Is anxiety or fear stopping you from living your life to the fullest? If so, I’m here to help.

 

Anxiety can be paralysing and stop you from enjoying everything life has to offer, but with my help, you can overcome it and take back control of your life.

 

If you suffer from anxiety, panic attacks or unnecessary fear, I can help teach you relaxation techniques and build up your very own 'anxiety toolkit' to dip in and out of whenever you feel anxious or new challenges come along. You will have this unique toolkit forever, and you can draw on the skills within the toolkit to meet difficult situations head on. 

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I want to reassure you that my approach is safe, gentle and progressive and we will move forwards at your pace. I like to describe my hypnosis as a creative and insightful experience like no other, which can light you up from inside and act as a kind of springboard towards your dreams and aspirations.

 

I work with adults and teenagers across a whole range of other issues, including:

• Fear of flying

• Performance anxiety

• Phobias

• Pain management

• IBS

• Infertility (I also help at the next stage of your pregnancy journey with hypno-birthing)

• Insomnia

• Chronic pain

• Weight loss & sugar cravings (Can include Gastric Band Hypnosis for weight management)

• Depression

• Stop Smoking

• OCD

 

It’s my goal to help you make the most of your strengths and your opportunities – to help you be more motivated and determined to succeed. By getting to know you, I’m able to tailor sessions that fit specifically around your needs and goals.

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In hypnosis, I help you to re-associate with the healthy neural pathways in your brain – an alternative to reaching out excessively for sugary food, might be to choose a healthier food option 80% of the time and less healthy options 20% of the time.   

 

I also teach self-hypnosis, which will empower you to maintain what we achieve in our sessions as well as reaching your long-term goals.

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Virtual Gastric Band.  Weight loss management with hypnosis.

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A non-surgical, long-term solution to weight loss. It is not a diet. We know diets only work in the short term. Hypnosis works particularly well if you:

 

• Have tried several different diets without success

• Are unable to sustain weight loss

• Comfort eat due to stress or trauma

• Have difficulty recognising when you have had enough to eat

• Would like to lose weight and become more body confident

 

Hypnosis helps the unconscious mind to believe the stomach is as small as a golf ball – no more overeating! It’s a technique which changes how you think about food. Hypnosis can train your mind to be happier with smaller amounts of food.  

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Hypnobirthing.

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The natural process by which mum can experience the process of giving birth with minimal discomfort, and keep a relaxed mind and body before, during and after giving birth. Research evidence and anecdotal feedback find that most pain is due to the defensive reaction of the body and mind to the natural process of childbirth.

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We can use the knowledge of the body’s intelligent and adaptive evolutionary response to pregnancy, and help reverse flight or fight response, increase endorphin, labour, oestrogen, and oxytocin hormones. A birthing partner can get involved to give extra support and research evidence finds that continued support by the same individual has powerful relaxation benefits for all the family and especially mum.

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What does hypnobirthing increase?

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• Relaxation and calm

• Confidence and self-belief

• Control of mind and body

• Freedom from discomfort and negative thinking.

• Flow of the body’s natural birth hormones and reduction of the production of adrenaline which would otherwise have powered up the stress response     

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Hypnobirthing. The Facts:

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• Mum being more relaxed with regular hypnosis increases the body’s natural ability to do what it has evolved naturally to do, to give birth and support the development of the healthy baby

• Brings together the physical and psychological benefits of wellbeing for mum. Research finds physical wellbeing impacting on psychological wellbeing and vice versa

• We are bringing a mum’s body into natural equilibrium including tuning into comfort

• Empowers the birth partner to get involved if they wish, especially to support mum and baby for a shared bonding experience

• Being knowledgeable about the important part that endorphins and other natural birth hormones play helps mum to confidently take charge of her body and mind during the birthing process

• What is included in a hypnobirthing session?

• Hypnosis techniques give mum confidence in her natural innate ability to deepen the relaxation response of body and mind. To feel good in the knowledge you can take control of your comfort in the present and well beyond

• Creative positive visualisations, imagery and self affirmations, e.g. including feeling comfort in the physical body and seeing yourself relaxed all the way through safely giving birth

• Hypnosis indirectly using the power of suggestion helps to relax physical tension and so relaxation comes naturally during birth especially when rehearsed a faster smoother, safe and easy birth

• Hypnosis encourages effective abdominal breathing to build the deepest levels of relaxation

• How to reframe fear, thinking of the birth experience differently, with a positive healthy outlook 

• To engage the birthing partner to take an active supportive role throughout the birthing process 

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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing)

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I can use EMDR to access memories, emotions and feelings which have been buried in the unconscious. These blocked memories can stop us from moving forwards in a way that we want. We can get insight into what happened in the past, from events that may have affected us negatively. Unblocking such memories allows us to move on. EMDR is a well researched technique and proven to help with anxiety and trauma.  

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More Options.

 

Where appropriate, I use other complementary therapies alongside hypnosis. These include: hypno-reflexology (where I use hypnotherapy alongside reflexology to deepen relaxation, helping with sleep and relieving stress); sports massage; hot stone massage and Japanese shiatsu.

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Some clients are choosing to experience hypnosis online and are finding the online option just as effective as hypnosis given face to face. You can enjoy relaxation techniques and positive visualisation from the comfort of your home. Clients tell me it is easy to fit hypnosis sessions into their day-to-day life when there is no need to travel to appointments. 

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Clients regularly ask me:

 

• Will you put me 'under'?
  During hypnotherapy, you’re not asleep and can get up any time you choose. Your senses are heightened during this period of focused attention. I don’t ‘put you under’ – this is a common misconception. I help you to feel relaxed and in control. In fact, you can find yourself in a natural state of hypnosis every day if, for instance, you drift off, are daydreaming, or lost in a favourite book.

 

• Will hypnotherapy work for me?
  The British Society of Clinical Hypnosis estimates that around 85% of people will respond at some level to clinical hypnotherapy. Key to success is the belief that change is possible, being open to trying something new and feeling motivated to change.

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• What will happen in our sessions?
  In our first session I get to know you and your history, so that I can understand your motivations and goals, and the relationship you have with your ‘symptom’. Following this, you will decide on a SMART goal – something that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely. I will outline my suggested treatment plan and you may choose to experience hypnosis for the first time.
  
  In following sessions, we will begin by reviewing progress with your SMART goal and the agreed treatment plan. We focus on what you want, and always on the positives. I will teach you new mind-relaxation therapy techniques in every session, which you will add to your 'anxiety toolkit'. Practice between sessions will allow you to gain control over your thoughts more quickly and empower you to take charge of your symptom.
  
  The number of sessions depends on your level of motivation, your expectations, the complexity of your symptom and your ultimate goal.

 

• What can I expect from hypnotherapy?
  Hypnotherapy uses the state of hypnosis to manage an unwanted habit, behaviour or medical problem. As a highly trained clinical hypnotherapist, my role is to keep you safe and empower you to always be in control. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the British Medical Journal (BMJ) endorse clinical hypnotherapy as being effective in relieving psychological and physical symptoms, and improving quality of life, alongside cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation and mindfulness therapies, all of which I incorporate into hypnosis.

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• Can you give me four quick ways of managing anxiety?

 

1. Identify the symptoms

When you feel anxious or panicky, the symptoms can be terrifying. They can include tightness in the chest, rapid breathing, raised heart rate and dizziness. Anxiety is usually caused by a build-up of adrenaline which your body can’t cope with – you then become even more anxious, creating a vicious cycle. It almost feels like your body is under physical attack.

 

By learning to recognise when you are feeling anxious, you can identify exactly what is going on and take steps to reduce anxiety, such as deep breathing, or even just removing yourself from a situation. The more often you do this, the easier it will be to reduce your anxiety levels.

 

Anxiety is often associated with the ‘flight fight response’. In animals this can be described as a switch which easily turns off when fear has passed. However the human switch is left on as our ability to think, imagine and feel means we can create a virtual world including things we have never seen before.

 

The resulting stress response includes a never ending spiral of emotions fuelled by what we create in our imagination and the constant flow of adrenaline produced by everyday stressors.

 

2. Stop it before it starts

When you are feeling anxious, there are steps you can take to reduce it, but you can also stop it before it starts, by identifying the cause or trigger. Do you get anxious in certain circumstances, such as having to do a work presentation, or in crowded public places? Or you might have a fear of spiders, dogs, flying or something else?

 

If you find that there are times you regularly get anxious, then avoiding them might be a solution in the short-term. If you can’t avoid them, then there are steps you can take such as breathing techniques, meditation and even self-hypnosis.

 

It’s also worth remembering that you have been in this situation before and you got through it, and you will again – positive self-talk can be a great help.

 

3. Learn to relax

When you feel anxious, it’s like your mind and body are going at 100 miles an hour. The good news is that we can train our minds (and our bodies) to relax. After all, we were born relaxed. One of the most effective ways is through diaphragm breathing, which helps slow down your breathing and heart rate, and the thoughts that may have been racing through your mind. You can practice this both when you are feeling anxious or if you know a stressful event is going to come up. With a relaxed, clear mind, you can empower yourself and take charge of your life.

 

4. Be kind to yourself

If anxiety is part of your everyday life, then self-care is vital. Get regular movement and exercise to flush away unwanted adrenaline from the body. Eat natural foods, unprocessed foods and drink plenty of water. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as they are known to increase anxiety. Get outdoors and interact with people more, and spend less time with IT and gadgets.

 

Don’t overload yourself. Simple is good. Getting regular time out, in a quiet place, to relax and unwind is key.

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Other Information:

I also incorporate in sessions a combination of:

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Relaxation Techniques

Including progressive muscle relaxation, to calm the mind and reduce the body's physiological and psychological stress response. 

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Mindfulness

Originates from the Buddhist religion, and is achieved by focusing awareness on the present moment, accepting and embracing thoughts, feelings and sensations regarding a current challenge. The breath is used as an anchor for relaxation. Helps to reduce the chaos in the mind. 

 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Habits are conditioned and reinforced every time a behaviour is repeated. The aim is to replace the old conditioned response with healthier behaviour, opening up to new possibilities which are consistent with your goal.  Change moves from a negative mindset to a positive one. Increasingly thoughts are dealt with constructively and logically, and catastrophic thinking re-appraised.

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Life Coaching

Life coaching is a thought provoking and creative process, inspiring you to explore and maximise your potential. It is designed to be empowering, confidence building, encourages reflection and is insightful. Hypnotherapy used alongside life coaching acts as a catalyst to make positive changes and ignite motivation.

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My aim is to help you to recognise and maximise your strengths and improve the quality of your life. In sessions we cover: values; SMART goals; limiting beliefs; negative emotions and thought processes; maintaining strong boundaries; relationships; time management; growth, transformation and empowerment.

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Valuable for many life skills including: Job interviews and growing presentation skills to an audience; finding meaning and purpose in your work role; building strong relationships; managing your emotions; preparation for a sports event including physical and emotional performance.

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Price

£65 for first session. Subsequent sessions £60 per hour (first session is up to seventy five minutes) - Book Now

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