• Hypnotherapy and Solution Focused Psychotherapy
• Management and Life Coaching

Clinical Hypnotherapy: a fast, effective and powerful tool for lasting change

Clinical Hypnotherapy combines “ talking therapies” with the wonderful tool of hypnosis to effect change in a wide range of problems that are best addressed through the unconscious mind, which is simply the name given to the part of the brain that manages what goes on below the level of awareness: the physical body and our daily activities of living, the assumptions we live with about the world and how we relate to others, our habits and the behaviour patterns that we find ourselves repeating.

As a Clinical Hypnotherapist I treat a wide range of emotional problems and physical problems which have an emotional component. These include:

• Generalised Anxiety
• Fears and Phobias (including fear of flying)
• Depression
• Lack of Confidence and regaining confidence after injury/ illness
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Skin Disorders
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Social Phobias
• Panic Attacks , Agoraphobia and Claustrophobia
• Unwanted Habits including Smoking ( one double session only ) and Nail Biting
• Weight Management and Eating Disorders
• Anger issues
• Performance and Exam Nerves
• Sports performance
• Insomnia
• Sexual problems
• High Blood Pressure
• Pain Management
• Managing Grief and Loss

My hypnotherapy sessions last for an hour and have two parts. As a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist I start with the present: “Where you are now with your problem?” and together we look to the future: “Where do you want to be without it?” I draw on all my training and experience to make swift progress to enable you to recognise your abilities and strengths and feel more resourced. You are quite likely to be feeling better about yourself even before we get to the hypnosis.

In the second part I induce a trance state. This is totally natural and you will probably experience it as a pleasant feeling of calm, relaxed focus. The world outside will still be there, but it won’t distract or bother you: perhaps the best analogy is with the situation in which you are completely absorbed in a book or a film and oblivious to what is going on around. It is worth emphasising that you remain in control and can leave the trance whenever you wish. Whilst you are in this relaxed frame of mind I will draw on what we have discussed, to make positive and constructive suggestions that reinforce what you have gained from the first part of our session, as well as addressing your particular concerns with the very effective methods that modern hypnotherapy employs. The exciting thing about hypnotic trance is that in this state you are able to make deep and lasting changes to the way that you feel and think about the matters that concern you, far more swiftly than you might through “will power” or conscious thought.

How long does it take?

Solution Focused Therapy is also sometimes known as Brief Therapy- it works very quickly and when it is coupled with hypnosis, treatment can be very swift indeed. Certainly results are much faster than with most traditional therapies. For most conditions between 3 and 8 sessions will suffice. Some longstanding or complex problems may take more.
And because we never know what the future may throw in our way, In the course of our work together I may also teach you skills and strategies that will give you a “tool box” to take with you to use in the future.

These may include:

• Relaxation Skills
• Cognitive Behavioural Skills and Strategies
• Communication Skills – effective listening and assertiveness
• Mindfulness
• Self Hypnosis

What does it cost?

Because each person and the nature and degree of their problem is different, I offer a free 30 -60 minute initial consultation, without obligation, to gain a picture of you and the details of your circumstances, and outline a plan of how we might work together to achieve the changes you desire. This is completely confidential. At this session I can explain to your satisfaction what I offer, how and why the methods I use work and answer any questions you may have. I will also give you a free CD to help you start to relax and focus before we formally start work together.

Coaching

Coaching is for those who do not require therapy, but who could use a safe space and an effective listener to talk to in confidence, to a purpose: a listener who has the emotional detachment colleagues friends and family lack, who does not advise but asks the sort of powerful, insightful questions that promote useful thought and effective decision making; goal shaping, practical solutions and achievement. Coaching can assist you to be creative, to gain new insights and to challenge your existing views. It is a very effective and enjoyable process that often yields outstanding results.

Coaching helps with many issues. For example:

• Work and business concerns
• Change of life direction
• Relationship issues
• Weight loss, fitness
• Self confidence
• Stress management, Time management

What is involved?

We usually meet at intervals of 2 weeks to a month, for between one and two hours, depending on your timetable and the issues you wish to work on. At these meeting we focus very specifically on your concerns working in partnership to your agenda. Underlying coaching is the presupposition that: “The Client has all the resources s/he needs” and the Coach’s role is to help you access and develop these resources to find your own effective solutions and path forward. At each meeting we would agree a set of action points that you would work on between sessions, so that your progress is steady and measurable.

The number of sessions will vary according to your individual requirements. There is no commitment to a minimum number: sometimes just a couple of sessions will put you on the right track for a simple problem, for other more complex issues you may want support over a period of several weeks or months.

How much does it cost?

My fees for coaching are £50 per hour, payable by cash or cheque at the end of each session.