What can I tell you about me? I am 43, live in St Albans in Hertfordshire where my practice is located however like many of us at the moment I am doing online sessions which are just as good. I am married with an adult daughter and have a large extended family. I like bright colours, jumpsuits and dancing around the kitchen!
I got my first pet in my mid 20's, a rabbit named Flopsie, well she was really my daughter's, and she was joined by Muffin, Monsieur Pom Pom, Big Mamma and Missy! I had never appreciated the way that pets can make you feel, spending time watching them and stroking them always made my day, thanks to the release of serotonin. I will revisit serotonin in a future post.
Since I was small I have always wanted to work with people and spent over 20 years working within the voluntary sector and social care. During my career I have worked with adults with learning disabilities, older people, children, young people and with individuals with mental health needs. I love being able to support people to be the best versions of themselves and feel privileged that I was trusted by them. Over the years I have learnt so much from the people I have cared for, as well as my colleagues, and enjoying bringing what I have learnt to my practice.
So how did I come to Solution Focused Hypnotherapy?
Throughout my career I have always enjoyed training and finding out about how best to support and care for people and my self. School is not where I did most of my learning and since leaving I have completed a degree in Social Sciences with the Open University, Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling and most recently achieved a Diploma in Hypnotherapy and a Hypnotherapy Practitioner's Diploma.
Never has a course had so much of an impact on me. When I started my solution focused hypnotherapy course I had thought about putting the skills into action at some point and maybe becoming a therapist in the future. However, as the course progressed it became clear that I did not want to wait. The transformative effect of hypnotherapy I could see within clients, alongside coming to understand the neuroscience that underpins it, propelled me to want to move forward and help as many as people as possible.
Neuroscience? Yes, that's right. Through the use of brain imaging techniques, you can see the impact of trance which is used during hypnotherapy sessions. New ways of thinking (positively) can be created through hypnosis, leading to new pathways being created in the brain (neuroplasticity); which will be covered in a future blog. It's fascinating!
What does this mean for you?
You can be assured that I am qualified and continue to develop my skills. I have completed and achieved the following qualifications:
- Diploma Solution Focused Hypnotherapy
- Hypnotherapy practitioners Diploma
Which means that I have studied extensively, attending classes, working with clients as well as completing a portfolio of case studies and answering theoretical questions as part of an accredited course achieving the above Diplomas.
I am also a member of the following membership bodies:
- Association For Solution Focused Hypnotherapists
- National Council Hypnotherapy
- Complementary Natural Healthcare Council
- Black, African and Asian Therapy Network
All of which requires me to undertake continuous professional development, have DBS, insurance and to regular reflect and review my practice. I will continue to expand my knowledge so that I can support you to achieve your goals.