Hypnotherapy, coaching, and covid-19

In accordance with current guidelines, I am currently seeing all hypnotherapy and coaching clients online until it is safe to do otherwise, whenever that may be. In this post I talk about both what that means in practice for your experience as a client; and also how hypnotherapy and/or coaching can help you now during such uncertainty.


How can hypnotherapy and/or coaching help?

Online therapy has been found to be effective for depression/mood disorders, anxiety disorders, stress, PTSD, phobias, relationship issues, adjustment issues, and grief. These are among the issues that many are contending with right now, as the implications become apparent for our loved ones and ourselves in every sphere of our lives. Additionally, people may find themselves struggling only after current restrictions have been lifted. Many will have used coping mechanisms such as cigarettes, alcohol, comfort eating, or addiction to rolling news and social media – strategies which may have seemed to help in the short-term, but have become habitual and problematic.

It’s not all necessarily bad, however. The rare opportunity to step back and truly assess our lives may bring insight, and with it the possibility of making changes. Whether a new career direction, the realisation that now is the time to fulfil a lifelong ambition, or simply being able to spend more time with loved ones; covid-19 will cause many to reassess their priorities in life.

Hypnotherapy and/or coaching can help with all these issues. Managing anxiety, coping with uncertainty, and focusing on self-care are vital basic skills at this time, and easily taught online. I have been conducting hypnotherapy and coaching online ever since starting as a therapist, and many prefer the convenience. I also resolve such issues for clients regularly (see my success stories), so you can feel reassured that though this may be new for you, you’re in safe and experienced hands.

So what next?

Online therapy or coaching requires nothing more than an internet connection, and a place where you won’t be disturbed. I’ll send you documents in advance before we conduct sessions via video link, so we can interact much as we would do face to face. I also offer a free 15 minute phone consultation, so you can ask me any questions not covered elsewhere on the site.

And if you need something more immediate, I recommend Hypnosis Downloads for a large range of excellent low-cost hypnosis recordings.

Covid-19 may have disrupted many areas of our lives for the time being, but it doesn’t have to impact on your well-being.

Stay safe,
Caroline

Coping with climate anxiety

tree at sunset - connecting with nature is part of managing climate anxiety

Almost every part of our existence is a gift from our planet’s biosphere. This includes the air we breathe, the food we eat, the buildings we live in, the elements that form our physical bodies, and the homeostasis that sustains life. Research demonstrates that our mood, health, and behaviour can improve when we spend time in nature. This in turn can contribute significantly to managing stress generally – and in particular, coping with climate anxiety.


Scientists have long been warning about environmental harm caused by human practices. Yet the destruction continues, and the consequences amplify each year. As a result, anxiety about the future of our planet is increasing. This despair about our individual and collective futures – sometimes referred to as eco-anxiety – can exacerbate existing stress, and contribute to a sense of futility.

What next?

Given the urgency of the climate crisis – and a personal lifelong passion for environmental protection – I am now offering help with coping with climate anxiety. There are ways we can manage our overwhelm, both personally and collectively. Actively facing our fears and learning ways we can empower ourselves and our communities can turn this fear into a positive force for action. This in turn inspires hope, as we start to work with the capabilities we already have. There are some excellent resources here to get you started: Climate Psychology Alliance

Seeing a qualified hypnotherapist and coach who is actively involved in the ecological movement can help you make peace with these feelings, and empower you to take positive steps forward (see my success stories in related areas). I am based in Canterbury and London; and also offer online sessions, wherever in the world you may be. Please feel welcome to call me on 07947 475721 for a free no-obligation 15 minute phone consultation – and soon you can be a proud part of the solution.

Find your true purpose with coaching

person writing and drawing in notebook

person writing and drawing in notebook

Why life coaching? Well, if you’re thinking about making progress in life with a clear strategy, the answer may already be obvious. Basically, it’s not easy to simultaneously hold a vision, map out a path, walk that path and measure your own progress all by yourself.

Clarity out of confusion

If you’ve ever embarked on a major project of any kind will recognise the sense of overwhelm that can sometimes take some of the excitement away from proceeding with your vision. I experienced this myself when I began as a musician. As I thought about the kinds of problems I faced, I came to understand and accept that it would always be difficult to have both an overarching view of my long-term goals, a cogent understanding of my near-term strategies, and a confident and simple approach to walking my daily path. The reason was clear: each of these activities requires that I adopt a different perspective. And it’s hard to be in more than one place at a time. Often I would be conducting one activity from the perspective of another. So no wonder I occasionally felt confused and overwhelmed.

Finding solutions

Life coaching offers a solution by providing objective recognition, validation and reinforcement. A life coach helps you to clarify your goals, test your plans against your resources and your intentions, and measure your progress. A coach also asks you to live up to standards you set together. I think of the kind of business coaching and life coaching that I practice as motivating. It’s about advising, focusing, and encouraging my clients to find solutions to their problems. From there, they can achieve personal growth and a way of being in the world that flows organically and authentically from who they really are.

Becoming your true self

Life coaching can introduce you to the self you were meant to be. The time you invest in the coaching process will be amply repaid by your greater ability to recognise, nurture and evoke that self. Discovering your passion and purpose is vital to your joy and well-being. In our society, we tend to ignore our special talents, and choose a career hoping for a sense of security. But too often, what makes us feel safe does not fulfil us at a deeper level.

It may not always be possible to change your work immediately to something you love. But if you follow your passion, it will often lead you there. And even when you have to earn money in ways that might not utilise your talents, you can seek volunteer opportunities and hobbies to express who you are. And these can lead to the work that you will eventually do. There is a deep desire within you to express yourself in ways that give you joy. It is your job to discover what that is and to bring it about.

I am a qualified life coach and hypnotherapist, experienced in coaching clients to help them make the changes they want in their lives (see my success stories). And I can help you move forward too, whether you seek career coaching or support in a new venture altogether. I am based in Canterbury and London; and also offer online sessions, wherever in the world you may be. Please feel welcome to call me on 07947 475721 for a free no-obligation 15 minute phone consultation to see how I can help.

 

Time for life changes? Make them a success!

life changes that succeed

fireworks

Raise the subject of new year’s resolutions in January, and you’re likely to get some mixed reactions – from guilty admissions of falling off the wagon, or finding the prospect too daunting to even try. So how can we tackle making life changes that stick, new year or not? Fortunately, there are some ways we can make getting off the starting blocks easier.

One step at a time

First of all, there’s the bite-size approach, where the elements of a goal are broken down into manageable chunks. Let’s take the example of writing a book. Once you’ve defined the subject or storyline, how will you fill those empty pages? A sensible approach would be to break it down into chapters. Maybe then you might outline each chapter structure. Perhaps then you’d work out how many words a day you can realistically get down. Of course you need to take your other commitments into account. And you might have to sacrifice something else to make time – watch less TV perhaps – to reach your goal. But if your aim is realistic to begin with, once you’ve made a start, you’re well on your way to making the life changes you want!

Which leads me onto the next crucial element: turning something into a habit. Research shows that we are far more likely to succeed at something once we incorporate it into our daily routine. Basically this sidesteps our brain’s tendency to question it. Even if you can only make a little time each day, the important thing is to do it regularly. ‘Little and often’ make the process easier, and helps it become part of the natural rhythm of your life.

Work smarter

And to enhance that natural process, we can use a little extra cleverness. If you’re a morning person, it makes sense to work with your early bird tendencies. So set the alarm half an hour earlier, rather than try and incorporate your new habit later in the day when you may be more tired. And if you really want to give yourself an extra push, take advantage of moments in the day when you can visualise yourself going through elements of your task – and succeeding. Your brain will respond accordingly!

Finally, the best bit: reward yourself. Track your progress, set yourself achievable milestones along the way, and be sure to celebrate once they’re achieved – perhaps with friends or family who are supporting you. For many, sharing their achievements is a magic ingredient of motivation. But if you’re flying solo, give yourself an extra reward for your strength and determination. Above all, cut yourself some slack and don’t give up if you hit a setback. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep your eyes on the prize. And if you need a little motivation boost, I recommend this download.

A qualified hypnotherapist or life coach can help you achieve your desired life changes if you need a little extra support on your journey. I am based in Canterbury and London; and also offer online sessions, wherever in the world you may be. Please feel welcome to call me on 07947 475721 for a free no-obligation 15 minute phone consultation – and check my success stories to read about clients who I’ve helped to make changes in their lives. Good luck!

(Published on The Hypnotherapy Directory, 3 January 2018)