherapeutic practices within the Depth Hypnosis model are guided meditation and visualization that assist the client in connecting to aspects of themselves that may need healing. Depth Hypnosis is highly effective in helping the client create a connection to their own deeper wisdom and power.

Shamanic Practices

The shamanic practices offered in Applied Shamanism offer a window into one’s inner world that is rarely viewed or even acknowledged in the West. Applied Shamanism was born directly from Core Shamanism and the teachings of Michael Harner. Michael Harner was considered to be the grandfather of shamanism in the West and traveled to South America extensively to study with the shaman there.

I do not call myself a Shaman; I am a shamanic practitioner, and I incorporate shamanic practices like soul retrieval, power retrieval, and the shamanic journey with the utmost respect and humility. These practices are profoundly healing, and their benefits extend to individuals, animals, and the Earth. The Journey fosters a deep reconnection with one's inner wisdom and the potent and supportive forces of nature. Dream interpretation rejuvenates our inner landscape, while soul and power retrievals play a pivotal role in mending various forms of trauma and reclaiming our sense of sovereignty. Through the journey, we come to know supportive allies that exist in our inner landscape, and learn to connect with them to reclaim a sense of safety, inner knowing, and belonging in the world.

Buddhist Psychology: The Path to Liberation

The principles of Buddhist psychology instill a belief in the possibility of liberation from suffering. The Buddha taught that pain is a part of life and that suffering is optional. Through walking the eightfold path, we find a way of life that liberates us from suffering by walking the Middle Way that is neither too attached to content nor too much in aversion. This path invites us to examine our conscious and unconscious attachments, aversions, and misconceptions, and how we might block our own experience of life or access to joy. Depth Hypnosis, infused with mindfulness and direct experience, encourages a journey of personal discovery rather than a blind adherence to preconceived beliefs. Buddha once said, “Don’t believe me; go see for yourself.” Direct experience is a hallmark of the Depth Hypnosis model of healing.

Transpersonal Psychology: Going Deeper

Recognizing a spiritual dimension in human experiences, transpersonal psychology asserts that challenges, blocks, or issues fundamentally contain a spiritual component. As a spiritual counselor, I believe healing is an inward journey, reducing the need for external fixes, props, or solutions. This approach harmoniously complements other modalities, including Somatic Experiencing, trauma recovery coaching, traditional therapy, and religious practices. There is no need for “belief,” only practice.

Integrated Energy Medicine

Energy Medicine is a field of study in the world of energy. The idea behind energy medicine is that everything in existence on the most fundamental level is energy. The new learnings from quantum physics support the theories of this work. Integrated energy medicine is the study of the balance between mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of our state of being. Whenever one of these is cut off from or in disharmony with any of the others, the whole system is thrown into imbalance, resulting in emotional and psychological disruption.

A Synergistic Form of Healing

The power of the Depth Hypnosis approach lies in the synergy between the elements, which are all powerful as standalone modalities.

The practice champions radical self-responsibility, offering a transformative journey as intricate and unique as each individual. It is a voyage through one's consciousness, navigated through spiritual counseling, hypnosis (guided meditation and visualization), insight inquiry, somatic practices, dream work, inner child and parts work, meditation, and shamanic journeying. This path illuminates the hurdles disrupting life's harmony, offering glimpses of one's true self, purpose, and potential.

I was certified as a Hypnotherapist in the spiritual counseling practice of Depth Hypnosis in 2009.