We were lucky to catch up with Desiree Holmes Scherini BCH, MHt, LBLt recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Desiree Holmes thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?
Let me begin by telling you that while in college I was torn between choosing a major in fine arts or psychology. As I loved art and creating painting and drawing, I also love the field of psychology understanding the mind and what makes people tick.
I chose a degree in psychology as it seemed more pragmatic, but that was just the paper – my studies continued in both.
So my first job out of college was as a group facilitator for military members to reduce stress, enhance communication skills and prevent addiction. I had heard about this position from a friend and went to the office expressing my interest in working for them..
I was told that they only accept applications and go through any hiring and training once a year and they were not accepting anyone else right now. I really wanted that job. I thanked her for her time and said I would just be sitting outside in the hallway every day waiting until there was another hiring window .
She looked at me in surprise and paused for a moment. Then she said that one of the other offices a few hours away was doing their application and training next week, I could go up there and go through the process and the training and she could hire me down in her location after that! The following week I packed up my bags and headed to the two week training!
Years later, I pursued my career in art. I studied with the best teachers available. I built up my skills practicing and doing commissions. At the same time I began to teach art. I literally began at the bottom and worked my way up! I began as a preschool art teacher, then applied to the local community college to run children’s art classes. From there I expanded and became an adjunct professor teaching art to adults and then within their senior programs, which I still do part time. Concurrently I taught independently at arts centers.
In 2012 I decided to return to the “psychology” side and was certified as a hypnotherapist. I found a holistic wellness practice and shared a space with them until choosing to work completely individually.
As with art, I studied with the best teachers and continued to build my qualifications and certifications in the field. Now I present lectures and workshops to teach others.
Through my DECISION to pursue what I wanted, I have been recognized as a top arts instructor, a top hypnotherapist, won awards, written several articles and a book and collaborated on another.
I suppose it cones down to solidly choosing to succeed, and just following the path there.
Desiree Holmes, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
The common thread in my work as a hypnotherapist, live coach, and arts instructor is helping people solve problems. My art students tell me I have the “magic eye” to see what needs fixing in a painting. I like to think I have the same skill with my clients that come to me for Hypnosis and life coaching.
My biggest reward from the work I do is having a student or client find relief, pleasure in their life, and new skills, whether it’s in their art or their life.
As a Transpersonal Hypnotherapist I work both clinically but also holistically. I often incorporate spirituality and therapeutic art in my work with clients who want to engage mind body and spirit in their well-being.
A correlation between art and life coaching is helping my clients to step back, and see the bigger picture. To look at their life or events as an observer and make choices to create what they desire..
I share that approach In my book”Journey to Joy-The Written Path”. As each chapter shares and explores my own past experiences and “AH HA !” moments, and invites the reader, then, to answer questions for themselves and journal to find their answers and revelations toward their better choices.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I think I must be lucky that I have a glass half full attitude. I think it’s become even fuller as I’ve matured. Personally I have experienced plenty of challenges, emotionally and health-wise. There often seems to be a silver lining to each challenge that I have experienced. My skill is looking for and seeing what benefit comes from something “bad “. I will of course feel the pain, sadness, and disbelief when tragedy strikes me, but I refuse to be a “victim “. Thoughts have power and frequency and in my experience I find that choosing to focus on the “good “has helped me overcome many negative events. As well, sheer willpower and stubbornness has also helped me to claim the state of being that I desire.
As an example, going through a very difficult divorce several years ago indeed took me from victim to personally empowered. After I DECIDED I wasn’t going to live that way anymore, I stopped being the helpless victim and took the many difficult steps toward changing my life.
It took willpower, focus and planning as well as patience. The silver lining from that experience was the expansion and even stronger motivation to build my skills and help clients overcome their obstacles to happiness.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
I am grateful and lucky that I am able to work for myself doing the thing I love! I am absolutely doing the job that I dreamed of when I was young – both as an artist and as a Hypnotherapist/life coach .
I’m able to help people and be creative. I make my own hours and when I write or create a lesson it’s something I am truly interested in sharing rather than someone else else’s lesson plan.
Over the years I’ve worked for other people as a waitress during college, a secretary, a mental health facilitator, and arts instructor. Having done these things, and more, gives me a certain peace of mind knowing that if I needed to take employment I have plenty of skills and experience, and at the same time helps me feel grateful that because of that experience I can choose self-employment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Transhypnotherapy.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesireeScherini/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desireescherini/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtimxxH1G8a1B95HRnXlDPg
- Other: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/intuitive-journey-with-desiree/id1431626147?mt=2
Image Credits
Desiree Scherini