Womens Section
This section is about the typical types of problem that I help women with and their unique perspective on the issues that affect them specifically. The majority of my clients are women and I have come to the conclusion that it is a bit like asking for directions - a man will drive around in circles for hours before giving in as they tend to see it as an admission of failure or weakness - whereas a woman will stop and ask for help as soon as she gets lost.
Well, that's how I see my role - as a guide - you find your way but I can help you with the directions .
These are the most common problems that women visit me for:
Depression
Despite women apparently gaining equality now, we still seem to cope with an awful lot don't we? Balancing careers with kids, a world where our role models are size 0 and an unrelenting pressure to be superwoman; the perfect mummy, the perfect career and the perfect wife. The worst of it is that many of us put that pressure on ourselves, expecting to be able to do everything. No wonder so many women are permanently stressed, and coping with stress for long periods of time can lead to depression.
Many women that come to see me with depression feel embarrassed or that they have somehow 'failed', and many believe that they are suffering alone, that everyone else seems to be able to cope.
The facts are that women are twice as likely to get depression than men and we all have a one in five chance of having at least one episode of depression in our lifetime. There is not a 'type' of person that is more likely to get depression but difficult or traumatic early life experiences or stressful life events can be a trigger.
Cognitive Hypnotherapy is a quick and effective method of lifting depression or 'low moods'. Everyone 'does' depression differently so I have no set formula or script that I use. Instead I listen carefully to what depression means to you and we discuss the behaviours and beliefs that are specific to you. Then I can suggest a treatment plan specific to you that uses the techniques that are most relevant. I will also develop a word weaving hypno scrip using your words and your model of the world.
When people are depressed they tend to feel helpless and unable to do anything to help themselves. Simply asking for help is a positive step, whether its from me or another therapist - its a signal that you have had enough of feeling this way, that you want to change. So please call me for a supportive chat - there will be something you can do to improve things, just ask.
Weight Management and self-image issues
These two issues often go together. Many women when asked to judge just how overweight they are will be wildly inaccurate and see themselves as much larger than they actually are.
Weight problems are usually about emotion rather than food - this is why diets don't work - most women that lose weight will regain it within a year unless they remove the emotional equivalence that food has for them such as "food=comfort", "food=love", "food=excitement", etc.. Once this connection is unhitched, a woman can go on to lose weight safely until they settle at the weight that is normal for them and at which they are comfortable (this is rarely a size 8!).
Yo-yo dieting is all about your unconscious keeping that weight on and not your love of food.
Having said that, I don't have a magic wand to wave. If you don't put any effort into your treatment then you won't get results. Most women that I see have tried loads of diets and have lost weight before, but then gained it again. They cannot keep their weight stable. What I can do is remove whatever is sabotaging your efforts and help you find the inner strength and resources to make the change permanent.
Lack of self-esteem and confidence
Why on earth do so many of us suffer from this when most of us do a fabulous job of our lives? Coping with so much so well? The problem is that there is a lot that can dent our confidence as women - giving up a successful career to bring up children, the changes in our bodies after pregnancy, and the constant barrage from the media as to what we should look like.
Lack of self-esteem and confidence is only your own negative perception of yourself and this can be altered. You can start to see all the wonderful things about yourself and what you are capable of. Limiting self-beliefs such as 'I am worthless', 'I am stupid' or 'I am a failure' can be changed so that they don't hold you back from enjoying life and doing anything you want to do.
Your Children (and teenagers !)
Children respond well to Cognitive hypnotherapy and NLP. Sometimes its hard as a loving involved parent to get a clear view on a fraught situation, a third party like a therapist can help everyone take a calmer view of the situation.
Children can suffer from lack of confidence, bad habits, lack of control (temper tantrums etc) and sometimes need help to deal with social interaction (especially if they are on the autistic spectrum). Much of the time all they need is a little help to get the world back into perspective again and have confidence in their abilities.
As it is especially important with children that they feel comfortable with me I always offer you your money back if the child does not want to return after the first session.
I am CRB checked and will usually ask that a parent or guardian is present for all sessions.