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SCS Success Stories
Our graduates have been doing some amazing things, and weve added a page
to the website to let them tell their stories. The stories here are presented with the
permission of the individuals who submitted them. Some details have been omitted or changed
to protect client confidentiality.
The stories are posted in the order we received them,
with the first received being first, and the most recent being the last. Read from the
beginning, or go directly to the most recent story.
Dianas Story
The first story is from Diana M. a Michigan resident. She has completed SCS
Practitioner Certification and was in the first group to complete Pre- and Postsurgical Support
with SCS.
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I would like to share an experience I had last week with a woman who fell in the
grocery store parking lot. She has cancer and is undergoing chemo. She took a
nasty fall and totally broke her two front teeth, split her lips, bruised
her face, cut her chin, scraped her hands, etc.
I did not really know what to do with everyone fussing over her. I quickly
explained that I am Reiki certified and asked if she would like me to do Reiki
(inconspicuously) while we waited for her husband to come to take her to the
hospital. She made a comment about how badly she was going to feel in the
morning, so I asked her if we could focus on that and then asked her how she would
like to feel in the morning.
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Training with SCS will provide you with the appropriate toolsand the confidence to use them at the appropriate time.
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We worked on her imagining waking up and thinking Wow! I feel great! It is
amazing how good I feel. I asked her to think about how throughout the day
she might remark to her husband and her oncologist that she felt even better
than before her fall. We imagined her telling her friends all about the fall,
but that she felt really good. We talked about how amazing the body is at
healing itself. I gave her one of my cards.
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The next morning she left a message on my answering machine, raving about how good
she felt. She said that the teeth that had been shattered could be repaired. She
just could not believe how good she felt. She said that she had told all her
friends about her experience and about how I helped her. It was like we had
written a script the night before, and she was reading it in the morning.
This woman was so upset, shaking, bleeding, her wig askew, crying and talking
about how much her body hurt already....it was nice to be able to give her
first aid of a different sort.
Thank you for sharing something so useful.
Sharons Story
In the following story, Sharon G., from Arizona, reports on her use
of energy-based techniques to support her grandmother, who was in the process of dying. Sharon
used techniques had learned from Debra.
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Debra, I wanted you to know that my grandmother passed in a wonderfully
miraculous way because the universe conspired to bring your words from dinner
the night before into the circle of my family the very next day. While my
grandmother was kept company by a cousin, I found myself in a break room in a
circle of her two only daughters and her closest granddaughters. It was quite
the coincidence because previously we were always with her in some sort of
combination keeping vigil and never together...in a circle.
I openly shared
what I had learned from you the evening before and I told them that I had just
done the energy work with her that you had described. I also mentioned what
you had said about no regrets, and that although in a coma she can hear us, and
is still with us. I shared as much as I could remember from what you had said.
My aunt, my grandmothers oldest daughter who is 78 herself, suddenly said that
she remembered that she heard the Engelbert Humperdink song about regrets on
the radio as she drove in that morning and she had started to cry. She has
struggled with her childhood and has had a history of bitter emotions toward my
grandmother, so I suggested she still had time to talk to her mother. She
nearly ran out of the room to get back to my grandmother.
We all stayed back
and stared at each other in silence. Then we started talking about our favorite
times with our mother/grandmother and actually felt light and happy. I suddenly
felt very compelled to check on my aunt and grandmother, leaving the rest
within the comfortable circle of remembering.
When I entered my grandmothers
room, my aunt had just started to stand up and asked me if I could see if my
grandmother was still breathing. My aunt said she had just finished talking
with my grandmother and that she had started to breathe heavier and then
stopped. Debra, she had just passed just after my aunt had finished whatever it
was she needed to say.
So much peace was given to both that I am so grateful
to you and the "coincidence" of the four of us trying to get together for
dessert over the holidays. Little did I know what a blessing it would turn out
to be for those you may never meet. Thank you dear friend for sharing your
wisdom.
It makes me interested in doing volunteer work for hospice after
seeing how ill equipped we all are in handling the inevitable passing that we
all must do.
Love -- Sharon G. from AZ
Debras note: Sharon did Chakra Spreada Healing Touch
technique developed by Catherine Fanslow and taught in Healing with Energy, Level 1 Subtle
Communication Systems. The technique is also published in
Healing Touch A Resource for Health Care Professionals, by Dorothea Hover-Kramer
with Janet Mentgen and Sharon Scandrett-Hibdon, 1996.
Marys Story
In the following story, Mary Z., from Michigan, reports on her use
of neurolinguistics to support her daughter, who was away from home and suffering from
a deep depression.
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I got a call yesterday morning from my daughter who is a freshman in college and
has been experiencing some serious anxiety and depression. Its amazing that this
happened the day after the NLP classes ended. Im not surprised, but always amazed
at how things and people enter our lives when we need them.
I managed to NOT say, "dont worry," which was difficult to do.
Together we discovered the source of almost everything that was bothering her was two
classes she felt she just wasnt getting.
I asked her to close her eyes and imagine what a picture of one of the two classes
looked like and then I had her change the colors until her feelings about that class shifted.
We went through the second class and did the same thing. We talked about a lot of resources
she has available if she needs them. I then asked her to "just imagine what your life will
be like when these classes are behind you," and she had the biggest smile on her face as
she imagined that!
She thanked me and told me she felt so much better, and knew anything was possible. She
then said, "I love you, Mom. You should take the pretty way home, you deserve it." So I did.
I want to thank you but I dont know how other than to tell you I hope every trip home f
or you is the pretty way home, you deserve it.
Mary
Johns Story
John S., a Physical Therapy Assistant from Ohio, writes:
The NLP experience I had with Debra and Joel is something I will always remember
because you are both like kindred spirits to me. It was truly me, times one
hundred. The following stories shows how I am using NLP with therapy.
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I wanted to share with you a way apply Hypnotic Protocol. I was working with an
80 year old woman who fell and fractured her left hip. She hadnt walked in 3 months,
and the most she was able to walk, as of last week, was 5 steps. Prior to my doing
therapy treatments, Darlene [not her real name] had been in a nursing home for 3
months and hadnt walked.
The Physical Therapists 5-week goal for this patient was 15 feet with a wheeled
walker. This was based on how the patient performed for the therapist on the
day of the evaluation.
I started by having Darlene practice a couple of transfers from the wheel chair
to the recliner using her wheeled walker. She was able to do this with a
contact guard/stand-by assist+1. One week before, this patient required a
min/mod assist to perform the transfer, so I knew her legs were getting stronger.
When Darlene was sitting in the wheel chair, she said she wished she were able
to walk again (prior to that statement, she always talked about the fall. Now she was moving to where the
problem isnt). After she rested a little, I told her that we would
do a really fun exercise.
I pulled the wheel chair to one end of the living room and sat down beside her.
I asked Darlene Have you ever used your imagination? and she said NO.
You mean ... youve never imagined something as a child. Then she smiled and said Yes.
Great ... close your eyes for a moment ... its OK ... just close your eyes.
Imagine what it was like as a child ... a time in your life ... you can remember ... thats
right ... when you were at your best absolutely.... A time in your life when you can walk or run with ease ...
this is a easy time for you ... and a time that is ... still inside ... a part of who you are.
And right after I said this, Darlene mentioned she had dogs, and she would run and play with them
and this was a fun time.
So I added this in....
And you had fun running with the dogs and playing.
Isnt amazing to ... know this ... walking was easy in the past ... and will be easy
once again. Its always been a part of you ... from the time you stand up ... as you step
forward with each step ... youll know how easy it is to walk ... now ... and only when
youre ready ... open your eyes with the anticipation of a child on Christmas morning.
Thats right ... its OK.
Darlene opened her eyes ... and stood up at the walker and began to walk ... while I
followed with the wheel chair.
Darlene walked all the way to her bedroom, which was 40 feet away.
When we got in front of her mirror, I asked Darlene to sit in the wheel chair
and asked her for a word or a phrase she would call herself. And her word was GREAT.
Darlene walked 40 feet X 3 this treatment.
Have fun using Hypnotic Protocol. And if youre wondering if you should learn NLP ... I say,
Go for it ... and make someones life better!
Johns Second Story
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I will call this patient Tom. When I first met him, he and his family were all
emotionally down. I told Tom and his family that all stroke patients are different
and no one really knows how much you ... can recover fully ... so tell the doctor to
believe what he wants and for you to believe what you want to be true. So decide
to get better ... and ... you will now.
When I told him that everyone is different ... I grabbed his hand ... told him to
point his finger at himself, and I physically moved his hand to his chest so his
finger would touch ... and said, Say to yourself ... I am different. (I did this
several different times to set the anchor).
Another Physical Therapist told Tom and his family that he would be lucky if he
would be able to go up two steps in his home ... let alone the thirteen steps to
the second floor in his house.
This was a hypnotic command. Think about it.
Tom is now walking over 100 feet with a standard walker with Stand By Assist. And
I had him do the thirteen steps up and back down. Of course, he did the steps with
assist, but he still did it.
Ive learned from Dr. Richard Bandler and John La Valle that we project our energy,
and our energy and attitude influences others.
Lindas Story
Linda C. is a consultant from Indiana. For most of her life she had
significant fears about her health and had suffered from panic attacks.
After some NLP, some SCS sessions, and listening to SCS CDs, she wrote
the following message:
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Thank you both for the "cant put a value on it" gift of health-full reassurances
youve provided. Ive told you both before, but Ill say it again: until both of
you came into my life, I lived a life as a healthy person who never really believed
I had that blessing. Talk about throwing that into Gods face--how ungrateful!
I think you can see from this e-mail how grateful I am; life is sweet!
Darbys Story
Darby F. is a woman from S.W. Michigan who overcame her fear of flying. Here is
her story:
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Over the past 20 years, Ive experienced fears around flying. Specifically,
I haven't liked the feeling of being confined to an enclosed space ... its a
claustrophobia feeling, I know. Once I was in the plane, whether in the air, or
sitting on the tarmac with the hatch closed, it was easy for me to slide into a panic
attack. I relied on all sorts of creature comforts to distract me: portable DVD player,
iPod shuffle, books, deck of cards with a family member to play and keep me company.
I just wouldnt fly unless I absolutely had to (e.g. if I was totally overruled by
family at a time when we had to travel a large expanse). I would have rather driven
the long distance.
In the summer of 2009, I became aware of an incredible to attend the World Conference
on Love, Forgiveness, and Compassion. The Dalai Lama and Arch Bishop Emeritus
Desmond Tutu would be receiving awards. The event was taking place mid September, but it
meant I would have to travel to Vancouver, British Columbia.
My husband, Bruce, would depart days earlier. This meant that I would not only be flying
a great distance, but potentially flying alone.
Id met Debra Basham some months earlier, and I recalled that she worked with people
to overcome their phobias. I was desperate for help.
This fear had not only kept me from comfortable travel, but had reduced options of
connection to family and close friends. As our three daughters travel on school and
youth group related trips, Id, unfortunately, been bound by my fear and consequently,
remained at home.
I met with Debra and Joel Bowman early in September. After we became better acquainted,
the actual intervention was no longer than about 30 minutes, and consisted of the Fast
Phobia Cure, a standard NLP technique. Debra explained that the Fast Phobia Cure uses
Ericksonian hypnosis and was originally developed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder
as a way to use hypnosis without inducing a formal trance. When the session was over,
they wanted to know if I thought the treatment helpful and if I thought things would have
changed for me now. My response was, Ill see.
A week later I flew to Vancouver. Thankfully some friends of ours were accompanying me.
During one of the flights, we sat on the tarmac for an hour. I was fine. The flight from Detroit
to Seattle was 2.5 hours long. Throughout the flight, I was fine. On the flight home, I sat with
Bruce, and Im happy to report that all flights were emotionally uneventful.
Since then, our family has flown to North Carolina to gather with family for Christmas. All
those flights were comfortable as well. In February, I was entertaining the idea of visiting a
close friend in Marquette. With unpredictable weather and winter road conditions, driving was
contraindicated. That meant a flight. I contacted Debra and Joel and requested a Booster.
They again spent not more than about 30 minutes with me.
The following week I flew to Marquette, on a small plane from home to Detroit and another one
from Detroit to Marquette ... roughly 1.5 hours in tight quarters. I was fine!
Between the hypnotherapy/NLP sessions and a few self-help techniques that I learned from
Debra and Joel, I was equipped and empowered to face (and move beyond) a previously life-limiting fear.
I have a new friend who lives in South Africa. She wants me to visit. While I still
dont relish the idea of being in a plane for multiple hours, Im now open to the possibility.
My plan is to continue to challenge myself until I can eventually travel overseas.
Working with Debra and Joel has removed a barricaded door in my mind. Now Im living a freer,
happier, more actualized life as a result.
Larry Cs Story
Larry has completed NLP Practitioner training, and we will be submitting his
paperwork for certification within the next few days (June 2010). This story illustrates
what you can do with NLP training and the NLP attitude:
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Yesterday evening I went to the Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event to do some
networking. The event was held at a new assisted living facility. After an hour and a half
of repeating my elevator speech several times, I started asking folks if they
knew anyone with a phobia.
I was talking with a massage therapist about the possibility of doing some cross referrals
when a middle aged woman next to me wearing a facility name tag said, Hmmm ... could I talk
to you a minute? and she showed me into the Hair Salon/Barber Shop where we
could talk in private.
I sat in one of the hair-dryer chairs, and she sat in the chair next to me. (ambiguity intentional)
She explained her situation. She just accepted the position as one of the facility's hair stylists.
This job is a perfect fit for her needs. Except that she has a phobia of cutting mens
hair, and in this facility she will be required to serve both men and women. The phobia originated
when she was a 19 year old, brand new-hair cutter. One of her first experiences cutting a
mans hair did not go well (understatement). She's not sure she is going to be able to keep this job.
I said, Would you like to get rid of that anxiety right now?
Here? Now?
Sure. Why not?
And so I launched into an impromptu Fast Phobia Cure right there in her shop.
She said she had been praying about this problem every night and that God opens doors
that no man can open. I replied that God brought a bald headed life coach to her shop to cure her.
You can't make this stuff up.
I hope to hear from her after her first male customer.
For more about Larry, see his website:
NeverDoubtCoaching
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