people about hypnotherapy and how it ’ s just the facilitation of that internal process that supports what the client wants to accomplish , whether it was smoking cessation or dealing with pain or anxiety issues .
“ I worked with children and adults . One of my best experiences was as a volunteer , leading guided relaxation and meditation classes at the Senior Center . It ’ s something I look forward to resuming later on after I retire .”
According to younger sister Sheila Tobin , “ One year when I had qualified for the Boston Marathon and Maureen was practicing hypnotherapy , I confessed to being nervous about the race . She took me through some guided visualization sessions that we tape-recorded . I reviewed the tapes daily , right up to the day of the race , and I ran my best marathon ever .”
Celebrating Life Together
“ Maureen is the go-to person in my life for serious things , but she knows how to let go and have fun ,” Sheila said . “ I was coming up on my 50th birthday , which happens to be the day before the Fourth of July , and I said to Maureen , ‘ I always wanted to have a parade .’ For my birthday , she threw me a party and surprised me by creating my very own parade , with music , guests carrying streamers and horns , the works .
The newest member of Maureen ’ s family is her dog , Sophie , a rescue that she discovered at the San Martin Animal Shelter .
“ When I took this 6-month-old puppy home , she was timid and shy ,” Maureen said . “ She quickly became more like Marley , from the movie . A trainer came and worked with us . I ’ d been doing everything wrong , and I learned a lot . Now we ’ re doing just fine .”
Maureen ’ s son Ryan , who works in Quality Assurance at Apple , said Maureen has always encouraged him to do his best . Especially during transition times like heading off to college .
“ At times like that she ’ s always supportive and a big proponent of positive thinking ,” Ryan said . “ She showed us how to balance work and home life and set healthy boundaries .
“ She ’ s big on holiday celebrations , which was fun growing up . Halloween at our house was full-on crazy decorations including tombstones in our front yard and mom dressed up as a witch . Every year at Christmas we go to a tree farm , cut down a tree , and have some hot chocolate . Then we take it home , decorate it and have some laughs doing a white elephant gift exchange .”
Daughter Lauren graduated from Cal Poly this year and now works for her sorority ’ s national organization on the campus at Yale University . She describes her mother as a great role model .
“ She has showed me that a woman can have power and do anything she sets her mind to . I know I got my sense of determination from her . Sometimes life can bring disappointment or setbacks , but she always finds the silver lining .”
When you talk to people whose lives intersect with Maureen ’ s , you can ’ t help but see glimmers of the Tobin Touch everywhere .
“ Maureen is the go-to person in my life for serious things , but she knows how to let go and have fun .”
Sister Sheila Tobin
Her Playfulness
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 gmhtoday . com