Issue1 Vol 12 Spring …...THE HypnoTHErapy Journal Issue1 Vol 12 Spring 2012 P a C P a D The hypno-runner Adam Eason on how mind helps his marathon ambitions Research overview

THE

HypnoTHErapy

Journal

Issue1 Vol 12 www.hypnotherapists.org.uk Spring 2012

Plus news reviews and Continuing Professional Development

The hypno-runnerAdam Eason on howmind helps hismarathon ambitions

Research overviewImproving sportsperformance

PlusIs it worth usingGroupon?

Specialist advice onhelping clients withstress

Ethics - should werecord every session?

Supervision - howgroup supervisionworks

Rubin Battino onpauses

Winners in mindHypnosis andsport

to help people. It is becoming morecommon to read about well knownpeople who have turned tohypnotherapy for help and this raisesthe profile of our profession. It seemsthis doesn’t have to be famouspeople; locally respected members ofa community can make a differencetoo.

I have seen three new clients wantinghelp in managing their weight in thelast few weeks who have come to mebecause I was recommended by aprominent member of their church.The thing is, she has never been myclient (nor the client of any otherlocal hypnotherapist as far as I know)but she heard good reports of mefrom a friend who goes to the samefitness class at a local gym – hownews travels.

Hypnotherapy is also getting moreacademic kudos. In this issue wefeature the latest research onhypnotherapy and sports performancewhich shows just how useful it can be.This is very timely as we run up (!!!)to the London Olympics. In the spiritof sport we also have regularcontributor to this journal, AdamEason, giving the low down onmarathon running and how hisprofessional background helps whenhe is pounding the pavements. Welldone Adam and best of luck with thecharity fundraising, we look forwardto seeing (and reviewing I hope) thenew e book.

NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR HYPNOTHERAPY

Address PO Box 89 York YO 43 4WLPhone/Fax 0845 544 0788/ 0845 0821Website www.hypnotherapists.org.ukEmail [email protected]

CONTENTSEditorial 1View from the chair 2NCH focus: welcome to our new Editorial Advisory Board 3NCH focus: more schools want accreditation, set boundaries with marketing 6NCH focus: is it worth using Groupon? 8NCH focus ethics:should we record all sessions? 11Group dynamics, how group supervision works 14NCH specialist adviser shares his knowledge on stress 16Winners in mind - our very own marathon runner 20research review hypnosis and sport 26What’s new and reviews 29Applause for a pause Rubin Battino writes 34Before I was a hypnotherapist 36

THE NCH COMMITTEE

Welcome toSpring – as theworld wakes upand bloomspeople seem togather theirenergiestogether and

commit themselves to change.

Many of you have told me that,although we are in the middle of badeconomic times, client numbers areup. I have had some chats with someof you about why this should be.Perhaps a slowing economy makespeople stop and think about whatthey really want from life and thatleads to a decision to change. Thenthere is the number of people turningto us because they are suffering fromanxiety seems to be rising.

Personally, I have seen quite a fewpeople who want to lost weightbecause the uncertain jobs marketmeans they may be going for jobinterviews in the near future – I havebeen developing a little programme tohelp people present themselves well atinterview as a response to this need,and I know others of you aredeveloping new interventions andproducts in response to our clients’potential demand.

Whatever the economic climate, it isgood to see the slow but steadyincrease in acceptance ofhypnotherapy as a valid intervention

Editorial

Chairman: Paul WhiteTel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] Director: Sophie FletcherTel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] Director: Sue RobertsTel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] Director: Paul HowardTel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected]: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] Director: Cathy SimmonsTel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] Director Andy CoxTel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected]

Ex-Officio RolesAdministrator: Kath HowardTel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] Annie Dee Hughesemail [email protected] & Accreditation: Jill TonksTel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] and Accreditation Coordinator Stuart [email protected] Standards: Jo-Anne KelleherTel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] Editor: Ann JalobaTel: 0114 268 6500 email: [email protected]

The National Council for Hypnotherapy, established in 1973 under its former title “The Hypnotherapy Register”, represents the practice of ClinicalHypnotherapy as a discrete profession in its own right. Membership is open to those practitioners able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge,evidence of training and clinical experience relevant to the field. The NCH is a member of the UK Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations.

This issue’s focus on helping youbuild your business looks at vouchercompanies like Groupon and featuressome members’ experiences of usingthem. If you have used thesecompanies and have anything toshare, or if you have reservationsabout this sort of marketing, then dolet us know and we will feature thisin the next issue

We are kicking off (sorry more sportsmetaphors) some new series this time.Firstly, we have Vernon Sykes, one ofour new specialist advisers, sharing hisexperience of helping clients withstress. Form now on every issue willfeature one of our specialist advisersgiving us the benefit of theirexpertise.

Our new ethics director, Sue Robertsis going to write on aspects of ethicalpractice in each journal. She gets offthe starting blocks (sorry!) by talkingto NCH member Dani Denningtonabout why she records every clientsession she does.

On a lighter note we will be featuringour members in all their gloriousdiversity and difference by looking attheir careers before they joined ourprofession. This time it is IanWoodley, actor and therapist. Nextmonth we will be looking at how amedical researcher and a taxi drivertook the path to hypnotherapist.

Finally, it is a pleasure to begin tointroduce you to our new EditorialAdvisory Board. The idea of this boardis to gather together a group ofmembers who reflect the differentinterests, practices and businesses inwhich our members work. I hope bydoing this we will be better able toengage with all our members withtheir differing needs and interests.Welcome all.

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 1 Volume 12 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 3

THE NCH EDITORIALADVISORY BOARD

Beth Hewitt

Carole Wan

Fiona Nicholson

Tracey Grist

(contact via [email protected]

Her background covers both largecompanies and small businesses. Shehopes that this experience of theproblems, challenges and opportuni-ties which small businesses face willfeed into the NCH’s work in helpingits members developing their ownbusinesses. She is well qualified inmarketing small business and under-standing target markets and the ele-ments which drive these.

Fiona went into hypnotherapy be-cause she was looking to make somelong term future changes to her life.She thinks her path is probably typi-cal of many of us who come to hyp-notherapy from very different careers.She wanted to do something whichshe could work into a change in herlifestyle while pursuing a career whichshe felt was worthwhile. She findsworking with people to help themmake real changes in their lives hugelysatisfying – and being able to do thiswhile improving her own lifestyle is aperfect balance.

As someone who has come recently tothe profession, she would like to seethe journal focusing a lot on businessbuilding. She would especially like thejournal to focus on what pitfalls areout there, so newer therapists can

View from the chair NCH focus: meet

members of our EABTo help the journal better reflect the breadthof the profession we have set up and EditorialAdvisory Board (EAB). Here we profile two ofits members

Fiona Nicholson

Fiona has a solid business backgroundwhich includes publishing and mar-keting ¬ - experience which will beinvaluable as we develop the journal.

In one of her previous roles, she ran abusiness newsletter magazine for hightech companies. This gave her an in-sight into the marketing aspect ofbusiness publishing. She has alsoworked in a marketing and sales rolefor a number of global brands in thehealth, pharmaceutical and beauty in-dustries. She currently has a role as asenior account manager for a UScompany.

come fully prepared rather than haveto reinvent the wheel. Learning fromothers’ is always the best way, so shewould like to see articles which helpnewer therapists to avoid mistakesfrom which their more experiencedcolleagues have already learned.

She would like to see the journallooking at practice development fromboth the point of view of businessbuilding and from the point of viewof delivering a good service to clients,Fiona would like the journal to speakto practitioners form all areas of ourprofession who can get to the essenceof these issues.

She adds that variety is important; shewould hope that all of us as individualpractitioners can combine the experi-ence of others into our own way ofdoing things.

She recently enjoyed reading the fea-ture on the new specialist advisers forthe NCH, finding it fascinating to seehow they had evolved into being spe-cialists in certain areas. As many of usstart of in general practice, it is goodto see how many different paths thereare to a specialist interest and expert-ise, she says.

Finally, Fiona says she is keen to seethe research side of the journal de-velop. She has been pleased to seehypnotherapy become more and moreaccepted by other professions such asthe medical profession. This helps po-sition hypnotherapy in the minds ofordinary people as - not just mumbojumbo or waving pendulums - butsomething which can be respectedand trusted, she says. If the journalcan play a role in pushing this accept-ance forward by featuring good re-search in every issue it will help thewhole market in which we operate,she says.

It’s always exciting to start with somegood news. I mentioned in the lastJournal that we were joining withothers in opposing the application ofMarie Mongam to copyright the word“Hypnobirthing” and I am delightedto say that we have been successful inso much as the Office for Harmonisa-tion of Integrated Markets (OHIM)have formally refused the applicationon 25th January 2012, the applicanthas two months to appeal from thatdate, I have been informed directly bythe OHIM as of the middle of Marchno appeal has been received.

On other more mundane matters I amdelighted to say we have now suc-cessfully completed the reorganisationof our administrative team, we havedesigned a newer, faster enrolment/upgrade process, however, part of thisimprovement of the process meansthat we now no longer offer amonthly payment option for sub-scription payments, this process wasboth time consuming in reconciliationand only historically taken up by asmall number of members.

In what we consider to be a welcomedevelopment, we have been invited byKings College, London to nominate arepresentative of the NCH to partici-pate in a research project; we will besubmitting our nomination veryshortly.

For a little while now, you will beaware that we have been reviewing

our Complaints Procedure, I am sureit will be of interest to you all that indiscussions with both our professionaladvisors and a former senior memberof the BACP’s Professional ConductCommittee, that professional conductprocedures are coming under increas-ing scrutiny by lawyers/ legal advisorsof members who have cases broughtagainst them, it is becoming increas-ingly common for cases to be dis-missed on the basis of proceduralissues rather than the actual contentof the complaint.

Jo-Anne and our legal advisors havedone a great job on renewing our newcomplaints procedure, we hope tohave it in place within the month.

We are now working closely with theCNHC and UKCHO on agreeing a de-scriptor for “Hypnotherapy” andagreed conditions that can be treatedby hypnotherapy with the AdvertisingStandards Authority, we have madesome great progress in enhancingtheir understanding of hypnotherapyand we are committed to a continu-ing programme of educating the ASAin the benefit of hypnotherapy.

Paul White

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 1 Volume 12 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 54 The Hypnotherapy Journal Issue 1 Volume 12 - hypnotherapists.org.uk

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Tracey Grist

Before she became a hypnotherapist,Tracey spent many years working inthe visual arts as a stained glass artist.Her passion for imagery and nonverbal communication has stayed withher and she hopes to bring her expertisein this field to the journal.

Tracey works as a general hypnother-apist and does a lot of weightlosswork. She says she is very keen onthis, especially as she describes herselfas: “‘slightly bigger woman”. She alsotends to see a lot of people with selfesteem issues as well.

She has worked at the Surrey Institutefor Clinical Hypnotherapy (SICH) fora year and a half, having previouslystudied with them. As well as workingas a practising hypnotherapist in herown right, she runs the reception

desk at the SICH – describing herselfas “sometimes called the practicemanager, sometimes called the secre-tary, depending on which way thewind is blowing.”

For her, it was quite important, asshe developed her new career, to bepart of a group. She had been selfemployed as a stained glass artist formany years be-fore she cameto hypnother-apy. She saysthat, havingbeen self em-ployed for solong, one ofher aims, when she made her careerchange, was to be involved with otherlike-minded people in a business en-vironment. Nevertheless, her long ex-perience of self employment makesher very aware of the issues, benefitsand difficulties which go with thisway of life.

As so many of our members are selfemployed, and can feel isolated attimes, the journal has a very specialrole to play, she says.

Tracey sees the journal as being veryimportant as a way people can cometogether and be a support to eachother. She would like to see the journaldeveloping to become “more of aspringboard for members’ communi-cation.” She says, “It can be so muchmore than just articles which people

read and passively accept. It can be aplace where members can feel thatthey can talk about their views, sothat experienced therapists can helpless experienced therapists and viceversa. It can be a good strong supportfor those of our members who areself employed, so they don’t feel theyhave to be on their own.”

She says her own experience taughther that the biggest downside ofbeing self employed is you can’t escapeself criticism. “If you are your ownbiggest critic, then you can never es-cape from your boss. Plus there is al-ways something to do, the next thingpending. On the plus side thoughyou can dictate your own hours andthat is a great freedom. I always en-

joyed beingcalled unem-ployable! Andbeing able todo somethingyou really wantto do is sovaluable.”

Tracey says she has always been toldshe has a friendly face and wants allthe members to see that.

She would like to work with membersto develop really good feedback tothe journal and make sure that it isalways approachable by any member.She says, “I think we should be a userfriendly as we can possibly be. Membersshould feel they can ask us anythingeven if it seems like a silly question –I am full of silly questions and that ishow we all learn. It makes us morehuman.”

Meet our new Editorial

Advisory Board

Tracey says she has always been

told she has a friendly face and

wants all the members to see that.

It’s been another busy period fortraining and membership. Stuart Nor-man, the training coordinator hasbeen working hard to streamline theonline membership process for newmembers with the HPD and we aregetting there!

The number of enquiries about hyp-notherapy training and schools wishingto become accredited has increased

significantly in the last few months-there must be something in the air!All of which is great news for theprofession, our NCH schools and thegrowing membership base of the NCH.

The pilot of the Certificate in Hyp-notherapy Supervision via the IndividualPortfolio Route is ongoing.

A special thanks to Becky Leonard

who is putting in some sterling workto make this route to this award workso experienced supervisors trainedoutside the NCH can become NCHaccredited supervisors with Becky’sexpert support and assessment.

Congratulations to all the HPD quali-fiers in the journal and good luck inyour careers ahead– see all that hardwork has paid off!!


This month I've had a chat withTracey about a Groupon offer I tri-alled earlier this year. These types ofoffers are good opportunities formembers to get their services adver-tised and to a wider audience.

I had many people who had heard ofhypnosis but had never tried it, buythe vouchers, so I reached a newclient base. The important thing withthese opportunities is to set your

NCH focus: more schools

want accreditation

Jill Tonks, NCH Training and Accreditation

officer has noticed an increased interest in

professional accreditation

NCH focus: set boundaries

with marketing companies

Sophie Fletcher, NCH Executive Director found

her experience with Groupon worthwhile but

has a warning as well

boundaries, don't be swayed by thempulling out because they can't pushyou low enough on price. It was anexperiment that at times felt a littleuncomfortable as the marketing ofmy product by Groupon was a littlemore ebullient than I would marketmyself, but it was interesting to seethe clients that responded to that!

Other membership services coming online shortly are the new forums online

in the membership area,which willgive the opportunity to share infor-mation, knowledge and support on-line.

I see this as a big step forward inkeeping our members informed andin touch with the all the latest infor-mation about the profession, we hopeyou'll use this to its fullest to helpgrow and develop the knowledgebase of the NCH.

We will be profiling moremembers of the EditorialAdvisory Board in the nextissue

much more assertive than my otherregular clients.

How much referral business did youget?At least 12 Gastric Band referrals viathe Groupon deal and a minimum of20 extra client hours for other issues.With the Gastric Band appointmentsI do a Groupon rate of £140.00 butthis way I can keep the whole sum.

Did they book more sessions?Six or eight have so far booked sub-sequent sessions for relaxation.

When did you run the deal?8th/9th December 2011 until thepresent day.

How many clients did you get?I got 80 clients.

Over what period did you see them?The offer validity period is threemonths, and I am still seeing clients.

Did they differ from your ordinaryclients?They expected more: to get CD’s orfreebies; they were on the whole,

Is it worth doing a

Groupon deal?Online voucher sites such as Groupon, offering discounts on

everything from meals out to driving lessons are a new marketing

phenomenon. But are they a good opportunity for hypnotherapists?

Tracey Grist interviewed three NCH members who have used these sites

about their experiences.


Did they bring you new clients?Yes! At least 12 clients brought intro-duced me to new clients, one clientbrought four people in.

Have you done it again?I will be doing it again at the end ofMarch with a set cap of 120 clients.

What advice would you give to otherNCH members about it?Plan ahead!!! Get a good diary systemand plan - ideally with a 15 minutegap between clients, be ready andprepare for lunchtimes, there was apoint where i would work a six hourstint at the beginning, because theclients wanted a Gastric Band, andthey wanted it now.

So it is important to be strong withGroupon and be stronger still with theclients and remember that it is you incharge.

I had pre-planned all four of the ses-sion set ups so although I could waverfrom the plan it was really useful togo in with that set format.

When did you run the deal?4th January 2012 until present. I did-n’t really have a choice as to what tooffer, I was offered Gastric Band hyp-notherapy; in one or two sessions.Groupon have good experience ontake up of this and stopping smokingso are reluctant for you to do any-thing else. Most people took the twosession options.

How many clients did you get?I was lucky in that Lincolnshire is arural area and Groupon had only juststarted there. If I had been in thelarger cities, I wouldn’t have been ableto manage the numbers and wouldhave chosen not to do it. They can gointo the hundreds in London. I madeit clear with Groupon that I was notprepared to reduce my payment toany lower than £20 per hour. I haveheard of hypnotherapists taking lessthan £7 and hour which I couldn’tagree to.

How many clients did you get?15 clients in total,

Over what period didyou see them?January onwardsproved a good timewith the New Yearand it went out onJanuary the 4th.

Did they differ fromyour ordinaryclients?I found it interestingthat the clients were more motivatedthan clients who come for a tradi-tional weight loss programme. Theclients I had were clear of what theywanted, though it wasn’t always gas-tric band that was the right approach,so I would work differently and givethem a CD instead, which worked welland made me feel that I was givingthem the appropriate treatment.

How much referral business did youget?I got very good leads from the clientsand am currently very busy with referrals.

Did they book more sessions?I offered weekly weight loss follow upclasses, but when offered people werevery sure that this was something theywanted to do privately and not in agroup situation. This surprised me asI thought it would be a good oppor-tunity to get weight loss classes offthe ground.

Did they bring you new clients?I’ve had lots of referrals, and not justfor weight loss.

Have you done it again?No, as I am currently still very busy.

What advice would you give to otherNCH members about it?Do not sell yourself short! If you arein a busy area keep to your bound-aries with Groupon- set limits that

suit you; do not sell yourself short,but value what you are selling.

Push for a client number cap espe-cially if you are busy with other clientsand ask for the option to stop thedeal at any time.

If you are busy with clients or in lifeset yourself designated days and timesthat you will do the Groupon work. Icreated a special page on my websiteso potential clients could see howmuch they could save by doing theGroupon deal, this was important forGroupon.

I made it very clear that I couldn’t an-swer a phone all the time if there werelots of bookings so they introducedme to a system called OpenCal andbuilt it into the booking form. “Open-cal” is a free service that you can bookyour appointments with.

The great thing about Opencal is thattime was not wasted talking to clientsabout their issues before bookingtheir appointments. This was ideal asI would just get an email sayingsomeone had booked, and they wereautomatically sent a reminder the daybefore with directions.

You can use Opencal, even if youhaven’t used Groupon, and I’ve con-tinued to use it with my client system.

The offerGroupon: Gastric Band Hypnotherapy: 4 x1 hour sessions £450.00 (I also made suremy website showed original price) reducedto £76.00 Roughly making my payment £20 poundsper hour.

The offerGastric Band hyp-notherapy; in one ortwo sessions; Mostpeople took the twosession options.The offer presentedas: One session£99.00 reduced to£39.00- 60% off.Two sessions:£198.00 reduced to£79.00- 40% off.

Growing your Growing your businessbusiness

that at the end of the final session,and she will let me know when thatis, I will remove all the recordings.

What do you believe are the benefitsof doing this?

I have bits of the jigsaw puzzle thatyou may have missed, and it is in theclient’s own language. And if I have aclient that I have worked with two orthree years ago, and they then call mebecause they want to come backagain, I can listen to their last sessionand get a couple of questions whichshow I have remembered them andam asking relevant questions.

If a client asks for the recording, I askthem to wait for the session to ‘bedin’ then give them the recording.

And of course if I’ve done some hyp-nosis in the session with them, then Ican chop this out of the wholerecording and give them something touse between sessions.


Ethics in practice: KeepingAccurate Records: DigitallyRecord The Session?

Recording devices have been usedin the hypnotherapy room formany years, with hypnotherapistsfrequently giving the client tapesto listen to between sessions, orusing a tape as the session.

However now with digital record-ing and storage so easy, is it agood idea to record every clientsession you do, as a matter ofcourse?

Every member probably knows thebenefit of keeping good clientnotes.

Specifically, the NCH code ofethics requires members to ‘keepaccurate patient, client and userrecords’. Recording the session cer-tainly ensures that the record keptis accurate.

How does it work in practise, andwould this be of benefit in yourpractice?

NCH Members are required to follow the code of ethics and conduct,but how does this work in practice? We will be looking at this in a seriesof articles on how best practice in ethics and conduct is delivered bymembers.

To start off, NCH ethics director, Sue Roberts talked to Dani Derrington,who records every session she does

I interviewed cognitive hypnother-apist Dani Dennington, of TheCroft Practice in Thame, who rou-tinely records sessions.

How do you introduce the issue ofrecording the session with client?

I first turn it on at the beginning ofthe first session, I then ask them thequestion, so that their agreement isrecorded. I explain that all of my ses-sions are recorded as a matter ofcourse, that all of the recordings arestored in an offline hard drive andthat it is purely for my own benefit -it helps me to help them better.

I have two external 500G hard drives,and I back everything up twice onthem.

Have you had any refusals?

I’ve had two flat refusals in five years,one of which who came to agree.With one client recently, we agreed

The offerApril 2011- Groupon Gastric BandHypnotherapy; Two sessions £49.00August 2011- Living Social Smoking plusintroductory hypnosis session; dual deal; One session £49.00/£25.00 Introduction.November 2011- Living Social Smokingplus introductory hypnosis session; dualdeal; One session £49.00/ £25.00introduction.

on-going.

With the Introduction to hypnosis 50per cent of clients came back for re-peat sessions, although the numberswere less to begin with.

What advice would you give to otherNCH members about it?

If you are a full time hypnotherapist Iwould highly recommend it, if you arepart time I wouldn’t recommend it.

I can’t see why people wouldn’t dothe deals to fill their diaries. The dealsworked for me as I had no room over-heads.

I personally would go with Living So-cial rather than Groupon as they’reeasier to deal with.

I would advise putting a cap on thenumber of clients.

If you’re relatively new in practice thisis a great way to grow your clientbase, in my case I doubled it. I worked10 hour days on the deal, but it waswork I wanted to do and enjoyable.

My favourite time as a therapist isworking the client hours, the dealsbrought me clients to the door.

When did you run the deal?I ran 3 deals in total.

How many clients did you get?I got 110 Groupon and 40/30 respec-tively on the Living Social deals.

Over what period did you see them?Pretty much all three offers spanneda 3 month period each.

Did they differ from your ordinaryclients?

Growing your businessGrowing your business

Groupon clients differed as peoplewould not ordinarily use hypnother-apy- they were offer driven.

How much referral business did youget?I had repeat business from about 20%of Groupon clients.

Plus 20 per cent of new clients, oneclient in particular referred five newclients so it’s hard to give an accuratenumber, also as the referrals are still

NCH focus:

is it worth

doing a

Groupon

deal?


Anita Mitchell Slough [email protected]

Carole Samuda Alton [email protected]

Carole Wan Sheffield [email protected]

Cathy Simmons London [email protected]

Christine Key Egham [email protected]

DanitaDennington Thame [email protected]

Dawn Biggs Bexhill on Sea [email protected]

Gloria May London [email protected]

Jill Tonks Claygate [email protected]

Joan Wallace Aberdeenshire

Joe Mc Anelly Newcastle

Kathryn Fletcher Bristol [email protected]

Lynn Martin Honiton [email protected]

MartinArmstrong-Prior Leicester [email protected]

Mary Llewellyn Doncaster [email protected]

Michael Cameron London [email protected]

Michael Hughes Bristol [email protected]

Nicolas Cooke Birmingham [email protected]

Nick Mawr Bristol

Pat Hoare Exeter [email protected]

Penelope Ling Reading [email protected]

Peter Adamson Warrington [email protected]

Russell Davis Truro [email protected]

Sharon Dyke Taunton [email protected]

Stuart Norman Horley [email protected]

Susan Ritson Cheddar [email protected]

Valerie Hird York [email protected]

SUPERVISIONBelow is a list of members who have successfully completed theNCH accredited Supervisors course or have been granted the designation AccHypSup through accredited prior learning

Do you see any drawbacks to record-ing sessions?

I can’t see any drawbacks, and theremay be advantages. I recently saw aclient for one session, and later I gota call from the police to tell me a casewas coming to court. The client hadgiven my details to the police andthey wanted my records, so I gavethem the full recording.

Why did you start doing it?

I started doing it because I was a bitinsecure and felt I needed more infor-mation as I don’t remember thingsvery well, and I like to listen to theclient in the session, and not get dis-tracted by writing everything down.

How do you believe it affects the sessions?

I don’t believe it affects sessions at allreally, once it’s on and put to one sideand you get on, I’ve never noticedpeople even glance at it, once clientsstart talking about their problem theyare absorbed in their problem and for-get about it.

I download everything at the end ofeach day, label it with name and date,then it all gets wiped off my machineand stays stored offline. It’s so easy tohave external hard drives these days,and the recording device is easy to useand really clear.

So, with digital recording and stor-age, it’s now easier than ever torecord client sessions, either tostore as a recording or transcribeinto notes later.

Would this benefit you and yourclient? Ultimately, each therapist

must decide for themselves how tocreate and keep accurate clientrecords.

For some therapists, using technol-ogy and introducing it to theclient is easy and is part of rapportbuilding. Taking a transcriptionthen deleting the recording maysuit others. Whatever you decide,certainly technology has made thechoice easer.

Note: Dani uses an Olympus LS11Linear PCM Recorder.

Got an example of your Ethics inpractice, or would like to see a topicdiscussed? Contact Sue Roberts, ourEthics Director, to share your knowl-edge in the journal. Email Sue [email protected]

“10. You must keep accurate patient, client and user record.

Making and keeping records is an essential part of care and you must keep recordsfor everyone you treat or who asks for professional advice or services. All recordsmust be complete and legible, and you should sign all entries.

When supervising students, you should also counter-sign any student entries in thenotes. Whenever you review the record, you should up-date them and include anyarrangements you have made for continuing care of the patient.

You must protect information in records against loss, damage or use by anyonewho is not authorised. You can use computer-based systems for keeping records,but only if they are protected against anyone tampering with them (including otherhealthcare professionals). If you update a record, you must not erase informationthat was previously there, or make that information difficult to read. Instead, youmust mark it in some way (for example, by drawing a line through the old information.”

The NCH code on record keeping


Susan told me she had herself alwayshad supervision as part of a group.So it seemed quite natural for her torun such groups herself as a qualifiedNCH supervisor. As a supervisor sheattends group supervision for super-visors and values this as part of herown professional development as wellas a “good meeting and catch-up.”

Six to eight is an optimum size forsuch groups in Susan’s opinion. The two groups sheis currently running in theWest Country, one in Axbridgeand one in Frome, are smallerthan that, at three to fourregular attendees. She doessay, however that at this sizethe groups are small enoughto feel quite intimate and en-sure that no-one is afraid to say whatthey think. Each group meets for twohours once a month.

A pre-set agenda is a key ingredientof success, says Susan. A typicalagenda would be:

1) A discussion of the hopes for thesession by everyone involved.

2) A report by everyone in the groupon what is going well in their practice(or their training if they are still a stu-dent).

3) A chance to raise anything anyone

in the group wishes to discuss aboutany client they are seeing at the mo-ment.

4) A section on business and market-ing

5) A space to discuss any publication,book or article which anyone hasfound useful and a reflection on con-tinuing professional development.

At the end of the session, Susan allows

time for all present to say what theyhave found most useful in the session,and anything which they would haveliked to have done differently. (It wasfrom this feedback that the idea ofdiscussing good books which wouldbe useful for professional develop-ment came.)

Susan stresses the importance ofbuilding a team if this type of super-vision is to be a succes.

The group as a team set the groundrules for the sessions and Susan isvery clear that she learns from thesessions as well. The sessions are great

at motivating all the participants, es-pecially those who are finding it dif-ficult to develop their business. Susanencourages the group to concentrateon what is going well and this helpslift mood and improve motivation.The discussions in the group give theless experienced hypnotherapists moreconfidence. For trained hypnothera-pists who have been away from prac-tice for a while, the group has proveditself to be a valuable path to gettingback into practice.

The big diversity of career experiencein the groups, makes it a very rich en-vironment – it is also a great benefitwhen discussing business building tohave some participants who have abusiness background.

In order to keep continuity and makeit easier for everyone to attend, Susanpublishes the schedule for meetingsfor the whole year at the beginningof the year. I asked Susan if she

thought group supervisionwas appropriate in situa-tions someone might havebecome upset by a particu-lar experience with a clientor where they had made aserious mistake. Susan feelsthat group supervision can

not only deal with this sort of situa-tion, but may even be more usefulthan individual supervision.

She says that if the group has a gooddynamic and a supportive ethos sev-eral heads can be better than one. Atis best everyone can say ‘let’s learn’and discuss what they did in a similarsituation. This rapport can be moreeasily built when the people attendingthe group are regular attendees. Susansays that she will discuss with thegroup if it is a good idea for someonenew to join, so people can take a viewon if an extra person would disruptthe group dynamics.

Group dynamics

Isn’t it about time your name appeared here?

An estimated 20% of UK Hypnotherapists practising today have the HPD, with twice that manyregistered to do it, making it the leading independently verified UK hypnotherapy qualification.

When your potential clients start asking if your qualifications are up todate, will you be ready?

And if you are an experienced Hypnotherapist, you will find the new Professional DiscussionRoute to qualification is a simple process to demonstrate your

experience.To join hundreds of Hypnotherapists who already have the HPD qualification,

contact Jill Tonks for more information:

[email protected]

Congratulations to our

latest HPD qualifiers

Karen McCreanor

Dr Julia Von Onciul

Alexander Holden

Tishy Bruce

Debra Gee

Kelley Kennedy

Nicholas Wrapson

Bryan Jones

Karl Reynolds

Katie Blair

Richard Smith

Sandra Edwards

Tina Hilton

Karen Youster

Katy Herrington

Leo Anniballi

Monika Kralk

Christine Brown

Jo-Anna Brown

Carol Coutts

Lesley Sherwood

Lana Wheatley

Marjorie Clare

Jayne Moffatt

Fiona Jones

Dawn Hackwood

Neil Doble

Jo Stallard

Stephan Toque

Olivier Anton

Rae Arundel

Kate Bieleka

Matthew Bowen

Jacqueline Brown

Natasha Brown

Rachel Dobbie

Dominique Geloso

Caroline Goldstein

Alison Gordon

Caroline Moore

Lee Surman

Emma Triplett

Victoria Westwood

Victoria Droy

Jacqueline Inglis

Tiffany Armitage

Leah Bevan

Faith Foster

Nicola Parker

Sarah Mc Bryde Walsh

Nadine Holt

Elaine Cruddas

Richard Smith

Brian Flynn

As part of our regular look at supervision in theprofession, Ann Jaloba spoke to Susan Ritson about her experience of running two supervision groups in the West Country.

“If the group has a good dynamic and a supportive ethos several

heads can be better than one.”

Message in a bottleIn every journal one of our team of specialist advisers will be giving

you the benefit of their experience and knowledge. Here, Dr Vernon

C. Sykes, a senior clinician and specialist adviser for the NCH on pain

and anxiety, explains his stress release technique, developed over his

40 years as a practising hypnotherapist.

occasional blurred vision, sweatyhands, stomach in a vice, noodlelegs, anxiety, palpitations, agitation,indecision, shakes, feeling like avolcano about to erupt, bodilymalfunctions, despair, apprehension,etc.

I feel it is necessary for the patientto be aware of the likely outcome ifstress is not treated. This caninclude panic attacks, migraine,dermatitis, backache, asthma,strokes, heart attack, fatigue, low self


esteem, hypertension, worsening ofany ailment, even cancer and death!

The above shows how many of theproblems with which clients arriveare either brought on or worsened bystress. So there is little point tryingto deal with their presenting problemif you don’t deal with stress first.

Although not absolutely essential, Ifind the use of visual aids andpictures extremely beneficial andeffective to get the point over whilst

talking to the client at a consciouslevel. This psychotherapeutic part ofthe consultation is very importantand on occasions can take up to 50per cent of the time available. Theseare kept in my ‘tool box’, thecontents of which are out of sight ofthe client as it contains a dozen orso frequently used aids and theelement of surprise when producedis useful and adds to the effect.(Please see the adjoining box forhow to make the visual aids I use.)

After the preamble and explanationof how, in the state of hypnosis, weare going to deal with their problemI explain that before we deal withthe specifics we need to deal withthe accumulation of bottled upanxiety, tension and stress whichbuilds up inside us unnoticed. It’srather like pumping up a car tyreignoring the pressure gauge.

At this point I produce the ballooninflator and pump away at it whilstexplaining you can go on pumpingand pumping up a car tyre and no-one will notice the problem until itgoes ‘bang’.

Follow this by presenting the fullbottle of sparkling mineral waterand tell them that they are like thisand give it a few pings with yourknuckles to show them what youmean. Then invite them to feel thebottle themselves and note thetension within.

Next present the second bottle withthe dockets in. Hold up verticallyand suggest that it represents them,indicating the cap as their head anddownwards to their shoulders, armsand legs.

“There doesn’t look a lot wrong, butwhen we get down to it”, invert thebottle, “you can see that there are

During the past few CPD courses thatI have facilitated, it has becomemore and more noticeable that theimportance of stress release andmanagement has been overlooked tothe detriment of our clients’wellbeing. I consider it such acornerstone of therapy that I wouldlike to pass on the following guideto the procedure I have developedand do hope you find it beneficial.

Causes of stress in the mind andbody include change of any sort,excesses and pressures atwork or home, misplacedguilt, uncertainty, recession,increased job load,maintaining quality, excessivehours, marital problems,mother-in-law, frustration,apprehension, targets to bemet, promotion, demotion,redundancy, retirement,bereavement, holidays,Christmas, new baby,smoking, family, debts andmany more.

Symptoms of stress includepain in the neck, head,shoulders, chest or abdomen,

lots of issues still lurking about; theafter effects of past disturbingevents, anxious moments, painfulepisodes, harrowing times,unresolved situations and distressingoutcomes which have nor yet beenaddressed”.

Keep turning the bottle as you saythe above so the dockets willcontinue to float around as you aretalking about them. “So I am goingto help by releasing thisaccumulation of unhelpful pressureby releasing the cap like this…”Release the cap as far as you canwithout allowing the cap to comeright off at the same time making a‘pssst’ sound the emphasise the idea

of release. Squeeze the bottle two orthree times, without spilling thewater inside, as you repeat thewords, “release, release, release”.Replace the lid.

Next introduce the Michelin Man (orwoman!) and continue, “Anotherway of looking at it is that you havegot yourself a bit like a MichelinMan/Woman stress wise”, be sure toemphasise ‘stress wise’ if your clientis overweight but hasn’t mentionedit! “Every part of the mind and bodyis out of kilter, every organ andgland, your blood vascular system,your lungs, your heart, even yourreproductive system. The contentsof your mind and body are

How to make Vernon’s Visual Aids

A party balloon inflator and a balloon.

One 2 litre unopened plastic sparkling water bottle.

A plastic Michelin Man – I scrounged mine from a rep – or apicture.

One 2 litre bottle with ‘dockets’ in – made as follows:Cut a plastic ice cream container lid into strips and write stressproducing events (divorce, mother-in-law, promotion, etc) onboth sides of each strip with a permanent marker. Put these‘dockets’ in the empty 2 litre bottle and cover the bottom ofthe bottle with black tape so it covers the ‘dockets’. Fill about¾ full with water.

Excess stress and bodily functions board – made as follows(please also see photo):Paint a 9” by 20” wooden board white and stick two on twoplastic coat hooks approx 4” down and 2” in from each side.Add the labels: ‘Excess Stress’ and ‘Immune Systems and BodilyFunctions’ above the hooks. Add the label ‘Available Energy’above the other labels in the middle. Paint below in red/blue asper photo. Add the label ‘Healthy Level’ in the appropriateplace. Tie two bobbles to either end of a 20” long piece ofstring and hang on the coat hooks

Vernon’s visual aids getready for action

constantly under excess pressure andcannot work at peak efficiency.” Asyou mention each body part above,indicate them on the Michelin Man.“So you see how absolutelyimportant it is that we rid you of thisenemy”.

Next present the excess stress model.“I think this model may impressupon you the importance of stressrelease.”

Take the model and put the bobblesin the healthy level position andexplain, “We all need a certainamount of stress to keep us going.It’s when the level is excessive thatit becomes a problem. Imagine thatevery day we produce a certainamount of energy – the fitter we are,the more energy we produce.Imagine that this is distributedbetween two recipients – one sidedeals with the immune system andbodily functions, the other withstress, which can turn into excessstress. The more excess stress wegenerate the more of our availableenergy is diverted to dealing withthis excess and less and less energyis available for the immune systemand bodily functions. It’s not long

before the indicator gets into thered”. Move the bobbles to show theeffects of excess stress.

Once the client is in a satisfactorystate of hypnosis begin the stress

release. “In a momentyou will feel a hand onyour forehead, a helpinghand, it is as though thishelping hand isconnected to a long, longaerial reaching up intothe sky. It attracts helpfrom all availablebeneficial sources, toassist you in releasingthis accumulation of

bottled up tension and stress. Is thisok? Please give me a nod if it is.”Place your hand on your clientsforehead.

“In a moment, when I count one, wewill release the cap on your bottledup tension and stress part way andyou will feel a very deep sighcoming right from the top of yourhead downward and your toesupwards, out through your mouth,nose or eyes or all these together –from every part of your mind andbody you will feel and experiencerelease…………..one!”

“When I counttwo we willrelease the capeven more soyou will letmore andmore out………..two!Releasing evenmore. Feelfrom deepdown inside that every cell in yourmind and body is giving up itstension and stress and each time youbreathe out quite deeply, feel thatyou are getting things off your chest,

and out of your system, clearingyour head.”

“When I count three we will take thecap right off and it can all comepouring out and you can reallysound off, let rip and let of steam…………three.” Pause a little while forresults, if they are not to yourexpectation, encourage them, “That’sgood, but you can let so much moreout. Come on, let it out”.

“This release will continue until youhave released as much as you cancope with releasing on this occasion,then you put the cap back on, butyou will have made plenty of spaceto deal with everything withoutgetting up tight or tense aboutthings. Soon the feeling of releasewill change to a wonderful feeling ofrelief”.

I follow this with my ‘garbageclearing’ technique. Like the stressrelease technique, the wholesequence of events is supported byvisual aids and pictures when Iexplain it at the conscious level.

“Imagine that every anxiousmoment, disturbing event,harrowing time or painful episode

that hashappened inyour lifehas beenlike puttinga ten poundweight onyou. It is aburden toyou, butyou getover it,

more or less, but inevitably youleave behind some residue and overthe years this residue mounts andmounts up. Eventually, you end upas though you have a ten pound

residue weighing heavily on you,which is equivalent to an anxiousmoment, but there isn’t one. So youbecome anxious because you’reanxious and more weight is piled onand everything gets out of kilter. Weneed to readdress the balance.”

“Soimaginethat theafter effectsof pastdisturbingevents,anxiousmoments,painfulepisodes and harrowing times haveall been collected into opaque blackpolythene sacks, but the bin manhasn’t been and they are blockingthe way to your subconsciouscontrol room, so you are deniedaccess to it. I am going to clear asmuch of the garbage as I can today.As I clear the garbage from thecorridor which leads to your controlroom I am making space for you toutilise your full potential and makebest use of your time, talents andresources in coping, adapting andadjusting to the prevailing situation,seeing appropriate avenues to takein order to get your act together and(other suggestions appropriate totheir problems). Let’s open awindow and let in a breath of freshair.

Really feel it. There is now space foryou to proceed down the corridorand as you do you see doorwayswhich lead to the rooms where youragents of well being are housed, butthere is more garbage blocking thedoorways. I am clearing thisgarbage now so your agents of wellbeing can be set free to work at peakefficiency to aid your return to goodhealth and well being. As I mention

their names you will see themrunning out of their doorways,jumping into vehicles and setting offon a circular tour of your wholemind and body, dropping off agentswherever they are needed.”

“See yourdefencemechanisms,repair services,healing agents,maintenancemen, body andmindregulators,hormone,chemical, fluid

and enzyme balancers, pulse, heart,breathing and blood pressureregulators and your drive,motivation, enthusiasm,determination, cope-ability andadaptability people (plus any agentsspecific to your client’s problems).All running out of their doorways,jumping into vehicles and setting offon a circular tour of your wholemind and body, dropping off agentswherever they are needed.”

“Right at the end of your corridor isyour Control Area, and there are yetmore black sacks blocking the way.I am clearing them now, we don’thave to clear them all today, justenough so we can get to the ControlPanel.

As you now arrive at your ControlPanel you see how some of the manyknobs, dials and switches havebecome knocked cockeyed as youhave gone through life. You cannow reset and update them to helpyou make best use of your time,talents and resources and update theway you think, feel, react andbehave and delete all the negativeexpectations and out of dateinformation relating to (their

problem)” Then carry on with yourusual routine.

The above is just a very shortenedsegment of what I call myFoundation Building routine. It canbe used for virtually any problembecause nothing works effectivelyunder excess tension and stress orwith a mind full of garbage.

I use it with all my patients nomatter what sort of problem theypresent, whether it is weight loss orCanadian Rocky Mountain YellowSpotted Fever they will go awayfeeling much better after the firstsession and, if required, I canresearch the problem for thefollowing session. I use this routinenot only on the first occasion butalso on each subsequent visit,slightly amended each time.

Dr Sykespracticss fromhis consultingrooms inMorley, Leeds,where he alsoruns NCHapproved CPDcourses.Alongside hisprivatepractice, he spent five years as theConsulting Hypnotherapist at theLeeds General Infirmary’s PainClinic and later spent ten years asPractice Hypnotherapist at a largeNHS general medical practice,funded by the NHS. He has alsofacilitated workshops for theEuropean Society of Psychotherapy& Psychosomatic Medicine, theInternational Stress ManagementAssociation and the Open Universityfor Complementary Medicine inEdinburgh, Lisbon, London,Edinburgh, Constance and Vienna.


Messagein a bottle

“In a moment you will feel ahand on your forehead, a

helping hand, it is as though thishelping hand is connected to along, long aerial reaching up

into the sky.”

“Right at the end of yourcorridor is your Control Area,and there are yet more blacksacks blocking the way. I am

clearing them now,”

Winners in mindAs part of our focus on sport, well known hypnotherapist and less well

known marathon runner Adam Eason explains how hypnosis as helped

him and how he has come up with a new fundraising idea

So within the past few months, I havebeen combining two of my greatestloves; hypnosis and running. I ran myfirst marathon back in 2000 and havebeen a full-time hypnosis professionalsince 1996.

And I’m not just combining things forthe sake of it, this is not purely someflight of indulgence (though there issome of that, I must confess), I findeach benefits and complements the

other.

As us hypnotherapists are very muchaware of, there is a really impressivebody of evidence to support the waythe mind influences and affects thephysiology and my own running hasbenefited enormously as a result ofthe processes and techniques that Iuse from the fields of cognitive be-havioural hypnotherapy, neuro lin-guistic programming, rational emotive

therapy and a wide range of other in-fluences ranging from self-hypnosis,mindfulness and meditationprocesses, to transactional analysis,gestalt therapy and the vast field ofsports psychology. Facets of all thisstuff has affected the way I run andhow Iapproachmy run-ning andtraining.

It is agreat joyfor me tor u na l o n gthe sea front where I live inBournemouth and although the bayitself is only seven and a bit miles (14miles there and back) of which I amwell acquainted with every squareinch personally and in great detail;getting there from home is a fewmiles. That means even my longer 20-22 mile training runs can be accom-modated and include plenty of sea airwithout too much time dodging traf-fic on roads.

I regularly do battle with the strongsea winds that make it feel like I amrunning on the spot one way and amthen being pushed strongly along inthe other direction at certain times ofthe year. Then there is the incline ofthe promenade, slanting as it does,ensuring that one leg is worked morethan the other at times and I makesure I come back on myself so that Ido not have one leg bigger than theother (like tennis players whose racketarm is muscular and the other resem-bles that of a T-Rex).

Then there are the uneven and unpre-dictable surfaces of the neighbouringforest and woodland areas which I tellmyself aids with proprioceptive mus-cle development of the core, and we


My name is Adam Eason and I am ad-dicted to running…And all thingshypnosis… I think I could merrily re-search, read around and mine bothsubjects for the remainder of my daysand be quite satisfied.

In April and May 2012, our Olympichosting year, I shall be running fivemarathons in succession in Brighton,London, Milton Keynes, Poole andEdinburgh.

have the steep hills going down on tothe beach areas of my run and ofcourse have to face going up them onthe way back. I think the conditionsgive me a good workout that gives mespeed on flat road race courses.

I do myhill ses-sions onthe locali f - z a gp a t h -w a y sf r o mbeach tocliff topand use

the local running track for speed ses-sions. The local press have run a num-ber of stories on me and my running– other runners all say hello, or nodas we pass one another and I love thatsense of community and mutual re-spect that runners share.

My legs and feet get a lot of respectfrom me these days. Having experi-enced several bouts of shin splints,plantar faciitis and every toenail hasgone at some point inmy training schedules– poor legs and feet.Where I once had softbaby feet, now morethan a decade of blis-ters upon blisters haveturned them intotough hard leatherythings that give me anunfair advantage atthe firewalk charity events I run toraise money for the charities I run for.

My thick set build is of a very differ-ent design to the world’s fastestmarathon runners who are very slightand nimble. At the variety of events Icompete in, I often long to have thetwiglet sized limbs of the perfect run-ning physique and wonder if they

have any clue what it is like for some-one like me to be carrying a rugbyplayer’s build and tree-trunk legsaround a marathon course.

This all gives you a taste of my ongo-ing running experience, filled withchallenges, laughs and the odd painin the backside. I prefer training in thecold; us red-heads were not designedfor the warmer climes and I find train-ing in the summer months tougherand more physically demanding. Myskin blushes when the sun shinesbrightly too. I ran the 2007 Londonmarathon, the hottest on record andthey ran out of water for many of thepeople in the latter stages of the racebecause selfish people like me keptpouring on their heads…

The races I run are what continue tomotivate and inspire me and I havedone a fair few of them over theyears. I love being around runnerswho train with discipline and createsuch a supportive environment atraces.

I plan anally and in great detail for my

races – I stick to my schedules andthough I do enjoy the journey, myschedules tend to be on trackthroughout. I am such an air headthat if I were not to adopt such an at-titude with my running and life ingeneral (my business too) thingswould get messy. I need a regimenand sticking to it gives me as much ofa sense of achievement as getting a

I plan anally and in great detail for my

races – I stick to my schedules

My own running has benefited

enormously as a result of the processes

and techniques that I use

ity and he ran them in gold lamétracksuits smoking a cigar... Surely Icould be raising more!

I looked to my professional field. Onein which I have a moderate standingand know a bunch of people... I’dlook to the hypnosis community toraise money. But they were not goingto simply respond to more tales ofhow many miles I was running, evenif I was telling them I was using self-hypnosis to get the miles completedeach week.

The Natural Born Hypnotist was thenborn... I badgered, pestered, hassledand wrote to hypnosis professionals Iloved, respected, admired or just knewreally well (though because I knewthem really well does not mean that Idid not also respect, love and admirethem). This is part of what I wrote tothem:

“I have been looking forways to raise funds for mycharity efforts. I feel incred-ibly strongly about the char-ity Mind. Mental health inthe UK in particular is stillvery stigmatised and is (aswith so many things) havingfunding cut severely withinthe National Health servicetoo. Mind do amazing workhelping and offering serv-ices, support, research andtreatment for individualsthat suffer from emotionaland psychological distress.I work in this field. So doyou. I am looking for wayswhich I can attract sponsor-ship from the hypnosis andhypnotherapy communityand this is what this idea isabout. Rather than simply

jumping up anddown andyelling “sponsorme, I’m runningloads ofmarathons” Ithought thatwe’d createsomething fun,useful and un-usual that thehypnosis com-munity can in-vest in to raise funds for my charity.

To frame this idea of mine...

In the early 90s, a great TV comedy inthe UK called Men Behaving Badlysaw the two unlikely lads Gary andTony having many debates. One suchdiscussion involved them choosinghow to create the perfect woman


marathon Personal Best or crossingthe line at a demanding race.

Anyhow, throughout the years of run-ning (having competed in a lot ofmarathons, including some very chal-

lenging ones such as the New Forestand Isle of Wight marathons) andhaving a successful hypnotherapypractice and hypnosis training school,it seemed to make sense to me tocombine my loves.

Hypnosis helps dramatically witheverything I have written about thusfar.

As an ardent (and some may say ob-sessive) blogger, I have catharticallybeen charting my training, my toils,my trials, my use of my mind to helpassist my progress. I have charted myneedless consumerism of running

gadgetry, kit andgear, as well as myinfluences, myways of keepingmotivated andkeeping myselfsane while alsomaintaining mymarriage...And Ihave even sharedwith my regularreaders, my pecu-

liar OCD-like mind games that I oftenstart doing on auto-pilot when I amrunning for hours at a time (involvingcounting and breathing and stepstaken and I think that is enough can-dour for now).

Over the years, I have been runningmarathons for charities that I consid-ered to be a worthy cause on a per-

sonal level. Fundraising is often asmuch of a struggle as the trainingregime. Each time, rattling themetaphorical collection tin in the di-rection of friends, family and closecolleagues...I think they tired manyyears ago of my requests and bloody-minded refusal not to leave themalone until they had contributed.

So I thought that to raise more funds,I’d generate interest by doing morethan just running one single, punymarathon. Instead I’d run three ofthem in consecutive weeks, with mybrother — 3 Marathons, 2 Brothers, 1Goal is the slogan on our runningvests. Most people seemed to just saywe were a bit mad and we generatedinterest, but not as much as I thoughtI deserved. I figured they wantedmore, they wanted me to suffer morethan that in order to elicit any finan-cial reward from them.

I then orchestrated another initiative,the week after my third marathon, I’dorganise a firewalk, (that is happen-ing) and people had to sponsor me todo that... three marathons and a fire-walk to round it off... Yet the juicesof the public were still not truly flow-ing. We do find ourselves in a time ofeconomic toughness, I get that.Maybe I was expecting too much?

After that I decided to run anothertwo marathons in successive weeksstraight after the firewalk... One ofthem is part of a world record attempttoo (the biggest marathon relay inhistory), and I’ll be running it at 1amfrom Poole to Dorchester!

I wrote about it, celebrated myselfpublicly, indulgently and probablyrather smugly and continued to findmy needlessly optimistic efforts notinspiring enough people to sponsorme — I mean, Jimmy Saville raisedmillions running marathons for char-

Winners in mind

“Kylie’s arse, obviously” and thenformed a Frankenstein-esque perfectfemale according to their drunkentaste at the time. Not very PC, but rel-evant to what I am proposing here.

At a similar time, there was a govern-ment funded health advertisementbeing shown on ITV to encouragepeople to stop smoking. It showed the

first natural born smoker, withspecial fingers for holding ciga-rettes, eyelids that filteredsmoke, ears that did not listen,huge lungs to filter more effec-tively and leathery skin; it wasscary and meant to be aversive,though I thought it cool as permy penchant for anything re-motely sci-fi looking.

Anyhow, I am going to put to-gether an ebook entitled “TheFirst Natural Born Hypnotist”which we are going to get pro-fessionally and comically illus-trated. I wondered if you wouldcontribute to it, I would love itif you would. You only need tocontribute a page, which in-cludes a couple of paragraphsdescribing features that youthink would make a naturalborn hypnotist.

All I need from you is the fol-lowing:Adam: bringing mind and

body together

And I have even shared with my regu-

lar readers, my peculiar OCD-like mind

games

The Natural Born Hypnotist was then

born... I badgered, pestered, hassled and

wrote to hypnosis professionals


10th April – Problem Behaviour/ AddictionsSurrey/South London basedcourse:This master class is based on abehavioural approach to therapycombined with hypnosis. Ourextensive experience shows usthat most of the problems thatwe are asked to deal with arewhere an initial sensitisingevent

11th April – Paediatric Hyp-notherapySurrey/South London basedcourse: Children respond verywell to hypnotherapy. They havethe advantage of already under-standing their world of imagi-nation and easily achieve a stateto work with the subconsciousmind. In working with childrenwe teach them self-hypnosis

20th/21st April 2012 – 5 Phasesof Regression TherapyEdinburgh based course: RoyHunter has created 5 phases forregression to easily learn andpractice competent, effective re-gression therapy every time.This 2 day workshop helps us todecide when to use regression,how to explain it to clients

21st April: Anxiety ManagementProgrammeSutton in Ashfield: Our specialtraining Workshop gives thedelegate an opportunity tolearn our unique treatment pro-gramme which incorporatesmethods of overcoming Anxiety,Stress and Panic Attacks. The

Workshop will teach the delegateeverything they need to know tobe up and running immediatelywith this proved tried and testedsystem. All scripts, power pointpresentation and informationpacks are included. Continuereading�

21st/22nd April 2012: The Natureand Treatment of Depression, In-corporating the Use of Hyp-notherapyScotland based course. The con-tent of this course places an em-phasis on the psychotherapeuticknowledge pertaining to depres-sion and will enable you to selectand use approaches and tech-niques that will help the vast ma-jority of those seeking your helpwith this condition.

22nd & 23rd April 2012 – ClientCentred Parts Therapy WorkshopEdinburgh based course: RoyHunter teaches how to assist yourclients to resolve inner conflictwith parts therapy. Learn when touse parts therapy, how to avoidpitfalls, how & when to explainparts therapy to your clients

5th May: Weight ManagementProgrammeSutton in Ashfield: Our WeightManagement Programme hasbeen successfully running formany years and most of our workcoming from recommendationsfrom satisfied clients. We are nowtraining the delegate to use our5-week programme which thedelegate can start using withtheir clients immediately. All

scripts and information packsare included. 2nd June: Pain ManagementProgrammeSutton in Ashfield: This oneday Workshop is for therapistswho would like a greater un-derstanding of how to helptheir clients in the manage-ment of pain. Our pain man-agement treatments areproved tried and tested andhave been helping clients formany years to manage theirpain and discomfort throughthe power of their own re-sources. All scripts, powerpoint presentation and infor-mation are included

June 8th: Rapid InductionsFor HypnotherapistsLondon: Covering underlyingtheories and principles ofrapid inductions and teachingover 14 individual structuredrapid inductions for use in thetherapy room. Then showinghow to create your very ownrapid hypnosis inductions tosuit your own style and ap-proach.

Continuing Professional Development

For more detailsand courses forlater in the year goto our website http://www.hypnothera-pists.org.uk/category/cpd-courses/

A couple of paragraphs in your ownwords explaining any one singlephysical feature that you think wouldbe useful for the natural born hyp-notist.

A couple of paragraphs explainingany one behavioural/emotional/psy-

cho- logical trait or instinct that ournatural born hypnotist would have.

For example, my page is going tosuggest that the Natural Born Hyp-notist would have an extra longindex finger, similar to that of ET’s,which glows at the end for which canbe used for Braid’s classic eye fixationinductions and a variety of other in-ductions purposes. I’ll explain that inmore depth. Naturally we’d like di-versity, so if everyone chooses some-thing to do with the eyes, forexample, it’ll be less diverse — if youcan be obscure and creative, that’dbe marvellous.

Then, my emotional/psychologicaltrait is going to be a brilliant memoryand penchant for comedy that en-ables them to share humour and de-velop rapport with most people.

This is a person, a hypnotist of evo-lution, meant to be slightly tongue-in-cheek and have a fun element toit, but perhaps also contain somegenuine hypnotic theory that makesit pertinent.

With contributions from a range ofimpressive and influential people suchas yourselves, I’ll hopefully be able togenerate interest from the field — it’llbe £10.00 paid directly to my charitycause and in return the individual willget the ebook.

The response wasfantastic and theebook was then aresult of the inter-pretations of thosepeople that havecontributed. Vary-ing interpretationsindeed. Many ofwhich I find hilari-ous, many I findvery relevant to theindividual who

wrote them, many even contain someincredibly erudite and insightful con-siderations. Some of the contributingauthors include the NCH’s very ownTrevor Silvester, Rob Woodgate andSophie Fletcher andwe have lots of othersincluding James Tripp,Anthony Jacquin andJudy Rees, for exam-ple.

Running has repre-sented more than justtaking steps one afterthe other for pro-longed periods of timefor me. It is somethingthat has helped me feel better, helpedme clear my head after many hours oftherapy sessions and training eachweek. Running has helped me to leadby example and apply my own regulartherapeutic recommendations uponmyself.

I have used my understanding of hyp-nosis and hypnotherapy to ensure Iremain motivated in the face of ill-ness, injury and waning enthusiasm in

adverse conditions.

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy hashelped me to feel encouraged andsupported, it has helped me to be ableto run faster and for longer, to get fo-cused, develop appropriate arousallevels and to advance my recoveryafter hard training runs, it helps mewith how I communicate with myselfduring long punishing runs, and whenthe crowds are not around, it helps re-mind me of when they are.

If you happen to have the televisionon when this years London marathonis showing, know that somewheredeep in the midst of those thousandsof bobbing heads is a hypnotherapistjust like you, using a self-hypnosistechnique to ensure he makes a goodaccount of himself.

If you’d like to follow my progressvisit hypnosisforrunning.com andif you’d like to contribute to myfundraising efforts and even graba copy of the First Natural BornHypnotist charity ebook, raisingfunds for the mental health charityMind, then please visit my spon-sorship page

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AdamEason

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy has

helped me to feel encouraged and

supported

Running has helped me to lead

by example and apply my own

regular therapeutic recommen-

dations upon myself

whereby suggestions could be givento give a performer encouragement,support and hence build self-efficacyabout a particular task.

Finally, hypnosis could impact thephysiological and emotional state(e.g., reduce arousal and increase re-laxation) as well as improve the imag-inal experience (i.e., the quality of the

athletes imagery ability) of the per-former prior to and during perform-ance, achieved via the use ofsuggestions.

According to a neo-dissociation the-ory of hypnosis, responses to sugges-tions focussing on masteryexperiences, vicarious experiences, in-ternal verbal persuasion, emotionaland physiological arousal control andthe imaginal experience of the indi-vidual will cause the subconsciouspart of a sport performers’ central-control structure to attenuate to thegiven suggestion without the con-scious part of the central controlstructures’ knowledge. In turn, bycommunicating with the subcon-scious part of the mind, long-termbehaviours and cognitions can be im-pacted upon without the consciouspart interfering.

Because of the acceptance of sugges-tions, an increase in self-efficacy be-liefs and a more positive affectivestate leading to improved athletic per-formance is posited. In addition tosuggestions facilitating dissociation,

it is also posited by drawing on non-state theories that hypnosis will bringabout changes in behaviour due topositive expectations, beliefs, atti-tudes held by participants, and the in-terpersonal nature of hypnosis. Forexample, it is likely positive expecta-tions and attitudes could generate aplacebo effect for participants inthem believing that hypnosis en-

hances coping resources.

Latest research

Current research has exploredpredictions surrounding the useof hypnosis to enhance self-ef-ficacy looking at the approachof repeating suggestions of

confidence and belief over and overso that the suggestions take hold inthe person’s subconscious mind. Typ-ically, throughout his research he hasused the original ‘authoritarian’ rou-tine which has been amended tomake it more sports specific andtherefore more meaningful to partic-

Self-efficacy has been consistently as-sociated with high levels of perform-ance in sport. Self-efficacy is one ofthe most important psychologicalvariables influencing levels of sportperformance.

Because of this importance, a varietyof mental skills and techniques are

used by sport psychologists to helpathletes regulate self-efficacy levels.The amount and breadth of sport psy-chology literature demonstrating theefficacy of hypnosis is scant.

In sport, hypnosis research consists ofa limited and disparate range of stud-ies, typically with a lack of systematic

Have you seenour e-newsletter?Emailed to you on the lastThursday of the monthincludesLatest newsUpdates on CPD coursesAdvice from specialistadvisersTHE NEWSLETTER IFFREE AS PART OF YOURMEMBERSHIP. BUT YOUWILL ONLY RECEIVE IT IFWE HAVE YOUR UP TODATE EMAIL ADDRESS.CHECK YOUR PERSONALPROFILE HEREhttp://www.hypnotherapists.org.uk/system/profile.php


to enhance self-efficacy through thecombined use of self-modelling, feed-back, imagery and self-talk tech-niques. Furthermore, it is possiblethat hypnosis could provide feedbackto an athlete with hypnotic sugges-tions that replicate past performances.In addition, it is plausible that hyp-notic suggestions could contain im-agery-mastery information relative tosuccessful performances.

Finally, hypnosis could also beused as a way of facilitatingthe content and delivery ofathletes’ self-statements.

Hypnosis therefore has thepotential to be a more com-plete, time-efficient, and ef-fective technique to increaseself-efficacy in sport as it can drawupon all of these techniques simulta-neously.

Dr Barker also hypothesises hypnosiswill facilitate cognitions and behav-iours that will influence all of the an-tecedent sources of self-efficacyaccording to Bandura’s self-efficacytheory (1997).

First, with regards to performance ac-complishments, the use of sugges-tions regarding effective coping andthe mastery of challenging situationscould help a performer to recall past,and imagine future, mastery experi-ences, along with re-appraising pastpoor performances.

Second, hypnosis could be used toprovide information on vicarious ex-periences. Moreover, an athlete couldbe presented with suggestions thatrelate to the successful performanceor confident behaviours of a team-mate.

Third, hypnosis could be used as aninternal verbal persuasive technique,

Research review:

Hypnosis and sportsperformers’ selfefficacySpring is here so some of us will have the urge to get out, take up sport

and get fit?! And with the Olympics around the corner it’s the perfect

time to review the very latest research into to sports performance and

hypnosis. Dr Jamie Barker believes its potential is not yet realised.

research efforts. Specifically, researchhas examined the efficacy of hypnosisfor increasing flow and peak perform-ance, enhancing mental imagery, re-ducing pre-competition anxiety,influencing the perception of effortand physiological responses.

Until recently the viability of hypnosisas a technique for enhancing sportperformers’ self-efficacy has not beendemonstrated.

Current Findings

Whilst there is a plethora of evidencedetailing the effectiveness of a num-ber of psychological strategies in de-veloping self-efficacy, traditionally,these skills have been selected andused independently in most psycho-logical skills training programs. Incontrast, Dr Barker suggests hypnosis

Hypnosis therefore has the potential to

be a more complete, time-efficient, and

effective technique to increase self-

efficacy in sport

ipants.

Scripts have included suggestions re-lating to previous sport experiences,sports specific terms, reference topractice and competition settings andthe use of individual self-statementsand task-specific post-hypnotic sug-gestions that were added to Hart-land’s original script.

Overall, the post-hypnotic suggestionsused throughout his team’s researchhas focused on elevating feelings ofself-efficacy, improving sport per-formance as well as inducing feelingsof relaxation, focused attention, ef-fort, persistence, skill development,and decreased anxiety.

To date the research has generallysupported their theoretical predictionsand has demonstrated consistent pos-itive effects regarding hypnosis on

judo performance from 35-judo training sessions.

An intervention programme includingeight hypnosis was delivered to theclient. A pre-performance routineusing self-hypnosis was developedwhich the client used prior to trainingand competition.

Visual inspection of self-efficacy dataacross the study revealed a substantialimprovement from pre-to post-inter-vention phases, moreover social vali-dation data from the client indicatedthat the hypnosis had been the maininfluence on the increase in her selfbelief.

Second, Barker and Jones (2008) re-ported the effects of a hypnosis inter-vention on a professional soccerplayer who reported low self-efficacyand a negative mood state relativeto his soccer performance.

Using a single-subject A-B design,pre- and post-intervention data werecollected via a Soccer Self-EfficacyQuestionnaire that consisted of 10-items relating to good soccer per-formance, the Positive and NegativeAffect Schedule and a Soccer Per-formance Measure. An interventionprogram consisting of eight hypnosis

sessions wasconducted.

These ses-sions com-prised thepresentationof ego-strengthen-i n gsuggestions.Both visualand statisti-

cal analysis revealed substantial in-creases in self-efficacy, positive affect,and soccer performance, as well as a

substantial decrease in negative affectover the course of the intervention.

Also, social validation data indicatedthe client considered the interventionto have had a substantial effect uponthe belief he had in hisability and aswell as his mood state prior to soccerperformance.

Finally, Barker and Jones (2006) ex-plored the effects of an interventioncomprising hypnosis, technique re-finement, and self-modelling on theself-efficacy of a male cricket legspinbowler. Using a single-subject (A-B)design data were collected across 24games.

The multi-modal intervention com-prised three aspects, using hypnosisand self-hypnosis procedures; 10-hypnosis sessions in total were deliv-ered including both general and sportspecific ego-strengthening sugges-tions. A pre-performance routine wasdeveloped for the client to use thenight before, and on the morning be-fore each match.

Aspect two was based around refiningthe bowler’s technique, focusing onthe run-up, head position and follow-through. Aspect three focused on self-modelling through the use of anedited videotape. Overall, the resultsrevealed a statistically significant dif-ference between pre- and post-inter-vention self-efficacy levels with thispositive change being maintained inthe long-term follow-up data. An in-crease in bowling performance wasalso noted across the post interven-tion phases.

These three studies highlight hypno-sis-based interventions to be a suc-cessful technique in enhancingself-efficacy, affect, and sport per-formance in applied sport settings.

Hypnosis and sportsperformers’ selfefficacy

Calling all members

How have you developed your ideasabout hypnotherapy through youreveryday practise?

Do you have anything from your ownexperience which you would like toshare with your fellow hypnotherapyprofessionals?

Have you had a ‘eureka moment’ whileseeing a client?

Then do you want to share it with yourfellow professionals? You don’t have towrite a massive research piece - a smallstudy or insight is just as welcome.

If you would like to discuss any ideascontact us

[email protected]


sport performers’ self-efficacy.

First, Barker and Jones (2005) ex-plored the effects of a hypnosis inter-vention on an elite judoka whoreported a debilitating level of self-ef-ficacy.

Using asingle-case A-Bdes ignwith a6 -monthfollow-u pphase ,self-ef-f i c a c ydata were collected via a specificallyprising seven-items relating to good

To date the research has generally sup-

ported their theoretical predictions and

has demonstrated consistent positive ef-

fects regarding hypnosis on sport per-

formers’ self-efficacy.


used. Self-efficacy was measured viaa task-specific questionnaire compris-ing 10-items relating to good per-formance on a soccer wall-volley task.The hypnotic intervention comprisedthree 45-minute sessions using egostrengthening suggestions. The con-trol groupw a t c h e de d i t e dvideos ofprofessionals o c c e rg a m e sacross three45-minutes e s s i o n s .Results in-d i c a t e dthat, following the intervention, thehypnosis group were more efficaciousand performed better on the soccerwall-volley task than the controlgroup. These differences were alsoseen at the 4-week follow up stage.

Social validation data supported thesefindings with the entire hypnosisgroup indicating that the interventionhad helped them to feel more confi-dent whilst performing the soccertask.

Evidence from the above studies hasdemonstrated the significance effectof hypnosis in facilitating athletes’self-efficacy beliefs and performancein a variety of sporting tasks and ac-tivities.

This data highlights the efficacy ofhypnosis in both applied single-caseand group based research designs.Collectively, these data give credenceto the contention that hypnosis (com-prising ego-strengthening sugges-tions) can facilitate self-efficacybeliefs by influencing all of the an-

What’s new and

reviews

Developing Resilience Michael NeemanRoutledge£13.50ISBN 978-0-415-48068-0)

Reviewed by Gloria May

Many books about therapy are threequarters diagnosis and one quarter

solutions. This book isn’t like that atall. It wastes no time on explainingwhat CBT is and what it sets out toachieve but goes straight to how toapply it. It attacks the idea thatinsight alone will effect changes andgives clear instructions to readers onhow to challenge attitudes which areself-defeating and stultifying. Iparticularly liked the author’s remark

Have you come across a new technique or

attended a ground-breaking training course

recently? Or have you come across a book, old

or new, which has changed your practice or

your way of thinking. Let us know and we will

publicise it

tecedent sources of self-efficacy

Concluding Remarks

The requirement of sport performersto have and maintain self-belief intheir abilities is a significant pre-req-

uisite in achieve-ment settings. As aconsequence re-search revealing ef-fective techniquesthat facilitate suchbehaviours areworthy additionsto the sport psy-chology literature.Data indicates thathypnosis is a viable

and effective strategy to bring aboutmeaningful efficacy and performancegains.

Dr Jamie Barker is the Senior Lecturerin Sport and Exercise Psychology atStaffordshire University and is aBritish Psychological Society (BPS)Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychol-ogist and British Association of Sportand Exercise Sciences (BASES) accred-ited sport psychologist. He is also aprofessional member of the Associa-tion for Applied Sport Psychology(AASP). His expertise is as a sport andexercise psychologist within the areasof self- and collective-efficacy, hyp-nosis, and single-case research meth-ods. He is currently club sportpsychologist to NottinghamshireCounty Cricket Club, whilst in the pasthe has worked in professional footballand golf.

Reproduced by kind permission of DrJamie Barker. For a fuller review onthis research paper please contactAndy Cox, Research Director ([email protected])

Post-intervention data in all threestudies demonstrated self-efficacylevels to have substantially increasedand become more consistent in com-parison to baseline. The studies alsoillustrated hypnosis to be a successfultechnique in differing modalities ofdelivery

Collectively, these studies provide ev-idence supporting hypnosis as a tech-nique to enhance self-efficacy inathletes, along with useful informa-tion on hypnotic protocol appropriatefor sport psychologists.

One group example of Barker, Jones,and Greenlees (2010) evaluated theeffects of hypnosis on self-efficacyand soccer performance. 59 soccerplayers were randomly allocated to ei-ther a hypnosis (n = 30) or video at-tention-control group (n = 29). A pre test post test design with anadditional 4-week follow-up was

To date the research has

generally supported their

theoretical predictions and has

demonstrated consistent positive

effects

Hypnosisand sportsperformers’selfefficacy

Improved service from the NCHWe now have a dedicated 24 hour answerphone to renew yourmembership over the phone.

You can leave your name and credit card details, we will processthe payment and email you a confirmation that it has beenprocessed.

The number is 01430 427 801

that automatic knee-jerk reactions tounpleasant events are thoughtsmasquerading as feelings. He givesclear and easy to follow ways ofexamining those thoughts and re-assessing them.

Instead of giving examples fromextraordinary lives – guaranteed tosend a worried or depressed clientinto hopeless mode – he cites theeveryday challenges everybody faces.He takes examples from his own andhis friends’ experiences as well asfrom his clients. His emphasis on self-acceptance is exemplified by hisinclusion of stories about his failureto convince some of his clients of theeffectiveness of CBT without feelinga failure himself.

There are chapters on the workplace,relationships and difficult people - allof which give practical and feasiblestrategies for dealing with challengingsituations.

The advice given with a cool head anda warm heart in Developing Resilienceis a useful book for the therapist as

title and is well composed with casestudies, real life reflections of the au-thor and… Lists!

All in all, I would recommend thisbook wholeheartedly as a therapists’drop in and out tool and as a self-help guide if you are the daughter ofa narcissistic mother….. just be gentlewith yourself as you read.

Continuing Professional Development Pain Management Programme. Oneday Trainer: Clem Turner

Reviewed by Ann JalobaEven those of us who do not spe-cialise in dealing with pain will findthis continuing professional develop-ment one day course interesting andinformative.

As many of the attendees said, havinga good knowledge of pain and howhypnotherapy can be used to treat itis a useful addition to any therapistsskill set.

So many clients who come to us forother reasons, will disclose that theyhave problems with pain. Sometimesthis can lead to other problems,sometimes it can make it difficult forthem to get the most out of a hyp-notherapy session as they cannotrelax and focus.

Clem Turner, who presents thiscourse, really knows this area. Hestarts the day by explaining veryclearly the physical origins of pain. Agood and detailed overview of howthe brain works, the role of the limbicsystem (or emotional brain) and anexplanation of how pain messagestravel to the brain and how the paingateway works give a good groundingin the subject.Clem then explains how different

Advertise in theJournal and beseen by over 2,000 practisingHypnotherapists and Trainees

Whole Page - £150Half Page - £90

Quarter Page - £45Half column - £30Back Page - 50% extraInserts - £150Series discounts available.

Please contact the Editor for more details


What’snew andreviews

good, however, this book has been agreat tool to have on my bookshelf. Ihave also (on occasion) recommendedclients look into this book, saying, “Itcomes with a warning so be gentlewith yourself,” but also the secondarycringe factor warning … “be carefulit’s a bit (wince) Americanised”.As narcissism is a spectrum disorder(classified in the DMV IV) there can beexhibited in people (man and womanalike) traces of narcissistic evidence,right up to the fully blown narcissism;wherever people come on the scale,the book gives useful, legible defini-tions for understanding.

With clients and peers that have readit, they are shocked at how applicableit has been to their lives and their be-haviours - both on a conscious andsub conscious level, and I find, in mylimited experience, most of those af-fected by relationships with peoplewith narcissism have some form ofweight issue.

The book is separated into three sec-tions all of which are easy to read:The first section is about recognisingthe problem, the second, how it af-fects us, and the third, the How towork at resolving the issue or as Karylputs it, the (Yikes! Americanism)…“Recovery”. However, this third sectiongoes to great lengths about reframingold behaviours and rebuilding theself- A fantastic, comprehensive, wayto becoming whole; which is greatself -work for clients to focus on out-side of their sessions.

I am a firm believer in empoweringthe client to do their own personalhistorical research and narcissism canbe an untouched and avoided areapartly due to the fear around thename itself; with its roots in GreekMythology only a certain educatedfew would have studied this area. Butthis book is a great antidote for that

people interpret pain messages differ-ently and how anxiety can affect per-ceptions of pain. The differencesbetween chronic and acute pain andhow mood disorders can affectchronic pain are also explained.

The section on anxiety was enlight-ening. Clem explained how anxietycan exacerbate pain and how hyp-notherapists can work to lower anxi-ety.

He supplied a very useful anxietychecklist. (I have used this a lot withclients - not just pain clients) to helpthem determine their levels of anxiety.It is interesting that these are usuallymuch higher than the client was al-lowing themselves to believe – thisseems very useful in itself to me as it

well as a good self-help adjunct totherapy for clients. I have alreadyrecommended it to friends as well asclients.

Will I Ever Be Good Enough?Healing the Daughters of NarcissisticMothers.Karyl Mc Bride, Ph.D.Publisher: Free Press243 pages£7.50

Reviewed by Tracey Grist.From the moment I began readingthis book I was gripped with the firstchapter quote: “There was a little girlwho had a little girl right in the mid-dle of her forehead and when she wasgood she was criticised anyway.”-Elan Golomb. Ph.D., Trapped in themirror.”

For those who have ever wonderedwhy there is a lack of self-worth orself-esteem and have unknowinglybeen brought up in a narcissistichousehold or have knowingly sufferedat the hands of a narcissistic parent Iconsider this book invaluable, becauseit is comfortably structured to be lit-erally an easy read, despite being hardhitting emotionally.

To those whom haven’t experience re-lationships with the narcissistic it canbe a bit of an indulgent read- as withany self-help book one can comeaway with more ailments bad than

validates the client’s feelings andgives a clear framework in which towork to lower these levels.)

This is probably not a course for newhypnotherapists or those still studyingunless they have a background in thearea.

It is demanding and high level, andwith the introduction of related tech-niques – NLP, EDMR, EFT it could bea bit overwhelming. But for the moreexperienced hypnotherapist or some-one with a background in pain andpain management they will certainlybenefit.

An extra and clever touch was a demoof some of the latest products to helpcontrol pain. It was a nice venue (al-

though a lot of us had a bit of trou-ble parking), we were given a verynice lunch in a comfortable bar areawhich was a great chance to chat toeveryone else on this well attendedcourse.

The after course materials (on CD) areextensive and of very high quality –the cost of the course was worth itjust for this. There are lots of scriptsand metaphors for helping clients. Iespecially liked this as often a differ-ent metaphor can click with a client– the more the better in your toolkit.

Go to our website or the CPD listingin this journal to find out when thiscourse is running again

the metaphors engender. Theclient always knows his/her limitsand situation and possibilitiesbetter than I do. Giving themtime lets them find uniquesolutions and possibilitiesrelating to their life condition.

When you notice that they areengrossed in exploring aparticular thought, you canencourage this by sayingsomething like, “Yes.” or “Staywith that for a while longer.”or “Can you let me know by aword or two or a phrase whatis going on now?” or “If I canhelp in some way now, just letme know.” or “Anything elseyou need now to furtherthat?”or the classic “That’s right, is itnot?”

If appropriate, you can then continuewith additional metaphors or ideas orpossibilities, yet always giving theclient time to investigate and evaluateand process.

The session might end withsomething like “Now, just take aminute or two ... to consolidate whatyou have learned today ... and store itaway in a way that will be availablealong the way ... as you move

carefully and interestingly ... andperhaps surprisingly ... into your ownway(s) of helping yourself ... in a lightand easy manner.” ... “And ... whenyou are ready ... you can take a deep


It is generally the case that mostneophyte therapists and hypnotiststend to talk non-stop when it is theirturn to speak with clients. That is oneway that they feel that they havecontrol over the session. As they getmore experienced they slow down,and even add pauses of variablelengths.

Pauses are particularly important inhypnosis. I recently watched sometapes of Milton Erickson, from bothearly in hiscareer and later,and noted thathe was carefulto allow timefor the client toprocesswhatever wassaid orsuggested.

I believe that he did this more as hegot older. Erickson also used pausesin the “conscious” portions of hissessions with clients.

If you believe and operate as if yourclient is the real change agent andthat you are the guide, then they needtime to work out for themselves whatare going to be useful changes. Theyalso need time to make connections

and discover reasons for theirbehaviour (where reasons areimportant to them). In all of thesesenses this essay is about the powerof pauses in bringing about change.

At various conferences I have timedhow much a given demonstratorpauses. It is my subjective impressionthat the better the therapist and themore productive the session, the morepauses and the longer the pauses.

Please check this out for yourself.

I have consciously introduced pausesof various lengths in all parts of asession. In the initial interview wherethe client is telling you about theirconcerns and why they have come toconsult with you the pauses are quitelong because I do not want tointerrupt the flow of their narrative.

At that time I will make small noisesor comments to indicate that I amactively listening to them. I also takenotes.

After all, to have someone really listento you is one of the reasons a clientvisits a trained therapist rather thantalks casually with a friend or relative.The client wants to be heard. This, initself, is a significant part of thesession—to be heard.

The late Michael White,among many othertherapists, was a masterof asking questions tomove a session along, todiscover the client’sthoughts and feelings,and to elicit their storyand their life story.

But, once you ask a question, youhave to allow the client sufficienttime to formulate a response. That is,while they are thinking about how torespond you do not rush in andamplify your question, or even askanother one!

In one sense this is simply beingrespectful. People vary in how fastthey think and in how fast they

respond. Be patient. Pauses requirepatience.

In my private practice the sessions arealways open-ended—I do not work bythe clock or charge by time. If youwork in an environment where youare time-limited, then you need to beeven more cognizant of the length ofpauses.

This may mean that you are not ableto cover as much ground in thesession as you wish, yet the client mayactually be covering in a significantmanner what is really important tohim or her. Is this more or lessefficient? Another session may beneeded.

Specifically, during the hypnosisportion of a session, pauses are ofmajor importance. Beginning with aconversational or structured inductionthe client is given time at each stageto control the speed and depth of hisor her trance.

This reinforces the idea that they areactually in control of their tranceexperience. I function as a guide intotheir exploration of their concerns forthat session and the variety of ways

of working with those concerns. If themain method of this exploration is viathe use of metaphors, then sufficienttime is allowed for the client todevelop and work with the ideas that

Applause for a pause

Rubin Battino, one of the most respected and experienced practitioners

in our field, writes on the importance of pauses in hypnosis and

psychotherapy

breath or two ... blink your eyes ... andjust return to this room ... here andnow. Thank you.”

Taking pauses during a session allowsthe client to explore and work athis/her own pace. These pauses alsoallow you time to study what theclient has said, study the client’s bodylanguage, and to think about whatyou are going to say or do next. Thelate Kay Thompson was adept atusing time distortion to give herselftime to consider what she was goingto do and say next. Pauses allow youto do the same thing.

Consciously adding pauses to yourway of being with a client adds muchto the effectiveness of a session, doesit not? And, it requires patience andpractice.

[email protected]

I have consciously introduced pauses of various

lengths in all parts of a session.

In my private practice the sessions are always open-

ended—I do not work by the clock or charge by time.

sessions and Ian’s life wastransformed. He has never takensugar since.

It was this experience which spurredIan on to train as a hypnotherapist. Iasked him how his acting training and

NCH ONLINE


Spotlight on membersWhat did you used to do before you becamea hypnotherapist?In this new series we feature aspects of NCH members’ life and prac-tice. For the next few issues we will be looking at some members whohad interesting and varied careers before they became hypnotherapists.

Ian Woodley describeshimself as having had a‘varied career’, includingbeing an actor and aprivate detective, (both ofwhich he still does fromtime to time)

He had always beeninterested in the power ofthe mind, even as ateenager. He studiedacting and stagemanagement at theTheatre Royal in Norwichand has had a long careeras a ‘jobbing actor’appearing in many wellknown TV series anddoing stage work.

But it was in 1995/1996 when he metan ex-builder who had become ahypnotherapist that this interestbegan to take shape. Ian was havinga serious weight problem at the time,he knew this was because he was

seriously addicted to sugar, drinkingup to 40 mugs of tea a day with 8sugars in each. The ex-builder wasunable to see him but recommendedanother hypnotherapist and Ian tookthe plunge. This hypnotherapist curedIan of his addiction in just four

experience impacted on his work as ahypnotherapist.

He said there were the obviousbenefits such as being able tomodulate his voice and being able toproject self confidence, but there wereother more subtle advantages as well.

Ian says it is very important be oneselfwhen practising hypnotherapy, but histraining as an actor enables him tobuild a strong empathetic relationshipwith clients. He says if you can alterthe way you come across to fit in withyour client’s expectations and beliefsit is easier to build up a relationshipof trust with them. And the more yourclients trust you, the more successfulthe outcomes are likely to be.

He also says that when he is workingusing deepeners or constructingnarratives, his acting background isinvaluable.

The more interesting, alive andengaging the therapist can make astory the better. If the client islistening to something which is aslively and engaging as possible, thenthey will be able to visualise moreeasily.

After all, says Ian, hypnotherapy is aperformance in itself. When you stepinto the therapy room you have to putyour own feelings on hold and putthe whole of yourself into helping theclient. Being trained in acting can bea good base for this.

Once of the areas in which Ianspecialises is sports performance –again he can use his background asan actor. He says that the preparatoryprocess – the build up, the anxiety,the channeling of emotions are verysimilar for a sportsperson before arace and an actor before a stageperformance.

Keep up with the latest newsfrom the profession by accessingthe NCH online.

Our websitehttp://www.hypnotherapists.org.uk

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THE HYPNOTHERAPY JOURNAL is published quarterly by The National Council for Hypnotherapy and is freefor members. Because of potential copyright implications, no part of this publication may be reproduced in anyform without prior permission of the Editor, but where possible this is usually given, so please ask.

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By submitting a contribution you grant the NCH an irrevocable worldwide non-exclusive royalty free licence topublish in The Hypnotherapy Journal or any other NCH publication, in any format capable of existence. Youalso warrant that the article is original, does not infringe any existing copyright, and that you have authority togrant us these rights to publish. Copyright remains with the author unless otherwise specified.

DEADLINES are the second week of January, April, July and October, unless by arrangement.

VIEWS expressed in The Hypnotherapy Journal are those of the contributor and are not necessarily shared bythe Editor, Committee or members of the NCH.

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THE HYPNOTHERAPY JOURNAL

Address: 26 Tapton Mount Close Sheffield S10 5DJ

Phone: 0114 268 6500

Email: [email protected]

Editor: Ann Jaloba HPD, Dip.HPsych, Cert.SM, Dip.NLP

Printer: Meridian Printers, 51-53 West Street, Long Sutton,

Spalding, Lincs. PE12 9BN

Coming in the next issueA room of your own what is your therapy space like?

Business networking groups. Are they worth joining?

Special adviser focus

Paediatric hypnosis - review

And before you were...how does your previous career affect your practice now?

plus news reviews and latest products

Published July 3

38 The Hypnotherapy Journal Issue 1 Volume 12 - hypnotherapists.org.uk hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 1 Volume 12 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 39

The NCHrepresentsover 1800hypnotherapyprofessionals within the UnitedKingdom and is committed to ensuringthe highest possible professionalstandards amongst our members

The National Council for Hypnotherapyholds one of the largest registers of independent Hypnotherapists in theUnited Kingdom and strives to maintain the highest standards among itsmembers.

The NATIONAL COUNCIL for HYPNOTHERAPY, is the largest Hypnotherapyregister mentioned in the recent Exeter University report on ComplementaryMedicine (Second Edition). It is striving to meet ALL the guidelines suggestedby this report for the regulation of Complementary Medicine. Via the UKConfederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations, we are actively involved withthe Foundation for Integrative Medicine and the future of the profession.

Do you know anyone whoshould be in the NCH?

Then can you let themknow....

Documents

Issue1 Vol 12 Spring …...THE HypnoTHErapy Journal Issue1 Vol 12 Spring 2012 P a C P a D The hypno-runner Adam Eason on how mind helps his marathon ambitions Research overview