What is Cognitive Hypnotherapy?

Cognitive Hypnotherapy covers a set of disciplines, which uses traditional hypnotherapy and cognitive thinking to find solutions to our problems.  I use Cognitive Hypnotherapy to help my clients improve their quality of life and find more fulfilment.  You can read more about it and watch a video here.

How Did You Get Into Cognitive Hypnotherapy?

Before I got into Cognitive Hypnotherapy, I used to be a primary school teacher. I had some challenges in my life, like most people, including , a bereavement in my teens, health issues and relationship issues. I sought therapy and counselling for support and it really helped me manage those situations. After I’d been working in schools full time for 10 years, and in education for about 15 in total, decided to retrain so I could help other people using Cognitive Hypnotherapy.

Is Cognitive Hypnotherapy anything like Stage Hypnotism?

No, Cognitive Hypnotherapy is quite different to stage hypnotism. I went to watch Paul McKenna in London, before I started my training and he was amazing. His show was designed for the stage and for entertainment, but within that, he was helping people to see that they could make important changes. I left inspired and went to learn more.

Cognitive Hypnotherapy is very different to stage hypnotism, because it’s one to one and based in a therapeutic context. By that I mean the relationship between the therapist and the client is of vital importance. It’s one of trust and no one else is watching!

How Does a Cognitive Hypnotherapy Session Work?

A Cognitive Hypnotherapy session is really a conversation. For most of the session, I am asking questions and actively listening. During some part of the session I might ask my client to close their eyes while I ask them to think about something or to recall a memory.

Will I remember my Hypnotherapy sessions?

Yes, you will remember the hypnotherapy session. The majority of the session entails the two of us talking, with our eyes open. I ask different types of questions to help the client tap in to emotions or memories or in some cases to work out what they think about something. There are 2 parts to this – the cognitive, eyes open logical part and the unconscious part which is where the hypnosis is induced.

Most of the hypnosis in Cognitive Hypnotherapy is actually in the recordings that the client listens to each night before they go to sleep, when they have finished their day and are completely relaxed.

What Do You Treat with Cognitive Hypnotherapy?

I treat lots of areas with Cognitive Hypnotherapy. I like the variety as each person is an individual and I am listening for what it is they want help with and what they want to change – that could really be anything.

My areas of special interest are – anxiety, stress, relationships with others and importantly with ourselves, confidence, trauma and PTSD. I work with primary aged children (I’m an experienced teacher) and all of the issues around fertility, IVF, hypnobirthing, peri menopause, menopause and so on.

I tend not to work with addictions – I have trusted colleagues and will always try and find someone if I am not the best person to help that client.

Who is Your Ideal Hypnotherapy Client?

I work with men, women and children over 7 (depending on their level of understanding).

My ideal hypnotherapy client is open-minded and flexible and is ready for change. They are unhappy with their situation and they are ready, willing and able to do the work it takes to makes those changes. A lot of the changes happen under the level of consciousness, but it takes time, effort and money, not to mention the will and determination when it gets tough.

That’s what I am listening for to see if my potential client is good match to work with me.

Can Hypnotherapy Help Women with Hormonal Problems?

Cognitive Hypnotherapy can help with hormonal problems if the client is open and willing to trust the process. When we are more in touch with our emotions and are able to verbalise what’s going on, it can make it easier to deal with any sort of health of medical issue. Cognitive Hypnotherapy can be safely used in conjunction with supplements or treatment for hormonal problems.

What Results Can You Expect with Cognitive Hypnotherapy?

You can expect rapid results with Cognitive Hypnotherapy. Most clients report that they feel better even after the first session, because after the detailed history take, they feel lighter having explained it all to one person in one go. Clients often comment on the recordings that I make for them – each one is bespoke as each client has their ideal outcome and that’s what the recording is based on. I’m relaying you words back to them, couched in hypnotic language, which makes it easier for the unconscious mind to pick up.

Is Cognitive Hypnotherapy an ongoing process or can you have a few sessions and feel the benefits?

There is no hard and fast rule for the number of Cognitive Hypnotherapy sessions a person will need. We are dealing with the mind, so it’s about using my judgement and asking questions to review and listening to the feedback from the client. Clients can certainly feel the benefits after a few sessions, and in some cases only 1 session. For others it’s a deeper longer process.

Let me explain.

If someone needed help regarding an operation which was happening tomorrow, I could help them in one session. Phobias can often be released in one session. This depends on the person and I would plan a follow up call to check in on them.

For most clients the fewest number would be 4 or 6 sessions.  It’s 12 sessions for a deeper transformation. This is a holistic therapy so we are always looking at the whole person.

I also offer a 6 month programme for major life changes or for deep or complex issues.

Do you work online or in person and where can people find you?

I mainly work online and I have a few slots a week for in person work. I always see children in person.

You can find out about sessions and booking information here.

Why not book a Discovery Call to find out more. You can do that here.

 

This blog was taken from an interview by Hannah Hope – Women’s Health Nutritionist and Sam Gold Nutritionist and Health Coach.

You can watch the video here.