Overcoming a balloon phobia with hypnotherapy

I grew up with an acute phobia of balloons, fireworks, motorbikes etc. loud noises in general that I felt my ears couldn’t cope with. Whilst most faded, the phobia of balloons has become more intense as I have grown up. The unpredictability, the smell, the delicateness; all things I actively loathed about balloons could bring on a panic attack, even someone mentioning the word could make me very uncomfortable.

At 27, my phobia is often laughed at, scoffed at and dismissed as silly, so it was time to try a new tactic with different support. Christmas in particular is a time where I am very aware of my phobia, so I decided to visit my hypnotherapist Ruth.

“The first step with all clients is trying to thoroughly understand their struggles. A positive therapeutic relationship is one of the keys to successful results and is something I quietly work hard to achieve. In this instant, the foundations were already in place. Often people are ashamed and embarrassed about having a phobia. Some go to extreme lengths, avoiding and manipulating situations to ‘manage’ their phobia. When a client comes to me asking for help, it is the first big step in a journey to an easier, more comfortable life.” Ruth Hazeldine, Dip.Hyp, HDP, MNCH

What’s the difference between phobia and fear?

A phobia is often described as an irrational, learned fear that stems beyond being afraid of something. The heightened sense of anxiety can often physically paralyse its victim and no amount of rationalisation can quell the intense feelings of anxiety, fear and often anger. For example, I am slightly scared of spiders but I am able to remove them from my house with relative ease. With my phobia of balloons, the feelings would be so strong that I physically could not enter the room.

What the phobia represents

Symbolism can be key in addressing phobias. It can be that you simply don’t like something that can evolve into a phobia, or there can be a trigger. Identifying my trigger was useful in looking for a ‘why’ in a seemingly irrational situation. In my former self, a balloon bursting was unpredictable and dangerous. If it was too close to my head, my ears would burst and the material would sting my face. It was about protection.

When my mother was pregnant with me, she lived next to a volatile neighbour who used starting pistols and fireworks in his garden on regular occasions. As surmised by my doctor, this could well have been the trigger of my phobia, I was a child picking up on my mother’s stress. Even in the womb, I recognised these noises as a signal of danger or stress. This meant that I grew up feeling the need to protect myself from balloons and their unpredictability.

Once I had identified my trigger and unpacked this with Ruth, we looked at my goal situation. She said, “I help clients to describe their goals. That might sound simple, but many people struggle to see their life without the phobia. They find it hard to verbalise being comfortable in a situation they have learned to fear.”  

My goal was to coexist with a balloon without noticing it. But actually, Ruth helped me realise my goal was to enjoy a balloon.

How can hypnotherapy help a phobia?

A gentle but effective approach to treating phobias, hypnosis encourages you to transcend into a deep state of relaxation whilst experiencing feelings of comfort, happiness and safety. Once in this state, you are more susceptible to suggestion and change, so your therapist may take you through a triggering situation. Anxiety and relaxation can’t exist in the body at the same time and the aim is to experience these triggering situations with feelings of joy and safety, effectively unlearning the anxiety associations.

I practised bringing relaxation to my body in everyday life with self-hypnosis techniques and building up positive, fun experiences with balloons. Over the course of my hypnotherapy, Ruth worked with me to build up a ‘mental toolkit’ to have at my disposal when a phobia attack should arise.

The benefit of having a safe place I could conjure at my fingertips and the feelings associated with this space, ensures that if I keep practising, I will be able to enjoy the presence of a balloon and the joy it brings others.

“Hypnosis helps people face their fears while feeling totally relaxed, mentally rehearse situations whilst experiencing comfort and allow them to visualise the future they want,” Ruth explains.

In my first session, I noticed how pretty the balloon looked floating in the imagined wind. In my third session I mentioned that a balloon is similar to a bubble, they float and they burst beautifully. And after my fifth session, I bought a pack of balloons to play with.

What I managed was to step away from the learned anxiety that had built up over time and perceive a balloon how my niece saw it; as a toy or decoration. A previously completely alien concept.

Perhaps I will always notice a balloon, but I certainly won’t be crossing the road to avoid it or finding myself angry at the injustice of a child torturing me by playing with a balloon near me.

Hypnotherapy and Dementia

Written by Tania Taylor Dementia is rapidly becoming the biggest killer in the world, with one person diagnosed worldwide every 3 seconds, and more than 1 in 3 people over the age of 80 will die with dementia. In the UK, there are currently 850,000 people living with dementia, and this figure is set to ... Read moreHypnotherapy and Dementia

Agoraphobia at Christmas: how to manage the holidays with an anxiety disorder

What is agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia (ag-uh-ruh-FOE-be-uh) is a debilitating and life challenging condition, an anxiety and panic disorder leaving sufferers avoiding certain social situations for fear of panic, embarrassment or lack of escape. Often thought of as a fear of leaving the house, or a fear of open spaces, an individual suffering with this condition may actually struggle with much more complex situations including:

• visiting a shopping centre
• travelling on public transport
• a fear of small spaces (lifts)
• being surrounded by lots of people or crowds
• being too far away from home

Learn about hypnotherapy and anxiety.

Many of these symptoms can be heightened at Christmas, with the festive period involving social gatherings, work parties, busy shopping centres and leaving the house to do the festive family duties. The panic element of agoraphobia can leave an individual with often terrifying symptoms they’re unable to control and left untreated may lead to further mental health issues.

Common symptoms include:

• feeling sick
• feeling overcome with heat
• starting to sweat
• rapid heartbeat
• uncontrollable crying
• the urge to run
• shaking
• dizziness

Hypnotherapy for agoraphobia

In the UK around two in 100 people struggle with a panic disorder, but around a third of these people eventually overcome these symptoms and remain symptom-free for life. With many techniques to overcome agoraphobia, including CBT and medication, hypnotherapy is an effective technique in helping individuals struggling with agoraphobia. Hypnotherapy can unlock a practised state of calm in the mind or ‘relaxation technique’ in times of distress.

Find a hypnotherapist using our search tool and overcome your anxiety.

Your hypnotherapist will work with you on your ‘goal scenario’ (what you want the outcome to be from hypnotherapy treatment for your agoraphobia) using relaxation techniques to access your unconscious. Using the power of suggestion, they’ll work with you to create a sense of calm that can be accessed mindfully when your anxiety triggers. You’ll learn new reactions to certain situations that often trigger your anxiety and ‘unlearn’ reactions that have been holding you back.

National mental health charity Mind share eight tips for help with relaxation.

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Self-care tips over the Christmas period

• Share with a family member

Share you thoughts and worries with a trusted member of your family, someone you feel comfortable with. If an event gets too much, you’ll have someone to support you, spot the signs of your heightened anxiety or what is going to trigger it and comfort you if needed. In sharing your worries, you can also manage your family’s expectations of you over the Christmas period.

• Learn to say ‘no’

Knowing your boundaries is particularly important at Christmas as increased social interaction and ‘forced cheer’ can increase the pressure you put on yourself to portray the perfect Christmas attitude. But if a certain social event is bothering you, or there are simply too many events going on, politely decline the event you don’t wish to attend.

It’s perfectly acceptable not to attend an event, but be mindful that you don’t fall into a vicious circle of not attending anything, feeling guilty or embarrassed for missing out and as such remaining at home for another event. Take small steps to push your boundaries but be aware of the triggers.

• Don’t compare yourself to others

A lot easier said than done, Christmas can be a particularly difficult time if you struggle with comparing yourself to to others. Christmas party dresses, Christmas presents, social gatherings etc. can add to a catalyst of low-self confidence and lack of self-esteem. Be gentle with yourself. If you’re in the presence of other people, you have already taken a big step forward in your recovery and that is worth celebrating.

• Make sure there is ‘you time’

As with any part of life, ‘you time’ is particularly important to rebalance yourself, de-stress and spend some time doing the things you enjoy as just you, as opposed to ‘we’. As the everyday routine of life is often disrupted at Christmas, ensure you have some uninterrupted time and a space where you can retreat to to ensure you reconnect with yourself, your needs and relax in a comfortable space.

Have You Got The Right Mindset?

Written by Sarah Stanley It’s always scary taking that first step. Whether we are moving on in our personal or our working lives, change can be difficult. I have recently faced a new challenge in my business – an offer to open a second clinic. My part-time clinic in Horley has suited me very well. ... Read moreHave You Got The Right Mindset?

How to quit smoking when surrounded by smokers

As one in five adults in the UK is a regular smoker, it’s likely that if you’re trying to quit smoking, encountering smokers regularly will certainly test your will-power.

Social smoking and drinking go hand in hand in the UK pub culture, and regular cigarette breaks with colleagues have become the norm in the office workplace. But with the startling statistic that nearly 50% of all smokers die prematurely due to smoking-related diseases, there isn’t a better time to extinguish for good, than right now.

Beating an addiction will be difficult, frustrating and require lots of determination. But, with the right support, you can get there. When it feels like the rest of the world is lighting up, read our top tips for achieving your quitting goals.

Set expectations.

Whether that’s with friends, family, colleagues or a partner, make sure you communicate your quitting plans and what you hope to expect from those around you. If your partner smokes, make plans to ensure they smoke outside, cigarettes are kept out of sight and they don’t give you a cigarette (even if you ask for one), etc. Ensure your surround yourself with a supportive network who know you are serious and dedicated to the cause, and can help you along your journey.

Detox your social media.

Unfortunately, in our society, we can’t escape digital adverts that follow us around the web. But you can actively unfollow any accounts or websites on your social channels that have you reaching for the packet of cigarettes. In this case, out of sight out of mind will help combat your internal habit reminder that it’s time for a cigarette.

Plan for nights out.

It’s very common that a night out on the town will ensure slip-ups, so plan ahead. If you know you can’t resist a quick smoke with your beer, take something with you to occupy your mind. It sounds silly, but download a game on your phone so when your friends pop out for a cigarette, lose yourself for five minutes in the game. You’ll quickly realise that distraction is a powerful tool.

Join a group.

Surround yourself with a positive group who are on the same journey as you. They can offer you support and understanding that your friends may not truly be able to give. A quit smoking group is dedicated to one collective goal and will be readily available with tips and tricks to combat your cravings, social pressures and quitting difficulties.

A simple google search for your local hospital and its smoke-free services is the best way to reach fellow quitters and support groups.

Get active.

Ex-smokers have often said that they miss having something to hold or fiddle with. It might be worth investing in a small stress ball or any small toy that you can hold or squeeze when a craving is particularly apparent.

Reassess why you smoke.

If smoking is a treat for you, consider what other treats you allow yourself and what they give you. A stressful day could be eased with a quiet bath or a glass of your favourite wine – which could be savoured rather than hampered with the taste of nicotine.

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Our final note is to get all the help you can! Quitting smoking is life-changing and, at any age, you can do it. Seeking professional help in the form of a hypnotherapist can be an effective treatment for smoking. By breaking negative thought patterns and behaviours associated with smoking, you can see the cigarette in its true form, rather than what it symbolises to you.

Hypnotherapy: Commonly asked questions

Hypnotherapy can sometimes feel like it’s shrouded in mystery. Those who don’t work in the industry or those who haven’t tried it before can feel unsure about the practice, and often have questions.

Here at Hypnotherapy Directory, our aim is to lift the curtain and show the world how powerful hypnotherapy can be. We want to take the mystery away and educate as many people as possible on the ways hypnotherapy can support us.

Below we’ve listed some of the questions we often hear when people want to know more about hypnotherapy. Our hope is to share these answers far and wide and encourage more people to consider hypnotherapy.  

Can hypnotherapists control me when I’m in a hypnotic state?

This is a common misconception. Hypnotherapists aim to put you in a deeply relaxed state and communicate with your unconscious – and while you’ll be more open to suggestion, you won’t do anything you don’t want to do.  

Will I remember what happened during the session?

Many people remain aware of what’s happening in their hypnotherapy session, some feel as if they’ve had a nap and don’t remember the details. This will vary from person to person, but generally, people leave their sessions feeling calm, relaxed and centred.

What can hypnotherapy help with?

Hypnotherapy can help with a wide range of concerns. Where it really shines is when a change in habit is required. We’ve found the following areas of concern to be highly searched for on our site:

Weight loss – For those looking to be more mindful with their diet, hypnotherapy can be a helpful way of encouraging more intuitive eating habits.  

Anxiety – A hypnotherapist can help those with anxiety learn how to access a calmer state of mind more easily and increase relaxation.

Quit smoking – Powerful at changing habits, hypnotherapy can be an excellent method to quit smoking.

Addictions – As with smoking, overcoming other addictions such as alcohol addiction, drug addiction and gambling addiction can be supported with hypnotherapy.

Phobias – Many people find hypnotherapy helpful for tackling phobias, including fear of flying, claustrophobia, arachnophobia and much more.

Insomnia – Not being able to sleep can affect both mental and physical health over time. Many people use hypnotherapy to help overcome sleep disorders like insomnia.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – Hypnotherapy is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as an effective treatment for IBS.

Will it work if I’m sceptical?

As we mentioned earlier, a hypnotherapist cannot make you do anything you don’t want to. Having a willingness to change and an open mind is key to the success of hypnotherapy. If you go into the session not really wanting to change or totally against the idea of hypnotherapy, you’re unlikely to get the most from it.

How many sessions will I need?

This will depend on the type of hypnotherapy you’re having and the nature of the problem you’re seeking help with. Some people may only need one session, while others will require longer-term treatment. Your hypnotherapist may also recommend self-hypnosis after your sessions to help you keep up momentum.

What should I look for in a hypnotherapist?

Having a trusting relationship with your hypnotherapist is important, so it helps if you can find out more about the way they work before booking an appointment. Ensuring they are appropriately qualified and insured is also recommended.

How can I find a hypnotherapist?

We have a nationwide network of hypnotherapists here, all of whom are either registered with a professional body or have shown us appropriate qualifications or insurance. If you use our advanced search you can find a list of hypnotherapists in your local area and then read through their profiles to learn more about them before booking a consultation.  

Hypnosis and meditation: What’s the difference?

There can be some confusion about what hypnosis and meditation are, particularly around whether there is any difference between the two disciplines – or whether they are names that can be used interchangeably, for the same thing.

We’ll explore their similarities as well as their differences, to help clear the matter up.

Similarities

Both hypnosis and meditation can induce deeply relaxing states of mind that can help promote calmness of mind and reduce levels of stress. They both require a certain kind of focus of mind, too – often (but not always) purposefully directed. Both can also use specific suggestions and words in order to induce a trance-like state.

Ultimately, asking what the difference is between hypnosis and meditation is a little like asking what the difference is between alcohol and wine. In some ways, meditation can be seen as a very specific, specialised use of a type of hypnotic state – often as part of a wider spiritual system.

Some hypnotic states could be more like meditative states, and some people who meditate will likely experience profoundly hypnotic imagery sometimes.

So, what are the key differences?

As we see, there are a lot of similarities between hypnosis and guided meditation, however, one of the major differences is that hypnosis is usually used to help people detach from destructive emotions and calmly begin to see wider and happier possibilities.

• Promoting positive change

We see this in all of the topics listed in our hypnotherapy areas section. For instance, if you wish to stop smoking, you can utilise the power of positive suggestion within hypnosis to bring about subconscious change to the way you think and feel about the act of smoking. This, in turn, can help to change your behaviour.

In order to do this, it requires the participant to enter a type of hypnotic state of focused attention, allowing the suggestions to enter the subconscious mind. The emphasis is more on how good the hypnotist is at inducing this trance-like state.

Guided meditation, on the other hand, is about using the power of your own imagination to plant the images in your subconscious mind in order to bring about change – with the mere gentle guidance of a narrator.

• Oriented towards goals

Another fundamental difference between the two is that the underlying philosophy of mindfulness aims to dissuade meditators from being goal-focused.

In contrast, self-hypnosis is an overtly goal-oriented process. We use very particular forms of imagery, self-suggestion and cognitive processes in order to create and effect change to overcome challenges and issues and to advance abilities.

• Past, present, future

Hypnosis used therapeutically will often focus on helping someone relax around memories of the past or prepare to feel better and act differently in the future. Meditation, on the other hand, is often an attempt to be absolutely in the present.

However, many people in hypnosis will often report feeling totally focussed “in the now”. So, if you find this to be the case yourself, do not worry.

• Emotional hypnosis

Another important point to remember is that hypnosis isn’t only a ‘state of relaxation’. Emotion is hypnotic – we are often at our most focussed when we experience heightened emotions. For example, anger, which focuses our attention and makes us suggestible.

It’s because our emotions are so hypnotic, that we can be so amenable to hypnotic treatment.

Anyone who can make you more emotional also has the ability to make you more suggestible. In this way, we can see that counsellors and therapists utilise some elements of hypnosis in their own practice. For example, if a counsellor asks you to direct your attention to a recent break-up or the pain of your childhood, they are encouraging disassociation from the here and now (which can be a feature of hypnotic trance).

Hypnotherapy for health anxiety

Someone with health anxiety will find themselves worrying a great deal about their health and may think they’re unwell when they’re not. They might check their body regularly for signs of illness, including unusual lumps, pains or other physical sensations.

Health anxiety can often cause people to check their symptoms online and/or worry about illnesses reported on in the media. It can lead to people asking for reassurance from friends, family and even their doctor.

Anxiety itself can often cause physical symptoms, including a fast heartbeat, chest pain and headaches. Someone with health anxiety may, therefore, mistake these symptoms for illness too and worry they are seriously ill.

Living with this type of anxiety means you’re in a constant state of worry. Despite your logical mind telling you, you’re OK, the anxiety forces you into a feeling of panic. Hypnotherapist Sue Jeffery explains this in her article, ‘Exhausted by anxiety?’

“Our fear is exaggerated. Our thinking distorted. We see everything through the filter of possible danger. Fear becomes the lens through which we see the world.”

There is a way out, though.

There are several different therapy approaches that can help with health anxiety, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy.

Hypnotherapy for health anxiety may even incorporate CBT techniques and/or neuro linguistic programming (NLP). The aim of hypnotherapy for health anxiety is to help remove the fear of your health being in danger and replacing it with a different, more positive suggestion.  

Hypnotherapy can also help you learn relaxation techniques to help calm your mind when anxiety pops up. Often, hypnotherapists will recommend self-help techniques too, such as breathing exercises, relaxation techniques and self-hypnosis.  

Hypnotherapist Becca Teers shares some simple steps to alleviate anxiety in her recent article, including exercise, journaling, avoiding alcohol, spending time with loved ones and focusing on a goal. Self-help techniques can help you make the most of your hypnotherapy session, continuing the work outside of the therapy room.

Migraine and hypnotherapy

With Migraine Awareness Week running from 2-8 September this year, I thought it would be a good time to look at how hypnotherapy can help people who experience migraines. Migraine Awareness Week is a campaign to draw attention to migraine, educate the public, and reduce stigma. So, what is a migraine? Basically, it’s a severe ... Read moreMigraine and hypnotherapy

Releasing chronic pain (how hypnotherapy can help)

Living with pain day in and day out is taxing, both physically and mentally. There are many different approaches sufferers can try, one of which is hypnotherapy.

With five broken discs in her neck and lumbar region, hypnotherapist Carol Hickson has experienced chronic pain personally and now describes herself as pain-free. Here she explains how she uses hypnotherapy with clients who suffer from chronic pain.

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Having worked extensively with clients suffering from chronic pain I continue to be in awe of the improvements that can be achieved either by reducing the pain or, in many cases, removing it. Under hypnosis, I address the problem from an emotional level, through the unconscious mind.

According to research, trauma and negative experience remain ‘stuck’ in our bodies at a cellular level. Our body holds the somatic imprint of what the trauma ‘felt’ like at the time that it happened and the emotions that were present.  

The word trauma is often misunderstood. People who associate it only with major disasters often hold the belief that their personal ‘trauma’ does not deserve to be labelled as ‘real’ trauma. But trauma does not have to be violent or physically injurious. In fact, any experience which deeply affects us, like divorce, hospitalisation and accidents (major or minor), can all result in residual trauma.

Generally, when we have an injury, our body’s capabilities mean that we heal. There may be lasting damage, but we are designed to find new routes and ways to deal with it.

I say ‘generally’ because some injuries are so extensive that full physical recovery is not possible. This article is concerned with those who have not received such catastrophic injuries but live with chronic pain which could be from a variety of causes including back pain, dental issues, osteoarthritis and so on.  

The trauma often persists in the subconscious mind and, so, it is at this level that we address the situation. Under hypnosis, we encourage the client to acknowledge that they have suffered damage at a physical level, but that does not mean that continued pain is inevitable.  

Acceptance can be difficult because people often misunderstand and believe that if they accept the pain then they resign themselves to it and this goes against their desire to live pain-free.  

But, acceptance is a vital part of therapy.

Whilst there is an internal battle between where the client currently is and where they want to be, there can be little progress.

From a place of acceptance, the client reconnects with his/her body. We do this through the body scan: the client becomes an observer of their body. Under hypnosis, the client learns how to reconnect and renew that relationship.

Once the client is comfortable being ‘in’ their body we can then track back to the origin of the initial injury.

From this place of safety, we consider the pain, often in metaphorical ways, asking the subconscious mind to direct us towards what is preventing the body from healing. We become observers of both our mind and body.

If we notice that the pain shifts or changes we can begin to challenge its validity and purpose. If we can change the pain under hypnosis, for example, its location or intensity, then we have reason to believe that it is being ‘propped up’ by emotional issues in our subconscious mind.

Under hypnosis, we consider whether there is any benefit in holding onto the pain. There is no judgement. It’s just a gentle exploration; understanding that the subconscious mind is habitual and tries to protect from perceived danger both emotional and physical. The results are often astounding. We should never underestimate the power of the brain to heal.

Hypnobirthing: What are the benefits?

Hypnobirthing has become somewhat of a buzzword recently, with celebrity mothers Giovanna Fletcher, Joe Wicks’ girlfriend Rosie Jones, as well as Harry Kane’s fiancée Katie Goodland opting for this form of pain management. But was is it and why is it beneficial for mums-to-be?

What is hypnobirthing?

At its core, hypnobirthing is a method of pain management, involving a mixture of visualisation, relaxation and deep breathing techniques to help women during labour and birth. Breathing exercises have long been part of antenatal classes, but hypnobirthing takes this and adds mindfulness techniques to help mums-to-be concentrate on their body and mind connection, in the lead up to, during and after the birth of their baby.

Why is it beneficial?

Many studies have shown that a positive birth experience can have a profound impact on maternal psychological and emotional well-being. This can enable women to embark on motherhood feeling confident, strong and capable.

“Hypnobirthing allowed me to let go of my preconceived ideas about childbirth and embrace a fearless, positive and calm approach. Surrounding yourself with positive affirmations, scents, sounds and people are key. The breathing techniques are essential to remaining calm and in control during childbirth,” says Jemma Hoare, who had a hypnobirthing experience with her first baby.

It’s all about empowering women and their birth partners to create positive birth experiences.

Are the techniques only useful for pregnancy and birth?

No – the tools you learn from hypnobirthing can help to support you not only in pregnancy and during birth, but far beyond that. And it’s not just beneficial for mums; the learnings can be really helpful for birth partners, too.

Does it mean you don’t need pain relief?

This is a contentious subject, with Harry Kane having hit the headlines recently for praising his fiancée for having a pain-free birth – all thanks to hypnobirthing.

Well, while hypnobirthing is thought to reduce the amount of pain a woman endures throughout labour, it doesn’t necessarily replace the need for pain relief. It can be used alongside anything the hospital might offer from gas and air to epidural.

“Hypnobirthing doesn’t guarantee you a complication-free childbirth, but it does give you the right techniques to help deal with whatever comes your way,” Jemma tells us. “It’s not just for mums who want intervention-free births – it’s for everyone, including those who will undergo Caesarean section or any other medical procedure.”

Remember, every woman is different, as is every birth. There is no right or wrong way to approach your birthing experience, it all comes down to personal choice.

Hypnobirthing is just one option that may help you to learn more about the physiology of birth and, as a result, release any fear you have around bringing your baby into the world.

One mum, Elle, tells us about her hypnobirthing experience.

I found out about hypnobirthing from watching a mum on Channel 4’s One Born Every Minute. She had the most amazing, calm birth and I immediately knew that’s what I wanted. I’ve always been scared of hospitals and needles, so I thought addressing birth in a more positive attitude would banish some of those nerves for me.

One breathing technique I learnt was to inhale for four and exhale for eight, which helps to control the pain during contractions. I still use the technique now, as it’s been amazing for easing any little bits of anxiety I get. When I went into labour, I used this breathing technique as well as listening to my hypnobirthing tracks, to remain calm whilst we travelled to the hospital.

When we arrived, following our midwife’s advice, I had an aromatherapy massage whilst my partner, Josh, said some positive affirmations for me – another hypnobirthing technique we learnt. He told me things like, “You’re strong and confident, you can do this.” This kept me motivated as we breathed through every contraction together. It’s definitely altered Josh’s mindset and he still says a lot of the positive affirmations whilst I’m breastfeeding, to keep me motivated when I find it tough.

During my labour, I was moved into a birth pool suite with hypnobirthing music in the background and battery powered tea lights lit our room. It happened quite quickly, so I had no time for room sprays, reading our birth preferences or even changing into my bikini; within 10 minutes I was in the pool.

The following contractions caused my waters to immediately break and I felt the urge to push. I panicked initially, but my midwife told me to calmly follow my body’s instructions. I struggled to focus on the down breathing but followed the midwife’s advice and, an hour later, our daughter was born.

The midwives kept talking about how perfect, calm and “textbook” our birth was, especially as a young, first-time mum. Josh and I felt so proud to bring our daughter into the world so positively.

Even though we expected to have more time to prepare for the birth, hypnobirthing taught us enough to have an incredibly calm delivery.

I never believed I could “breathe through” every contraction, but I did. I really believe that bringing our baby into the world in this positive way has made our relationship as a family much stronger and more loving.

Hypnotherapy for stress

We all experience different levels of stress throughout our lifetimes. It can be caused by our professional or personal lives, and each individual will cope with it differently. Some people are better at dealing with stress than others . Some of us really thrive off the pressure, whilst others can find it difficult to motivate themselves when stressed.

If we imagine the mind as a bucket that gets filled up throughout the day, this can help us to visualise what is happening to our stress levels. During sleep, the less impactful stressors, such as things that were bothering us during the day, leak out of the bucket. This/ is why we can sometimes wake up feeling less burdened by the things that happened the day before.

But, if the bucket is already overloaded, it never gets truly emptied – and this means it’s harder to cope with even the smallest of things.

Hypnotherapy can help address your stress and anxiety levels. Much like guided meditation, hypnotherapy leads you into a state of deep relaxation, blurring your conscious and subconscious minds.

Whilst in this state, hypnotherapists weave in various positive instructions – trying to instigate more positive thinking. All of this helps you empty your mind of all the things you are trying to process, which often cause you to feel stressed.

Why hypnotherapy? What about counselling?

Unlike counselling, which traditionally focuses on addressing the issues that are bringing you down so they don’t bring you down anymore, hypnotherapy is more ‘solution-focused’. Hypnotherapy focuses on how you want things to be by changing your mindset. So, your attitude changes towards the things that were causing you stress before.

Of course, everyone is different and counselling may be a preferred treatment option for you. Find out more about counselling for stress.

Scientific studies have shown that positive thinking can literally rewire the brain. This can make you less likely to dwell on things and more likely to brush things off, breaking the cycle of negative thinking.

How does hypnotherapy for stress work?

Hypnotherapy works by changing unwanted habits of thought. This is achieved by exercising the left prefrontal cortex of our brains. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for decision making and emotions; the left side is more active when positive, and the right side is more active when negative.

So, in order to be happier, we need to exercise the left part so it overrides the right. This is done by thinking about healthy, positive thoughts and avoiding unhealthy, negative thoughts. Sounds simple, right?

So, what are the methods of hypnotherapy for stress?

After uncovering the root of your stress, you will agree upon a goal with your hypnotherapist. This goal could be how you would like to feel, and what you would like to do in life without stress holding you back.

Your hypnotherapist will then work with you to achieve your goals using a variety of different techniques. Each therapist might use different techniques, but they all will work towards the same goal.

One strategy when negative thinking occurs, is to remind yourself of five things you are happy about in your life right now. Sometimes, you might find yourself battling to push something that’s upset you out of your mind.

One of the most effective methods to do this is to practise gratitude – focusing on the positive things in your life, not the aspects you don’t like.

Use our search tool to find a hypnotherapist in your local area to help you conquer stress.

Creating Light Bulb Moments!

Written by Sarah Stanley Have you ever felt anxious, fearful, lacking in confidence? Or low and depressed? If you have, you will understand how difficult it is to think clearly or to feel positive about anything. Here’s a message I received recently from a client who had an irrational fear of being alone at night: ... Read moreCreating Light Bulb Moments!

Overcoming a fear of blood

There aren’t many people out there who feel totally OK at the sight of blood but, for some, just the description of it is enough to make them feel unwell or even faint. If this sounds like you, know that you’re not alone.

When we look at our evolutionary history a fear of blood, or hematophobia, was a useful reaction. Fainting at the sight of blood may have been helpful for our ancestors as it reduces blood loss (when we’re horizontal our heart doesn’t have to pump so hard to get blood around the body, which can be helpful if we’re injured).

Fainting may have even helped our ancestors when they were attacked by animals – playing dead as a defence mechanism. When we look at it like this, an aversion/fear of blood is quite normal.

For some people, however, the reaction is severe and, in our modern life, most of us are unlikely to be attacked by animals. This makes the reaction of feeling unwell and fainting at the mention of blood inconvenient at the very least.

This deep-seated aversion to blood can often be made worse from an experience in childhood. For example, you may have witnessed an accident or even had an accident yourself that involved blood. The memory of this can heighten reactions to create a full-blown phobia that holds you back. Often there is also anxiety surrounding the phobia (for example being anxious about fainting when you see blood).

Hypnotherapy is a tool being used more and more for anxiety and has been found very helpful for those with phobias. While each hypnotherapist will be different, often they will help you uncover the root of your phobia and help you reduce your emotional reaction to the event in question.

TV presenter Davina McCall is just one example of someone who has had success with hypnotherapy for a blood phobia. Earlier this year, Davina revealed that she had this phobia after witnessing her grandmother in a lawnmower accident. Before presenting A&E Live, she had hypnotherapy to help her overcome her fear.

In a twist of fate, she was called out to a similar lawn mowing accident during filming. When talking on This Morning, she explained how she got on:

“I was absolutely fine. I was very nervous. I just thought, ‘you’ve just got to keep it together’. I was able to talk to him and look at what they were doing and I was completely fine.”

Read more success stories from people who have tried hypnotherapy for phobias.

Fear of cancer treatment in children: Can hypnosis help?

Although the link between cancer treatment and mental health is yet to be fully explored, it is believed that anxiety is more prevalent in cancer patients than in otherwise healthy people – even more so than depression. It’s thought this is the case, even after treatment is over.

Additionally, previous studies have shown that the medical procedures involved in cancer treatment can often provoke more anxiety in children and young people than the cancer diagnosis itself.

But, new research has found promising evidence that hypnosis can reduce the distress associated with treatments such as injections, extracting bone marrow and giving chemotherapy.

The research, led by the University of Exeter, analysed all the available evidence on ways to reduce anxiety, without the use of drugs. The researchers analysed data from 15 studies – eight involving hypnosis and seven involving other non-hypnosis interventions, such as listening to music, virtual reality and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

What were the results?

The study found large, statistically significant reductions in anxiety and pain for those treated with hypnosis, particularly compared with treatment as usual. By contrast, evidence as to whether non-hypnosis interventions reduced children’s distress when faced with needle procedures was inconclusive.

Hypnotherapy is becoming a more recognised method for reducing feelings of anxiety. The treatment can help to boost confidence and self-belief, while also reducing feelings of fear and intense worry. It can help to develop the ability to access the calm state of mind needed to overcome the often-overwhelming emotions people are living with – particularly those that surround medical procedures, such as in cancer treatment.

Tamsin Ford, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Exeter Medical School, said: “Getting treatment for cancer as a child is clearly extremely distressing for both the young person and their family. We must do all we can do to protect their mental health during this highly emotional time.”

It’s thought that children are especially receptive to being helped with hypnotherapy, as it relies on their ability to imagine and visualise themselves acting or thinking differently – something that many children can do very easily.

Tools such as stories, visualisation and role play may be used to help the child move forwards and overcome their anxiety.

Tamasin says, “Hypnosis is inexpensive to deliver, and our research found that it was the technique that was most studied, and showed promise in reducing children’s anxiety about the many medical procedures they have to endure. We now need high-quality trials to be sure whether hypnosis should be adopted in clinics.”

To find out more about hypnotherapy for anxiety, visit our fact-sheet. 

How hypnotherapy can help with travel anxiety

Seeing different cultures and travelling is an enriching experience. It gives us perspective, helps us learn and allows us to grow as people. For some of us though, the idea of travelling is filled with anxiety.

Whether you have a fear of flying, struggle with driving anxiety or simply find new environments difficult – travel anxiety can hold many of us back. Often those with travel anxiety will struggle with anxiety in other areas of their life too, with the unpredictable nature of travelling making things worse.

If you can relate to this, but are desperate to travel (and enjoy it!) don’t worry, there are therapies that can help. Alongside talking therapies like counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy, hypnotherapy is an excellent tool many are turning to for travel anxiety.

Here are a fews ways hypnotherapy can help with travel anxiety:

Help you identify the cause

Together with your hypnotherapist you can take a closer look at what is causing your travel anxiety. For some it is the travelling itself that causes anxiety (flying, driving, taking public transport), while for others it is more to do with being in an unfamiliar environment or worrying about what could happen.

Use techniques to help reduce anxiety

Once you have figured out what’s at the root of your anxiety, your hypnotherapist can use different techniques, including suggestion techniques, to help reduce those feelings of anxiety when you travel. When you’re under hypnosis, you are in a very relaxed state and it’s believed that your subconscious is more open to suggestion. A hypnotherapist will be able to suggest things here to help convince your subconscious that travel doesn’t make you anxious.

While you’re away

Your hypnotherapist may also teach you self-hypnosis and/or relaxation techniques. These can be useful for when you are travelling (or are about to go travelling). This can reinforce the work done in your hypnotherapy session and help you remain calm.

As well as these hypnotherapy tools there are other things you can do to help reduce anxiety when travelling such as:

• avoid too much alcohol or caffeine (these can make anxiety worse)
• try and get enough sleep
• carve out some quiet time to yourself while you’re away
• create a routine once you arrive at a new destination
• journal about any worries, then tear up the page

Be kind to yourself and know that with support – nothing can hold you back.

Understanding food aversion and eating phobias

Food is a huge part of our life. Of course, we need it to survive and be physically healthy, but it also frames our day and social life. We gather round tables of food to connect with loved ones, we spend time in the kitchen cooking something delicious for someone special, some of our fondest memories involve a certain type of food.

So what happens when you find yourself unable to eat certain foods, because of an aversion or a phobia? First of all, let’s explore the two common types of eating phobias – food aversion and an inability to swallow.

Many of us dislike certain foods, but for those with a food aversion, the repulsion is strong and it can cause feelings of anxiety. If this affects a wide range of food, you may be limited to only eating a small variety of foods.

Food aversions like this are often triggered by something that’s happened in the past. It may be because of the type of food you were given as a child, you may have had a bad experience when you were younger (food poisoning perhaps) or you may find certain textures difficult to deal with.

A food phobia that involves an inability to swallow comes from an extreme fear of choking. This is often linked to a sensitive gag reflex and/or the tight throat response some people get with generalised anxiety. This phobia can lead to people avoiding solid food altogether and only eating soft or liquefied foods.

Note: It’s important to highlight that a food aversion or phobia is not the same as an eating disorder. Anorexia causes sufferers to restrict their diet in an attempt to gain control over their weight and cope with difficult emotions. It is not a phobia of food that stops them from eating, but more what effect eating the food will have on their body.

How eating phobias and food aversions can affect you

Eating a varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables is what our body needs to feel physically fit and well. Having enough vitamins and minerals builds up our immune system to keep us healthy. When a food aversion or phobia stops you from eating a varied diet, it can lead to nutrient deficiencies and illness.

It can also hold you back from any social activity that involves food. You may turn down invitations to events that involve food and end up withdrawing from friends and family.

If a food aversion or phobia is stopping you from feeling well, physically or mentally, know that support is available. There are a number of different therapies that can help, including psychotherapy and hypnotherapy.

How hypnotherapy can help

Hypnotherapy can be a helpful tool in overcoming food aversions and phobias. Depending on your personal circumstances it can help to both uncover the root cause and ease anxiety.

As mentioned above, food aversions and phobias can often be traced back to something in our early years. If you can’t place where the phobia comes from, hypnotherapy can be used to help uncover this. Having a greater understanding of your phobia can be a helpful first step in overcoming it.

Reducing the anxiety that comes with food phobias and aversions is key. Combined with gentle exposure therapy (when you are encouraged to imagine, smell and eventually taste the food you avoid), hypnotherapy can help you feel calm and able to cope.

To find out more, we recommend booking an initial consultation with a hypnotherapist who can talk you through the process and any questions you may have. You can use our search tool to find a hypnotherapist in your area.

Why is positive thinking so important?

Written by Silvia Boric Oakes-Wilson Despite often being told that it is beneficial to think positively, many of us struggle to do so. It is also often argued that it is what we do that counts, not what we think. What you think about, you bring about Being able to act differently to how we ... Read moreWhy is positive thinking so important?

Hypnotherapy and mindfulness

How present and in the moment do you feel in your life? If the answer is ‘not much’, you may benefit from mindfulness. You’ve no doubt heard of the practice before – a type of meditation that encourages you to be aware of the moment you are in now, allowing you to become more aware of your thoughts (and more able to let them drift by, like leaves on a stream).

Helping countless people cope with stress, anxiety and even depression, mindfulness is becoming a go-to practice for many. Today we are speaking to Suzanne Shenderey who combines mindfulness with her hypnotherapy services to explore how the two work together.

Hi Suzanne, can you start by telling us how you came across mindfulness and how it’s helped you?

I first became interested in mindfulness when I was running a relaxation group and looking for guided meditations to use. I began to read about mindfulness and it felt as though a light bulb had been switched on. I was shocked to realise how much of my life I was spending on autopilot. I recognised that so many of us have similar worries, pressures and anxieties and was impressed by the amount of scientific research behind mindfulness.

The thing that really resonated with me was the use of self compassion – I use this a lot myself and when working with clients. I was so fascinated by mindfulness I began reading more about it and started to practise daily meditation.

I took part in a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme and then undertook teacher training. If you’re a mindfulness teacher, I think it’s vital that you practice mindfulness yourself. I now see one-to-one clients, run mindfulness workshops and programmes and use mindfulness techniques with most of my hypnotherapy clients. I have also trained teachers to use mindfulness in the classroom.

How do you use this within your hypnotherapy work?

Mindfulness can work really well alongside hypnotherapy. Practising meditation can be a big help when it comes to alleviate anxiety. Developing an awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours using mindfulness techniques can help to break negative habits and improve self-esteem.

I use breathing exercises in both hypnotherapy and mindfulness. I find children and adults alike respond well to the use of mindfulness techniques.  

Why do you think mindfulness and hypnotherapy goes well together?

Hypnotherapy and mindfulness are both ways of empowering people to help themselves. I often use a combination of the two when working with my clients.

In both cases we are rewiring the neural connections that keep us trapped in unhelpful feelings, thoughts and behaviours. Both mindfulness and hypnotherapy enable people to develop new healthy habits for themselves.

How can our readers get started with their own mindfulness practice?

Modern life is stressful and busy. People often feel that they just don’t have time to pause, let alone meditate. There are many misconceptions about mediation, one being that it has to take a long time. Another is that you have to sit cross legged on a cushion chanting.

Whilst it’s true that the more you practise mindfulness techniques, the more benefit you’ll get from them, any practice is beneficial. Even a minute a day is better than nothing. There are lots of short mindfulness practices, from one-minute breathing space meditations, to paying attention while taking your shower in the morning.  

Mindfulness can be practised in any situation, for example while walking, doing yoga or writing a gratitude journal. A good way to get started is to use an app like Head Space or Insight Timer. You may like to join an eight-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme or even train as a mindfulness teacher. There are some great books out there too, a good one to start with would be “Mindfulness, Finding Peace in a Frantic World” by Mark Williams.

Hypnotherapy for nightmares

We all know how important sleep is for both our physical and mental health. It gives our body time to rest and rejuvenate, and it gives our mind a chance to process the day’s events.

There are however around 80 different sleep disorders that people suffer from, including insomnia (where people struggle to get to sleep or stay asleep). For some people however, it isn’t getting to sleep that’s a problem, it’s the bad dreams they are faced with when they get there.

Nightmares are dreams that make us feel stressed and scared. They can often wake us up and disrupt our sleep. Most of us only experience the odd nightmare as adults (they’re more common in children) but for some, they’re a regular occurance.

There can be different causes at play, including side-effects from medication, but if the root cause stems from stress, anxiety or perhaps a recent traumatic life event (such as losing a loved one), hypnotherapy could help.

A hypnotherapist will be able to use different techniques, such as NLP and suggestion to help alter negative thought patterns that lead to nightmares. This can also be used to help reduce stress and anxiety, encouraging you to relax and have a more restful sleep.

After your hypnotherapy sessions, your hypnotherapist may give you some self-hypnosis recordings to help reinforce the work done in the session. You can give yourself the best chance of success by looking after yourself and ensuring you have a solid sleep routine.

Self-care tips for better sleep:

• Switch off from work with yoga, meditation, a walk in nature or by connecting with loved ones.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks or large meals too close to bedtime as this could disrupt your sleep.
• Turn off electronic devices an hour before bed and start winding down (try reading a book in soft lighting).
• Try writing down any worries or concerns in a journal before bed.
• If you have a self-hypnosis recording – listen to this, alternatively we love the sleep stories you can listen to on the ‘Calm’ app.

How hypnotherapy can help us slow down

There always seems to be so much to do and not enough time to do it. Time has become one of life’s modern luxuries and interestingly, it seems more and more people are struggling with anxiety.

While there are many reasons and factors that go into the development of anxiety, moving through life at warp speed without stopping to assess how you feel can’t be helping matters.

It’s perhaps unsurprising then, that the ‘slow living’ movement is gaining popularity. As well as having a very specific aesthetic (think rustic wooden tables, cups of tea, blankets and countryside cottages) the movement is all about being more mindful and intentional with our lives.

Instead of rushing towards a destination, slow living encourages us to focus on the journey.

So, how can hypnotherapy help us to slow down and live more intentionally?

Reducing stress

Stress can very easily build up and if left, can trigger physical and mental health symptoms. It can become overwhelming, stopping us from living mindfully. Hypnotherapy can help you uncover the root of your stress and help you change thought patterns and behaviours to reduce stress.

Encouraging relaxation

The very act of having a hypnotherapy session can help to relax you. Your hypnotherapist will ensure you’re comfortable before you begin. Hypnotherapy involves putting you into a deep state of relaxation and many people liken the experience to having a nap or meditating.

If you’re struggling to relax, hypnotherapy can help you uncover and change any mental blocks you may have so you can change your behaviour and embrace more self-care into your routine.

Helping you manage anxiety

Anxiety often forces us to ruminate on the past or worry about the future, making it difficult to live in the present moment.

If you do struggle with anxiety, hypnotherapy may be a treatment option to consider. Many people find it useful either as a stand-alone treatment, or as part of a multi-pronged approach alongside medication and/or talking therapy.

Increasing self-awareness

Taking the time to invest in yourself with hypnotherapy naturally helps to increase your sense of self-awareness. Often hypnotherapy aims to uncover and resolve the root of a problem, and this type of self-investigation can be incredibly therapeutic and healing.

Overcoming your emotional blocks

Sometimes in life there are things holding us back from being in the moment and slowing down. This could be a phobia, an addiction or even just a particular mindset. Hypnotherapy is a great way of overcoming blocks like this. Find out more about the different hypnotherapy approaches and see which one could be helpful for you.

Sparing your blushes: how hypnotherapy helps erythrophobia

Written by Debbie Daltrey We all blush sometimes, usually from mild embarrassment. All that happens is that our cheeks darken slightly, which soon passes. However for some people erythrophobia (the fear of blushing) creates overwhelming feelings of anxiety. Why do we blush? Blushing is actually part of our primitive flight-or-flight response. When we’re faced with ... Read moreSparing your blushes: how hypnotherapy helps erythrophobia

How to speak to someone about their gambling

Money can already make for an uncomfortable conversation, but approaching the topic of gambling, and when you’re worried it has become a problem – that’s something else entirely.

If you’re worried about a friend or loved ones’ gambling, the first thing to remember is to broach the subject carefully. If they know it has become a problem, they may have been hiding it from you – they may feel ashamed and scared, so may become defensive if pushed.

Be sure not to start the conversation in a public place, surrounded by friends, and choose your words carefully. Speak somewhere private but comfortable, without judgement or blame.

Problem gambling: The signs to look out for

Problem gambling isn’t easy to detect, but there are some signs that indicate a habit has become something more serious. Common signs include:

• More irritable or anxious than normal.
• Borrowing money or selling belongings to pay for gambling.
• Spending less time with friends and family.
• Lost interest in activities and hobbies they previously enjoyed.
• Lying about their gambling or how much they are spending.

Starting the conversation…

Not all people will know they have a problem, and it’s common for those close to them to recognise when something has gone too far. The gambler may be convincing themselves that everything is fine, that it’s just a hobby, when really it’s doing more harm than they realise.

It is important to let them know that it’s because you care about them, and that’s why you are worried. As mentioned above, positive communication is much more helpful than being confrontational or critical. You want to care and help them, not judge them and risk pushing them further away.

Try talking about how you are feeling, rather than directing it all at them. Speaking in this way helps to lessen defences and keep the lines of communication open, for example:

“You’re my friend and I’m upset seeing you like this.”

“I love you and I don’t want you to be on your own. Talk to me about what’s going on.”

“I feel like you’re not happy right now and I’m worried, how can I help?”

While the above examples are helpful, be sure to speak to them in a natural way, like you normally would. Acting out of character can put someone on edge, so be as normal as possible to keep them relaxed and open. If they get upset or aggressive, end the conversation for now and consider returning to the topic another time.

Once you’ve started the conversation…

If they open up, make sure you listen. Be patient and listen to what they have to say – it’s likely it took a lot for them to start talking, so don’t respond straight away or interrupt.

Be calm and caring, but don’t hide your concern. They may still not understand the extent of the problem, so may make excuses. Keep them busy and away from triggering places, and if possible, avoid helping them out with money. We know you care, but this may make the problem worse.

Be there for them and let them know they can talk to you. Research treatment options like hypnotherapy or counselling, and support groups if you would like to, to help them take the first steps to recovery.

And don’t forget to look after yourself – it’s easy to be consumed by the concern for your loved one, but at the end of the day, they are the only ones who can truly overcome the problem, you just need to be there to support and hold their hand along the way.

Sweet dreams are made of this!

Written by Nicola Griffiths I’m frequently being asked if it matters if “I drop off to sleep during hypnosis”, or “how the brain can change by listening to a download when I’m asleep”? So I was delighted to see a recent bit of research on sleep, by Researcher Sid Kouider, which proved that I had ... Read moreSweet dreams are made of this!

How can hypnotherapy support addiction recovery?

Any form of addiction, whether it’s to drugs, alcohol, gambling, or even shopping, has the power to take control of someone’s life. Priorities shift, behaviours change and the person battling addiction may find themselves stuck in the addiction-recovery-relapse cycle.

Often these addictions form as a way to cope with difficult emotions or stressful life events. Substances like drugs and alcohol may be used as a form of self-medication and over time, a reliance is formed.

While difficult, recovery is always possible. There are several approaches available to help tackle addiction, including talking therapies like counselling. Hypnotherapy is another powerful approach that many find helpful.

We speak to hypnotherapist Dean Learoyd to explain further.

Whatever the presenting issue is in therapy of any kind, it is best practice to follow certain guidelines in order to get the best possible results. This has never been more appropriate than when dealing with addiction or compulsion.

In 1990, an American Psychologist Egan introduced ‘six stage counselling’ as the most effective road to recovery. The six stages lend themselves perfectly to a hypnotherapy treatment plan. Here is how this model would work within hypnotherapy:

Stage 1 – Developing trust and rapport. In an assessment for hypnotherapy many practitioners engage NLP techniques to gain fairly rapid rapport. All therapists should have a genuine desire to help the client and that is the key, but the client needs to trust implicitly too. In any person dealing with addiction, there is inevitably hurt lying somewhere deep within.

Stage 2 – Getting to the root of the problem. Analytical hypnotherapy can elicit memories from deep within the subconscious mind that are indicators to guide the therapist towards the cause of the addiction. Also it is crucial to identify the secondary gain, i.e. what does the addiction give to the client in terms of benefit or gain? Once this has been established it will be easier for the therapist to replace that gain with something more positive and less harmful.

Stage 3 – Setting goals is much easier said than done, but with a powerful hypnotherapy session the client’s issues can be set out and ‘change’ goals very easily established by using deep suggestion therapy techniques. Metaphors are an effective way of getting the subconscious to buy into the task in hand and this can be easily delivered in a hypnosis session.

Stage 4 – Taking action and empowering change. Hypnotherapy is a powerful and effective way to introduce change directly into the subconscious mind. Hypnotherapy can successfully reframe the old addictive behaviour and introduce new positive, permanent habits to replace it.

Stage 5 – Maintaining and supporting the changes made. Hypnotherapy is a direct subconscious intervention and post hypnotic suggestion can be installed to make sure that the new behaviour remains effective and stays in place.

Stage 6 – Enabling the client to finish the course of therapy happy and confident that they will not relapse. Using hypnotherapy to install new positive behaviour and adding post hypnotic suggestion is a great way to prevent relapse. The new client behaviour will continue to reinforce long after the final session.

In all therapy there needs to be a genuine desire for change which, in addiction, often comes when the client has suffered a great deal and sometimes hits rock bottom. One of the most powerful benefits of using hypnotherapy with addiction is that often results can be quite rapid, and this tends to give the client more hope and encouragement.

If you’re interested in trying hypnotherapy for addiction, use our search tool to find a hypnotherapist in your area and start your journey to recovery.

Coping with phobias

Unlike fears and general anxiety, phobias tend to be specific. There may be a certain object, animal or situation that brings you out in a cold sweat. Whatever it is, having a phobia can make everyday tasks more difficult.

For example, if you have a phobia of lifts, the idea of meeting someone for a business meeting on the 100th floor of a building suddenly feels impossible.

If you feel as though your phobia is holding you back, there are ways you can cope and professionals who can help.

Tell someone

No matter how silly or irrational you feel your phobia is, telling someone is the first step to overcoming it. This may be a friend or family member, or even your doctor. Let them know what the object/situation is and be honest about how it makes you feel. Having a strong support network is key.

Join a support group

Sometimes it can help to talk to others who share the same phobia. You may be able to swap resources, tips and generally offer an understanding ear.

Relaxation techniques

Phobias are anxiety related and therefore learning how to look after yourself and relax is beneficial. Consider relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation and gentle exercise.

How hypnotherapy can help

Often, we need the support of a professional to overcome phobias and hypnotherapy is a tool that many find useful. Below, hypnotherapist Anne-Marie Riley explains how hypnotherapy can help.

Any hypnotherapist will tell you that phobia work is one of the most rewarding tasks for the hypnotherapist as positive results are often seen in a short period of time. Your hypnotherapist will help you to understand how phobias are created and why you react and feel the way you do.  

Most people who have a phobia can go to great lengths to avoid tackling the source and this can have a big impact on their everyday lives.

I once worked with a teacher who had a fear of vomiting (Emetophobia) and felt she had to leave the classroom every time a child said they felt unwell!  

There comes a point, however, when we know that we cannot always avoid our fear and therefore many clients access the help of a hypnotherapist when they feel they want to ‘take back control’.

Your hypnotherapist may utilise a number of approaches which are designed to bring your fear under control. The hypnotherapy process brings about a deep state of relaxation which allows you to confront your fear gradually over a period of time whilst experiencing a calm and relaxed frame of mind.   

Being able to face your fear either using your imagination or experiencing it first hand whilst remaining calm and in control is empowering and helps you to put the phobia into perspective. A good hypnotherapist will never spring surprises on you and will work gradually with you to build your confidence and resilience.  

Systematic desensitisation is generally applied so that you might work through a hierarchy of fears relating to the phobia i.e. think about a spider, look at a photo of a spider, see a dead spider in an enclosed box, etc.

You may be also given homework which will help you to develop a sense of control. This might mean concentrating on the source of your phobia whilst practising self-hypnosis so that you become accustomed to confronting it whilst feeling relaxed and calm.