How Hypnotherapy Helped Student Develop Confidence and Strength

Robert Nielson, MFT, has been practicing hypnotherapy for over twenty years. In that time, he has found that hypnotherapy generates positive, lasting change in troubled teens enrolled at co-ed Cedar Ridge Academy Therapeutic Boarding School. Following is a former student's account of how hypnotherapy helped her make changes while enrolled at Cedar Ridge Academy.

"I really do feel that the hypnosis has made a difference in my life and has allowed me to just have more understanding of myself and past behaviors. I never thought I would be able to have a boyfriend and I'm glad we were able to really cover a lot of my guy issues. It's still weird how I do still attract guys who I would say have similarities to the ones I had issues with before but I try to look at it as more of a coincidence. I think because of what has happened it still has effected me in the sense that I'm more interested in long term relationships and take physically intimacy as a really serious and private thing. It never really interested me or made sense to me to hook up with other guys when I was single. If that makes sense. But I don't mind that because I don't think I would feel very good about myself if it was the other way around - hahaha.

I think the hypo has also helped me have a clear mind in general. I know that was a big issue that I had a lot of bad memories and was easily triggered but I feel that since I was able to deal with all of that at such a deep level it has really made long term changes.

In other sessions I believe that it was also making me stronger and more confident. It's crazy to think how insecure I was emotionally and physically. I'm still very independent and don't like when my mom smothers me every once in a while but I let her sometimes because I know it just helps her relieve a little stress here and there. But I do feel a whole lot more confident now. You are very right about how depending on how I do in school it plays a domino effect on me in general and my confidence. It's very true and obvious."

Student Voices How Hypnotherapy Helped Work Through Past Trauma

Since 1990, Rob Nielson, MFT, has been working with youth. After establishing co-ed Cedar Ridge Academy Therapeutic Boarding School in 1996, Rob put his hypnotherapy skills to work helping students work through past traumatic events. Below, former student, Rita, explains how Rob and hypnotherapy helped her healing process. (Rita not only graduated from high school at Cedar Ridge Academy, she also graduated her therapeutic program and earned her black belt in Shotokan Karate.)

Hypnotherapy has helped me connect with myself. I came to Cedar Ridge Academy disconnected to my past. I also did not understand my past. I have been able to work through traumatizing events with the help of hypnosis. Don't get me wrong, it wouldn't have been impossible to work through these emotions that came up for me from these events without hypnosis, however, it would have been more difficult and would have taken longer.

Another thing that hypnosis has helped me with is working on my trust issues. Hypnosis helps work on trust issues because it requires a person to put a lot of trust in the therapist putting them into a trance because of the vulnerable state that the client gets into.

Hypnotherapy has not only helped me work through buried emotions, but it has also helped me become more comfortable with being vulnerable and has helped me build a better relationship with my therapist. Hypnosis has resulted in me feeling very trusting of, and comfortable with my therapist.

Student Expresses Gratitude for Program at Cedar Ridge Academy Therapeutic Boarding School

Settling into working their program at Cedar Ridge Academy Therapeutic Boarding School is a different experience for every student. However, once students put their heart into making real, lasting behavioral changes that improve themselves and their family relationships, they express gratitude for their program. Below is a poem written by current student, Brooke, in which she expresses her feelings about Cedar Ridge Academy.

When I was at home
it wasn't unknown
that I was playing a deadly game,
one full of sin and shame.
I was walking a fine line,
and I was running out of time.
Now that I'm here,
I'm conquering all my fears.
So thank you CRA
for giving my life a way.
You, Cedar Ridge Academy
have helped put a future ahead of me.

Part of Cedar Ridge Academy's program includes Shotokan Karate instruction that teaches self-control and respect for self and others. Brooke recently competed in an international Shotokan Karate competition. Her new-found confidence in herself and her skills served her well!

A Student's Experience at Cedar Ridge Academy Therapeutic Boarding School

When I first arrived at Cedar Ridge Academy Therapeutic Boarding School, I was in complete shock. I had no idea places like this existed, and I was always in denial about having issues so I thought coming to a place like this was “too extreme”. My excuses were “Oh, every teenager does this”. However, I soon came to realize every teenager might drink, get with guys, or pick their friends before their family. Although they didn’t take it to the extreme like I did.

I came to realize you have to talk about yourself to work your program, which I had a big problem with here. I would avoid by talking about my sister, mom, or friends. I would also joke about everything which was a huge avoidance for me because I felt that if I was joking and everyone was laughing, people would automatically think I was a happy person and that I had nothing wrong with me.

I was too afraid of people judging me because I judged myself. I wouldn’t even let myself cry in front of people because I was so afraid of what their initial reaction was going to be. I wouldn’t even let myself talk about what was really going on for me, because I was always so afraid of what the other person was thinking. This held me back even more with my levels and myself.

Suddenly I had a wakeup call. Sitting in the girl's home family meeting one night, realizing I didn’t want to be on level 500 forever as well as be here forever. So I decided to talk about me and why I got sent here and my behaviors at home. When I started getting around and talking, I realized a lot of the girls could relate, which made expressing easier and that led to me talking about more in-depth things. Although at times it hasn’t been as easy as other days to want to open up and express, but when I push myself I feel a whole lot better.

I have had my struggles here, like having been on level 700 feeling like anything is possible and then dropping to level 600 and wanting to give up and not wanting to work for me. I always need motivation or I lose focus and go off track.

I’ve been here almost 10 months and I still sometimes don’t always know nor have the right motivation. However, as long as I’m working for myself, that’s when everything falls into place. I do have a goal to get back on level 700 again before summer - I just need that extra push. Thankfully, with great family support and my determination, I can see myself getting back up there again.  

Cedar Ridge Academy Therapeutic Boarding School Basketball

Students at co-ed Cedar Ridge Academy Therapeutic Boarding School participate in multiple seasonal sports, but the students always go for basketball! The following was written by Conrad, a current male student at Cedar Ridge Academy.

Cedar Ridge Basketball is run by Wes;  he is also the coach for the Junior Jazz. Along with Wes, Brent and Sam help out with teaching us how to better play basketball. Brent, being really good at basketball and Sam, playing college ball for several years makes it really easy to learn from them. We have the opportunity to play on a really nice court that Cedar Ridge has provided for us three days out of the week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we run a series of drills and exercises. On Sunday is when we actually scrimmage. This does not include all the time we get to play when our home staff takes us. With all the extra time that we get to play basketball it is really easy to grow and get better at basketball. You learn a lot more than just how to physically play basketball, you also learn a lot mentally.

Sam coaches the Cedar Ridge Academy Junior Jazz  basketball team.

When I first got here, I was not very confident. The more that I played and talked with Brent the better I got. Sure I was learning a lot of skills, but my confidence on the court has grown dramatically. This is what I really think has helped me the most. Since we are not a really big school, it is really easy to get one-on-one help from peers and staff. It makes you feel like people care about you and want you to succeed. I look at a lot of the kids and see where they are at and it reminds me of myself when I first got here. I just know that every single one of them has so much potential as long as they are willing to put in the work; both on and off the court.

Wes discusses strategy with the Cedar Ridge Academy Junior Jazz team.

Wes has been coaching the Junior Jazz for as long as he has been here. The Junior Jazz gives kids a chance to learn teamwork and respect for themselves and others. Last year's Junior Jazz team got second place in the whole Junior Jazz league. This year's team has just as much potential, if not more. If they listen to Wes and work really hard they  might get first place this year. They must all be open minded and willing to listen. This year's Junior Jazz contains many future leaders. They are all flowers and they need to blossom into something beautiful. On top of that the relationships you make on the team are something you will remember for the rest of your life.

Along with basketball, Wes also teaches the girls the basics of football using a foam football and some flags. This gives the girls a chance to get their competitive and manly side out that we all know they have (in a good way of course). You can tell how much fun they have by the smiles on their faces.

Wes teaches Cedar Ridge Academy girl students to play flag football

Wes, Brent and Sam have all helped students to better themselves and achieve excellence both on and off the court. All these guys like to mix fun with hard work which really pays off in the end. They have changed my life and the lives of many others. All the kids and staff here have a special place in my heart. I will miss all of them when I leave.  - Conrad

Cedar Ridge Academy Student Civic Service Assists Local Community Members

On Saturday, February 16^th, science teacher Chad and four students from Cedar Ridge Academy Therapeutic Boarding School took a trip to the Roosevelt Golf Course to introduce the public to cross country skiing.  We brought rental equipment and helped the people learn how to ski. It was very enjoyable for me in particular since I was able to help others have a good time, which is something that I really enjoy to do. One man was excited about skiing and we helped him learn, and at that, he picked it up really fast. One woman hurt her arm and we helped her out too. This is a handful of what we did to help the public that day. After teaching and helping others, we went off on our own trip around the trail, and got to see how it was for us. It was very enjoyable overall, and I hope that Cedar Ridge Academy can have more service projects like this in the future.

- Mike

Students load skis to be used during civic service

Last Saturday, February 16^th, the Pro Ski Squad (four male students) from Cedar Ridge Academy went out to the Roosevelt golf course.  While there, we helped some people.  I taught a woman to learn how to ski and she handed me her car keys and asked me to take them to her son. At that moment I felt very trusted -and the lady didn’t even know me.  We also helped some of science teacher Chad’s friends learn to ski.  Overall, we helped many people and while we did that, we had tons of fun. I hope we can do more like this at Cedar Ridge Academy to help others try new things.

- Jake

The skiing trip was cool; I enjoyed helping new skiers out.  I got to do some skiing myself, around this big circle on the Roosevelt golf course. I think the whole experience was good because new skiers got to learn, and I and some other students got to feel good about helping others out.

- Eric

I can say that the skiing trip was the best way to get my community service done. I never thought it would have been that much fun. I definitely had a good time helping people out. I think I had the most fun with that because I just like to help people out without rewards. I also had some fun with the Pro Ski Squad. Although there were no jumps, I still had a lot of fun. I have to say it was one of the best times of my life. I highly suggest you go cross country skiing.

- Cameron