A couple of weeks ago I sent out one of my regular evaluation forms to clients I have seen in the past 6 - 9 months. I do this to get feed back from clients on a range of things such as suitability of my premises, ease of getting an appointment, successful outcome of therapy provided, whether any unexpected changes or benefits have occurred following the sessions with me. This enables me to make adjustments and improvements to my techniques and to assess what worked well and what did not.

Even though I supply a self addressed, stamped envelope with each letter, the return rate of the evaluation is usually pretty low, around 3%. However, on this occasion in the first few days I was delighted to receive a 10% response, with replies still coming in. Comments have all been positive with a weight loss client remarking: "It was so good to talk in a relaxed atmosphere to another woman and get answers to some questions that had been troubling me." From a young man devastated by the shocking and unexpected death of his father: "Talking through the sudden loss of my father and its impact on the family has been a great help. I was very impressed by Jose and her style." From a nurse who had had some difficulties with her employer, including the threat of redundancy: "Six weeks after completing my counselling I was back in my previous role but in another speciality and am now better placed career wise than before. Thank you."

It is good to receive feedback, more so, of course, if it is positive. It's interesting that sometimes when I feel I have achieved nothing with a client, they report back later that they have been able to make great changes for the better in their lives. I honestly believe that many people talk about their problems - to family, friends and colleagues - but they very seldom feel heard whereas I, as a trained counsellor and hypnotherapist with many years experience now behind me, am able to give them the "unconditional, positive regard" talked about by Carl Rogers and certainly also practiced by the great hypnotherapist, Milton Erickson on whose work my own therapeutic practice is firmly based. I read recently the quotation, by whom I do not know, "To talk is to heal." And this is so true. Clients often say that, having unloaded many of their troubles in the first therapy session where they really feel heard, they then have so much more energy to deal with life. It's as if space is freed up in the brain which can be put to good use.

Of course, I really believe it is important to tailor the therapeutic approach to the individual client and study and experience of many different techniques means I can readily do this, using Emotional Freedom Technique, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Time Line Therapy, Hypnotherapy and Counselling skills as appropriate, combined with deep relaxation, guided imagery and visualisation to enable clients to bring about changes very safely.

To ensure the safety of all my clients, and maintain my own mental wellbeing, I receive regular one to one supervision from a qualified supervisor with whom I can discuss my clients without identifying them. In addition I convene a Peer Support Group for local hypnotherapists in Guildford, Woking and surrounding areas where again, we may bring client issues, anonymously, of course, and also demonstrate and discuss new or particularly successful techniques we have tried. Members of this group are all hypnotherapists but most also practice in another area as well. For example we have a herbalist, a reflexologist, a healer, and an analytical hypnotherapist. In both areas of supervision, complete client confidentiality is assured.

If you would like more information about my work or about the Supervision/Peer Support Group, which is accredited by the General Hypnotherapy Register, please email me at jose@mindtochange.co.uk.

Last night I went on a very enjoyable "Netwalk" with Ecademy's Breath of Fresh Air Club. The walk was organised by Jenny Littlejohn of www.biglifecoaching.co.uk and Tom Evans of www.psycademy.co.uk. The walk was not a strenuous one, along the banks of the River Wey at Guildford. Participants broke into groups of 4 or 5 and each person had twenty minutes to talk about a business problem they are currently facing. The other members of the group then brainstormed solutions. This open air thinking combined with a healthy walk in the countryside brings forth some brilliant resolution of problems and members always come away re-enthused and invigorated. The evening is complete with a pleasant meal and drink or two at a local pub where further networking and exchange of ideas takes place.

For more information contact either of the above organisers - an evening to be recommended. More strenuous walks are also arranged in the Surrey Hills or in the early morning, finishing with a hearty networking breakfast.