When I first qualified as a hypnotherapist, I believed I could cure any ill, no matter how deep-seated - in one session. The more I practise and the more clients I see, the more I realise that clients only reveal their issues little by little. I have just seen a client for a driving phobia. Only on the second session did I discover the embedded limiting beliefs about duty and taking inappropriate responsibility for others that were making every car journey a very anxious experience - would some mistake she made cause injury to others? She wasn't worried about herself, only about any problems her actions may cause. And this was a common feature in all aspects of her life. She took care of everyone, but she never took care of herself. Could I have discovered that in one session? Maybe, or maybe I should have just "done the hypnotherapy" and let her subconscious take care of the rest.
I believe it is really important for a client to leave after the first session feeling that something fundamental has changed for them. But the root of the problem.. that could take a little longer. It is generally recognised that 90% of change in any therapy is brought about by the therapeutic relationship - Roger's "unconditional, positive regard" that every client deserves and every therapist, whatever their proclivity, should be able to deliver to each and every client. If you can't provide this, then no change can take place. How can we respond positively to someone we suspect despises or, at the very least, isn't in tune with our view of the world? Of course we can't. To make changes we have to feel respected, heard and valued.
So, every client is a new learning process. Every client is unique and deserves a completely unique approach, tailored specifically to his or her needs. That's what I sincerely try my very best to deliver.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Just back from a wonderful trip to the US. I was really not looking forward to going, although it would be hard to define why. Long flights, trip on to Seattle, time changes, plane changes - I was feeling I had been a bit over ambitious. But what a worthwhile experience. My daughter in Carolina looks wonderful. It was so lovely to see her happy and full of life. Of course, it's not all plain sailing - bringing up two boys on your own is not an easy option, but she has good friends and good support and is really doing well and has found her own sense of style and self worth. We are all looking forward to seeing her again at Christmas.
My trip to Seattle was also lovely. It's some years since I was there and, despite the weather, I had forgotten what a beautiful city it is. Two solid days of catching up with my best friend was so rewarding, alongside meeting her smashing children and eating good food - not always possible in the US, I find. Visting old haunts, including the wonderful Pike Place Market with its fabulous fruit and veg., not to mention the famous fish trower! Despite a few flight glitches - I wish a fellow passenger hadn't told us they were sticking the wing up with duck tape!! - it was an exceptionally rewarding trip.
My trip to Seattle was also lovely. It's some years since I was there and, despite the weather, I had forgotten what a beautiful city it is. Two solid days of catching up with my best friend was so rewarding, alongside meeting her smashing children and eating good food - not always possible in the US, I find. Visting old haunts, including the wonderful Pike Place Market with its fabulous fruit and veg., not to mention the famous fish trower! Despite a few flight glitches - I wish a fellow passenger hadn't told us they were sticking the wing up with duck tape!! - it was an exceptionally rewarding trip.
Monday, October 01, 2007
The Practitioner Peer Support Day yesterday went very well. Quality not quantity was the order of the day when seven hypnotherapists met to exchange ideas, learn about "regressing to cause" and instant inductions, celebrate their successes and accept suggestions on how to deal with clients who are complex or "stuck". Despite a lower number of participants than I had anticipated, the day was very enjoyable and very informative. I am planning a third PPSD on Sunday, 27th January 2008 and once again anyone interested in attending can contact me at jose@mindtochange.co.uk. This cost is £25 per person.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Once again a long time has elapsed since my last posting. I had intended to review some interesting case studies in this blog but have been so busy with clients I've had no time to write about them!
I have seen some exceptionally interesting clients this year, making my work very rewarding. In the summer I had to change my supervisor as my friend of some 10 years retired. I am looking forward to working with my new supervisor, a man this time.
I have established a peer support group for hypnotherists, under the auspices of the General Hypnotherapy Register. The group meets every 4 to 6 weeks and is going well. It is usually attended by about 6 local therapists of varying disciplines, although all are trained in hypnotherapy.
This coming, Sunday, 30th September, I am covening a Practitioner Peer Support Day for the south east area of the country in Woking. I have attended some very interesting days put on by Dominic Beirne in Warwickshire and decided something similar in the south east area would be welcome. Anyone interested in attending either this or subsequent Practitioner Support days, please contact me at jose@mindtochange.co.uk. The next will be later on in January 2008. The days run from 10.30 am to 4 pm. Refreshments are provided throughout the day and there are many places to lunch nearby.
A couple of weeks ago I received my first ever complaint from a client. I was surprised how hurt I felt, particularly as I had worked really hard to help this woman. As is so often the case, the presenting issue was not really the root of the problem. The experience brought, of course, new learning. It reminded me that therapy of any kind is not magic. However skilled the therapist, the client must come with an open mind, a willingness to change and be prepared to work with the therapist to facilitate that change.
I have seen some exceptionally interesting clients this year, making my work very rewarding. In the summer I had to change my supervisor as my friend of some 10 years retired. I am looking forward to working with my new supervisor, a man this time.
I have established a peer support group for hypnotherists, under the auspices of the General Hypnotherapy Register. The group meets every 4 to 6 weeks and is going well. It is usually attended by about 6 local therapists of varying disciplines, although all are trained in hypnotherapy.
This coming, Sunday, 30th September, I am covening a Practitioner Peer Support Day for the south east area of the country in Woking. I have attended some very interesting days put on by Dominic Beirne in Warwickshire and decided something similar in the south east area would be welcome. Anyone interested in attending either this or subsequent Practitioner Support days, please contact me at jose@mindtochange.co.uk. The next will be later on in January 2008. The days run from 10.30 am to 4 pm. Refreshments are provided throughout the day and there are many places to lunch nearby.
A couple of weeks ago I received my first ever complaint from a client. I was surprised how hurt I felt, particularly as I had worked really hard to help this woman. As is so often the case, the presenting issue was not really the root of the problem. The experience brought, of course, new learning. It reminded me that therapy of any kind is not magic. However skilled the therapist, the client must come with an open mind, a willingness to change and be prepared to work with the therapist to facilitate that change.
Monday, January 29, 2007
I have just found a brilliant website, http://kenwarren.com.au, recommended by the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council - www.general-hypnotherapy-register.com. Ken Warren's site is full of interesting and helpful information for therapists setting up in practice and has given me new inspiration and determination to succeed! Havng leafleted a whole estate about losing weight and stopping smoking earlier this month, I was feeling quite despondent at the lack of response. Looking at Ken's material I'm all fired up and full of ideas again! Rome wasn't built in a day, as they say.
Off to put new efforts into getting myself out there. And if you want to lose weight, stop smoking, feel more relaxed or say good bye to depression, then visit my website, www.mindtochange.co.uk or, better still, give me a call.
Off to put new efforts into getting myself out there. And if you want to lose weight, stop smoking, feel more relaxed or say good bye to depression, then visit my website, www.mindtochange.co.uk or, better still, give me a call.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Well here we are at the start of a new year and everyone will have promised themselves they will lose weight, stop smoking and do the one hundred other things they promise themselves they’ll do every year – and a month later will all be out the window!! Unless, of course, they have sought the help and support of a hypnotherapist! www.mindtochange.co.uk
The 2007 Health Bill will completely ban smoking in most public spaces and workplaces and includes outlawing the provision of smoking areas at work. There will be very limited exceptions to the ban, notably private homes, residential care homes, hotel rooms, prisons and hospitals. Employers may provide an outdoor area for smokers but there is no legal obligation on them to do so.
This smoke-free legislation is being introduced because tobacco smoke is now recognised to be the single greatest preventable risk to health. It causes 30% or all cancer deaths, 84% of lung cancer deaths, 17% of deaths from heart disease and 80% of deaths from bronchitis and emphysema. Smoking is responsible for more than 100,000 deaths in Britain each year.
Smoking can also seriously affect business productivity. A smoker may take up to 6 ten minute breaks per day, resulting in the loss of one hour a day or 5 hours in a week. Non smokers may resent the fact that smokers are taking more breaks and begin to take more or longer breaks themselves, thus damaging both productivity and staff morale in a company. Staff who are exposed to smoke, whether they be smokers or non smokers, are likely to be ill more often and may also take longer to recover.
However, the introduction of this anti smoking legislation may be just the incentive some people need to encourage them to give up smoking and hypnotherapy can help.
The majority of smokers start smoking when they are young and before long it becomes an addictive habit. As with any habit, it is difficult to break through willpower alone because it becomes an integral part of who you are. You rely on cigarettes in certain situations or associate them with certain friends or activities. Once this habit is established, it is no longer within conscious control. Non smokers don’t crave or even think about cigarettes because they just are not in their mind set.
Hypnotherapy is designed to take away the desire to smoke. Instead of feeling they are giving up something they enjoy, people feel they are getting rid of something they don’t want – a much more positive idea.
Hypnotherapy has a high success rate with smoking cessation and stopping smoking is one of the most common reasons why people consult a hypnotherapist. Clients are encouraged not to dwell on the negative aspects of smoking, but to aim for positive outcomes such as fitness, freedom, energy and good health!
So, if you want to help yourself, friends or family to stop smoking or, indeed, to stick to other New Year’s resolutions this time round, then contact me by email: jose@mindtochange.co.uk
The 2007 Health Bill will completely ban smoking in most public spaces and workplaces and includes outlawing the provision of smoking areas at work. There will be very limited exceptions to the ban, notably private homes, residential care homes, hotel rooms, prisons and hospitals. Employers may provide an outdoor area for smokers but there is no legal obligation on them to do so.
This smoke-free legislation is being introduced because tobacco smoke is now recognised to be the single greatest preventable risk to health. It causes 30% or all cancer deaths, 84% of lung cancer deaths, 17% of deaths from heart disease and 80% of deaths from bronchitis and emphysema. Smoking is responsible for more than 100,000 deaths in Britain each year.
Smoking can also seriously affect business productivity. A smoker may take up to 6 ten minute breaks per day, resulting in the loss of one hour a day or 5 hours in a week. Non smokers may resent the fact that smokers are taking more breaks and begin to take more or longer breaks themselves, thus damaging both productivity and staff morale in a company. Staff who are exposed to smoke, whether they be smokers or non smokers, are likely to be ill more often and may also take longer to recover.
However, the introduction of this anti smoking legislation may be just the incentive some people need to encourage them to give up smoking and hypnotherapy can help.
The majority of smokers start smoking when they are young and before long it becomes an addictive habit. As with any habit, it is difficult to break through willpower alone because it becomes an integral part of who you are. You rely on cigarettes in certain situations or associate them with certain friends or activities. Once this habit is established, it is no longer within conscious control. Non smokers don’t crave or even think about cigarettes because they just are not in their mind set.
Hypnotherapy is designed to take away the desire to smoke. Instead of feeling they are giving up something they enjoy, people feel they are getting rid of something they don’t want – a much more positive idea.
Hypnotherapy has a high success rate with smoking cessation and stopping smoking is one of the most common reasons why people consult a hypnotherapist. Clients are encouraged not to dwell on the negative aspects of smoking, but to aim for positive outcomes such as fitness, freedom, energy and good health!
So, if you want to help yourself, friends or family to stop smoking or, indeed, to stick to other New Year’s resolutions this time round, then contact me by email: jose@mindtochange.co.uk
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