Clinical Hypnotherapy
Most people have heard of 'Hypnosis' which is a natural and altered state of consciousness. The trance state is a relaxing and enjoyable experience. I think that you will find it quite different from what has been presented as 'stage hypnosis'. The subconscious mind is accessed to help resolve the outer conflict that is often manifested from old beliefs and behavioural patterns. Perfectly safe and effective, you are in full control and aware of all your senses. It can help to treat and alleviate a variety of problems such as phobias, panic attacks, increase confidence and performance, stop smoking, and eliminate many other problems that may be interfering with your life's progress.
There are many misconceptions about Hypnotherapy. Briefly, you will not be asleep during hypnosis, although you may in fact drift quite deeply into a state of relaxation. You will be aware and in full control at all times. You cannot be made to do what is unnatural to you.
'Hypnotherapy' is the application of hypnosis that is therapy-based. 'Clinical hypnotherapy' is simply the application of hypnotherapy to treat conditions that are often treated clinically or through the use of prescribed medication, such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, headaches, and smoking. With hypnotherapy, no drugs are used. The power of the subconscious mind does all the work. 'Hypnoanalysis' is the combined use of hypnosis and analysis. By 'analysis' we mean the breaking down or apart of complex subjects into smaller parts so that we gain a better understanding. You should always ensure that a therapist who is practicing as a 'Hypnoanalyst' is trained in some area of counselling.
Practitioners of hypnosis have developed different approaches to the application of hypnosis. They may use terms such as 'command' or 'rapid' hypnosis. I believe that all hypnosis is 'rapid', as it takes a couple of seconds to drift off, and we do it all day long, every day. How many times have you been reading something (perhaps this), and instantly found you can't remember what you just read? You know you read the words, but what were they?
For more about this wonderful therapy, listen to my podcast on the topic here, and Professor Ursula James' work with Universities and medical schools here.
Stress Management
Defining stress is sometimes complicated. How do you even know when you are stressed? It is important to identify when you feel stress and to then seek relief.
Through a series of sessions, we can identify your stress area, their causes, and how you have handled stress up to now. We then adjust and add in coping mechanisms with which you can tackle stress. Some of your old habits of dealing with stress may be outdated. As our society and the world in which we live changes, we must adjust. This is often where we can come undone.
Managing your stress is simply finding the areas of your life that are demanding and push you to a certain limit. Then applying successful and proven ways to circumvent these areas. You may always be challenged in life. But it is the way you see these challenges and how you cope with them that will determine how much you are affected by stress.
Psychotherapy & Counselling
Psychotherapy is the application of psychological methods for the treatment of problems causing mental and behavioural concern. This can involve talking through a problem and exploring and understanding thoughts and feelings that cause conflict. It gives the opportunity to explore and understand thoughts and feelings, some of which originated from past events. It can help you to cope with grief, crisis, make decisions, improve relationships, and deal with inner conflict. There are many therapeutic approaches that apply to psychotherapy: Person Centred, Psychodynamic (Psychoanalytic), Existential, Humanistic, Brief therapy or solution-focused therapy, Systemic Therapy (including family therapy & marriage counselling), art therapy, drama therapy, Transpersonal, EMDR, Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT), Hypnotherapy, and Counselling.
There is a fine line between Counselling and Psychotherapy. Some would describe Psychotherapy as using a range of techniques to treat clinically diagnosed problems and can be anxiety provoking. I would add that some of the problems may be psychosomatic.
Counselling is often seen as focusing less on the psychopathology and focuses more on the humanistic behavioural manifestation of both physical and mental disorders. Both therapies deal with behavioural issues, as most problems that require change are due to how you behave when in a particular state, and you won't be aware of why you behave the way you do.
In my opinion, they are only separated slightly by the type of training and individual approach in which the therapist chooses to administer treatment, and of course, their training.
The most important aspect about talking therapies is to understand that it can take some time, and that time is necessary to achieve your desired goal. You cannot rush through or bully yourself into changing something when you are not ready to do so. On the surface, you enter therapy because you want to change. But underneath (the unconscious) is the part where the habit of thought and behaviour are stuck in a position where it may need some time to get on board with your conscious decision to make the changes required to live a more enjoyable life.
Regression Therapy (Present, Past & Future Life)
Past Life Regression
There are many viewpoints regarding the topic of past life regression and those viewpoints can be the topic of many lively discussions. It doesn’t matter what your beliefs are around this therapy, it can help to eliminate and relieve many physical and emotional distresses.
The theories behind this therapy are: 1. That our souls reincarnate and move on to experience other lives; 2. That we are simply connecting with the collective unconscious, the Universe's memory store-house; 3. That we are using our ever accessible imagination to create a story or experience; and 4. That we are recalling without realising, something we have previously seen or heard, and adding our own scripts to a memory recall. These are theories of course.
I recorded a podcast solely on this topic. You can listen here.
Dream Analysis
Dream analysis or interpretation is a Freudian based approach to exploring the subconscious mind. Freud believed that the foundation of all dream content is the fulfilment of wishes, conscious or unconscious. Symbolism and representation play a key role in this analysis.
Night terrors and haunting dreams can often represent a repressed fear and anxiety regarding either a past or present situation. This inner conflict can manifest itself in dreams that are often described as wild, extraordinary, erotic, or frightening. By exploring the content of these dreams, we can uncover and reveal some causes of behavioural problems, which can then help in the resolution of these problems.
Energy Healing, Cleansing & Balancing
Physicists tell us that energy is the quantifiable source of power that can neither be created nor destroyed. We all know from physics class the identifiable E = mc2, part of the theory of relativity, which is a part of total energy.
Currently, we are all becoming more aware of how our bodies carry, exude, and attract energy. The aura, which is the energy field surrounding your physical body has several energy points (or chakras) which can either be in sync or unbalanced.
If you have been feeling run down, lethargic, or overly emotional, this could be due to an energy imbalance. There are ways in which this energy field can be balanced. By using special techniques, you can be shown how to begin to become aware of your energy field so that you can keep it in balance.
Some can see this energy field. I am one of those who can see colours and imbalances in auras. By noting these, the proper techniques can be applied to correct this. I would add that this can be a very relaxing experience, and your energy shifts.
Crystal Energy and Chemistry
I am a trained Crystal Practitioner and am aware of both their scientific compositions and how their consistencies, colours and mineral content affect the energy field. Scientists have used crystals for centuries. In fact, if you are reading this now on a PC of any sort, a crystal will be a part of the make-up to make the PC work.
Crystal energy healing can be helpful in many ways, but it is important to see a trained practitioner as some crystals, like all remedies can upset molecular structure of the energy field.
HOW TO DECIDE WHICH THERAPY IS RIGHT FOR YOU
Sometimes the only way you will decide is to speak with the therapist after reading through what they offer. Therapy is a working relationship whereby you agree to work together towards a certain goal. Ask questions. Ensure that your therapist is trained, insured, and has regular supervision. If you are looking for a quick cure, it can sometimes happen, but every case and every person is different. Most therapists offer a phone consultation first. I insist upon this for my own practice, as it saves time, money, and energy for us both.
