By SGN | 7 Feb 2022
Pudding is a holistic hypnotherapist, Stop Smoking Specialist and Hypnobirthing Coach dedicated to helping you use the power of your subconscious to make your goals a reality. She also loves creating and problem solving, writing and teaching, movement, wellness and fitness. Pudding is also a Certified Yoga Teacher. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and daughter, and serves clients from all around the world.
Q1
Tell us a bit about yourself – what brought you to the U.S.?
Truth be told- this is not my first stint in the US! In 2013, I decided on a whim that I was going to quit my job, pack my bags and move to Manhattan. So I did just that, and it was one of the most life-changing solo experiences of my life. 2 years later, I returned to Singapore, ready to be there for the long haul. As life would have it, I met my American husband not long after. For family reasons, we relocated shortly after to his home state of Pennsylvania. 5 years, 1 dog, 1 wedding, 1 baby and 1 pandemic later… here we are!
Q2
What does a typical day as a hypnotherapist look like?
The short answer is: there is no typical day! When I started out a few years ago, I would see clients in my home office. However, since the pandemic, I have only seen clients via ZOOM and it has completely transformed my practice. I have been able to see clients internationally, across different timezones, from Singapore to the UK to Canada and all over the USA. My hypnosis methods are just as effective over ZOOM, sometimes even better because the client is in their familiar and (hopefully) COVID-safe environment, saving commuting time and stress.
I specialize in helping clients stop smoking, with no patches, pills, gums or cravings. Once my clients find success with stopping smoking using hypnosis, they often engage my help in other areas of their life. This can include things like relieving stress and anxiety, overcoming fears, enhancing performance, easing chronic pain, changing unwanted habits- the list goes on.
Lately, I’ve been working on developing the coaching side of my practice. The latter was born organically out of the rollercoaster ride so many of us have experienced over the past couple of pandemic years, that have forced us to reevaluate our lives and what is truly important. I work with a select number of clients over the course of three months and guide them to discover their authentic voice, heal and let go from the past, and move forward with true purpose. During our coaching journey, I use hypnosis, complimented with other holistic modalities, to guide them to answer questions like: “Who am I? What is my purpose? What is my legacy? How do I get there?”
On that note, I recently helped an ex-stop smoking client eliminate his fear of belly buttons because it was drastically affecting his sex life. So, really, there is never a dull day on the job. I love what I do!
Q3
What inspired you to be in this field?
I have always been into the holistic wellbeing space and had the desire to help others. It wasn’t until I personally had a profound, life-changing experience with a hypnotherapist that I realized how powerful hypnosis is. That was the beginning of my journey in this line of work.
Hypnosis is not magic, though sometimes, the results can seem magical. This is because hypnosis affects change at the root of the issue, in the subconscious mind. This is very different to changes made at a conscious level- like short-lived New Year’s resolutions- that we often struggle to stick with.
Furthermore, hypnosis is quick. With any client I see, my promise is always to deliver the most effective process in the most efficient use of their time. I don’t want to see a client for months or years about the same issue, draining their time and bank account. Being able to guide my clients using such versatile and non-invasive tools and seeing them experience success and freedom in relatively short time frames, is a constant inspiration.
Q4
What are the 5 misconceptions about hypnosis you want people to know?
Hypnosis is NOT mind control
Hypnosis is not ‘woo woo’
Hypnosis is like sleep/ amnesia
I’ve never been in hypnosis before
What if I get stuck in hypnosis
Q5
How do you stay connected with your loved ones in Singapore?
Regular late-night chats with Singapore-based friends keep me up to date on the latest and greatest- and give me a chance to use a ‘lah’ or two for nostalgia. And of course, the ‘makan’. I love cooking and now two-year-old daughter loves to help out in the kitchen. I look forward to teaching her about her Singaporean half through food and multicultural holidays. This month, we are working on the perfect pineapple tart for Chinese New Year, and her first ‘yu sheng’ and ‘lo hei’- a messy two-year old’s dream! We also have a significant stash of Prima Taste Instant Singapore Laksa Lamian in the basement. It was a prized find on Amazon. Sure, it’s significantly more expensive than if purchased at NTUC, but being this far from home, it sure hits the spot when the hawker centre cravings set in!
