It started in 1988. I was working with Florence Henderson (Mrs. Brady of the Brady Bunch TV show,) as her back-up bass player. Florence traveled the concert circuit. She had married Dr. John Kappas who founded the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, and Dr. Kappas traveled with her.
I had a conversation with him about returning to graduate school to possibly practice psychotherapy, as I had a BA in psychology, from the U. of Maryland (1969). He encouraged me to enroll in his Institute, which I did. I couldn't have been luckier.
At the time, I was unaware that he was a pioneer in the field, redefining and legitimizing what hypnotherapy was. I say lucky because he "took me under his wing" and became my mentor for the next 12 years. He was always available to answer my questions.
After graduationg with honors I began practicing in 1989, as one of HMI;s staff hypnotherapists. By 1992 I was being "groomed" to be a teacher, while continuing to practice. In 1993 Istarted teaching classes and have been ever since. Then I became even luckier, as Dr. Kappas' brother, Dr. Alex Kappas became yet another of my metors. Dr.Alex was also my hypnotherapist. I learned so much from both of them!
Dr. Alex Kappas passed on in late 2000. In 2002 I was presented with the first Kappas Award for Excellence in Hypnotherapy, at an HMI graduation ceremony.
So I have been practicing for 19+ years now and still learning! I am still finding methods, concepts and techniques that will assist my clients in their self-improvement.(See my Booklist)
