PAIN ISN’T REAL
Pain is how your brain alerts you and protects you from further damage. Imagine you’re sitting at home, you’ve eaten too much and you’re having stomach cramps. Suddenly a friend rushes in and tells you how she’s met a giy and she’s getting married next week and wants you to help her plan the wedding. All of a sudden you realise that you’ve not felt that stomach pain while you’ve been listening intently to your friends story. The less we think about pain the less we feel it, the opposite is also true, if we focus on pain it becomes more intense.
Pain can be controlled. Through hypnosis long term, chronic pain can be dramatically reduced or eradicated completely. The hypnotherapist can convince the unconscious that the percieved sensation is no longer serving a positive purpose.
The human mind is truly amazing.
PHOBIAS
We develop phobias for all sorts of reasons. The role of our unconscious mind is to protect us. Sometimes it creates behaviours that it thinks will protect us, phobias. Sadly all too often these have the opposite effect.
Hypnotherapy can crush this irrational fear relatively quickly in 1-3 sessions. The hypnotherapist will negotiate with that unconscious ‘part’ of the mind that is running the behaviour and ask it to create a more positive and less destructive behaviour. This can often be done without hypnosis or trance. It’s a simple, easy and incredibly effective approach.
ASK THE UNCONSCIOUS
Hypnotherapists acheive life changing results by talking to the unconscious mind of the client.
Neuroscientists discovered that the unconscious part of the brain can make decisions up to 10 seconds before we are consciously aware of them.
Grab a pendulum or simply make one by tying a small heavy object (a finger ring is ideal) to a piece of sewing thread (approx 20cm). Hold the end of the thread between your thumb and first finger, rest your elbow on a flat surface and let the pendulum hang. Now, without moving your hand THINK ‘Left to Right’ and the pendulum will start to swing left to right. Merely THINK backwards / forwards and slowly the pendulum will start to swing likewise. Now just THINK circle (don’t move your hand) and slowly the pendulum will start to swing with a circular motion.
Now…ask your unconscious some questions…left/right for YES and circle for NO…Have fun.
CHRONIC PAIN
Using hypnosis to relieve chronic pain can be extremely effective. From toothache to fibromyalgia, hypnotherapy is most certainly worth consideration.
Many people fail to realise that hypnotheray is also something that can help with emotional pain too. If you are grieving over the loss of a loved one or struggling with a relationship break-up, hypnotherapy can help you to achieve emotional closure.
DO YOU DO THIS WHEN YOU’RE STRESSED?
Unconsciously rubbing the back or side of the neck is usually a sign of stress or anxiety but why do we do it?
Rubbing the side of the neck stimulates the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the longest of the cranial nerves. It connects your brain to many important organs throughout the body, including the gut (intestines, stomach), heart and lungs. In fact, the word “vagus” means “wanderer” in Latin, which accurately represents how the nerve wanders all over the body and reaches various organs. The vagus nerve is a key part of your parasympathetic nervous system. It influences your breathing, digestive function and heart rate. Rubbing our neck calms us down.
Hypnosis isn’t always necessary when dealing with stress, there are many other techniques therapists can use to manage stress.
*This post contains sexual references*
THE DOMINO EFFECT
There’s a saying in the world of therapy,
“…the issue is never the issue…”
What does that mean?
Let’s look at an example. A client came to me with Erectile Dysfunction. That wasn’t the issue though. The Erectile Dysfunction was the result of anxiety. But that wasn’t the issue. The anxiety was the result of guilt and shame. That wasn’t the issue though. The guilt and shame was the result of a childhood trauma.
If I can deal with the childhood trauma then all the other issues topple like dominoes.
HYPNOSIS
HYPNOSIS: It’s not what you think it is, it’s what you think it is.
(No, that wasn’t a typo)
Those of whom have never experienced hypnosis will have preconceptions of what it will be like. Let me quickly blow away some myths. You are fully aware at all times, you can hear what is being said at all times, You are in full control and can bring yourself out of trance whenever you wish. You will remember everything that was said.
Everyone experiences hypnosis differently, Whatever your experience is, that’s hypnosis. It’s not what you think it is, it’s what you think it is.
SLEEP
One of the reasons we sleep is to allow our unconscious mind to make sense of the day and to consolidate memories. The unconscious often presents its findings by way of dreams. Dreams are metaphors, the language of the unconscious. Hypnotherapists frequently use metaphors in therapy situations as they speak directly to the unconscious mind.
Recurring dreams usually disappear once the metaphor is deciphered and the message understood.
THE SOLUTION
Hypnosis and hypnotherapy gains more recognition and integrity within the medical and scientific communities every day. All too often in my therapy room I hear comments like, “you were my last resort”, “I don’t know why I didn’t come here sooner”, “I’ve tried everything”. Most frustrating of all is, “I never even thought about hypnosis”.
Hypnotherapy offers quick, painless, drug-free, lasting results so why do so few people ever consider it?
HYPNOTIC TRANCE
Trance is a funny thing. As humans we’re experiencing some sort of trance most of the time. Ever been on a drive and when you arrive can’t remember how you cot there. Ever watched a movie or read a book and become completely unaware of your surroundings; these are trance states. There are many others that are lighter states and less obvious and yet they are trance states. It is in these states that you are susceptible to suggestion. One technique used to induce trance is the ‘Pattern interrupt’ technique. Interrupt a handshake with an unusual action or interrupt a verbal greeting with an unexpected phrase and the other person will momentarily go into trance as their unconscious searches to make sense in this break in pattern.
Next time you are out shopping and get accosted by Hare Krishna devotees or charities, or consumer survey personnel or Christian street evangelists etc. Stride past and as you do, hesitate slightly and say “sorry, I can’t stop – I’ve got a giraffe in the microwave, you know how it is…” And as you say that look them in the eye and nod your head. This will induce a momentary state of confusion where they are suggestible. Instinctively they nod back in agreement.
Walk on then stop, turn around and look at the complete and utter confusion on the person’s face as they come out of trance.
DOG FEAR
This morning I took a walk to my local supermarket. On the approach to the main entrance there was a woman two or three steps in front of me. As we both drew close to the store a woman with a large greyhound size dog game into view from behind a pillar. She was standing talking to a gentleman. The dog was standing calmly on a leash with a baby pink collar round its neck.
The woman walking in front of me stopped dead and instantly froze. Her actions were so sudden that I walked past her before I realised what had happened. I turned and saw a look of panic as she stared at the dog. I gently approached her and asked if she was okay. As she replied that she had a fear of dogs her face relaxed; the woman with the dog was now walking away in the opposite direction. I briefly explained that I could help and gave her a business card.
If you have a phobia, hypnotherapy can help you overcome its control over your life.
DEFINITION OF ANXIETY
ANXIETY: is the anticipation of a future event which is associated with a previous traumatic experience.
CBT may take months of therapy probing, questioning and exploring to establish the root cause. Time will then be spent re-educating the client’s approach to the issue.
Hypnotherapy directly accesses the part of the unconscious that protects the client from further trauma, negotiates a new behaviour and frees the client from anxiety. Fast, effective and lasting results. A cognitive cure.
CANCER
Half of all the people born after 1960 will get some form of cancer in their lifetime. Hypnotherapy cannot cure cancer but it can help immensely. Hypnotherapy can be used to persuade the unconscious mind to boost the body’s immune system. Clients can combat many of the issues resulting from a cancer diagnosis. Anxiety, fear and insomnia can all be addressed through hypnotherapy. Pain management and promoted healing are also some of the aspects of post cancer treatment that the hypnotherapist can tackle.
THE HEALING MIND
How quickly you heal from surgery depends on what type of procedure is performed and how complex or invasive the surgery is. Having an operation to remove cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye) is a standard procedure that takes around 30 minutes and the patient can usually go home after only a few hours after the surgery. In contrast, heart bypass surgery is an extremely complex and invasive procedure that requires several months of convalescence.
Making changes to the unconscious mind is a little like surgery. How quickly one can experience change depends on the procedure and how complex or invasive it is. Sometimes the results are almost instant and sometimes the body and mind have need time to adjust to the changes that have been made. Frequently the patient needs to come back for an adjustment or a tweek and that’s perfectly normal for surgery or hypnotherapy. We are human after all. Have an awesome day.
OPEN COMMUNICATION
The most fundamental goal of human existence is to reproduce. We are driven, at a very primitive level, to preserve our DNA by passing it on to the next generation.
For humans sex isn’t just about procreation, it’s about pleasure and about bonding with a partner, it’s about exploring oneself and about variety and adventure.
It is ironic that such a fundamental element of our existence can also be the source of dysfunction and anxiety. Sexual health is the one issue that we find most difficult to admit to or discuss. For a great many, sex is a taboo subject. It is the one thing almost all of us engage in and yet it is the topic we are most reluctant to talk about.
As a hypnotherapist that deals almost exclusively with sexual health issues, I am constantly reminded of how difficult it is for clients to discuss their problems. This shyness, this uncomfortable reluctance means that many people with sexual health issues suffer in silence and never seek help.
The good news is, a great many issues can be resolved with only one or two sessions of hypnotherapy. Lifetime issues can be resolved, quite literally, overnight.
As a society we must strive to talk about sex more openly, frankly and without embarrassment. We should be able to seek help with the same approach as having a cold or a sore back.
HYPNOTIC FRIENDS
I am in the gratifying position of being a hypnotherapist. I interact with people and, in some way, change their lives for the better. It’s a privilege that I never take for granted.
Yesterday I got a video call from someone I had never met before. It was from someone who is extremely well known within the hypnosis community. He invited me to attend an online conference which he was giving a talk. I gladly accepted. We made our acquaintance and chatted for another 40 minutes. This hypnotist lives only a 30 minute drive from me so we are going to continue our chat over coffee sometime soon.
I mention this surprise meeting because this person created an hypnotic protocol that is having a profound effect on those that experience it. The protocol is used to rid the mind of all the past negativity in their lives, all the guilt, all the shame, all the moments when they felt inadequate, or felt unworthy or lost. The result of running this protocol is that people are freed from all sorts of physical and mental conditions that are often regarded as unrelated. Clients are suddenly freed from anxiety, pain, sexual dysfunction, fears and many other conditions that have limited their ability to enjoy life.
We are, at any one moment, the sum of all our experiences. When we remove the negative aspects of these experiences our lives can experience immeasurable positive change.
TODAY IS INTERNATIONAL ORGASM DAY (31st July)
The medical term is Anorgasmia. Anorgasmia is the inability to reach orgasm after a sufficient amount of sexual stimulation.
Generally 95% of women can achieve orgasm from clitoral stimulation (masturbation) 65% from regular sex with a partner and only 20% from purely PIV.
Did you know, the only function of the clitoris is to give pleasure. It is the only organ in the human body with the sole function of creating a pleasurable experience; how cool is that. You owe it to yourself to make the most of it. 
There are three main types. Primary Anorgasmia: Someone that has never achieved orgasm, Secondary Anorgasmia: Someone who is able to achieve orgasm but it is becoming more difficult or less frequent and Situational Anorgasmia: Someone that can only orgasm under certain environmental conditions.
There are many physical conditions that can cause problems with reaching an orgasm. These include Diabetes, Hypertension, Crohn’s Disease, Vascular disease, Chronic pain, Autoimmune disease, IBS, Fibromyalgia, Hormone imbalance, Oestrogen insufficiency, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, The effects of smoking, Pelvic surgery.
Medication related to some of these conditions may also be a contributing factor e.g. anti-anxiety drugs, blood pressure medication and hormone supplements.
If you are suffering from some form of anorgasmia the first step is to get checked out by the doctor to identify any physical cause.
If the doctor rules out any physical condition then it could be that anorgasmia is due to a psychological issue. Psychological reasons might include, General anxiety, performance anxiety, self-esteem, a previous trauma, previous sexual abuse, strict parenting, strong religious beliefs, guilt, shame, lack of connection (with a partner).
If you have a psychological issue all is not lost: There are some amazing books out there to help you rediscover and reconnect to your inner goddess. I’m a hypnotherapist that deals specifically with sexual health related issues and I would recommend you start with a book by Kaz Riley. It’s called ‘Woman: How To Find, Understand and Embrace Your Sexual Pleasure’ now this isn’t the only book available but I’ve trained with Kaz and she’s a leading authority on all things orgasmic.
Sometimes we need more than just a book to help get our heads back in order. Therapists are your answer. They can help you find the solutions to your underlying issues and once resolved there’s a very good chance you’ll rediscover yourself and The Big ‘O’. Don’t miss out on the natural pleasure you were made to enjoy. Anorgasmia isn’t uncommon, I can help.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?
It’s a life-sized, anatomically correct model.
If you don’t know make a guess…
…it’s the clitoris
Were you right?
OH, YES!!!
Hypnotherapists aren’t the only people to use hypnotic language. Sales people use it all the time. One of the most common neuro-linguistic tricks is the ‘Yes Set’
This is a clever technique where they get you to internally agree to a set of statements – sometimes very obvious ones. It kicks off a positive momentum that makes you more likely to follow along with the rest of what they have to say. Here is an example of a yes set.
Imagine you’re at a car garage with your partner looking at the vehicles in the forecourt, as you check out a particular car, a salesman approaches, he says….
It’s a wonderful day, isn’t it? (You find yourself saying Yes)
You out looking at cars today? (Uhm…Yes…obviously)
Is this your partner? (Yes again)
So you spotted this car? (Well, Yes…)
The salesman has now got you in a ‘Yes Set’; your brain has engaged in a ‘Yes’ response pattern. Whatever the salesman says next there is a very strong chance you will respond with “yes”.
That might be…
Would you like to sit inside?
Would you like a test drive?
Would you like to see our finance terms?
Have you encountered the ‘Yes Set’?
DON’T SUFFER
When you can feel your heart beating so hard in your chest just thinking about giving that presentation.
It doesn’t have to be like that…
ARE YOU A SPIDER PERSON?
Do you hate that sudden clench in your gut when you spot a spider? And then you back away super fast?
Hypnotherapy can help…
What’s your phobia?
LOOK INTO MY EYES…AND SLEEP…
Getting the correct amount of quality sleep is essential to your ability to learn and process memories. Additionally, sleep helps restore your body’s energy, repair muscle tissue and triggers the release of hormones that effect growth and appetite.
Just like exercise, the amount of sleep you need depends on your age. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends at least 11-12 hours for preschool-aged children, 10 hours for school-aged children, 9-10 hours for teens and 7-8 hours for adults.
Quality of sleep matters too. Quality of sleep refers to how much time you spend in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. REM is the most restorative of the 5 cycles of sleep and should account for one-fourth of the time you spend sleeping. For example, an adult who sleeps 8 hours in a night should spend a total of 2 hours in REM sleep.
If you don’t get enough sleep, or good quality sleep every once in a while, you may notice that you wake up feeling groggy, not well rested, and experience difficulty concentrating. If you consistently do not get enough quality sleep, you are at higher risk for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, headaches and depression. Try to stay in the suggested guidelines for amount of sleep – getting too much sleep on a regular basis can be problematic for health as well.
If you feel as though you are not getting enough sleep on a regular basis and it is affecting your work or personal life, hypnotherapy can help.
PHYSICIAN, HEAL THYSELF…
What a day and it’s only 4pm.
I’ve had an incredibly busy day from the minute I opened my eyes. One of those days when, if something could go wrong, it did go wrong.
I got bitten by an unidentified bug as I lay in bed this morning
I had comms failure during a client session. As I tried to rectify it my laptop decided it was time for a Windows Update.
I spilled apple juice all over myself when I tried to chill in the sunshine.
I had two people Facebook message me and one person call me all at the same time and all during a Zoom meeting.
I discovered melted chocolate on my car seat when I went to go out.
And NOW, NOW I am late producing today’s content for social media because, well because of all of the above.
Did I get stressed? Yes Did the stress turn into anxiety and panic? No.
As a hypnotherapist I have a great many tools that I can use to avoid anxiety and panic. They don’t require hypnosis. Most of the approaches can be applied in public with out bein noticed and most take a short time to perform.
Suffering from anxiety is a thing but becoming anxious is something YOU DO TO YOURSELF. Not consciously – who would do that to themselves, right? The cortex in your brain can get rather over excited and if that happens the amygdala can fire the fight, flight or freeze mechanisms which cause anxiety and panic.
If you have situations in your life that cause you to become anxious; flying, giving presentations, driving on motorways etc. then I can help. I can teach you simple but effective techniques you can use when you are anxious and even before you become anxious. There is no need to suffer.
Content finally posted. Job done. Anxiety level – Zero!!!!
OMG, THE YOUTH OF TODAY!!!
Today in the therapy office I had a short Discovery Session with a young man via Zoom. That made me very happy. Not because it was potential income but because this young man had been brave enough to reach out to me regarding a problem with sex. Despite his nerves and anxiety this person accepted he had a sexual health issue, he did some online research and came to the conclusion that he needed help. So he went out there and found it.
Although he was a little nervous to begin with by the end of our chat he was feeling confident and happy that he had done the right thing and that soon his issue would be resolved.
I am so proud of him. He took a step that so many of my clients struggle with for such a long time. Many of my clients keep putting off getting in touch because they are embarrassed or believe they will be judged. Some clients feel they will be shamed and rejected.
Many clients fail to realise that their issue is a lot more common than they realise. Cognitive Cure Hypnotherapy is a non-judgmental practice. We are LGBT+ and BDSM friendly. All consultations are undertaken in the strictest confidence.
If a young guy in his late teens can muster the maturity and attitude to overcome his embarrassment then I hope you can too. See you soon.
YOU ARE THE SUM TOTAL OF YOUR PARTS – EMBRACE THEM ALL
Parts or Ego States are the names used to define a whole crowd of 100 – 150 multiple personalities we all have inside us.
Usually there are only a few ego states that do all the work the rest rarely get involved. Only one of these Ego States is at work at any one time and at that moment they are the executive state. Woo Hoo!!
Confused? Let me explain a bit more. Let’s assume we have John, a high profile marketing director who’s married with two young kids. During working hours the Ego State that is in control (has executive status) of John’s thoughts and emotions is a dominant, quick-thinking g0-getter. When John goes home to his wife and kids the Ego State best suited for the role of ‘father’ takes over and becomes the ‘Executive’ state for that time.
Our unconscious mind is a collection of Ego States or Parts. Each having a different role or a different job to do. Ego states are shifting in and out of the executive all the time. One might stay there for hours, if you’re doing something like watching an interesting movie or running a marathon. Sometimes they’re only there for a few seconds.
Ego states have distinct personalities. They act differently from each other, have different facial expressions, and even different speech patterns.
Have you ever had the experience of walking into another room, and just standing there, wondering what on earth you came in for? You can’t remember, because your ego states shifted on you. The one who sent you into the room isn’t the one that showed up!
In your committee of different ego states, there are states in different levels of integration, or healthy function. Not all Ego states are in good health however. These are ego states that have gone through unpleasant experiences and are invaded by fear, sadness, or other trauma. If you have a phobia, it will likely be one ego state that experiences it and needs to be healed. A person that has a spider phobia because the Ego State at that time had a bad experience and want to avoid spiders at all costs. That Ego State’s job is to protect you from spiders and will use any unconscious mechanism it can to do so. That Ego state might instigate fear so that you will run away from that spider. The Ego state believes it has done its job in protecting you.
Hypnotherapy can be used to great effect to help with phobias because the hypnotherapist can negotiate with the Ego State (or Part) that is responsible for the phobia. The hypnotherapist can place the client into hypnosis and talk to the unconscious collection of Ego States or ‘Parts’ and talk specifically to the Ego State that is responsible for the clients reaction to spiders and rationalise with that part and ask that part of the client’s unconscious to change how it perceives spiders and ask that part (Ego State) to change the way it reacts to spiders. The therapist will usually get an agreement from the Ego State and changes, at an unconscious level are installed. The therapist will usually check that ALL the other Ego States are happy with the changes to that part’s role before therapy ends.
When the client comes out of hypnosis the fear of spiders has gone. How cool is that.
HYPNOSIS: IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK IT IS – IT’S WHAT YOU THINK IT IS.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation, imagination and focused attention to achieve a heightened state of awareness that is sometimes called a trance. The person’s attention is so focused while in this state that anything going on around the person becomes unimportant; In this naturally occurring state, a person may focus their attention — with the help of the therapist — on specific thoughts or tasks.
The therapist collaborates with the client’s unconscious mind , working together to find an agreeable solution to a problem. The therapist and the client’s unconscious mind explore ways to make positive and lasting change. Strategies are agreed and acted upon at an unconscious level.
Derek Heron is the owner and facilitator at Cognitive Cure Hypnotherapy. He has a vast array of tools at his disposal to gently and safely guide the client through the process of change. All that is required of the client is to listen or use their imagination under Derek’s guidance. The hypnotic experience is unique to everyone, it’s what you think it is.
WHY PEOPLE DON’T SEEK HELP…
1. They’re scared. It’s hard to take steps forward into the future when you can’t imagine what that future would look like. Many people who struggle with mental illness or addiction become afraid of taking the leap towards recovery – and that’s what’s holding them back.
2. Self-stigmatization. Society places so much stigma on addiction and mental illness. Addiction is often categorized as a “weakness” or a “personal moral failure,” while mental illness may be associated with being “crazy”. Unfortunately, these incredibly hurtful – and untrue – stigmas can be taken in and believed by a person if they’re not supported otherwise.
3. They don’t see that they need help. It’s hard to believe that you need help when you don’t see a problem there, and sometimes individuals may feel they’ve got everything under control – even if they don’t.
4. They know they need help, but they’re not ready to seek it out yet. This is a step towards seeking help, and continued support is needed to motivate a person to take that step and set up treatment.
5. Distrust in treatment. This may also stem from stigma; those with addiction and/or mental illness may fear that they’ll be judged by their therapist and others in their healthcare team – and they’d rather avoid these potential situations by not seeking help.
6. They believe they’ll never get better. Unfortunately, there are many people who believe that because of genetics, shame, trauma, etc., they’re never going to get better. In many cases, symptoms of mental illness can exacerbate these types of thoughts – which only make it more challenging for a person to take that step towards recovery.
THE STONE
Sunday is traditionally a day of rest in so many countries and cultures. I took to the beach; it was a lovely, bright, sunny day. As I walked along the beach I would stop and pick up an interesting shell or marvel at an unusual piece of driftwood. I love driftwood. I enjoy craft and I think I have a good imagination. When I see a wonderfully twisted, smooth and bleached piece of woo, my imagination races. What could I do with that? What do the shapes remind me of? Can I carry it home?
On my beach walk I spotted a lovely large stone. It was black but cutting through the dark were perfectly straight seams of bright white quartz. It was rather beautiful. It was like someone had taken a black stone and wraped a few turns of brite white string around it. The stone was large and heavy but not too heavy. I was going to have that stone, I would definitely do something creative with those wonderfully contrasting lines.
It wasn’t that heavy. But, as I carried it, it got heavier. The physical weight didn’t change but it ‘felt’ heavier. As I walked my muscles ached. I swapped the stone from hand to hand until both my arms hurt. After a while, I contemplated ditching the stone. Yes it was pretty but, I simply could not carry it any further. I grudgingly left the stone on the beach.
After a minute or so, I found myself smiling, my arms felt so much better and I could enjoy my walk again. I could focus on the sound of the waves as they reached the shore, I was aware of the sun on my skin and in that moment life felt good.
Have you got a gorgeous stone in your life? You love it but deep down you know it’s hurting you? You don’t want to part with that stone, you really want to keep it but at the same time it’s getting harder and harder to carry. Maybe, just maybe it’s time to leave that stone on the beach and start walking without the stone and appreciate the sunshine once more. You owe it to yourself to enjoy the walk on the beach, who knows you might just spot a beautiful shell.
PHOBIAS AND FIXES
This morning when I woke up I spotted a large spider on the wall opposite my bed. I got up, opened a window, carefully scooped up the spider and dropped it outside.
Most, if not all phobias are formed and installed by the age of four and all by the age of 7. This is because we haven’t yet fully developed our critical faculty – the ability to rationalise thigs that happen to us. This time in our early childhood is called the Imprint Phase.
The interesting thing with phobias is that the subject is not directly afraid of the thing (like spiders), they are afraid of the fear they experience when they encounter that thing. It is a fear of having fear.
I had one particular client that had a fear of spiders and after the session which typically lasted just over an hour she left the Zoom session feeling confident. I got a call from her several days later. She was in tears. I was genuinely surprised and concerned. She then told me that she had spotted a spider scurrying across the kitchen floor and after the initial shock was surprised that she felt no fear whatsoever. She picked it up and threw it outside.
I was happy for her and congratulated her. I asked her why she was so upset. She told me that for the first time she actually looked at the spider in her hands.
“It was so beautiful…” she said
For the first time in her life she now looked at spiders through new eyes and realised what amazing creatures they are. How cool is that.
Having a phobia can affect our lives in many ways. Many people refuse to holiday abroad because of a fear of flying. Others will climb relentless flights of stairs because of a fear of lifts or confined spaces. Some have avoided the dentist for years because they have a fear of needles. It doesn’t need to be this way. Most phobias can be resolved in one or two sessions and the effects can be liberating and life changing.
UNNECESSARY BAGGAGE
I’ve just completed an interesting two day course in Edinburgh. Oddly enough the biggest nugget of gold didn’t come from the course but from myself.
Let me explain; On day one I wasn’t sure what to expect so I packed a rucksack with a bottle of water, a sandwich, my laptop and a book to read. The conference was only a 15 minute walk away and as I hate taking the car into the city I took the train into the heart of Edinburgh. As I left the station I was reminded of how steep Cockburn Street is as I headed for the Royal Mile. As I climbed my rucksack became heavier and heavier. By the time I was on level ground I was struggling and my legs ached. – Yeah okay, I’m seriously unfit.
Typically, I didn’t need my water, bottled water was provided, as was my lunch. Course notes were emailed out to me and any internet access I needed was accessible on my phone. Although I can by quite reserved, I found myself chatting to others during the breaks and didn’t lift my book.
Day two and I had abandoned the rucksack and eagerly bounded (well okay maybe not) up Cockburn Street, ready to get started. This time I wasn’t out of breath.
What did I learn at that course, I hear you ask?
I learned that so many of us carry an unnecessary burden every day. Maybe it’s one of regret or guilt or shame and yet we don’t have to. If only we realised we could let it go we’d enjoy life a whole lot more. So many things would become simpler and easier. Many of us are carrying useless baggage that weighs down on us and prevents us from enjoying life and being our true self.
It is my goal as a hypnotherapist to help you become the person you want to be. I can help to release you from that burden of shame or guilt or regret just as easily as I dumped my rucksack.