New videos:
1. Earlier this year I was interviewed by NCH Chair, Tracey Grist for their organisation’s podcast. We discussed my start in the field of hypnotherapy and I talk in detail about my position on self-hypnosis, hypnotherapy, professional ethics and much more besides.... It recently went live and I think
there is lots to get your teeth into here, enjoy!
Video Interview on NCH Podcast: Redefining Hypnosis – Beyond Misperceptions to Mastery
2. We’ll often import mindfulness and awareness into evocative imagery (imagery that
ultimately evokes a set of automatic responses). By doing so, our patient learns to observe and understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours in response to different situations.
it can be used therapeutically within a range of techniques and approaches, but can also be used within assessment when a patient struggles to explain to the hypnotherapist what thoughts, feelings and behaviours they experience in those circumstances. Additionally, once those automated processes are pulled
into awareness, a certain level of self-consciousness about them can interrupt and inhibit them going forward.
Watch video here: Using Mindfulness with Evocative Imagery to Boost Self Mastery.
3. A method used and taught by clinical
psychologist and researcher Arnold Lazarus, he referred to as the step-up technique that was often used as a decatastrophisation methodology. He’d gradually step-up the level of challenge in the client’s mental imagery but they’d be coping with it adequately – it may not always have been pleasant to experience, but the client knows and understands that if such a scenario were to occur, they’d be able to cope with it. It is a great process to help those who spend a lot of time imagining the
word-case scenario and it causing anxiety.
Watch video here: Conquering Fears: Overcoming the Worst Case Scenario.
4. During a recent lecture about applications of hypnosis in sport, before explaining the evidence-base and a wide range of
applications, I initially explained some of the reasons that hypnosis can lead to advanced sporting performance.
Watch video here: The Case for Hypnosis in Advancing Sports Performance.
5. During a recent class, while explaining some of the wide
range of mental imagery techniques we use in the clinical setting as hypnotherapists, I discussed one way to break free from the grip of painful memories and heal from post-traumatic stress. We learn from Judith Beck’s insights on how people hold onto traumatic imagery and often the replayed imagery is from the most sensitive or painful part of the memory, which continues to induce anxiety and even retraumatise – teaching such clients to empower themselves with effective strategies for moving
forward is something we were focusing upon during this part of class.
Watch video here: Healing from Post-Traumatic Stress: Breaking Free from Painful Memories.
6. I was recently discussing with a friend at the gym (thank you
Coach Meg) the impact of ventilationism in different cultures and the profound effect it has upon that wider society (Japan vs the US, for example). However, when it comes to emotions like anger, venting is not necessarily the best way forward, it tends to amp up the hot emotion and inhibit our ability to respond accurately or wisely. Similarly, bottling it up is also not advised, it consumes a lot of our cognitive resources, exhausting our decision-making abilities and inhibiting our ability to
experience feel good emotions. So what does work?
Reappraisal.
Ochsner conducted an impressive body of neuroscientific research on the way reappraisal is healthier and better for us in response to hot emotions such as anger and even anxiety. Teach and learn to effectively reappraise.
Watch video here: How to Shift Your Emotional Responses: The Power of Reappraisal.
New Articles:
All articles are founded in science and have references for you to explore should you
wish:
1. Whether it is in my private life, within the classroom, in the clinic or the gym, I like things to be appropriately humorous. I like laughing, I like sharing humour and find it enriches life greatly, advances the teaching environment, improves clinical effects of what I do with my patients in sessions. I’ve had a couple of people mention to me that having a sense of humour is a trait you are born with, and I tend to dispute that – mine
has been borne out of years spent watching comedy TV shows, being around people with a wonderful sense of humour, and doing all I can to create jovial environments in my life. what sense of humour I have managed to develop over the years is as a result of those things and more.
Humour is often considered a valuable trait, bringing joy and light-heartedness to everyday life. However, the benefits of a good sense of humour extend far beyond mere amusement. Developing a sense of
humour can enhance emotional well-being, improve social interactions, and even boost cognitive functioning. It enriches people’s experience of life. So here today, I’m exploring a number of scientifically supported methods to improve your sense of humour, discuss the psychological and emotional benefits, and provide practical tips for incorporating more laughter into your life.
Read full article here: How to Develop Your Sense of Humour: Scientific Strategies for a Well-Humoured Life.
2. In recent times, fields related to mental health have seen publication of a range of important psychology studies featuring significant breakthroughs that have expanded our understanding of mental well-being. I talk about many in class and wanted to share a few of
those fairly recent important psychology studies and how they can influence our mental health and daily lives. These discoveries not only enrich the academic landscape but also offer practical applications for enhancing mental health and well-being in everyday life...
Read full article here: Recent Important Psychology
Studies and Their Implications for Mental Health.
3. Learning to love yourself is one of the most important journeys you can embark on. It is fundamental to your mental and emotional well-being and influences many aspects of your life, including healing, which is something that is proving important to me currently. Here today, I’m sharing a number of scientifically-supported ways to cultivate self-love and do my best to explain the psychological and emotional
benefits of loving yourself. So why is it important to love yourself?
When you love yourself, you value yourself, take care of your own needs, and do not sacrifice your well-being to please others. It means having a high regard for your own happiness and well-being. Self-love can also mean forgiving yourself when you make mistakes and not being overly critical of yourself.
Psychologically, self-love is linked to higher self-esteem, improved mental health,
and better overall life satisfaction. Emotionally, when you love yourself it can lead to greater resilience against stress and a more positive outlook on life. Similarly, when you love yourself, it can help you heal from a range of aspects of life that have emotionally or psychologically wounded you, such as a broken heart, loss of a loved one, or a traumatic experience of some kind...
Read full article here: How to Love Yourself: A Guide to Self-Love Supported by Science.
4. Living with passion enriches our lives, providing a sense of purpose and joy that enhances our overall well-being. However, it’s not uncommon to lose touch with this passion amidst the daily grind and life’s inevitable challenges. Rediscovering your passion can rejuvenate your spirit and improve your
mental health. If you’ve felt that you’d really like to reconnect with that part of yourself, and rediscover your passion, then here today I’m offering up some scientifically-supported strategies to help you reignite your zest for life...
Read full article here: How to Rediscover Your Passion for
Life.
5. In an increasingly fast-paced world, the pursuit of more kindness can sometimes feel secondary to the daily hustle. However, incorporating more kindness into our daily routines not only benefits others but significantly enhances our own mental and emotional well-being. There has been many calls to alms in recent years about being more kind and so I wanted to add to that with an article delves into scientifically supported strategies to introduce more
kindness into our lives, explaining the psychological and emotional benefits that arise from such acts.
Read full article here: How to Bring More Kindness into Your Daily Life.
