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Mindfulness

Super-size Models | Hypnotherapy Leeds

18th October 2018 Care News, Daily Health Tips, Hypnotherapy Leeds, Hypnotherapy Leeds Weight Loss, MindfulnessDannyLeave a comment

Weight Loss Hypnotherapy LeedsSuper-size Model

Hypnotherapy Leeds

A letter in the ‘New Scientist’ magazine caught my eye this week because of its relevance to the weight-loss treatment I offer at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic.

The letter mentioned American super-size model Tess Holliday who describes herself as a body positive activist.

Her Wikipedia profile says Tess embraces the word ‘fat’ and advocates that people should be able to eat as much as they want without suffering social ostracism.

I couldn’t agree more with Tess’s insistence that people shouldn’t be subject to mockery or exclusion because of their size. Of course not – no-one deserves to be bullied.

But whether or not an individual is happy with being overweight is another matter.

Confidence credo

Yet I admire Tessa’s body confidence credo – part of treatment at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic involves teaching people how to ‘own’ their personal characteristics and not be troubled by the prejudiced opinions of others. Treatment at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic is always non-judgmental no matter what condition or disorder is being treated.

You might wonder, though, that if I agree with Tessa’s sentiment, am I not being contradictory or even hypocritical by suggesting fat people should lose weight?

My answer is no – I’m not. I’m not because while I applaud people embracing mental well-being, I also care about people’s physical well-being. The two are not distinct. Psychological issues and physical issues are often intertwined.

And put simply, the hard truth is that being fat is not good for physical health even if it can be made to seem glamorous.

That brings me back to the letter in the ‘New Scientist’. It is from a Ms Christine Rogers of London responding to a previous article in the magazine on ‘fat acceptance.’

Everyday tasks

Ms Rogers writes that she is aged 79 and overweight, having risen from 7.5 stone (48 kg) in her 20s to 75kg today. At one stage she weighed 90kg. She points out that Tessa Holliday is aged only 33 and seemingly capable of coping with her excess weight. However, Ms Rogers warns that the model is storing up trouble for the future. She doesn’t mention the obvious medical problems of heart disease and diabetes in her letter but focuses instead on less glaring difficulties that emerge with age such as the painting or cutting or toenails, getting in or out of a bath or into public transport seats – everyday tasks made more problematic by being overweight. Seemingly trivial tasks that in youth are simple enough become more onerous with age, particularly so if one in fat, she says.

Ultimately, though, being overweight is a lifestyle choice. No-one needs to be fat.

Taking responsibility at Leeds Hypnotherapy

I teach clients who come to see me at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic that losing weight needn’t be a chore. It can actually be fun. It is about taking responsibility and being the person you want to be.

If you choose to be fat now and in the future, you are entitled to that choice, (though that decision impacts on the lives of others close to you.)

Unlike super-size model Tess, it’s unlikely that you’re ever going to turn being overweight into a profitable business plan.

But be happy, whatever your size.

Be aware, though, that being fat is never going to be the healthy preference.

Is hypnotherapy better than counselling?

27th September 2018 Care News, Hypnotherapy Leeds, MindfulnessDannyLeave a comment

is hypnotherapy better than counsellingIs hypnotherapy better than counselling?

I often get asked questions about my work at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic – not just by clients but by people I meet elsewhere who wonder what hypnotherapy is all about. Some are intrigued and some are puzzled. And others have some funny ideas about the whole process.
So I thought it might be a useful exercise to try to answer some of the most common questions that come my way.
I’ll kick off what is going to be a series of blogs by trying to address a question I was asked just last week: “Is hypnotherapy better than counselling?”
Well, I know what I might be expected to say.
But I’ll start by stating that the efficacy of any type of treatment generally depends on the expertise of the person offering help. And I’m fully aware that counselling provides a valuable service for many people.
In essence, counselling involves a trained professional listening to an individual’s emotional anxiety regarding a particular traumatic event, for example a job loss or relationship breakup or bereavement. Counselling can be on a one-to-one basis or involve group sessions or be conducted on the internet or even over the phone.
In the UK, the National Health Service offers free counselling and there are more details to be found at www.nhs.uk. Treatment can be accessed without referral from a GP. There are also private counselling services available, which incur a fee. There are free counselling services offered by a variety of charities too.

Psychological issues with hypnosis

Hypnotherapy usually includes elements of counselling and is a category of psychotherapy, which itself is an umbrella term covering various forms of treatment for psychological issues. One particular advantage of clinical hypnotherapy is that it achieves more immediate results compared to conventional treatment, though there are always going to be some people for whom conventional treatment will be preferential.
And then there are psychologists – both counselling psychologists and clinical psychologists who work mostly in hospitals and rehab units as well as privately. Some will employ hypnotherapy within their treatment programmes.
But hypnotherapy, sadly, is not usually available on the National Health Service as a specific treatment option, though the benefits of properly administered clinical hypnotherapy are widely acknowledged by most health care professionals.

Gaining insight “Is hypnotherapy better than counselling?”

At Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic, I treat clients for a range of psychological conditions using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in the first instance to enable them to understand their condition. The client’s newly-acquired insight is then integrated into the unconscious (subconscious) through clinical hypnosis.
We are all governed by our unconscious – it keeps us alive and protects us instinctively but at times, for reasons of conditioning or even circumstance, the unconscious can misinterpret our environment. As a consequence people often misunderstand why they act as they do – why they smoke, or why they have this or that phobia, or why they get angry or feel unable to control their emotions, why they feel anxious, frightened or depressed.
What hypnosis provides is a means of communicating with the unconscious to achieve a heightened sense of awareness. This enables an individual to reset his or her unconscious and, therefore, in the future react with rationality to specific events. Hypnotherapy trains the individual to think accurately. As well as addressing specific issues it enhances overall wellbeing.
Whatever psychological issue a client presents at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic, there is no judgment but a simple assurance that most psychological conditions can be treated successfully. When other forms of treatment might be preferable, I advise accordingly.

Easing anxiety with counselling and hypnotherapy

“Is hypnotherapy better than counselling?” It’s true that for some people, the opportunity to talk about their issues with a counsellor will resolve or ease their anxieties.
But for others the services of a trained clinical hypnotherapist is going to be more beneficial, especially when dealing with longer-term conditions such as phobias, OCD, weight issues and smoking. More details about treatment and conditions are to be found on my Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic website.

Lost Connections- Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic Book Review

11th February 2018 Care News, Hypnotherapy Leeds, MindfulnessDannyLeave a comment

Book review – ‘Lost Connections’

Depression is a widespread affliction in today’s western society and a condition I have treated on numerous occasions at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic.
Symptoms differ in degree between individuals, of course. And causes are varied too: people may feel trapped in an unrewarding job; they may be lonely; they may have suffered trauma or abuse in childhood or later years or there may be some other cause. Quite often clients themselves don’t recognise or understand the origin of their torment – it can be buried deep.
As a therapist I work with clients to identify the root of their depression so that we can begin to resolve their psychological pain.

Humans need hope

I build treatment on the simple premise that, where there is hope, depression cannot exist.
Of course, to those seemingly trapped in feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, delivering that hope can be challenging – but it is possible.
And hope, despite what Big Pharma might have had us believe for the past few decades, is not to be found in a bottle of anti-depressants.
It is with this narrative that I strongly welcome the publication of a new book by journalist Johann Hari – Lost Connections (Uncovering the real causes of depression – and the unexpected solutions).
It is a book I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who feels depressed or even mildly down. Politicians and other influencers should also read it with immediate effect.
“We have been systematically misinformed about what depression and anxiety are,” writes Hari, who embarked on his lengthy research for the book after years swallowing increasing dosages of anti-depressants – his condition, he believed was caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. While there can be a biological element to depression, he says, it is triggered by social and psychological causes – something that has been ignored for a very long time but which in many other cultures is blindingly obvious.
While therapists, like myself, can help individuals with their conditions, it is mostly ignored that it is within the remit of society as a whole to overcome this condition. Hari explores various options.

Essential values

Essentially, what is needed is hope and in a fair, open, kind and tolerant society, hope can be delivered. Such caring values still exist, of course, and they are held dear by most of us. Yet they can be easily negated by divisive attitudes exercised and encouraged by some in authority.
Humans have a choice, writes Hari.
“We can find practical ways to dismantle hierarchies and create a more equal place where everybody feels they have a measure of respect and status. Or we can build up hierarchies and ramp up the humiliation – as we are doing today.”
Lost Connections by Johann Hari is published by Bloomsbury. There is a Facebook page: www.facebook.com/thelostconnections
There are far more famous people than myself happy to endorse this book, judging by the dust jacket.
Elton John says: “If you have ever been down, or felt lost, this amazing book will change your life… Read it now.”
Simon Amstel writes: “It is very important everyone read this book and do what he says quickly as possible.”

And Ariana Huffington states: “A bold and inspiring book that will help far more than just those who suffer from depression.”
Why, I wonder, do I feel like I’m doing myself out of a job here?
Be happy.
Have hope.
Read the book.

Daniel.

Stammering and Stuttering Hypnotherapy in Leeds

7th November 2017 Care News, Daily Health Tips, Hypnotherapy Leeds, Mindfulness, Stammering and StutteringDannyLeave a comment

Hypnotherapy LeedsStammering and Stuttering Hypnotherapy in Leeds

I read an interesting article in the i newspaper last week (25/10/17) concerning stammering, which is one of many conditions that we treat here at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic.
The piece was written by 21-year-old student Rory Sheridan who is himself someone with a stammer.
Rory has undergone therapy at the Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children in London where, writes Rory, “the negative thoughts which I had about my stammer were turned into positive ones as I realised it wasn’t such a bad thing.”
He adds: “Everyone has their thing that they find difficult – speaking is mine.”
What Rory writes reflects a fundamental concept in the successful treatment of many conditions – an individual gaining the confidence and self-awareness to manage that particular condition. At Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic we help clients to change their perspectives where appropriate.

A fresh insight

The treatment Rory has received has provided him with a fresh insight. He says he now sees his condition differently and doesn’t allow stammering to hold him back.
“I apply for all the jobs and opportunities I want to.”
In the past that would have been beyond him – his anxiety over how others might perceive him had become debilitating.
Nowadays, if someone has a negative reaction, Rory regards that as their problem not his. And now that he has the confidence to acknowledge his stammer to himself and to others he finds that the vast majority of people react positively. And so his confidence increases.
Rory concludes by stating: “We are increasingly seeing and realising the many positives of what stammering gives to a person: empathy, patience, great listening skills, attention to detail and creativity. The list goes on. I try to see the positives where I can.”
Such words are heartening to me not only as a therapist but on a personal level too because as a child I also had a significant stammer.

Children and adults

People who stutter, as I did from an early age, do so to varying degrees and in various circumstances and while the condition is most common in children it often extends into adulthood. As the newspaper article indicates the condition can involve “blocking” – that being the inability on occasions to utter words or sometimes even any sound; “repetition” – that being repeating words or syllables time and time again before managing to move on to the next; “prolongation” – elongating the sound of words far longer than most speakers.
At school I had particular difficulty with words beginning with “D” which being named Danny was rather unfortunate. Even now some of my old pals still call me: D-d-d-Danny. And in essence it is how people react that eases or erodes an individual’s confidence. Sometimes a negative impact is unintentional – for example the well-meaning parent who adopts the habit of completing a child’s unfinished sentence; sometimes it is more malevolent, such as a bullying teacher who uses the child’s difficulty against the youngster to exert authority.

Rebuilding self-confidence

I learnt to control my own condition with the help of a kindly speech therapist and by building up my own self-confidence.
Self-confidence can be rebuilt.
In my own case I found strength from a young age in the boxing gym. (In fact, some of the best help and encouragement I received in life came from my boxing coaches Harry Pinkney and Kevin Cunningham, though I doubt if either of them ever regarded themselves as therapists.)
At Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic, you might be relieved to learn we don’t have a boxing ring.
We do build confidence though, helping clients to overcome anxieties related to various conditions. We also employ techniques specific to individual conditions – in the case of stammering, for example, a simple exercise is to teach a person not to close his or her eyes when speaking – they are often unaware that when stuttering their eyes will shut – by concentrating on keeping their eyes open the mind is distracted from their perceived speech difficulty.
This is just one simple technique among many others which we combine with cognitive behavioural therapy and clinical hypnosis for the benefit of clients.

The Marvels of Hypnotism

4th September 2017 Care News, Daily Health Tips, Hypnotherapy Leeds, MindfulnessDanny1 Comment

The Marvels of Hypnotism

The Marvels of HypnotismMy last Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic blog on the marvels of hypnotism seems to have touched a tender nerve with one or two fellow practitioners.
I suggested that by encouraging the notion that hypnotherapy is some kind of magical art, we invite misunderstanding and that misunderstanding challenges integrity.
A fuller explanation of my reasoning might be helpful; there are therapists who feel that an aspect of alchemy is a vital ingredient in the potency of hypnosis.
And though I have some sympathy with that sentiment, I sense it is restricting.
Confidence in the ability of a practitioner is an important element of successful treatment, to be sure – after all we are dealing with science of the mind and behaviour. Props and a sense of authority can therefore be useful tools in efficacy – a truth that is apparent all around us in the wider world: uniforms that announce a certain licence; cars that boast prestige; advertising that promotes exclusivity – the list is endless.
To a greater or lesser degree we are all subject to image and this moulds our behaviour and beliefs. And while bridling belief is a powerful phenomenon, hijacking beliefs, as on occasions exercised by some political and/or religious leaders, is controlling.
There is an important distinction, here – it is the difference between assistance and abuse.

Securing Confidence

It is widely acknowledged that the mind is a powerful healer and the positive effects of placebo treatment have long been accepted. For such treatment to be constructive, securing the confidence of a patient or client is essential and so it is useful, perhaps vital, that the practitioner, whether a medical doctor, therapist or nurse commands a level of esteem. To this day you will see doctors in hospital wearing stethoscopes around their necks – they are a mark of competence, yet are an instrument invented in 1816 as a tool for auscultation and their use has long been usurped by ultrasound and MRI scanners. But people still associate the stethoscope with medical proficiency and are suitably reassured. The patient’s treatment will most likely involve cutting edge technology and powerful pharmacy yet the humble stethoscope remains an emblem of trust.
So where does clinical hypnotherapy fit into all this.

Positive Perception

Well, I gladly acknowledge the benefits of what might be termed positive perception. I also acknowledge that adopting a level of “mystery” can work with some clients. At Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic, we receive some clients who are convinced the therapist has extraordinary powers, and therefore they will benefit from an unquestioning faith in treatment. Such a technique can be used to address a wide range of conditions and the positive effects largely negate criticism.
Yet, in my experience, such action works well on only a percentage of clients.
At Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic the preferred method of treatment is a personally adapted cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) designed by myself that is reinforced by clinical hypnosis.
We strip away the notion of ‘magical treatment’ and explain the client’s condition to him or her; in the vast majority of cases the client has misunderstood his or her condition.
In essence they have hypnotised themselves – and it is my job to “dehypnotise” them.
A common comment is: “Daniel, I think my problem is that I overthink matters and get obsessed and anxious.”
My response is: “No – you don’t think too much, you just think inaccurately.”

That ‘lightbulb’ moment

This might seem blunt, arrogant even, but as my explanation continues there is often a “lightbulb” moment when the client grasps the concept.
They recognise they have trapped themselves in a cycle of stress – and put simply, they have over time become anxious about being anxious.
They have harboured a fear of being afraid, to the extent in some cases that they have propagated within themselves what is termed panic disorder.
The hypnosis treatment that follows an adapted CBT integrates into the unconscious the clients newly-gained insight of their condition. It allows the client to draw on inner strength and comprehension whenever necessary in the future.
While this treatment demands skill on the part of the hypnotherapist, it is not magic.
It might be asked: “But how does the unconscious work?”
Ha. And so we arrive at the true mystery: while we are able to observe manifestations of unconscious and bring influence to bear, the profound workings of the mind remain largely unexplained by science.
As we strive to discover the secrets of the mind it becomes apparent there is still more to learn than we might ever have imagined.
And so the great mystery prevails.

Misconceptions Concerning Hypnotherapy

28th August 2017 Care News, Daily Health Tips, Hypnotherapy Leeds, MindfulnessDannyLeave a comment

Misconceptions Concerning Hypnotherapy

The primary focus of Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic is to help people overcome psychological issues and improve their overall wellbeing.
Here at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic we treat clients using a form of cognitive behavioural therapy reinforced by cognitive clinical hypnosis. And we are pleased that the benefits of our treatment are so effective.
Nowadays, the efficacy of properly administered clinical hypnotherapy is widely recognised – so much so, that it is a surprise to be reminded on occasions that in some circles hypnotherapy is still regarded as a kind of mystical art. It is ranked by some people alongside dubious alternative medicines and even criticised by a few as being little more than a scam.
Without a doubt, it is a sad fact that hypnotherapy is sometimes a misunderstood science.
And misunderstandings arise for a number of reasons, the main one, I would suggest, being misrepresentation.
So, who or what are the sources of misrepresentation?

I’m NOT a Wizard

Well, therapists themselves might share some of the blame. We are sometimes guilty of encouraging the idea that hypnosis is a magical skill (though, it can be argued that such a notion does support the placebo effect). I can’t myself claim to be wholly innocent in such matters – as it was pointed out to me recently, the original cover of my book Stop Smoking: It’s a Doddle depicts me in something of a wizardy pose. Hmmph. Well, quickly brushing that aside to spare my blushes, it might be added that misconceptions concerning clinical hypnosis also arise through another source, that being the general public’s familiarity with stage hypnotism; most people have witnessed stage hypnotism to some extent, whether it be in a pub, at a theatre or on TV. But as I have stated before, stage hypnotism and clinical hypnotherapy are distinct from one another – the former is entertainment (and is not really hypnosis) while the latter is a means of treating people afflicted by conditions that adversely affect their lives. I’m not trying to disparage stage hypnotism but merely pointing out that it is entertainment and shouldn’t be taken too seriously.

They’re Having a Laugh

I was reminded of one further source of misunderstanding regarding clinical hypnotherapy earlier this week – it was casual in its nature but not necessarily insignificant. It occurred as I watched a BBC comedy series entitled Ill Behaviour. The show is about a man who is suffering Hodgkin lymphoma but rather than follow conventional treatment that boasts a proven success rate he opts for alternative treatment – including something called “isomorphic hypnotherapy” – whatever that might be. That the therapy named is most probably something invented by the screen writer doesn’t mean that some people are not going to think the character is talking about clinical hypnotherapy. And to that extent he does the practice of clinical hypnotherapy a disservice. It’s hardly a massive deal but I’m happy to leap to the defence of the industry and state, in case there is any doubt, that no reputable clinical hypnotherapist is ever going to claim he or she has a cure for cancer.
Sometimes, though, psychological issues overlap with physical complaints – for example anxiety often creates physiological symptoms.
But at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic any client who arrives with a physical disorder is politely told to consult his or her GP. For example, it might be that someone who suffers frequent headaches does so as a result of stress and anxiety but before any psychological treatment can be offered it needs to be established that the symptoms are not a consequence of some as yet undiagnosed physical condition. (Details of the ethics adopted at the clinic are to be found on this website.)

Other Scenarios That Hypnotherapy Can Help With

There are other scenarios too. For example in cases of self-harm or self-mutilation, clinical hypnosis can help a sufferer cope with the underlying emotional issues of the condition but the physical wounds and injuries will need to be treated in a surgery.
Of course, cognitive behavioural therapy, which at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic is supported by clinical hypnosis, is a useful tool in helping people with physical illnesses cope with their condition by addressing their associated emotional needs. Mental wellbeing is also recognised as being of great benefit in physical healing.
To sum up, then, while it is important that a professional distinction be made between the psychological and the physiological and that it is essential parameters of treatment are applied, it is useful too to recognise that the two matters are not always mutually exclusive.

Hypnotherapy Leeds- Mindfulness vs. anti-depressant drugs

4th May 2016 Care News, Daily Health Tips, MindfulnessDannyLeave a comment

New Report Cites Mindfulness as Alternative to Anti-Depressant Drugs

wisdom/ mindfulnessHere at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic, we’re always happy to read reports that support the type of treatments that we offer.
This week, an article in the i newspaper cited a major study that found mindfulness works as well as anti-depressant drugs.
It is pleasing to note that the concept of mindfulness is becoming more mainstream and is at long last attracting the attention of the wider media – primarily because it is becoming better recognised as a powerful source of well-being in so many aspects of life.
The new study found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) helped people just as much as commonly prescribed anti-depressant drugs and that there was no evidence of any harmful effects.
Professor Willem Kuyken, an Oxford University clinical psychologist and lead author of the research report published in the JAMA Psychiatry, said the new evidence was very heartening.
“It does clearly offer those with a substantial history of depression a new approach to learning skills to stay well in the long-term.”
The article also states that mindfulness has secured the backing of the NHS advisory body, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as well as the Mental Health Foundation research charity.
Here at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic we welcome this wider acceptance of mindfulness because we know first-hand how effective such treatment is. Its effectiveness extends to dealing with all manner of conditions, including smoking, weight issues, stress, depression and phobias. This is because so many common conditions are rooted in the same source, namely anxiety.
And anxiety, it seems, is a growing problem in modern society – but a phenomenon that we at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic want to help people overcome.

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