LIFE BROKE ME. THERAPY MADE ME BETTER.
Well, actually, a whole series of things broke me.
Bad relationships, ill health, stress, work...and I had a whole variety of therapies to try and get myself better. Some were great, some were okay, and some were terrible.
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When I got better, I decided I wanted to help other people using just the stuff that worked, and none of the stuff that didn't. I didn't want to be one of those therapists who only have one way of helping someone, who tries to bend the client to their therapy because it's all they know how to do.
I believe that everyone is individual, and what works for one person may not work for another. So rather than just learning "hypnotherapy", and doing the same thing with every person, I'm trained in a variety of specialist techniques so that I can help as many people as possible.
Think of me as a therapy magpie, collecting all the good techniques, and none of the bad, and devising personalised, unique help, just for you.
STUFF TO KNOW BEFORE YOU COME AND SEE ME
People are creatures of habit. No matter how many times we write on our CVs that we "embrace change", emotionally and biologically, we're simply not wired for it.
How many people do you know who stay in their unhappy jobs, saying "at least I know what to expect..."?
Or they stay in the "it'll do" relationship, because while their partner might not be all they've ever dreamed of, it's better than the possibility of being alone.
Yes, we might be a dark, unhappy place, but knowing where we are can seem safer than stepping out into the light.
So, you should only come and see me if you want to come and see me.
Not if your partner says you should. Not if your friend thinks it would be a good idea.
Change will only happen when you're ready, and coming to see me before then is simply a waste of time.
THE BORING STUFF
People often don't actually want to know much about what certificates I have.
They just want to know if I can make them better, if I'm any good at what I do.
And I am very good at what I do - you can read about what my clients think here.
I've appeared in the news media and press a few times too.
As a therapist, I've been quoted in Newsweek twice (here and here).
I've spoken about TikTok trends for the National news site here.
I've also spoken about motivation and working out to the Daily Telegraph here, and to the Daily Mail about sexuality and contraception here.
But some people do want to know about qualifications. And that's good!
It gives me a chance to tell you about all the smart stuff I do.
I trained to become a cognitive hypnotherapist with the prestigious Quest Institute in London. That gave me a diploma in Cognitive Hypnotherapy, a Hypnotherapy in Practice diploma and a Neuro-Linguistic Programming practitioner qualification.
For people who are interested in letters after names, this all means I can use DipCHyp, HPD, NLP(Prac.) if I want to confuse people with my email signature. I'm also a member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists, which means I can stick MFHT in there too, but sometimes that just looks like I hit some random keys by accident.
That "weird eye thing" that I do with some of my clients? That's a technique called Integrated Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT) and it's an advanced version of EMDR. It's great for removing fears and phobias and unwanted feelings quickly and easily. I was lucky enough to learn this from its creator, Andrew T Austin.
The "freaky hand thing" that I will often do with my clients is a technique I learnt from the venerable therapist, Bob Burns. It allows me to deal with that part of your unconscious mind that is behind your problem. It's incredibly powerful, and generally surprises and delights clients with its effectiveness. Occasionally, it freaks them out a bit.
I've also trained with the Mike Mandel Hypnotherapy Academy, and the UK Hypnosis Academy, who devised a technique called Kinetic Shift. This is very useful for people who have suffered trauma.
When it comes to coaching, I've studied with Stephen Gilligan and Robert Dilts, who devised Generative Change Coaching. Both Mr Gilligan and Mr Dilts have written groundbreaking works about how words affect our thoughts and feelings, and how we can use words to change our lives (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). My Generative Change training was some of the most uplifting and healing training I've taken, and I love using it to help my clients break through barriers.
Sometimes, I get the opportunity to carry out more spiritual work. If you've come to see me and "stepped back into the body of your mother", or met your spirit guide, you've experienced just some of the Shamanism techniques I occasionally use. I studied Shamanistic practices with psychologist and self-styled modern medicine woman, Christa Mackinnon. Whilst these techniques aren't something I perform often, it's useful to have them there for when I need them.
Read what my clients think of my work on my hypnotherapy review page here.
I'm also a trained soft tissue therapist and RAPID NeuroFascial Reset Specialist. I am co-owner and do all the social media and website work for State 11 Soft Tissue Therapy, where people with injuries get help from Greg Pritchard.
Occasionally I help other soft tissue therapists and hypnotherapists with their websites and social media through Clever Therapy Sites.