About your Therapy
Why come to see me?
Your reasons for having hypnosis will be personal. Perhaps you have already had medical or psychological treatment. Sometimes standard approaches have not helped and what is required is something different. The advantage of seeing me is that I have the benefit of my medical training and experience.
My Ethos-mental health
Our well-being is a journey that starts at life and ends with death. We are born with many skills and attributes. The psychological difficulties we have are not the result of illness, weakness, or making mistakes, but are a build up of the overwhelming stresses faced, that exceeded our ability to cope. Healing is learning how to cope with life's setbacks.
My Ethos-hypnotherapy
As a therapist, I do not like the term 'therapy.' In reality, hypnosis is a natural ability and we all have the potential to develop it. I prefer the term 'hypnosis training,' I am the trainer and you the trainee. Hypnosis, like meditation is a skill. We all have this ability, some very naturally. Others less so. You will be able to practice this skill for yourself well beyond the end of any therapy sessions.
My Ethos-standard medical therapy
The words and advice I will be giving to you as a private hypnotherapy client are no different to those I say to an NHS patient. Hypnosis and standard NHS treatment are fully compatible. They have the same theoretical underpinnings. The only difference is that for you, I have the opportunity to help you by using hypnosis.
Initial telephone discussion
I offer a free initial telephone consultation. This is not essential, if you have already made up your mind to learn hypnosis, but it is there to help us to know each other better before starting. By learning a little of your background, I will be able to give you some indication of the number of sessions likely to be needed.
Working together
Psychotherapy including therapeutic hypnosis can be tiring reflecting your mental effort. That you are seeking help for your difficulty demonstrates that you are taking seriously the responsibility for your own well-being. I am merely the agent and guide to help you achieve healing. Hypnosis and self-hypnosis are how we will be able to achieve this for you.
The initial sessions
All the sessions will be individualised. The first will include my finding out about you including some straightforward psychometric tests.. You will learn the basics of self-hypnosis and for you to feel familiar with it. These usually include a number of relaxation techniques and managing anger. Even these early content free sessions may help to resolve issues. Once more accustomed to hypnosis, subsequent sessions will address your difficulties more directly .
Agreeing what we are trying to achieve
Setting aims for ourselves focuses the mind on what is to be accomplished. You will have your own ideas but I will guide you to what is achievable and how long it my take. It is often possible to accomplish more and in less time with hypnosis than without. You will be encouraged to practice self-hypnosis at home. I recommend reviewing progress after 4-5 sessions. Aims can be reassessed as often other matters that need addressing emerge.