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Cocaine – The Nature of Addiction

Posted on by Cornelius Posted in Addiction, Counselling, Hypnotherapy

Cocaine – The nature of addiction is the act of slowly sinking into a spiralling abyss – you think you can control it, but it ends up controlling you.  We can look at all the medical research and the psychological reasons why behaviour that basically provides a brief euphoria carries such a heavy physical and social price.

cigarette-cocaine-drug-alcohol-addiction-treatment

Research has shown that there is no real medical treatment that has been approved in the USA and there seems a lack of awareness of the need for it.  Research undertaken on the ability of dexamphetamine and amphetamine salts to positively treat cocaine dependence, carried out by Peter Blanken (et al) in 2018 shows that it can be more effective than the medications such as methadone and buprenorphine.  However, further research in the US by Christine Meade (et al) cite cocaine use as a very real, world problem with approximately 5.5 million people who are users, of whom one million developed cocaine use disorder, or physical consequences.  This research looked at MRI evidence for long term effects of chronic abuse on brain function, and the influence on negative behaviours that result in disease, crime and violence.

In terms of effects on the physical body it was found that the spleen can be the most affected due to shrinkage.  This was discovered during research in Tokyo by Moeka Nomura  when cocaine was given to rats and showed a reduction in red blood cells and an increase in collagen in the spleen.  Other negative outcomes such as cardiovascular disturbance, along with abdominal complications, induce rupture in the spleen.  This affects the immune system, since it monitors the blood and these deficiencies may encourage depressive feelings. 

Interestingly, it has been shown that women become addicted to cocaine faster than their male counterparts.  Jane Maxwell, in an article for the Addiction Research Institute in 2020, discussed the effects of cardiovascular (heart) and neurological (cognitive) issues resulting in symptoms such as seizures, slurred speech, headaches and hallucinations, along with nausea and possibly anorexia (Leikin & Poloncek 1998).

It also seems there is a time lapse from the start of cocaine use to seeking treatment, which can be anything from 8 to 15 years.  The use of the drug has become more common place, accepted along with other addictive substances, and the risks ignored; this will have a knock-on effect to society. 

Trying to hide the habit becomes more difficult as the body becomes adapted and struggles to maintain this illusion without complaining, while sending messages to you through illness and disease, that it is time to STOP. 

Empowering Internal, Eternal Peace

Posted on by Cornelius Posted in 2020, Meditation
Meditating at sunset beautiful skies - Cornelius Counselling

Meditation – a word we are all familiar with, but sadly not as widely practiced as it should be.

Given the extremely difficult conditions we have all faced on a day to day basis this year with Covid19, lockdowns, infection and R Rates, the sad loss of so many people, furloughing, redundancies etc. and will continue to face for possibly many months through winter, we need a release valve from the worries, tensions, fears and despair brought about by the prevailing cloud of Covid19 induced uncertainty.

Meditation can be experienced in many ways – it may be a country walk through our natural environment that enables you to contemplate on daily issues and consider possible solutions within the peace of the flora and fauna. A lot of changes can materialize by just stepping off the daily roller coaster and giving your inner voice a chance to give relay its wisdom, if you can but listen.

Fifteen minutes before starting your day

It would be a really beneficial habit to have a ‘fifteen minute quiet time’ before starting your day. Gently closing the eyes and keeping still in a seated position. I advise not to drink coffee when you rise in the morning – it disrupts the body’s natural waking process – start with hot water and lemon to cleanse and detox the system; coffee can come later.

Ten yogic breaths that will calm your world

Anxiety and panic are devastating emotions that have a lasting effect on the energy system and can also have long-term effects physically in many forms, dependent upon the issues and circumstances.

Should you find yourself in this type of anxious situation, it is worth remembering to deep breath – in fact, why not practice ten yogic breaths that will eradicate the initial fearsome thoughts and feelings? I give a simple formula below that you can use when anxiety strikes, often without notice.

Any long term anxieties and fears need to be treated by a professional and hypnotherapy is truly effective, so bear this in mind. Often just talking through the issues helps enormously so it is important not to “bottle up” emotions.

desert sunset - Cornelius Counselling

I am also going to suggest a visualisation for you to concentrate on that will help calm your mind and put you into a calm frame of mind. When we are calm and at peace we can think more clearly and more easily find those elusive solutions.

  • Sit quietly in a chair with feet on the ground and close your eyes.
  • Relax and breathe slowly and evenly.
  • Begin to count, breathing deeply for a count of four, hold the breath for a count of four and then breathe slowly and evenly out for a count of six.
  • Continue to breathe in this rhythm for ten breaths.

Feel the air pass easily through your nostrils, down your windpipe and into your lungs. You are in control of your breathing, complete control, from now on whenever you feel an anxiety or panic you can quickly stop it by relaxing every muscle in your body.

Concentrate on your breathing. Relax your breathing and begin to imagine yourself in a beautiful vast, clean desert, breathing in clean cool spring air; feel it go deep into your lungs.

As you imagine this clear desert air going deep into your lungs, your breathing returns to normal. Your mind becomes calm and focused with your own private thoughts. Your breath is slow and steady; every part of your body is breathing with each steady inhalation. Allow this controlled breathing to take you to a deep peace, letting go of attachments, feeling lighter.

You are relaxed but energised, at peace in the silence and all is well. Stay in this state of total relaxation until you are ready to bring your focus back to the moment.

There are times in our lives when too many voices seem to be pulling us this way and that. Our very confusion in such situations is a reminder to seek silence centering within. Only then are we able to hear our truth.

Osho Zen

For more information contact:

MARY WHITE
Cornelius Counselling & Hypnotherapy
marywhite@corneliuscounselling.co.uk
01732 822 172 or 07990 981 004

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Trip to Cairo, Egypt

Posted on by Cornelius Posted in Uncategorized
Steps to Beni Hassan Tombs

This article appeared in the quarterly magazine of the Sussex Egyptology Society in March 2020.

I was really looking forward to the trip to Cairo this time, because I planned a trip with Araby, an Egyptology guide, and a driver to visit the Beni Hassan tombs, as well as Amarna in Minya during February 2020.

Steps to Beni Hassan Tombs
Steps to Beni Hassan Tombs
Armana Landscape
Armana Landscape

These were sites I have not previously visited. Araby had assured me that we could do it in one day, which in hindsight was rather optimistic! We set off from the Mena House Marriott Hotel at 6.30 am on the morning of 5th February after a hasty breakfast, with a brief stop along the way for tea. It was estimated it would take us three and half hours to travel the 300 kms. However, getting through Cairo is the difficulty, but the open roads were trouble-free.

Armana
Armana

We arrived at Beni Hassan at about 10.30 am. I was warned about the climb to the tombs, but the climb was really worth it; in fact climbing the steps was made fairly easy if taken in stages. We visited the four tombs of the Governors dating from c.2050 to c.1800 BC.  These were the 12th Dynasty tombs of Khunumhotep II and Amenemhat, and the 11th Dynasty tombs of Baqet III and Khety.

Khunumhotep Tomb 12th Dynasty
KhunumhotepTomb 12th Dynasty
Khety Tomb
Khety Tomb

I was enthralled by the art on the walls, particularly the wrestling and dancing scenes,  and the surprise was seeing yoga positions high up on the walls in Khety’s tomb.

Egyptian Wrestling
Egyptian Wrestling

We then travelled to Amarna for a brief picnic lunch before climbing once more to reach the tombs from the time of Akhenaten. These were beautiful, and was particularly struck by the pillars I saw in all the tombs, but sad at the damage caused by the Copts who had lived in them. Araby told me that there are a number of stelae cut into the rock to mark the boundary of the city of Amarna. He said that the best example of the hymn of Aten is reflected in David’s Psalm 117.

I looked it up when I returned home: “Oh Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise him all be people. For his merciful kindness is great towards us; and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.  Praise ye the Lord.”

We travelled back to Cairo early evening but encountered heavy traffic in Cairo, which delayed my returning to the hotel  It was the end to a very tiring day, but well worth the effort.

As well as Mary’s counselling and hypnotherapy business she works with University of Greenwich and has a passion for Egyptology.

For more information contact:

MARY WHITE
Cornelius Counselling & Hypnotherapy
marywhite@corneliuscounselling.co.uk
01732 822 172 or 07990 981 004

Breaking the Obesity Code

Posted on by Cornelius Posted in Counselling, Hypnotherapy, Obesity, Psychotherapy, Weight loss
Breaking the Obesity Code

In the wake of the Covid19 pandemic, obesity has been put in the spotlight by our Government and more awareness has been created because of the balancing effects this has had on recovery rates. So, the question is: Do you have difficulty managing your weight? Do you look at a cake and put on 2lbs? Or, do you just enjoy food too much?

The road to thinness can be relatively trouble free through engaging with the effectiveness of the hypnotherapy route

Whatever your reason for breaking the obesity code – there may be some underlying issue you are not even aware of – the road to thinness can be relatively trouble free through engaging with the effectiveness of the hypnotherapy route, either to kick start the process of weight loss, or to supplement the progress with other weight losing programmes as an aid to keeping on track.

Controlling unhealthy eating habits

The inability to control unhealthy eating habits; the inability to maintain control over consumption may also be as a result of, for example, a difficult childhood or trauma, relationship issues, or feelings of floating along with no clear direction in life. These are some issues that can affect eating habits.

Obesity and comfort eating can, in the majority of cases, successfully be treated through counselling to get to the root of any underlying issues and hypnotherapeutic intervention may be used successfully to correct any negative thought processes that dominate the behaviour, thus reversing the habit of over- or binge-eating, and giving freedom and release from the self-defeating habit, gradually dispelling the troubling thoughts and feelings that have triggered the behaviour initially.  This method of treatment can produce quite rapid results in some instances, but is dependent on the willingness of the individual to respond in a positive way to treatment.

Changes needed to support and maintain

Most individuals who seek my help for weight management (i.e. binge eating, unhealthy choices or constant snacking, not to forget drinking habits) and want to break the obesity code tend to be unaware of the deeper meanings affecting their lives. I encourage my patients to consider the changes needed to support and maintain the positive outcomes in their everyday lives. We discuss dietary habits and recommend new dietary programmes to assist in the day-to-day progress, and which may be reinforced or supplemented by the therapy.

If you are aware of the relaxation techniques associated with meditation and states of semi-awareness, known as the hypnogogic state, where one strives to be in the realm of hovering between wakefulness and sleep, (this is a natural state when waking from a night of peaceful sleep) then this is the type of experience you would expect when engaging with this therapy.

By embracing hypnotherapy as a solution, this paves the way for gentle “self-regeneration” and provides the platform for grounding and balancing the energy system in a meaningful way, enabling the individual to go forward feeling healthy and having a positive outlook.

I see these issues of depression, anxiety and stress on a regular basis in my practice and they manifest in many different ways, one of which is obesity; the inability to control negative and unhealthy eating habits which may be a form of self-punishment, perhaps through guilt, inability to cope with the loss of a loved one, lack of direction in life, or not feeling loved and valued. 

Maintaining control over consumption

The inability to maintain control over consumption may also be as a result of a difficult childhood and troubled home environment where there is a trauma minefield of abuse or living in an addictive household where situations are unstable and changing due to substance or alcohol abuse. Another cause to be addressed may be current relationship issues or feelings of floating with no clear direction; all such issues foster the spiral of negative eating behaviour and the inability of breaking the obesity code.

Obesity and comfort eating may be considered as a form of addiction which, “in the moment”, suppresses the internal processing of unhappy external experiences and influences, which have profoundly impacted on the individual’s perception of life’s journey. 

This can successfully be treated through counselling to get to the root of the issues and hypnotherapeutic intervention may be used to correct the negative thought processes that fuel the subconscious dominating the behaviour, thus reversing the habit of over- or binge-eating and giving the individual freedom and release from the self-defeating habit, as well as relief from the troubling thoughts and feelings that have triggered the behaviour initially. This method of treatment can be quite rapid in some instances, but is dependent on the extent of the emotional damage and the willingness of the individual to respond in a positive way to treatment.

Most patients who seek my help for eating disorders, (i.e. binge eating, unhealthy choices or constant snacking) tend to be oblivious to the deeper issues affecting their lives. I encourage my patients to consider alternative methods to support and maintain the positive changes in their everyday lives as a result of the hypnogogic intervention. It is important for them to see the benefits of practicing meditation  which  is akin to the hypnotherapy experience in the consulting room, and to practice meditation themselves regularly. 

Related strongly to this is the inclusion of yoga practice on a regular basis which is able to maintain the balance of peace and tranquillity which has been achieved through the treatment, to continue. This enables the individual to maintain this state on an ongoing basis in their psyche, and can be a combination of body and face asanas. By embracing hypnotherapy as a solution, this paves the way for gentle “self” regeneration and provides the platform for grounding and balancing the chakra system in a meaningful way, enabling the individual to let go of past fears and disappointments and go forward allowing the energy to blossom in a healthy and positive way.

For more information contact:

MARY WHITE
Cornelius Counselling & Hypnotherapy
marywhite@corneliuscounselling.co.uk
01732 822 172 or 07990 981 004

3rd Annual Conference in Higher Education at MSA University, Cairo

Posted on by Cornelius Posted in Conferences, Public Speaking

Visit to Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA) University, Cairo, Egypt for 3rd Annual International Conference in Higher Education, in collaboration with The University of Greenwich.

 

I was delighted to be able to deliver a presentation on stress and anxiety at this conference which was held on 3rd April 2019, in the 6th October district of Cairo and to gain more knowledge regarding the work of the University and its academics.  I was privileged to attend with members of the two universities.

My presentation covered my own area of research, namely the causes and effects of stress and anxiety for academics on campus.

This was a short trip of four days and we were well looked after by MSA staff.  It was another opportunity to see a little more of Cairo, too, as we had one day free to visit the local market and the famous old El Fishawy café in Old Cairo.  I personally took the opportunity to visit the Saqqara tomb and pyramid site in the ancient city of Memphis, with a lunch stop over at a local farmhouse.  The finale was an evening visit to the open-air hilltop restaurant in New Giza, overlooking the whole expanse of the metropolis of Cairo, before heading back to the Mena House Hotel to pack and depart early the next morning.

Hotel staff are exceptionally helpful and attentive and the hotel is positioned beautifully next to the Giza pyramids – I was very pleased to see that the tourist population is back in Egypt to enjoy and savour so much history and heritage along with the colourful bustling of the local Egyptians in this city that never sleeps.

For more information contact:

MARY WHITE
Cornelius Counselling & Hypnotherapy
marywhite@corneliuscounselling.co.uk
01732 822 172 or 07990 981 004

 

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Workplace Myopia: Transnational Multidisciplinary Research Conference

Posted on by Cornelius Posted in Conferences
Workplace Myopia: What price anxiety and stress experienced by academics in a university campus environment? A psychoanalytic study; by Mary White, Cornelius Counselling

Topic Presentation: Workplace Myopia: What price anxiety and stress experienced by academics in a university campus environment? A psychoanalytic study;

Held by: The October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA) and the University of Greenwich (UoG)
Date: 6th October 2018
Location: Cairo, Egypt on 2nd October 2018

Workplace Myopia:What price anxiety and stress experienced by academics in a university campus environment? A psychoanalytic study, by Mary White, Cornelius Counselling

Workplace Myopia:What price anxiety and stress experienced by academics in a university campus environment? A psychoanalytic study, by Mary White, Cornelius Counselling

As a regular visitor to MSA on behalf of UoG in my capacity as an external educator and moderator, it was my pleasure to accept their invitation to present the area of my PhD research at this conference.

It encompassed a discussion regarding the incremental changing landscape of education and the impact on academic staff which challenges the traditional concept of academic learning. It covered a range of issues that contribute to the emotional state and positive/negative perception of the environment and criteria that impact on performance, job satisfaction and wellbeing.

This conference was of interest to the local press and I understand the difficulty was for the translation of the area of my work into Arabic for their publication!

I am very pleased to say I have an invitation to return to their next conference which is education related, in April 2019.

For more information contact:

MARY WHITE
Cornelius Counselling & Hypnotherapy
marywhite@corneliuscounselling.co.uk
01732 822 172 or 07990 981 004

The Safety of Eating – Changing Coping Mechanisms with Hypnotherapy

Posted on by Cornelius Posted in Conferences, Hypnotherapy, Public Speaking
Cornelius Counselling and Hypnotherapy - Anti Ageing Foundation - Mary White Public Speaker May 2018

On the 9th May 2018 I set off on yet another privileged expedition to India, this time for a medical conference set in Chandigarh in the Punjab region of northern India at the foothills of the Himalaya mountain range. I travelled to Delhi and from there was driven to the celebratory purpose built city of Chandigarh, notable as it marked the end of the Raj. It is in a very pretty setting although the pressure of attending the conference limited any time for much exploration and this was kept to a minimum.

Cornelius Counselling and Hypnotherapy - Anti Ageing Foundation - Mary White Public Speaker May 2018  Cornelius Counselling and Hypnotherapy - Anti Ageing Foundation - Mary White Public Speaker May 2018

My presence there enabled me to present my academic paper on : “The Safety of Eating: Changing coping mechanisms with hypnotherapy”, which I delivered to an audience of medical practitioners drawn from across the country as well as other visitors from the USA and Canada.

Read more under Weight Management…..

Anti Ageing Foundation : Society of Regenerative Aesthetic and Functional Medicine

Posted on by Cornelius Posted in Conferences, Hypnotherapy, Public Speaking

Anti Ageing Foundation : Society of Regenerative Aesthetic and Functional Medicine


Visit to Delhi, India – November 2017

The Anti Ageing Foundation or AAF was founded by Dr. Prabhu Mishra, stem cell research surgeon who works in collaboration with the StemGenn Therapeutics centre for regenerative medicine in India through therapy to improve health and wellbeing at every stage of life and to treat a range of conditions. The work of the Foundation and Centre embraces reproductive medicine, weight management, cosmetic gynaecology, cell therapy, aesthetic medicine, nutrition as well as other related areas.

The AAF Women Wellness Forum was formed as a global platform to exchange and share ideas and opportunity in women’s health and beauty.

I was very honoured to have been co-opted onto the Executive Board of AAF Women Wellness Forum by Dr. Prabhu Mishra and as a result was invited to deliver a talk at the Congress held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Delhi on 14th November 2017 on “Obesity : Managing change through hypnotherapy”.

  

This became a “flying visit” of four days to renew collaboration with this group of medical and natural remedy practitioners to exchange ideas and innovations.

  

This was a welcome platform for focusing and spotlighting sensitive issues faced by women throughout the world, and providing the opportunity for change.

For more information contact:

MARY WHITE
Cornelius Counselling & Hypnotherapy
marywhite@corneliuscounselling.co.uk
01732 822 172 or 07990 981 004

Cornelius Counselling attends AIHM Conference on holistic medicine

Posted on by Cornelius Posted in Conferences, Counselling, Hypnotherapy, Meditation, Psychotherapy
cornelius_counselling_aihm_2017_1

“People, Planet, Purpose” 22 – 25th October, 2017 at Paradise Point Hotel Island Resort in San Diego, California, USA

Paradise Point was an idyllic setting the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine‘s annual conference. AIHM is accredited by the Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) along with the University of Texas Medical Branch and the AIHM.

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During the #AIHM17 four day conference, I was able to attend a wide range of seminar sessions which were given by keynote speakers, all experts in their field and I am highlighting a few of them here :

Day 1

  • The Future of Medicine : reinventing healthcare and reversing chronic disease
  • Lions, Tigers and Bears! Integrative management of depression and anxiety
  • When medications fail : integrative therapies for refractory depression, epilepsy and pain

Day 2

  • Why autoimmune patients do not get well and clinical considerations
  • Helping your patients use body intelligence as the key factor in solving chronic disease and finding vitality
  • The skinny on the gut and skin microbiome : Gut-skin axis

Day 3

  • The repressed role of adverse childhood experience in adult well-being, disease and premature death
  • ealHeaH   A path beyond pain and depression : an integrative interdisciplinary approach
  • NeuNNeuroplasticity of the Gut and Brain – integrative approaches for neuromodulation
  • Development of Autoimmune disease, a comprehensive approach to stabilisation and arresting future progression

Day 4

  • From tradition to modern phytomedicine : using evidence to inform practice
  • Memory Rescue : The Amen Clinic’s Bright Minds Programme to keep and even rescue your memory

These are but a few of the fascinating talks that were available over the duration of the conference, as well as an exhibition hall of 70 alternative wellbeing exhibitors covering holistic remedies. It enabled me to update and expand my knowledge in order to be able to provide meaningful healing with the aid of hypnotherapy and appropriate advice through counselling.

It was indeed refreshing and exciting to see so many medical doctors come together, approximately 900, with holistic alternative practitioners like myself, exchanging and sharing best practice for the wellbeing of mankind.

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Mary White of Cornelius Counselling and Monireh Ayoubzadeh at AIHM, San Diego

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Mary White of Cornelius Counselling and Monica Occhetti – AIHM Programme Co-ordinator at AIHM, San Diego

My stay concluded sharing experiences and ideas with my friend Monireh Ayoubzadeh, spiritual, healer based in San Diego, and a whistle-stop tour of the region before flying back to London.

WEF 2017 Delhi Conference

Posted on by Cornelius Posted in Conferences, Counselling, Hypnotherapy, Public Speaking
cornelius_counselling_wef2017_award_mary_white

I returned to Delhi for my second visit on 8th May 2017 to attend the Women Economic Forum 2017 conference at the Pullman Novotel Hotel in New Delhi. This year focused on “Creating, innovating, understanding and driving the future”.

In my capacity as a Member of the Advisory Executive Council for Health and Wellbeing I was able to contribute at three levels over the course of the week. I took part in a plenary that brought together the members of the Health and Wellbeing Committee, and a discussion regarding our contributions towards innovating for health and wellness. ** I was particularly honoured to receive from Dr Harbeen Arora an award for “Iconic Women Creating a Better World for All” at the Plenary.

cornelius_counselling_wef2017_award_mary_white

I was also lead speaker at a workshop session “Stress, anxiety and fear : breaking free through hypnotherapy” and sharing the stage with Subashis Baneri, a businessman in India.

cornelius_counselling_wef2017_mary_white_20  cornelius_counselling_wef2017_mary_white_19

During the conference I was very pleased to attend a workshop seminar given by Dr Sane from Mumbai, who gave an impassioned discourse on stem-cell research and the success achieved from this type of work. Dr. Sane is herself diagnosed with Motor Neurons.

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On the final day of the conference, I was delighted to be invited by Minal Potnis, renowned Face Yoga Practitioner, to a medical conference where medical practitioners presented their work in the area of anti-aging stem-cell solutions. This was a unique opportunity to witness some very innovative practices and developments across the globe and brought practitioners together to share their discoveries.

cornelius_counselling_wef2017_mary_white

I am still involved in this network of medical practitioners and await a further stem cell conference to be held in London from 3-5th September 2017 when I will be able to meet and discuss with a key presenter from India, Dr Prabhu Mishra (second from left in photo above), my work in the field of anxiety and depression and how this can help patients who are suffering from debilitating diseases.

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At the end of the conference I travelled with Dr. Satya Shah (on left in above photo), from University of Greenwich, to Ahmedabad at the invitation of Dr. Harbeen Arora, WEF Global Chairlady and Chancellor of Rai university, in my capacity as senior lecturer at the University. This was a very enlightening journey which took me to Ghandi’s Museum on the outskirts of the city fashioned much like an Egyptian pyramid. The experience of the re-enactment of Ghandi’s life was very moving and a beautiful memory of the trip.

Academy of Integrated Health and Medicine

I was fortunate, during the conference, to meet Monireh Ayoubzadeh, an empowerment and wellness coach from San Diego, California, US. I have, as a result, become a member of the Academy of Integrated Health and Medicine in US, which brings together a wealth of practitioners in both medicine and ayurvedic as well as holistic alternative approaches.

Myself, Esther Thane, Cloud marketing US; Minal Potnis, Face Yoga Practitioner, Mumbai; Monireh Ayoubzadeh, Empowerment and Wellness Coach, San Diego Cal

Myself, Esther Thane, Cloud marketing US; Minal Potnis, Face Yoga Practitioner, Mumbai; Monireh Ayoubzadeh, Empowerment and Wellness Coach, San Diego Cal

I will be attending the AIHM conference on 22-26th October 2017 and look forward to yet another fascinating journey and the opportunity to mix and mingle with 1100 delegates and speakers. It will be a unique opportunity to share the work that I am doing with anxiety, stress and addiction and I also look forward to being able to share my experiences with you as well as the innovative ideas and practices that I will be able to bring to my own practice.