Local Hypnotherapist Focuses Practice on Pregnancy, Childbirth

Mention the word hypnosis and people usually think of a person being made to bark like a dog or quack like a duck. This is not surprising to Frayda Kafka, a certified hypnotherapist. "Most people have an antiquated perspective on hypnosis," she said. "Many people think they will go into a trance, wake up and not remember anything that has happened." According to Kafka, that is not the case at all. "Hypnosis actually gives people more control and power in their lives. They are in charge of themselves."

Kakfa will be leading two upcoming workshops on hypnosis. The first, a free workshop for practitioners on Monday, June 21, at Bodhi Tree Therapeutic Massage in South Orange, is geared toward doulas, midwives, chiropractors and other health and wellness professionals who support women during pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnant women and their partners will be able to learn how to use hypnosis techniques in Kafka's second workshop, scheduled for Tuesday, June 22: "Hypnosis for Pregnant Women and Their Partners."

Kafka, who has been practicing hypnosis for over 30 years and recently began practicing out of Bodhi Tree, shared that another common misconception is that people believe they are too smart to be hypnotized or that they will be unable to be hypnotized if they don't have a good imagination. "All you need to do is to be able to relax.  That's it," she said.

Over the years, Kafka claims to have seen more than 10,000 clients, either privately, at workshops or for group sessions. The most popular reasons for seeking her services are for smoking cessation or to lose weight. Kafka has also helped clients with issues such as alcoholism and overcoming anger. "I work with each client and ask them specific questions. For example, if a person wants to lose weight, I need to get to the source of their issue. Do they overeat when they are stressed? Do they binge eat? Whatever the case may be, I give them tools they can use on their own in that situation."

People may be surprised to learn that hypnosis does not need to be used in only serious situations. Kafka explained that it can even help someone become a better athlete or a faster runner: "It's all about changing your thoughts."

However, Kafka's real professional passion is for pregnancy and birth. Celebrities such as Nicole Richie, who reportedly gave birth without drugs, have helped put natural labor back in vogue. "Even though the current trend is to have a drug-free labor, in reality this has been going on for many years," said Kakfa, who gave birth to her two children 40 years ago without medication.  "Pregnancy and labor are natural events, yet women may have a lot of fear of the pain and the unknown."

Women are not the only ones who are afraid. She coaches partners through their own fears of the labor process or becoming a parent. Kafka also works with medical professionals, such as doctors, midwives and doulas. "I explain hypnosis and how they can use this technique with their patients," she said.

They also seek her services for themselves. "I once had a client who was also a chiropractor," she recalled. "She had a Caesarean section with her first child, and she wanted a home birth with her second child." Unfortunately, things did not go as planned: "The midwife got lost on the way to her house and I ended up delivering the baby!"

WORKSHOP DETAILS

WHAT: HypBirths Presents: A Hypnosis Workshop for Practitioners
. Led by Frayda Kafka CHT

WHEN: Monday, June 21, 7 to 9 p.m.

WHERE: Bodhi Tree Therapeutic Massage, 75 South Orange Ave., Suite 211

COST: Free

WHAT: HypBirths Presents: A Hypnosis Workshop for Pregnant Women and Their Partners. 
Led by Frayda Kafka CHT

WHEN: Tuesday, June 22, 7 to 9 p.m.

WHERE: Bodhi Tree

 COST: $50/person (bring your labor partner for no extra charge).

Call Frayda Kafka at 845-336-4646 or e-mail AskFrayda@Gmail.com for details on either workshop.