Hypnotherapy and EMDR
Many people are a bit sceptical about hypnotherapy - don't worry, I won't (and can't) make you run around thinking you're a chicken; that's stage hypnosis and it's a completely different thing to hypnotherapy.
Hypnotherapy is simply a deep state of relaxation where I help you to relax sufficiently so that we can get to the root of your thoughts and feelings, and then I help you to resolve the issues that are driving your unwanted conscious behaviours. You don't have to believe in it to be able to benefit from it - you just need to relax and enjoy it!
EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) is probably the closest thing you'll ever find to real-life magic, as it helps to take the strong, overwhelming emotion out of our memories. We still keep the memory, but it no longer 'hijacks' us when we're least expecting it.
Therapy
The Beginning, Middle and End
The Beginning
This is the most daunting part - 'What does therapy involve? What's the therapist going to be like? What if I don't like her?' Most clients have a whole heap of concerns at the start, and that's to be expected. On the first session, I'll take a few details (name, address, date of birth, etc) and then a brief history of who you are, what your life is like, and what you want to change. I'll then work out what I feel will be most beneficial for you and, if you're happy with my suggestions, we'll go ahead. We don't do anything you're not 100% comfortable with, and you set the pace you want to work at. You're under no obligation to come back if you don't feel that it's right for you, for whatever reason (timing, costs, just not ready, just don't like me (although I'm lovely, honest!)).
The Middle
This bit really is different for everyone, depending on what we're working on and what you're hoping to achieve. Some clients attend therapy for months, sometimes years, whilst others just need one or two sessions. That's why I have trained in so many different ways (CBT, EMDR, hypnotherapy, etc.). There isn't a one-size-fits-all way to help anyone and, even when two people present with the same problem, they are bound to respond differently to therapy and to have different requirements. Some clients don't like the idea of hypnotherapy, even though that might be the simplest way to resolve their problem, but there are always other ways to deal with anything, it's simply a matter of finding what suits you best.
Therapy might involve having to go over painful memories, but that's not always the case. I incorporate positive psychology and coaching into my therapy, to ensure that there's always something beneficial to everything we do, whether that's just gaining a deeper insight and being able to reframe your thoughts, or finding techniques to ensure that your past doesn't negatively impact your present or your future.
The End
Endings can be planned or unexpected, they can be paced or abrupt, depending on the circumstances. You might gradually start to feel better and drop down to fortnightly and then monthly sessions before finishing, or you might just turn up one week and realise that you're doing great and don't need to come anymore. Sometimes life gets in the way and you just can't make it to the sessions, due to work or family commitments, or you simply feel that you need to concentrate on other things and therapy isn't a priority. Whatever way therapy ends, clients are always welcome to come back at any time they need to, whether it's to work on the same topic, something new, or simply just for a one-off session to work through something that's currently going on for them. I also love to receive updates from past clients, letting me know how they're getting on; it feels strange when you get to know someone so well and then you don't see them anymore, so an email letting me know how life is going is always lovely to receive.