Cognitive Hypnotherapy

Cognitive Hypnotherapy is an evidence-based and effective therapy that works to support you as the client to access and utilise your unconscious mind, exploring patterns to behaviours, thoughts, beliefs or emotions that are keeping you stuck. Whilst always holding in mind how you want things to feel different, and most importantly how you’d like things to be better!

As within the Root of You philosophy and approach, sessions are tailored to you as an individual and focus on how you see your world and operate within it. Cognitive Hypnotherapy draws upon Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Positive Psychology, Evolutionary Psychology, Cognitive Theory and modern hypnosis utilising what we call ‘everyday trance states’ which you can read more about below. You remain aware of all that is happening within a session and unlike popular or televised beliefs are not ‘put under’ into any states where you have no control.

Once we know where the problems lie, we work together to use personally selected and tailored techniques and language to support you to let them go. This involves supporting you to access a deeper level of relaxation where problems can be explored and your mind is more open to suggestions towards change. Sessions focus on incorporating personalised scripts based on what you share you’d like your life to look like. This can include changes to behaviours, more supportive and loving beliefs, or positive emotions - anything you can think of that will support you to make significant, healthy and positive changes that feel rooted and grounded in the life you hope to live.

Everyday Trance

You might not know this, but you are in what we call ‘trance’ everyday. Up to 90% of our days are spent in trance, which means that our unconscious mind is operating the show more often than not!

Consider the times you brush your teeth but are thinking about your day, or perhaps you have driven somewhere only to realise you have no memory of how you got there, whilst your mind was busy on other things. Sound familiar?

Our past experiences often inform our unconscious mind on ‘how to act’ in certain situations. Sometimes, these can be unhelpful as our minds do not know the difference between what is real and what is perceived so the brain has a clever way of looking for threats and repeating what it has once learned. Usually, and importantly, this is our mind trying to keep us safe - not trying to harm us.

Knowing this allows us to tap into these trance states in a more intentional way to gently guide your unconscious mind to form new patterns, giving the opportunity to relearn and teach the mind to adapt to new suggestions.

What does the process look like?

Free Consultation Call to check we are the right 'fit'

Once you contact me I will arrange a free consultation call to explore what it is you are struggling with in more detail and consider if we both feel I am a suitable fit for you as a therapist. The therapeutic relationship is said to be one of the most important elements of effective therapy and it is important to me that you feel comfortable and safe working with me. On some occasions your difficulties might be better supported elsewhere, if that is the case I will explain that to you during this call and provide signposting options if I feel another therapist or service would better suit your needs, before you have been charged anything.
Initial 'Getting to know you' Session

Once we agree to work together, we can arrange an initial session to get to know each other and to explore the ‘roots of you.’ Here we will look to delve deeper into the current problems you wish to change, what has influenced those and how they keep you stuck. Whilst also holding the crucial space needed to explore what I call your ‘solution state.’ Reflecting together on how you’d like things to be different, what impact this would have and importantly how you’d know you’ve got there so we can keep tabs on if therapy is working! These sessions are slightly longer at 90 minutes but are charged at the same price as the usual 60-75 minute sessions for the remainder of your work with me.
Individually Tailored Sessions for your needs

Each person is different and therefore a set number of sessions can never be predicted, nor can a guaranteed success rate. The offer is always meeting you where you are, for as long as we both agree feels appropriate for your needs, working together to find what works for you. Amazing changes can be achieved in just one session, however a minimum of 3-4 including your ‘getting to know you’ session is recommended to allow space to recalibrate and explore what worked well/what didn’t. Cognitive Hypnotherapy works on the question ‘What is that about, and how can we use it?” Each session explores what is coming up for you and I work to guide you towards your desired changes using gentle, handpicked techniques and language just for you.
'Wordweaving' Scripts and between session tasks

Individualised scripts called ‘word weaving’ are incorporated into your sessions and I will send you a short recording to listen to between sessions. These recordings are based on your desired solution states and the language used throughout uses NLP techniques and trance states tailored to you to promote the most effective change we can. Depending on your needs I may also encourage you to complete tasks between sessions to support your overall goals and wellbeing. These will be agreed before the end of the session and it is encouraged you engage fully to get the most out of the therapeutic work.