Category: CBH - Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy

1. Busting hypnotherapy myths

   Posted on 6:00am Wednesday 3rd May 2023

   Hypnotherapy is a therapy still shrouded in myths and misconceptions, which is a shame as so many people could benefit from it but they're put off by many of the mistruths they hear from poor media portrayal or other people (very often people who haven't even tried hypnotherapy!) 

    

   You'll enter a mystical trance

   Hypnosis is a normal state of consciousness, the word trance suggests something magical and an element of mind control that you can't escape. The reality is quite different, when you have hypnotherapy you'll ideally be completely focused on the suggestions the therapist is giving you but this type of focused attention is incredibly absorbing. Because you're so relaxed you may find that from time to time your mind drifts and that's ok too. Also by being so relaxed and focused on just one thing (not multitasking like you're probably doing usually) it can feel almost like you're daydreaming. 

    

   You'll be under someone else's control

   You're always in control and can stop listening and end the session at any time. If you're doing online hypnotherapy you'll also never get "stuck" in hypnosis should you experience a technical issue either! 

    

   Hypnotherapy means I won't have to do any work

   Hypnotherapy can be an incredibly beneficial method to support you to make improvements in your life. Although as a therapist I'll be supporting you through the therapeutic process and guiding the hypnotherapy session itself it's a collaborative process. I need your input and feedback to know what you want from sessions and to adapt my approach to suit your needs. So we'll definitely be working as a team. Also, you'll be listening to my suggestions and using your imagination so you're doing a lot of the work too! 

    

   If I start therapy I'll have to go for the rest of my life

   One of the great things about CBH (cognitive behavioural hypnotherap) is that it can bring about positive change in your life much quicker that some other forms of therapy. Usually after you initial session I can give you an idea of how many sessions may be appreciated, however  some still clients love hypnotherapy so much they opt to continue with a regular session to support their mental health.

    

   I need to have hit rock bottom to benefit from therapy

   While many of us wait for a major life crisis to seek support for mental health you really don't have to. I use a whole range of strategies to support clients and these can be just as beneficial with smaller issues as larger ones. With smaller issues it actually makes sense to manage them as and when they crop up rather than waiting for them to get worse over time. Perhaps you're you're simply at a crossroad in life and need someone to talk to or maybe you anticipate challenging in your future, hypnotherapy can be incredibly beneficial to develop problem solving skills and build resilience.

    

   I need a good imagination 

   Hypnotherapy does require clients to use their imagination, however you can interpret this in your own way.  Even people with aphantasia (the inability to form mental images of objects that are not present) can benefit from hypnotherapy.

    

   Hypnotherapy is the same as the stage show hypnosis I've seen

   It's confusing but hypnotherapy and stage show hypnosis are pretty different.  Essentially, one is therapy and the other is entertainment.  Stage hypnosis is a show set up for audience enjoyment whereas hypnotherapy for therapeutic purpose is all about the client’s needs and is far less dramatic.  A hypnotherapy session certainly won't have you acting like a farm animal...what would be the point in that?  Stage hypnosis uses a range of techniques and strategies to amplify dramatic effect and audience enjoyment to keep people buying tickets and generating a healthy profit.  Audiences believe they are watching a hypnosis stage show but in reality many if not most of the theatrical elements are created via deception, distraction and the illusion of stage magic themed around hypnosis.   The seemingly randomly selected volunteers are often plants or carefully selected subjects.  These people are chosen because they have a strong likelihood to ‘perform’ and act as if “under the control” of the hypnotist all in the aim of audience satisfaction, after all it is all about entertainment. 

   If the outlandish performances of stage hypnosis are at one end of the scale then hypnotherapy is arguably at the other end.  A hypnotherapy session is remarkably low key, relaxing and is all about you the client and your needs.  Although the therapist may be talking you through different ideas in a hypnotherapy session you’ll never be “under their control” and you can stop at any time.  The content of the therapy session is usually mutually agreed to ensure it is working towards the client’s therapy goals which means that the process is very collaborative.  Hypnotherapy absolutely has an element of client satisfaction, however unlike stage hypnosis it would be fairly boring for audience to watch as the really purposeful work occurring will be happening in yourimagination and ongoing mindset after a session, unlikely to sell out any theaters but amazing for making changes to your mentality, mood and wellbeing.  In a hypnotherapy session the therapist will be talking you through some really valuable points and unlike stage hypnosis where subjects often can’t remember their outlandish stage antics by the end of a show, the therapist will want you to be listening and paying attention to what’s being said during the hypnotherapy in order to make positive change in your life.   

    

    

    

2. Are you struggling with anxiety?

   Posted on 8:00am Tuesday 2nd May 2023

   Anxiety can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. It can be both difficult to recognize and even more challenging to manage.
   

   What is anxiety? 

   Anxiety is a natural response that our body has when it perceives a threat or danger. It's a feeling of unease, worry, or fear. Anxiety is a completely normal human emotion and so level of anxiety is useful to keep us safe. However, there are times when our anxiety amplifies beyond a normal, useful level. It can manifest in overthinking or negative thinking which can be mentally exhausting and have a negative impact on our mental health and general wellbeing. When anxiety becomes persistent, it can affect our daily life, relationships, and work. We may start avoiding certain situations or people that trigger anxiety which can limit our experiences and opportunities. This is where therapy can be helpful. A therapist can help us understand the root of our anxiety, develop coping mechanisms, and learn skills to manage it. 

   What are the symptoms of anxiety? 

   Some common physical symptoms of anxiety include trembling or shaking, rapid heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and shortness of breath. Other physical symptoms may include headaches, fatigue, and muscle tension. These symptoms can significantly impact on your overall wellbeing and quality of life. 

   Cognitive symptoms of anxiety are also common and can include excessive worrying, negative thinking, and a feeling of dread or impending doom. Anxiety can also cause difficulty concentrating, irritability, and restlessness. These cognitive symptoms can lead to a vicious cycle of worrying about worrying, which can worsen anxiety and further affect your mental health. 

   It is important to recognize the symptoms of anxiety so that they can be addressed appropriately. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating anxiety, therapy can be helpful in identifying triggers and developing strategies for managing symptoms.  

   Anxiety and our nervous system 

   By learning how our nervous system functions and developing healthy habits to manage anxiety, we can improve our overall wellbeing and quality of life. Let’s think of our nervous system like a car with just two peddles, the accelerator and the pedal. Our accelerator is our sympathetic nervous system and our brake is our parasympathetic nervous system. When we perceive a threat or stressor, our brain activates our sympathetic nervous system, which triggers our body's "fight or flight" response, it’s a bit like putting our foot down on the accelerator of a car ready to run. This response “revs up your engine” releases stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, that increase our heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate to prepare us to confront or flee from the threat. While this response is helpful in certain situations, it can become problematic when it is constantly activated. Just imagine if you spend the whole time driving your car with that accelerator pedal pressed right down to the floor, it wouldn’t be healthy for yourcar right? It’s the same for us, if we’re always in a highly anxious state, in that fight or flight state with our sympathetic nervous system switched on we’re going to feel exhausted and burnt out. In contrast, we need to be able to come off the accelerator and activate our parasympathetic nervous system, that’s the brake pedal of your car or the “rest and digest” system in your body. This can promote feelings of calmness and relaxation. Talking therapy, hypnotherapy, meditation, and other relaxation techniques can help regulate our nervous system and therefore reduce anxiety as you learn how to switch on the “rest and digest” side of your nervous system for your body and mind to rest and recover.