What makes each person happy is very different, so any blog about happiness does need to start by stating that...

So when it comes to the idea we can 'rewire' our brains is that just woo woo? Everyday we can dose ourselves up happiness neurotransmitters through simple everyday steps to aid our overall mood. The daily dose is

• Dopamine
• Oxytocin
• Serotonin
• Endorphins

Below are some that work for me and clients, I'm curious to known what you'd tick or not, and what'd you'd include...

Maybe your are thinking about what type of therapy that will help
you where you are now, maybe a friend has signposted you here after
having a successful programme with me.

BUT being honest you are a bit sceptical or hesitant
about the whole hypnotherapy thing. Fair enough and you
are definitely not alone.

I've talked with a lot of people about in my professional and
personal circles and these are some of things holding people back.

Let's break it down to tackle the stigma 

The solution focused hypnotherapy approach is a person centred, brief therapy which combines the chance to focus on the here and now, learn more about the human brain and over a series of 50 minute sessions become more relaxed. 

As an autistic person you may experience higher levels of stress and anxiety that we can address through hypnotherapy. I can help with reducing any ritualised or repeating habits developed over time, generalised or more specific anxiety symptoms. 

If you have any phobias around everyday activities or health care needs like needles I can help you address this through a process called a rewind technique. This process can also aid with flashbacks, nightmares and specific physical sensations such as pain, or tremors.

By attending online or face to face session with a trained hypnotherapist communication and social skills can be improved and confidence built up. Each week, after the initial consultation, the questions asked are solution focused aimed at the client coming up with their own goals and aims. This is an empowering, person centred process. I make the sessions fun, interactive - I even have a few colourful sensory plushie toys clients love to interact with. 

Through regular use of the MP3 relaxation track outside of the sessions before bedtime and relaxation sessions in the face to face time with me you will find your ability to concentrate and focus will improve over time.

The blending of non-verbal music and the spoken words on the MP3 track help clients become familiar with my voice so that when we work together in sessions results are much more impactful. 

I will always make any reasonable adjustments possible for clients to get the most out their sessions in terms of lighting, and any furnishings I have in my clinic. Many clients enjoy sessions via Zoom as they can stay in familiar surroundings without needing to travel.

I hold a Mental Health First aider certificate and Level 2 in understanding autism as part of my CPD (continuing professional development). I have monthly supervision so I have a hotline to ask any questions that I am asked, if I need more support. 

I am open to having a chat about how I can help during work days Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm

Useful links 
​
National Autistic Society
https://www.autism.org.uk/
Autism Parenting Magazine 
https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/autism-children-hynotherapy/

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Image via Alexander Grey​ @ https://unsplash.com/@sharonmccutcheon

Hypnosis or trance describes times when we experience a shift in our conscious awareness. Trance used during hypnotherapy is very different from the kind of things we might see in ‘stage hypnosis’.

In our day to day lives we all naturally go in and out of trance states many times during the day – perhaps when we are driving, reading a good book or even washing the dishes. In this relaxed state, we experience changes in our conscious awareness – almost like being in a day-dream. During this time, the unconscious mind is more aware and can focus on helpful suggestions and thoughts.

Trance is a very natural and safe state. Contrary to what you might see on the television, trance is not mind-control! When we are in a trance state we are still in control, and we process and decide whether information or suggestions are useful to us or not and will not accept or do anything against our will.

Being in a trance is a very relaxing experience – and it is something that all of us will frequently experience in our daily lives. In fact, experiencing changes in our conscious awareness is a vital part of our existence as humans – we need times where we can relax, reflect and consolidate information, and utilise different parts of our brains for different activities.

From a scientific perspective, changes in conscious awareness can be demonstrated using Electroencephalography or EEG, which is a method of recording electrical energy in the brain. Our brain wave activity changes all the time, particularly as we enter different phases of when we go to sleep. When your therapist uses guided relaxation and mental imagery it can encourage you to go into a trance state, which causes a natural shift in our brainwave patterns. This means that we might shift from being in a fully alert mental state (like when we are hectic and busy working during the day - as shown by beta brain wave activity) into other states. As we are guided into deeper levels of relaxation, the brain demonstrates more alpha and theta wave activity, where we feel calmer and more relaxed but can also visualise images and reflect on different ideas that may be useful to us.

This is why Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can be so beneficial, because it combines powerful solution-focused discussions, followed by encouraging a relaxing trance state so that the ideas and solutions discussed can then be explored and utilised by the brain for positive benefit.
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​Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a type of ‘talking therapy’, that combines the use of psychotherapy with hypnosis. Hypnosis or ‘trance’ is a very natural, relaxing state, encouraged by using guided relaxation, where the mind can relax and then focus on thoughts and suggestions that might be useful. As a modern psychotherapeutic approach, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy uses practical, structured, and well-researched strategies to help people make significant, positive changes in their lives in a relatively short period of time. Crucially, in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, therapists look at what the client wants to achieve (the solution) rather than at whatever prompted them to seek help (the problem).