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Welcome to Affinity Cognitive Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy
People sometimes find it surprising to learn that hypnosis has had a scientific perspective for many years (since a Scottish surgeon called James Braid coined the word 'hypnosis' a few years after publishing a book called Neurypnology, or, the rationale of nervous sleep, considered in relation with animal magnetism. London, Churchill, 1843.). Despite knowledge of these processes being known about and studied for this long period of time, confusion still persists for some between hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis shows.
Stage hypnosis is a form of entertainment in which people are encouraged to use their imagination for the enjoyment of others. The directive approach of the hypnotist, appearing to command participants can give rise to the misleading impression that subjects are somehow 'under the control' of the hypnotist.
So what is hypnosis & what's the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?
While there are several definitions of hypnosis itself, one which is generally accepted is an altered state of attention, focus or awareness. Hippolyte Bernheim (the father of hypnosis in the late 19th Century), had a different perspective suggesting hypnosis is essentially heightened suggestibility. Hypnosis is generally accessed by entering relaxation states, which may provide a gateway to greater use of innate imaginative & motivational faculties.
Hypnotherapy then, is a form of therapy in which hypnosis is used to enable the client to have greater access to the internal resources of their unconscious mind to facilitate therapeutic change. Nowadays, it is more often conceived as a sort of partnership, or therapeutic alliance in which the therapist acts as a guide who may facilitate hypnotic states, to assist clients in marshalling unconscious inner resources required to achieve their goals.
CBT
Cognitive behavioural therapy is now often regarded as the most developed and comprehensive form of modern psychotherapy, purported by some sources to be derived from hypnotherapy. In actuality, CBT is not one but several therapy processes and quantitative methods which are designed to assist in understanding the interplay between thoughts and emotional processes as well as how these affect behaviour. Cognitions (which can be positive or negative) can be any/all of ideas, thoughts, feelings and memories, and understanding the role that these play is central to CBT, all the more so when they become problematic (so called NAT's or negative automatic thoughts).
EFT
This is a recent form of therapy developed originally from observations from acupuncture and acupressure, which an American psychologist called Roger Callahan formulated into a series of protocols, tapping areas (instead of using needles) which are believed to correspond to energy pathways in the body (so called meridian points). This has come to be called energy psychology. Callahan's work has given rise to a subsequent series of these derived therapy forms, the most prominent of which is called Emotional Freedom Techniques, developed by Gary Craig, a Stanford scientist.
The basic principle which underlines these therapies, (or as it has been described by Craig as the discovery statement) is that, "The cause of all negative emotions in the body is an energy imbalance".
Taking meridian starting or end points identified by Callahan, Craig essentially explored aspects of emotional thinking & developed a pragmatic & practical approach which makes treatment, research and knowledge simple and more accessible to the public generally, both potential clients & therapists. Craig's approach affords anyone access through interest, without the need to adhere to complex protocols for the therapy to work.
As a consequence of this open and empowering approach, learning is developing rapidly, and EFT can be used as an adjunct to other therapy or learning processes.
About the Therapist
From an early interest more than 40 years ago, in Oriental philosophy & meditation forms, I have been fortunate to study Buddhist meditation, (Vajrayana and Soto Zen under several teachers), personal development using biofeedback for several years, incorporating aspects of both into my therapy processes. CBT mindfulness is based on Zen meditation and is becoming popular worldwide now and in the UK it has been endorsed by N.I.C.E (National Institute of Clinical Excellence), as an effective form of cognitive behavioural therapy.
Concurrent with this, I have more than 30 years experience (working in several Mental Health settings & also with clients who had Learning Difficulties) assisting with behavioural, emotional or psychological problems, in assessing need and deriving individual behavioural plans for clients. Areas in which I have a primary interest include anxiety states and phobias, PTSD and other forms of stress disorders. Management of pain, medical and other chronic disorders are also of great interest. I believe this work demands an imaginative approach linked with evidence based methods, and have augmented my healthcare background, training in Hypnotherapy with Don Robertson at UK College of Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy in London, which incorporates CBT into its courses at Advanced Certificate and Diploma level. For a year I worked in the capacity of a sexual health advisor for young people with an organisation which provides advisor helplines covering a number of social, medical or educational issues.
Subsequently I have also completed a Foundation Course with Dr. Mike Cummings of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, Levels 1 & 2 Emotional Freedom Techniques with Helen Walker of Inner Energy, and Advanced QEEG Neurofeedback with Dr. Beverly Steffert & Professor Yuri Kropotov at Goldsmith's College London.
Further CBT skills training by attending a Children & Anxiety Training Course organised by the National Phobics Society, given by Professor Ron Rapee of McQuarrie University (Sydney) and Dr. Samantha Cartwright-Hatton (University of Manchester), to enable identification, diagnosis & treatment strategies for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.
Service Categories
EFT, Hypnotherapist, NLP
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