Research shows that using a combination of CBT and hypnotherapy can lead to improved outcomes., especially with regards to sustained improvements at follow up when compared to either CBT or hypnotherapy alone. For me as a therapist, it’s helpful to have a range of tools and methods which I can use flexibly in response to your needs. CBT helps you to understand rationally the changes you could make to your thinking and actions but sometimes it can be hard to bridge that gap into real-life. Hypnotherapy can be used to bridge that gap.

Hypnotherapy is when hypnosis is used to help a client address their issues. Hypnosis is an enhanced focus of attention – you’re fully alert and conscious but really absorbed in the scene you’re imagining – you’ve probably felt this way when you’ve been engrossed in a good book or film. Suggestions in hypnotherapy are always made for your benefit and, when approached with an attitude of positive expectation , it’s a really powerful tool for helping you to rehearse making the changes to your thinking and actions. This imagined rehearsal then better prepares you to make the changes in real life. With habit change, for example, It can also feel so real, that you feel that you have already created the new habit, therefore you no longer consider engage with the old habit. That’s why change can seem so much easier with hypnotherapy.

Yes and yes. You are fully conscious at all times and can choose to accept or reject any suggestions I make. The suggestions are always for your benefit and are made based on the detailed picture I build of you, how your issue impacts your life and changes you wish to make. If we’re using hypnotherapy to overcome a fear of heights, for example, we could combine this with imaged behavioural rehearsal which gradually becomes more challenging for you. Before going higher, I would always seek your consent and you would always be able to agree or decline.

The hypnotherapy I do is not regression and bears very little resemblance to hypnotic stage shows which are created for entertainment.

Our first session is mainly talking to help me understand more about your issue and how it impacts your life. I’ll explain more how I work and how we might collaborate over subsequent session. We’ll begin to agree therapeutic goals. One of the benefits of allowing 90 minutes for our first session is that it gives us time to do this at a more natural pace and there is often time for a some relaxing and / or energising hypnotherapy too (I’ll send you an audio version so you can listen again). Many people find themselves feeling a bit lighter after their first session – unburdened.

Subsequent sessions generally include an update from you, psychoeducation to help you understand your issue in greater depth and, often, cognitive therapy to help identify, understand and reframe any unhelpful cognitions and behaviours. We’ll explore more helpful, realistic alternatives and often, use hypnotherapy to help you to apply these new thoughts and ideas in real life. We’ll also agree on activities for you do before the next session – this could include self hypnosis (supported by audio files from me), independent ad-hoc self hypnosis, journaling, behavioural experiments – anything that helps you to take the experience from the therapy session and apply it to real-life – that’s where the real change happens!

The vast majority of the population are said to be hypnotisable – that is say that they can apply a sense of expectation and willingness to accept suggestions that are made. Some people find it easier than others, but it is a trainable skill and one that can be good fun to learn! People often use self-hypnosis without realising it – we tell ourselves ‘stories’ and believe them. These beliefs influence our actions which then affect the outcomes. Read more about this in my blog post – coming soon.

Basically, if you want things to change and are willing to commit the time and effort then you have a very good chance of success!

An advantage of CBH is that it does not involve being in therapy for years (like psycho-analysis) or endless months. However, It’s not a quick fix and effort from you is required but generally, for situational anxiety, eg. driving test anxiety, 3 sessions is ideal; for weight management around 6 sessions is average.

It is suitable and safe for many people both to address low level issues and as an adjunctive therapy where medical treatment is ongoing.

Whilst Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy is generally considered low risk, it is not advised for people with psychosis, severe depression or anxiety or epilepsy.

Yes. Whilst an individualised and responsive approach is a cornerstone of my practice with individual clients, there are key themes which impact many people dealing with the same issue., therefore some clients find that a group approach gives them the education, experiences and tools they need, which they can apply to their own situation, with the added benefit of a peer group, and running at a reduced cost compared to individual sessions.

For example, many people seeking support with weight management benefit from many of the same techniques, whether that’s to do with reducing the stress response to make choices that align with their goals and values, habit change, motivation to stick with a plan or mindful eating. For some people, group sessions, supplemented with some 1:1 sessions with me to better understand their own personal relationship with food gives them the best combination.

Single sessions £65
Block of 6 £360

Contact me by email at:

cognitivecalmcbh@gmail.com

or by phone / text: 07842 582 434