Hypnotherapist delves deep to clear minds

By Irene Bowers
Correspondent

BAYSIDE

Through hypnotherapy, Lynelle Brantner helps her clients find solutions to problems within themselves.

"My job is to work with the whole person - mind, body, spirit - assisting them to see more clearly by removing barriers," explained the certified transpersonal hypnotherapist, who is also blind.

"People always have the answers," Brantner said, "they have just become blinded by limiting beliefs."

Brantner, 44, moved to Virginia Beach from Wisconsin seven years ago. She has a master's degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and a background in mental health therapy.

"Hypnotherapy simply goes more directly, more rapidly, to the source of the problem than talk therapy," she said. Fear is the biggest obstacle for most people, she said, and her blindness occasionally helps clients overcome the fear of being judged.

"Clients realize I am not sizing them up by their appearance or posture," she said. "Once they close their eyes, we start at the same place."

Dolores Kerr, a 75-year-old Virginia Beach resident, said Brantner made a breakthrough where others had not.

"I tried to give up smoking every way you can think of," the lifetime smoker said. "Patches, cold turkey, group sessions, you name it."

Kerr lost her mother to lung cancer, and she decided to give it one last try. "I went for hypnosis, even though I am strong-minded and didn't really believe it would work for me." The experience did not feel like falling asleep, Kerr said, but like she was awake and relaxed throughout. "Lynelle just talked to me very peacefully."

Brantner uses light imagery and guided imagery to draw her clients into a deeply relaxed state.

"We move past the conscious mind, with all its information and activity," she said. "Hypnosis slows things down and allows people to get to blocks, to the root of their problem."

Kerr said hypnotherapy "helped me tap into something in my mind where I was able to get control over my smoking addiction." She had signed up for four sessions but felt cured after one visit.

"I have recommended (Brantner) to friends for smoking and weight loss because she really helps you help yourself," she said. Kerr has not smoked for six months, she said, and she feels as though she has finally beaten the habit.

Brantner's practice, Hypnotherapy by Lynelle, is located in Wells Therapeutics. This month, she and hypnotherapist Suzan Iscil will hold weekly evening sessions for the general public.

"Workshops are a great way for people to learn more about how to take charge of their lives," Brantner said. "We are doing good things here."

Irene Bowers, bowersi@aol.com