After years of being an on and off pack-a-day smoker Martin had once again decided to try and quite the bad habit. In the last he had tried the chewable gum, replacing cigarettes with toothpicks, and patches but nothing ever worked. One day a couple weeks ago one of his friends who had had similar issues had gone to see a hypnotherapist and since then had not had a single cigarette. His friend said he still visited the hypnotherapist for some follow up meetings but it had been well worth the time and money to kick such a unhealthy and expensive habit.
= = = = = = = = = = = Week One - First Appointment = = = = = = = = = =
Martin's friend had given him the business card for the hypnotherapist and today was the first meeting. Martin sat in the waiting room of the office fidgeting in the chair as he ran his fingers through his short brown hair. The young man had never seen any kind of doctor apart from a standard physician in his life so the thought of seeing someone like a therapist or hypnotherapist was uncomfortable.
"Thank you doctor. You have helped me and my wife so much" a man's voice echoed as the office door opened as a man and woman walked out.
"Its my job. I am glad to help. Just be sure to keep up with what we talked about and I'll see the both of you next time. And don't forget to bring your daughter -- I think since she is now 18 having her come to one of these may be very beneficial." The doctor replied before the couple left the waiting room.
"Mr. Martin Crawn I assume?" the hypnotherapist said looking at Martin who was still sitting in his chair.
"Yes sir" Martin responded standing up from his chair and extending his had for the hypnotherapist to shake.
The hypnotherapist shook Martins hand and then motioned him into his office and to a comfortable chair.
"I am Dr. Nathan Lyle -- I understand this is your first time seeing a specialist of my type. I hope you do not feel overly nervous or intimidated. The man said as he sat down in a chair next to Martin.
"Well this is a bit out of my wheelhouse -- but I hear you are good and you helped one of my friends quit smoking so hopefully you do the same." Martin explained feeling a bit calmer at the man's charm.
"Ah yes -- such a bad habit -- it can cause so many issues later in life -- mouth cancer, throat cancer, lung cancer, it can erode your teeth, shorten your lifespan, horrible. That is a popular thing I help with. I have gotten many more patience in the last year or so for that same issue and I'm glad to say one once has gone back to smoking." Dr. Lyle said confidently.
Dr. Lyle then grabbed a note pad and a pen and then clicked the pen three times. Before beginning to write on the paper.
"Now Mr. Crawn -- I'm sure you must have some wild ideas in your head of what I do as a Hypnotherapist -- how I can snap my fingers and make people bark like dogs or forget their fondest memories. I assure you it is far more complex than that and isn't the magic that the movies make it seem. It takes skill and practice and determination and time -- this is not a simple flick of the wrist like a witch from some television show." Dr. Nathan Lyle explained.
Although Dr; Lyle was right in his thought of what Martin had in his head Martin did not saw so. The new patient let out a small chuckle at the thought of the hypnotherapist being compared to a magician.
"Now Mr Crawn -- may I call you Martin?" the man asked his patient with a smile.
The young man reacted with a noiseless nod of approval.
"Martin before I can jump into helping you I need to better understand you -- your life -- like your living situation, family, friends, work, how bad your habit is and such" Dr. Lyle stated.
"Well -- I'm sure you probably know some of this but I'm 32 years old I currently live on my own with my dog. I have one younger brother and a older sister - -------------" Martin began.
For the next hour or so through Dr. Nathan Lyle line of questioning Martin explained a lot of his life and history from his childhood to his family connections, work, and love life. The entire time the hypnotherapist scribbled notes on his pad of paper with his patient unable to read the content. Every so often Dr. Lyle would adjust his glasses and look up from his notes with his piercing blue eyes and a small smile depending on the questioning.
"Well Martin I think that wraps up our session for today. You have given me a lot to think about on how to proceed with you. I think we should schedule a follow up meeting for next week -- same time if possible." Dr. Lyle said as he stood up from his chair and walked over to the office door to open it for his patient.
= = = = = = = = = = = Week Two -- Hypnosis Begins = = = = = = = = = = =
----- ----- Martin's Point Of View ----- -----
Just like the week before Martin found himself sitting in the waiting room of Hypnotherapist Dr. Nathan Lyle. Ha had arrived slightly earlier than planned due to less traffic than normal so he sat in silence. He was in the waiting room alone and the ticking of the clock was the only sound in the room apart from himself. He thought he could hear movement and muffled noise coming from inside Dr. Lyle's office but he was unable to make anything out.
Martin's green eyes scanned the waiting room. He looked through some of the magazines and inspirational posters on the walls. He even stood up a few times to stretch himself out and make a cup of tea from the machine on the counter in the corner of the room. About 10 minutes before his appointment was scheduled to start the unknown muffled sounds in the office seemed to stop. Just as the clock struck the office door opened and out walked the same couple Martin had seen the week before with the addition of a young slender blonde girl. Based off the conversation he had heard last week he assumed this cute young lady who was only a few years younger than him was the daughter of the couple.
"I think we made a real breakthrough today. I'm glad that your daughter was able to join for our session. Moving forward I would like to have her be more involved. Not every session -- but once a month or so would be refreshing for us all I think." Dr. Nathan Lyle spoke to the family.
The doctor walked with them to the exit door of the waiting room and waved as they left. Martin stood up from his seat tossing his finished cup of tea in the trash and shook the Hypnotherapist's hand.
"Ah Martin -- wonderful to see you again. I have put a lot of thought on how to approach you -- your situation I mean and I have a few ideas. Wont you come in."
Martin followed Dr. Lyle into his office and sat down on the same couch like seat as last week. The Hypnotherapist then sat down next to him. The two did a quick filler conversation about what had transpire in the last week and then went into starting Martin's treatment.
"Now Martin -- in order for this to work you need to remain calm and loose. If you are not relaxed and willing to accept the treatments I give you then it will not work." Dr. Nathan Lyle explained.
"Okay doc -- ill do my best" Martin said still a little nervous.
"Now -- Martin I need you to close your eyes. Take long deep breaths -- let the calm wash over you and penetrate you. You are safe in here ---- " The Hypnotherapist said as he walked over to the light switches and dimmed them slightly before walking back over to his chair and sitting down.
Martin tried as he was told and closed his eyes. The patient could hear Dr. Lyle's voice slowly giving him instructions on breathing and clearing his mind. After a few minutes Martin could feel a wave of calm crashing over his body almost feeling like he was going limp or numb but not quite. Martin began to slip into a trance of calm as Dr. Nathan Lyle's voice started to become more and more vague and distant.
