MENTAL TOUGHNESS Hypnotherapy London

Why do people come to see me?

People often see me because they are going through changes in their personal or professional lives and need confidence or help to adapt and cope with the demands of their new reality. We all have our ups and downs, the difficulty is when our conditions or the environment changes but we have trouble adapting to them. It could be changes such a promotion, demotion, redundancy or a change of career or personal relationships. We all need the ability to adapt and evolve; this is key to our survival and happiness.

In their personal lives, people may become aware of things they would like to differently, have more confidence with or be more effective at, such as relationships, family and social concerns. Some people may have had a difficulty or anxiety for a long time including behavioural or emotional difficulties. Often people may be anxious or worried about certain situations in their lives. A key point is that we may over estimate a perceived threat to our well being, self esteem, careers or relationships. There may be a miss match between what we perceive is happening in the outside world and how we interpret the threats and demands in our inner world. We may make assumptions and inferences about others, the world, or ourselves that are unhelpful and blocking us from our aims and objectives.

We all have areas in our lives that we would like to improve or where we lack confidence. We may need to make changes, move outside our comfort zones. Increase our mental toughness, resilience and confidence to take on new challenges and cope more effectively with the demands of life.

What types of people come to see me?

All types of people see me; we all have difficulties and challenges in our lives at some time or other, the key is to take action and do something about it. It's also a fact that good mental health and good mental strength is something that we constantly have to work at in the same way that we need to continuously work at physical health and physical strength. Therefore I regularly see people who may have no pressing issues, but it is important to them to maintain confidence, mental toughness, resilience, awareness and introspection - looking to constantly work at it. By maintaining our mental toughness, resilience and confidence we are better prepared and can adapt easier when changes inevitably happen.

A session provides a confidential and safe environment for people to examine areas of their lives, which they cannot easily share with family, friends and colleagues, or it is inappropriate to do so. Our view of the world may be unhelpful to us and we can see that others do not share our views or experience the same difficulties. We may be over-estimating a threat and so are fearful and anxious; we may lack confidence and avoid certain situations all together. A session provides a safe place to relax, reflect and turn things over in our minds as well as examine whether our thinking and actions are logical and helpful; rather than self-defeating. We can evaluate our goals and the direction our lives are taking, we can consider what is important and meaningful to us. I feel that this is an important part of our lives that is often missing for many people.

How many sessions do people need to see me for?

As few as possible, the key is always to do the work in the minimum amount of sessions. Of course the number of sessions depends on what the issue is and how many issues there are, but again, we are looking for results in the shortest possible time and the minimum amount of sessions. In general people see me between one and six sessions. Sessions will often be one or more weeks apart (this is flexible) and clients will often have work and practise to do between sessions. I am very keen that people can learn the techniques and skills in order that they can help themselves in future and are therefore self-reliant and independent. It is also important to be evidence based wherever possible, we can do this by setting clear goals. Therefore we will know if we are getting closer and achieving our aims or whether we need to re-adjust and refine our approach.

What about organisations and corporate clients?

I provide training/coaching sessions for individuals at all levels. I also provide training courses for departments, teams or across organisations

Concepts such as mental toughness, confidence and resilience apply collectively to groups and companies as well as individuals. A company may lack collective confidence and resilience. They may also have collective problems such as low morale, productivity, motivation and performance. I work within the company's aims and objectives. The content of courses includes the attitudes and skills of mental toughness and resilience.

My Qualifications

I am qualified in Clinical Hypnotherapy and Psychology. My qualifications are,

Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis (DCH)

Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychology (DHP)

Master Clinical Hypnotherapist (MCH)

My current studies include a Professional Doctorate (DProf) in Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling at The New School for Psychotherapy and Counselling, London.

I trained with the Institute of Clinical Hypnosis, where I now help to train students at Kings College London.

I trained in Traumatic Incident Reduction at TIR UK, London.

I have trained staff at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Teachers at Pupil Referral Units in Greenwich, London and corporate clients in London.

Membership of Professional Bodies

Registered on the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR Reg).

Validated practitioner with the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC).

Accredited by the National Regulatory Register for Hypnotherapy.

Nationally Registered Hypnotherapist (NRH).

Member Association of the Institute of Clinical Hypnosis (AICH).

Member of the Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association (UPCA).

Member of the Society for Existential Analysis (SEA).

Committee Member of the Society of Psychotherapy (SoP)

Associate member of the Royal Society of Medicine, London (RSM)

Hypnotherapy FAQs

Here are some common questions and answers on hypnotherapy. If you have any questions that are not covered here, then please call or get in touch.

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a natural state of bodily relaxation and a heightened state of mental awareness. This state of relaxation is the same state that everyone goes into just before going to sleep and just before waking up. It is the same state, which occurs when you are in bed and your body is totally relaxed and you do not really wish to move, perhaps in order to get a drink or go to the bathroom; of course you are capable of moving should you wish to. Hypnosis is that same relaxing and lazy feeling you experience whilst lazing in the summer sun, on a beach or in the garden. Although your body is totally relaxed your mind's awareness increases and you experience a concentrated form of attention. During this heightened state of awareness your unconscious mind is more open to any positive suggestions that are made, although it is important to remember that you are always in control. Suggestions that are agreeable are accepted whilst any that are unacceptable are rejected; you are always in control.

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis to bring about positive change. Positive suggestions are given to the unconscious mind, for example increased confidence, calmness under pressure or effective behaviour and emotions. Because the rational and conscious mind agrees and wants these new qualities, immediate, lasting and positive changes take place.

What does it feel like?

You are not asleep but in a very pleasant trance-like state - you are in control. During hypnotherapy your body is totally relaxed however your mind is in a heightened state of awareness. You are aware of everything that is being said. Your body may feel lighter or heavier; many people experience a state of euphoria when they are in trance as all their tension is released.

Stage Hypnosis.

I have said that you are always in control during hypnosis and hypnotherapy, what about the participants of stage hypnosis, are they in control? The answer is yes, anyone who has agreed to take part in a show, knows that they will perform some strange or exaggerated actions and their unconscious has agreed to this. If they were asked to perform anything that would be harmful, then they would simply come out of the hypnotic state.

Is it safe?

Yes it's safe. Hypnosis cannot damage your mind. A hypnotherapist or hypnotist cannot have remote control over you or your mind. Imagine what fun governments and criminals would have if this was possible. Your unconscious contains all your protective instincts and intuitions, which keep you alive. This is why you don't have a long conversation with yourself about avoiding immediate dangers such as a stampeding bull. Your unconscious pulls you out of danger and you will not accept any suggestions from a hypnotist that are deemed harmful to you. You cannot get stuck in hypnosis or stuck in trance. If the hypnotherapist left the building and you were in the trance state you would come out of it naturally or fall asleep, however you will not get stuck in the hypnotic state; that is impossible.

Can anyone be hypnotised?

Yes, provided that they want to be, a better question may be can anyone go into trance? Again the answer is yes, the trance state is completely natural and everyone experiences it daily. When you are totally focused on a particular activity such as reading a book, watching television or playing a game, you may have been so focused that you forgot about everything else and you were unaware of someone talking to you or forgot to drink a cup of tea, which of course went cold. Time went quickly while you were so absorbed in what you were doing. Maybe you have had the experience of driving a car and then not remembering part of the journey although you arrived perfectly safe because your unconscious protected and guided you; we call this "highway hypnosis".

Trance is an essential part of our lives and is where we daydream, use our imagination, creativity, and problem solve. When I started training in hypnosis and psychology, the college principle Nicola Martin said, "the creative unconscious is the most powerful tool for change known to man" quite a statement don't you think? I have to say that at the time, I was a tiny bit sceptical; however by the time I had practised, undergone all the training and qualified I was in no doubt that she was right. The trance state is a wonderful and comfortable experience. I often teach my clients self-hypnosis so they can access the trance state at any time. Self-hypnosis is a mental toughness, tool for life; amongst its uses are relaxation, stress reduction, concentration, learning, creativity, pain relief, problem solving and increasing confidence.

Mental Toughness Hypnotherapy London
10 Harley Street,
London,
W1G 9PF.

Tel: 020 7467 8548

phil@mental-toughness.co.uk