"I was 62 years old when I made my first appointment with Matthew Brownstein in 2007. At that time, I had been dealing with chronic ulcerative colitis and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) for 15 years. While the hypothyroidism was responding well to prescription medication (one), the colitis (two prescription medications) was not. Alternative therapies that I employed for this included 4 years with a China-trained acupuncturist, 5 years of yoga classes, breathwork, and tai chi, all to little avail. I was also a state-certified guidance counselor.
Additionally, I'd been dealing with PTSD, clinical depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder since my 1965 tour of duty in Vietnam as a young Marine --- undiagnosed for 30 years. These conditions were significantly improved 12 years ago with four prescription medications; however, I still wrestled with hypervigilance and exaggerated alarm response, and developed sexual impotence because of these medications.
After three weeks of therapy sessions, I was experiencing a new level of inner peace --- with God, with others, with myself --- that I honestly couldn't remember ever having, even before Vietnam. After 4+ months of therapy, I can report an even deeper abiding level of inner peace --- one that I would have never believed achievable for me. I am also free from all prescription medications, having gradually stopped taking the seven medications I was taking daily.
The psychiatric illnesses, the colitis, the hypothyroidism --- are all absent from my body and mind. Gone.
For any Christians reading this, it might be important for you to know I've been a practicing Christian for 26 years: attending church at least weekly, a member of a men's weekly prayer group, and actively involved with a prison ministry and a ministry to at-risk youth. And so I wondered initially whether Matthew's therapeutic style would conflict in any way with my deeply-held Christian convictions. It has not in any way; in fact, it has only complemented and reinforced those convictions.
I have recommended Matthew to some of my family members and friends, and unhesitatingly recommend him to you."
Ken B.
Keystone Heights, FL
Private Sessions
Private sessions are conducted one-on-one in the privacy of my office in the Millhopper area of Gainesville, Florida. Together we will talk to determine your presenting issues and work to understand their relationship to other symptoms and challenges in your life. There is no diagnosis made, and medical conditions are never directly treated. Even though profound healing may occur it is important to understand that a hypnotherapist in the State of Florida only practices non-therapeutic uses of hypnosis. My role is to help you uncover the cause of your current symptoms and to resolve them through modalities that are very safe and effective. The work we do not only can help to remove physical symptoms, but works primarily to resolve their underlying causes.
You can consider the beginning of your first session a time of consultation where there is no obligation to pay for or commit to anything. Together we will determine if I am the right person to help you and if your issue is within the scope of a hypnotherapist's practice. If you do not feel comfortable for whatever reason, then you are not obligated to pay for the time. If at the end of the session you are not satisfied with your experience, then you do not have to pay for the time. I do my best to take all the risk and to help you to feel as comfortable as possible while you are considering beginning this work with me.
You can call me about my current hourly rate. Sessions usually run one and a half hours and may include the use of:
- Hypnotherapy
- Meditation
- Guided Imagery
- Stress Reduction
- Personal Empowerment Skills
- Neuro-Linguistic Programming
- Creating and Manifesting Skills
- Success Programming Skills
- Present or Past Life Regressive Hypnosis
- Core Transformation
- Focusing
- Gil Boyne's Transforming Therapy
- Spiritual Guidance
- Teachings Working with Emotions
- Rebirthing - Breath-Centered Therapy
- Parts Therapy
I do not believe that transformation is the result of modalities or techniques. Rather, I see that profound change occurs in a relationship where the people have come together with the simple intention for change. Anyone can learn safe and effective transformational techniques; however, it is the role of the hypnotherapist to be someone who really listens, understands, cares, and then allows the Divine to work through them in a way that can only benefit all those involved in the process. I believe in empowering the client to make me obsolete in his or her life. I work to empower my clients to heal themselves through tapping into inner resources, while facilitating their own process of health, happiness and personal well-being.
During a session I work within my client's personal view of the world. Sessions can be deeply spiritually based if that is a client's inclination, or they can be very "down-to-earth." Everyone has the ability to heal, of this I am certain, and as long as I can connect with a client in a way that he or she feels comfortable, then I usually feel very confident that some very profound change can occur in a relatively short period of time.
You can always call me for a free consultation or come to one of my lectures to allow me to help you take that first step toward "Healing your Mind and Healing your Body." If I can be of service in any way, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Philosophy on Hypnotherapy
It is my personal belief-cultivated through many years of direct professional experience-that profound healing is natural and can occur easily under the right circumstances. The body, mind and emotions have a natural ability to find balance, health and harmony once the underlying cause of the imbalance is resolved. I therefore do not diagnosis or treat medical conditions. My views on healing have evolved to the point that I do not believe it is beneficial to treat a person as if they are sick, but rather to support them in their movement back to their natural state of health and wholeness. Peace fosters health and I am simply here to show people how to be truly at peace. Once at peace, our problems fall away without being directly treated.
It is my role to see the client as "perfect, whole and complete" and to honor the reality that when the blocks to their well-being are removed their natural state is one of happiness, peace and love. I honor the inner Divinity within each client in a way that does not conflict with their own personal belief systems. To me, healing is about simply coming back into harmony with what is, and my experience is that what is happens to be inherently wonderful.
I have come to see how powerful the mind is in healing itself and in healing the body and the emotions. I have seen this so much that I seldom honor an illness as being anything more than psychosomatic, no matter how severe it appears. This way of seeing things tremendously empowers the client to heal himself or herself through proper facilitation. Here, dis-ease is seen as a manifestation of mind. Through a powerful shift in the mind, a powerful shift can occur in the rest of the being as well. Healing in this way is simple, safe and effective. Although it may seem revolutionary, in fact this type of healing has been known for thousands of years. It is again in modern times-when our dissatisfaction with traditional care is growing-that people are turning within themselves to a deeper source of healing and transformation. It is my belief that a healer should support this movement of personal empowerment, while not making clients dependent on doctors, therapists or medications.
Through just the power of the mind alone I have seen ulcers heal, tumors shrink, all sorts of pains disappear and addictions drop away in periods of time that can only be called miraculous. My philosophy about healing is therefore simply summarized with my own personal and direct experience. I have seen that true healing is natural and easy when the proper modalities are used in the spirit of love, compassion and kindness, while honoring each person's inherent Divinity and their natural ability to heal and be whole. It is my experience that healing can occur for anyone as long as they are ready to be healthy and that they are willing to make the necessary changes within to get there once again.**
Matthew Brownstein, CHt
Director, Florida Institute of Hypnotherapy
(352) 378-5746
Email: matthew@tfioh.com
About Matthew Brownstein, CHt
** Information on this website and its related products are provided for informational purposes and are not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. Information and statements given here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy and its related modalities are not meant to replace medical or psychiatric care. While relief for the above mentioned physical and psychological issues has occurred during a hypnotherapy session, it is important to understand that such conditions are only treated under the direct supervision or referral of a licensed physician or mental health care professional. The healing of many issues using non-therapeutic hypnosis may result due to the peaceful relaxation and inner transformation which occurs through the use of the altered state, however medical conditions are not directly treated without a medical referral.
