John J. Murphy, Ph.D.

In a more general sense, I specialize in neutralizing negative thoughts and emotions.

As an example, a client who comes in with a snake phobia basically has about a half-dozen negative thoughts/emotions. They might be:
Snakes are scary
Snakes are slimy
I once found a snake in the garden, and it freaked me out
I have a big fear of snakes
A snake could hurt me
A snake could eat me

Once these issues are out there, I'll then work with the client through the relaxation techniques to neutralize these negative emotions. The good news is that we don't have to clear all of the issues or even know all of them to provide substantial relief.

There is a similar process for addictions, traumatic memories, performance issues, and physical problems.

With addictions, we take care of both the habit of the addiction and the stressors that can cause the cravings. Such as:
I smoke in the car
I smoke with my friends
I love to smoke right after a meal
I eat when I'm bored
I eat when I want a reward
When I get anxious, I want to drink
If I don't take these pills, I won't feel right
I smoke to rebel
I love to smoke
I don't think I can quit

Usually, there are more 'issues' for addictions than traumatic memories or performance issues or physical problems. Fortunately, we can go though many issues each session. And again, we don't need to get all of the issues to achieve some significant results.

Performance issues, though very different than addiction issues have at the root of the issue the same types of negative thoughts and emotions:
I'm horrible at the free-throw line
I freeze up when I take math exams
My muscles are tight
I forget my lines when I'm on stage
I just don't deserve to be successful
I'm afraid they won't like my performance

For the most part, addictions, traumatic memories, performance issues, phobias, relationship issues and other challenges relate to a bunch of negative beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and memories. As I specialize in neutralizing these components, I'm able to 'specialize' in addictions, traumatic memories, performance issues, phobias, relationship issues as well as specific issues that relate to negative emotions. Generally, however, I tend to gravitate towards smoking cessation, self-esteem issues, and general anxiety issues.

A secondary focus in my practice is in the area of anxiety and performance. The anxiety can be specific and focused towards an issue (such as performing in front of people, flying in an airplane, or over a new relationship) or it can be general.

What counts is the negative feelings and self-talk that occurs during the anxiety. When someone has anxiety performing in front of a crowd, for example, that person will have various negative emotions (ranging from dread to fear to insecurity and so forth) and hurtful self-talk (i.e. "you're going to fail, everyone is going to look at you, you're not prepared"). Usually this self-talk is learned as a young child. Usually, it sounds exactly like an overly-expectant mother or father.

In my treatment model, these anxieties are trained responses from a younger age that are used today by the person's subconscious to protect the person and prevent him or her from being hurt. And on one level, the subconscious is correct: it's better to be scared and cautious in an unsafe world, better safe than sorry. The problem is that the subconscious doesn't have an accurate grasp of what is really dangerous. The idea here is to show the deeper level of the mind that these protective measures (i.e. warning about defeat, feelings of threat) are not protective but really harmful.

In other words, your subconscious wants to help you but has learned, inadvertently, that protecting you with anxiety is the best way to serve and protect you. Once your subconscious knows that these feelings and thoughts are unnecessary and are not helpful but harmful and limiting, they are naturally abated and controlled. We work here to re-teach the subconscious the best way to help you in your goals, be it performing in front of a skeptical casting director or simply flying across country for the first time.