It is a forward-looking therapy that helps you explore possibilities so that you can find the best solution for you without needing to recall traumatic or distressing memories. This gentle approach draws on neuroscience to help you gain an understanding of your experience and provide clues to possible ways forward. I practise Solution Focused Hypnotherapy in Camberwell, which uses hypnosis as a powerful tool that helps to consolidate the therapeutic process so that you can feel better as quickly as possible and with long-lasting results.
Hypnosis or trance is a natural, everyday occurrence for all of us. We go in and out of trance many times a day, when we are driving, exercising or reading a good book. We do it all the time. In this relaxed state we experience changes in our conscious awareness, almost like being in a daydream.
When practising hypnotherapy, we encourage this relaxing state by using guided relaxation and visualisation so the mind can relax and focus on suggestions and thoughts that might be helpful.
Trance is a very natural and safe state. When we are in a trance state, we are still in full control, and we process and decide whether information or suggestions are useful to us or not and will not accept or do anything against our will.
Being in trance is a pleasant experience, often accompanied by a sense of deep relaxation, although this isn't necessary for hypnotherapy to be effective.
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Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can be used to help with most of the issues normally addressed by traditional ‘talking' therapies, including anxiety and depression. Additionally, it can help individuals experiencing confidence and self-esteem issues. It can also help in addressing symptoms of stress, low mood, anxiety (including panic attacks), and to cope better with physical issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and certain chronic pain conditions. Specific phobias such as fear of spiders, water, flying, and public speaking can also be minimised, along with painful memories and traumatic experiences. There is a strong evidence that hypnotherapy can improve experience of menopause.
I specialise in hypnotherapy for anxiety, as the root of most of our problems often lies here. An anxiety disorder can affect our health in many ways. Anxiety essentially means that we are under perpetual stress. This can cause many kinds of problems like digestive, neurological and cardiovascular problems. An anxiety disorder can have a great impact on our lives and not only damage our health and lower our immunity but also damage our relationships and quality of life in general. It can often lead to addictions which can provide temporary relief from anxiety-induced emotional distress. With professional help anxiety usually can be effectively treated.
Some common client outcomes include: slowing down the mind that is whirring away, shifting negative thinking to a positive mindset, relaxing a tense body and calming a stressed emotional state. In doing this, physical conditions can be improved, sleep issues resolved, you may gain more energy and life generally becomes much easier. You may want to build your confidence in specific situations, or grow your resilience and motivation generally.
All of these changes will mean you can look after yourself better, make better choices and create better habits.
Some people believe that their problem can simply be hypnotised away, but this is a misconception. Hypnosis can be very powerful, but it is not magic! The important thing to note when considering ‘what is Solution Focused Hypnotherapy' is that it works quickly and effectively when the approach is collaborative, and where there is a full commitment to making positive changes.
For most people hypnotherapy will be something new so they will want to know a bit more about ‘what is Solution Focused Hypnotherapy' before deciding whether it is the right therapy for them. For this reason, I offer the initial consultation free of charge so I can explain how I work.
During this 60-minute session we discuss the areas you wish to work on and what you would like to achieve from hypnotherapy. I also explain how the mind and hypnotherapy works, how many sessions it is likely to take, and ascertain whether hypnotherapy is a suitable course of action for you. I will also give you a free MP3 download to listen to at night to reinforce progress and aid sleep.
These sessions are structured around solution focused practices, positive psychology and hypnosis. The sessions start with solution focused questions that help you explore the outcomes that you want and focus you into a positive mindset.
I'll then guide you into a relaxed trance state which will help support you in the process of making beneficial changes. Each session is unique and tailored to offer you the space to make choices. This will allow you to move purposefully towards your goals at a pace that is comfortable for you.
I will generally advise how many sessions would be required at the initial consultation and this would depend on your case history and the levels of stress and anxiety you present with, but as a general guide:
Hypnotherapy may not be suitable for people diagnosed with the following conditions: