17th November 2016
Hypnotherapy conference
On the 29th-30th October, I attended the Association for Professional Hypnosis & Psychotherapy (APHP) conference in London. We heard 8 inspirational speakers over the weekend, and it was a useful CPD opportunity and a chance to network with colleagues.
On day one, Sue Learoyd-Smith gave us some useful tips and ideas about working with children and young people in therapy and then Roy Hunter described his time with the “Comfort Therapy Programme” supporting hospice patients in the USA. Janet Thomson talked to us about “The Placebo Diet” and how important our minds and imagination are in terms of changing the neurological patterns in our brain in relation to eating. And Kevin Still discussed his involvement in sport at all levels and how therapy and coaching with individual sports people and with teams can make such a critical difference.
On the second day, Peter Field’s talk was called the “The chi of change” and was about the importance of feelings in therapy. He discussed issues such as anger, guilt, shame, forgiveness and acceptance and suggested that the objective of therapy is a realignment of mind, brain and heart. Phil Edwards gave us a fascinating insight into the universal facial expressions which demonstrate the 7 human emotions and referred to Paul Ekman’s work on evidence based behavioural psychology. Susan Smith shared her ideas with us about how to market our therapy businesses and the final speaker Dr Mark Chambers talked about his work as a GP and a GP Trainer and how he also uses a range of complementary techniques including hypnotherapy.
Hypnotherapy conference
On the 29th-30th October, I attended the Association for Professional Hypnosis & Psychotherapy (APHP) conference in London. We heard 8 inspirational speakers over the weekend, and it was a useful CPD opportunity and a chance to network with colleagues.
On day one, Sue Learoyd-Smith gave us some useful tips and ideas about working with children and young people in therapy and then Roy Hunter described his time with the “Comfort Therapy Programme” supporting hospice patients in the USA. Janet Thomson talked to us about “The Placebo Diet” and how important our minds and imagination are in terms of changing the neurological patterns in our brain in relation to eating. And Kevin Still discussed his involvement in sport at all levels and how therapy and coaching with individual sports people and with teams can make such a critical difference.
On the second day, Peter Field’s talk was called the “The chi of change” and was about the importance of feelings in therapy. He discussed issues such as anger, guilt, shame, forgiveness and acceptance and suggested that the objective of therapy is a realignment of mind, brain and heart. Phil Edwards gave us a fascinating insight into the universal facial expressions which demonstrate the 7 human emotions and referred to Paul Ekman’s work on evidence based behavioural psychology. Susan Smith shared her ideas with us about how to market our therapy businesses and the final speaker Dr Mark Chambers talked about his work as a GP and a GP Trainer and how he also uses a range of complementary techniques including hypnotherapy.
3rd October 2016
Stoptober 2016
This year’s NHS Stoptober campaign started on 1st October 2016 and runs for 28 days. The aim of the campaign is to support people to give up smoking. In the UK, nearly 100,000 people die each year due to smoking-related illnesses.
Both the NCH (National Council for Hypnotherapy) and the CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council) have issued press releases about the benefits of hypnotherapy in providing extra help when giving up smoking.
The NCH says “Smoking is a problem behaviour or an unwanted habit. We have evolved to survive and thrive so our subconscious is always creating mechanisms that support this. However, sometimes things get distorted and what the subconscious thinks is a protection mechanism becomes an unwanted habit that causes upset rather than allowing survival.
The reason why hypnotherapy works so rapidly with bad habits and behaviours is because it works directly with your subconscious, bypassing the critical mind and getting to the root of the issue so that changes can be made that support your goals quickly and efficiently”.
I am registered with both the NCH and the CNHC, and if you want to stop smoking, please get in touch with me today to make an appointment.
Stoptober 2016
This year’s NHS Stoptober campaign started on 1st October 2016 and runs for 28 days. The aim of the campaign is to support people to give up smoking. In the UK, nearly 100,000 people die each year due to smoking-related illnesses.
Both the NCH (National Council for Hypnotherapy) and the CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council) have issued press releases about the benefits of hypnotherapy in providing extra help when giving up smoking.
The NCH says “Smoking is a problem behaviour or an unwanted habit. We have evolved to survive and thrive so our subconscious is always creating mechanisms that support this. However, sometimes things get distorted and what the subconscious thinks is a protection mechanism becomes an unwanted habit that causes upset rather than allowing survival.
The reason why hypnotherapy works so rapidly with bad habits and behaviours is because it works directly with your subconscious, bypassing the critical mind and getting to the root of the issue so that changes can be made that support your goals quickly and efficiently”.
I am registered with both the NCH and the CNHC, and if you want to stop smoking, please get in touch with me today to make an appointment.
You are in control of your life
Theodore Roosevelt, who was the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909 once said, “Believe you can and you’re halfway there”.
In hypnotherapy sessions, I sometimes meet clients who come to see me because they have become stuck in a negative or unhelpful pattern of thinking or beliefs and this can be for all sorts of reasons. By using cognitive therapy approaches, I can help clients to better understand their thoughts and to make positive changes to them.
In addition, I use behavioural therapy approaches to help clients with certain behaviours, habits and emotional responses which are often learned, and shaped by, continuous patterns of conditioning from their environment. I can help them to un-learn these habits and to replace them with more helpful and positive ones.
I have noticed that clients’ motivation to make a change improves, once they have been able to explore and better understand their thoughts and behaviours and the important relationship between them.
So remember, when you choose to make just a small change to the way that you think or believe about something, it can have a major positive impact on your emotions, feelings and behaviour. It is such a great feeling to know that you are in control of your life, even at times when you may not think you are!
Theodore Roosevelt, who was the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909 once said, “Believe you can and you’re halfway there”.
In hypnotherapy sessions, I sometimes meet clients who come to see me because they have become stuck in a negative or unhelpful pattern of thinking or beliefs and this can be for all sorts of reasons. By using cognitive therapy approaches, I can help clients to better understand their thoughts and to make positive changes to them.
In addition, I use behavioural therapy approaches to help clients with certain behaviours, habits and emotional responses which are often learned, and shaped by, continuous patterns of conditioning from their environment. I can help them to un-learn these habits and to replace them with more helpful and positive ones.
I have noticed that clients’ motivation to make a change improves, once they have been able to explore and better understand their thoughts and behaviours and the important relationship between them.
So remember, when you choose to make just a small change to the way that you think or believe about something, it can have a major positive impact on your emotions, feelings and behaviour. It is such a great feeling to know that you are in control of your life, even at times when you may not think you are!
29th August 2016
Rio Olympics 2016
During the Olympic Games in Rio earlier this month, I saw an interview on TV with the man who used to be the coach to the GB cyclists’ team. He was asked what has made them so successful now, in comparison with the results that they used to get, and the answer was not necessarily what you might expect. Yes, the additional money that has come into the sport from the National Lottery has helped, but what he said was even more important, was that they had developed a real desire to make improvements, and a determination to change elements of what they were doing just a little bit. The accumulation of each of these changes, sometimes with very small margins, has resulted in quite dramatic achievements, as we saw in the number of medals that the GB cyclists won at the 2016 Olympics.
I see a link here with what I have learned from working with my hypnotherapy clients. It is important for them to have the motivation and to want to make a change in their lives. Simply making an appointment with me and turning up, can be a brave first step for some clients, and a really positive one. I can help them to focus on this motivation and to enhance it even more. I work with each client to identify what it is they want to change and during the session we often find an area where they have a pattern of unwanted or unhelpful thinking. It really is true, that “the way that we think, affects the way that we feel, and the way that we feel, affects our behaviour”.
I help my clients to realise that making a small change in how they think, or how they feel and their emotions, can have a huge and positive impact on their lives.
Rio Olympics 2016
During the Olympic Games in Rio earlier this month, I saw an interview on TV with the man who used to be the coach to the GB cyclists’ team. He was asked what has made them so successful now, in comparison with the results that they used to get, and the answer was not necessarily what you might expect. Yes, the additional money that has come into the sport from the National Lottery has helped, but what he said was even more important, was that they had developed a real desire to make improvements, and a determination to change elements of what they were doing just a little bit. The accumulation of each of these changes, sometimes with very small margins, has resulted in quite dramatic achievements, as we saw in the number of medals that the GB cyclists won at the 2016 Olympics.
I see a link here with what I have learned from working with my hypnotherapy clients. It is important for them to have the motivation and to want to make a change in their lives. Simply making an appointment with me and turning up, can be a brave first step for some clients, and a really positive one. I can help them to focus on this motivation and to enhance it even more. I work with each client to identify what it is they want to change and during the session we often find an area where they have a pattern of unwanted or unhelpful thinking. It really is true, that “the way that we think, affects the way that we feel, and the way that we feel, affects our behaviour”.
I help my clients to realise that making a small change in how they think, or how they feel and their emotions, can have a huge and positive impact on their lives.
The Greatest Discovery
William James (1842-1910) was an American philosopher and psychologist who also trained as a physician. He left us with many quotations, including this one:
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind”.
30th July 2016
In the news this week, Prince Harry spoke of his regret that he didn’t open up sooner about how his mother’s death affected him. He admitted that he only really started to talk about these issues 3 years ago. He said “It’s ok to suffer as long as you talk about it. It’s not a weakness. Weakness is having a problem and not recognising it and not solving that problem.”
It’s a fact, that sad and challenging things happen to many of us at one time or another in our lives. It doesn’t matter what age or sex we are, how well educated or qualified we are, or whether we have a busy job or a family to care for. I have heard clients say to me “But I should be able to cope”, or “These things always happen at once or at the wrong time” or “I am too busy to deal with my issue”.
Several of my clients have described their long “to-do” lists to me, as if this is a reason why they haven’t got round to dealing with things. But when I asked them where they themselves appear on these lists, they are surprised and reply “Well I don’t”.
It can help to be able to take a step backwards and to see the big picture. Often when we are too close to a situation, we can’t see the wood for the trees. Talking to someone else, such as a qualified hypnotherapist, can help us to see things differently, or from a different angle and it can help us to relax and to grow in self-awareness. If we are feeling anxious, stressed, angry or trapped in some way, it can make such a difference to share our concerns with someone who can support us to make a positive change to how we think, feel or behave. Sometimes we have to learn how to put ourselves first and to show ourselves some care and compassion.
As Prince Harry’s public comments suggest, deciding to talk to someone to get help, is not something to be embarrassed about, or a sign of failure. It is exactly the opposite and shows that we value ourselves enough to work towards finding a positive solution. It is not what happens to us in life that defines us, but how we deal with it.
In the news this week, Prince Harry spoke of his regret that he didn’t open up sooner about how his mother’s death affected him. He admitted that he only really started to talk about these issues 3 years ago. He said “It’s ok to suffer as long as you talk about it. It’s not a weakness. Weakness is having a problem and not recognising it and not solving that problem.”
It’s a fact, that sad and challenging things happen to many of us at one time or another in our lives. It doesn’t matter what age or sex we are, how well educated or qualified we are, or whether we have a busy job or a family to care for. I have heard clients say to me “But I should be able to cope”, or “These things always happen at once or at the wrong time” or “I am too busy to deal with my issue”.
Several of my clients have described their long “to-do” lists to me, as if this is a reason why they haven’t got round to dealing with things. But when I asked them where they themselves appear on these lists, they are surprised and reply “Well I don’t”.
It can help to be able to take a step backwards and to see the big picture. Often when we are too close to a situation, we can’t see the wood for the trees. Talking to someone else, such as a qualified hypnotherapist, can help us to see things differently, or from a different angle and it can help us to relax and to grow in self-awareness. If we are feeling anxious, stressed, angry or trapped in some way, it can make such a difference to share our concerns with someone who can support us to make a positive change to how we think, feel or behave. Sometimes we have to learn how to put ourselves first and to show ourselves some care and compassion.
As Prince Harry’s public comments suggest, deciding to talk to someone to get help, is not something to be embarrassed about, or a sign of failure. It is exactly the opposite and shows that we value ourselves enough to work towards finding a positive solution. It is not what happens to us in life that defines us, but how we deal with it.
24th June 2016
5 ways to boost your mental well-being
5 ways to boost your mental well-being
- Connect - with other people around you, including family, friends, colleagues and neighbours
- Be active - in whatever way you prefer, whether this is swimming, going for a walk, cycling, attending a Pilates session or going to the gym
- Keep learning – learning a new skill can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence
- Give to others – even small things make a difference like a smile, saying “thank you”, a kind word or giving your time as a volunteer in some way. It all helps to improve how you feel and helps to build new social networks
- Be mindful – be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.
Mindfulness
It is natural for us to feel anxious and down from time to time, but Mindfulness is a great way to help to improve our mental wellbeing. It helps us to understand that “We are not our thoughts”, and that our thoughts and feelings are transient and we have a choice about whether to act on them or not. We can learn to focus on the present moment, rather than the past or the future.
As Jack Kornfield said “The point of mindfulness is not to get rid of thoughts but to learn to see thought skilfully”.
If you would like to know more about mindfulness, please get in touch with me by email jo.hand@btinternet.com
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It is natural for us to feel anxious and down from time to time, but Mindfulness is a great way to help to improve our mental wellbeing. It helps us to understand that “We are not our thoughts”, and that our thoughts and feelings are transient and we have a choice about whether to act on them or not. We can learn to focus on the present moment, rather than the past or the future.
As Jack Kornfield said “The point of mindfulness is not to get rid of thoughts but to learn to see thought skilfully”.
If you would like to know more about mindfulness, please get in touch with me by email jo.hand@btinternet.com
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20th May 2016
Your Life Your Choice Worcestershire
The Your Life Your Choice website run by Worcestershire County Council provides information and advice about adult social care and health services in Worcestershire.
It is designed to give you the best help and advice to ensure your needs are met and to help you or a loved one live as independently as possible. This could include help with living at home, help with assessments, help with paying for social care or finding the right care home. You can also find information to help meet your needs as a carer.
The website is broken down into four sections
As of this week, Jo Hand – Hypnotherapy & Coaching, has been accepted as a supplier under the Services (Health & Wellbeing) section of the website. See https://ylyc.worcestershire.gov.uk/marketplace/cat/vendor/583 for more information.
Your Life Your Choice Worcestershire
The Your Life Your Choice website run by Worcestershire County Council provides information and advice about adult social care and health services in Worcestershire.
It is designed to give you the best help and advice to ensure your needs are met and to help you or a loved one live as independently as possible. This could include help with living at home, help with assessments, help with paying for social care or finding the right care home. You can also find information to help meet your needs as a carer.
The website is broken down into four sections
- Information & Advice
- Working out your needs
- Services
- Report abuse or neglect
As of this week, Jo Hand – Hypnotherapy & Coaching, has been accepted as a supplier under the Services (Health & Wellbeing) section of the website. See https://ylyc.worcestershire.gov.uk/marketplace/cat/vendor/583 for more information.
15th April 2016
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) pre-suppositions
In the May 2015 update, I shared 4 of the NLP pre-suppositions or sayings which can often help us in our thinking. I have listed 4 more of them below. What do they mean for you in your life right now?
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) pre-suppositions
In the May 2015 update, I shared 4 of the NLP pre-suppositions or sayings which can often help us in our thinking. I have listed 4 more of them below. What do they mean for you in your life right now?
- Learning is living – we cannot not learn
- People create their own experience
- There is no failure, only feedback
- There is a solution to every problem
Inspirational sayings
Dr Bernie Siegel, a distinguished American surgeon wrote a book called Love, Medicine and Miracles. In it he said “One’s attitude to oneself is the single most important factor in healing or staying well”. I found this book to be inspirational and think it is well worth reading.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, a Swiss-American psychiatrist, famous for her book On Death and Dying once said “The opinion which other people have of you is their problem not yours”. Once we truly understand this, we can start to let go of anxiety, frustration and anger and focus on building up our self-esteem and confidence.
Dr Bernie Siegel, a distinguished American surgeon wrote a book called Love, Medicine and Miracles. In it he said “One’s attitude to oneself is the single most important factor in healing or staying well”. I found this book to be inspirational and think it is well worth reading.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, a Swiss-American psychiatrist, famous for her book On Death and Dying once said “The opinion which other people have of you is their problem not yours”. Once we truly understand this, we can start to let go of anxiety, frustration and anger and focus on building up our self-esteem and confidence.
Mental Health Awareness Week
This is taking place in the UK from 16th – 22nd May 2016 and this year’s theme is relationships. Good relationships are essential to maintaining good mental health. For more information about the campaign, events taking place near you, and how you can take part, click on the following link
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week
This is taking place in the UK from 16th – 22nd May 2016 and this year’s theme is relationships. Good relationships are essential to maintaining good mental health. For more information about the campaign, events taking place near you, and how you can take part, click on the following link
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week
15th March 2016
Stop smoking with hypnosis
In February 2016 I attended the annual conference of the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) in London. The first speaker, Mark Tyrell explained how addictions like smoking can often fill a hole in someone’s life and smokers can be in “double think”. They can develop, or they are fed, a set of beliefs which includes “it’s not my responsibility”. But positive beliefs, expectations and the way that a person chooses to think can be very powerful aids in helping them to stop smoking. If they are encouraged to think “I am a natural non-smoker at the moment and I know how to deal with it again if it whispers at me”, it can take the pressure off and help them to break the pattern of addiction. It is currently predicted that a billion people will die in the 21st century from smoking related diseases. Hypnosis is recognised as a very successful way to save smokers’ lives and to prevent their friends and family from losing their loved ones.
Stop smoking with hypnosis
In February 2016 I attended the annual conference of the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) in London. The first speaker, Mark Tyrell explained how addictions like smoking can often fill a hole in someone’s life and smokers can be in “double think”. They can develop, or they are fed, a set of beliefs which includes “it’s not my responsibility”. But positive beliefs, expectations and the way that a person chooses to think can be very powerful aids in helping them to stop smoking. If they are encouraged to think “I am a natural non-smoker at the moment and I know how to deal with it again if it whispers at me”, it can take the pressure off and help them to break the pattern of addiction. It is currently predicted that a billion people will die in the 21st century from smoking related diseases. Hypnosis is recognised as a very successful way to save smokers’ lives and to prevent their friends and family from losing their loved ones.
Inspirational sayings – a few of my favourites this month are...
Zack Aaronson
When you need something to believe in, start with yourself
Albert Einstein
A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new
Steve Maraboli
Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them
Zack Aaronson
When you need something to believe in, start with yourself
Albert Einstein
A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new
Steve Maraboli
Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them
9th February 2016
How to be happier
In his book “Happiness by Design” published in 2014, Professor of Behavioural Science at the London School of Economics, Paul Dolan talks about his research into behavioural science and findings in happiness studies. He believes that being happy is not just about how you think; it’s also about how you act. Paul identified five ways to be immediately happier. They are:
1. Listening to a favourite piece of music
2. Spending five more minutes with someone you like
3. Going outdoors
4. Helping someone else
5. Having a new experience
How to be happier
In his book “Happiness by Design” published in 2014, Professor of Behavioural Science at the London School of Economics, Paul Dolan talks about his research into behavioural science and findings in happiness studies. He believes that being happy is not just about how you think; it’s also about how you act. Paul identified five ways to be immediately happier. They are:
1. Listening to a favourite piece of music
2. Spending five more minutes with someone you like
3. Going outdoors
4. Helping someone else
5. Having a new experience
Evidence based approaches to pain control
Once someone has had a medical diagnosis of their pain, they may be receiving medical treatment and /or medication. But in addition to this treatment, you can also gain benefits with pain control using hypnotherapy, NLP and mindfulness techniques. You may have noticed that as well as the primary pain, we can often experience secondary pain in terms of our emotional reaction to the primary pain. There is a lot of academic research and evidence now to prove that mindfulness can help with pain control.
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Once someone has had a medical diagnosis of their pain, they may be receiving medical treatment and /or medication. But in addition to this treatment, you can also gain benefits with pain control using hypnotherapy, NLP and mindfulness techniques. You may have noticed that as well as the primary pain, we can often experience secondary pain in terms of our emotional reaction to the primary pain. There is a lot of academic research and evidence now to prove that mindfulness can help with pain control.
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Focus on what you DO want to happen and not what you don’t want to happen.
And remember, “Knowing exactly what you want is a good help in achieving it.”
And remember, “Knowing exactly what you want is a good help in achieving it.”