Every clinical hypnotherapist has their own style and methodology when it comes to helping people overcome their problems. What is detailed in this book represents my approach to problem resolution, a method of practice that I have refined over time.
I will not, alas, be available to you in person. One-to-one sessions with a qualified clinical hypnotherapist that you like and trust are, in my opinion, the most beneficial form of hypnotherapeutic treatment you can get. You just can’t beat the luxury of one-to-one, focused help. But, such sessions generally appear expensive (it can feel hard to justify spending a considerable amount of money on yourself, particularly at a time of global economic instability) and often require time off work to attend – a double-whammy.
But, what I do offer within the pages of this book and the accompanying audios is my knowledge, knowledge gained from working with many clients for over ten years. You will be guided step by step through a development programme that will enable you to make changes at your own pace, changes that will assist you in understanding and relieving those feelings of discomfort and dissatisfaction, and help you achieve a greater sense of control and effectiveness in your life.
And, what are my expectations of you? Well, to be completely frank, I’m expecting a lot. To follow this process will require time, hard work, persistence and commitment (not to mention access to the internet to download the audios, many sheets of paper and multiple ink-filled pens). Plus, it’s vital to understand from the very beginning of this process that the key to successful change is self-responsibility. With this in mind, in following this procedure, I am asking you to agree to take personal responsibility for the outcome.
The questions marked in grey are for you to work through yourself. When you first encounter these questions, they might seem rather demanding. In some ways, they are; they have been intentionally designed to encourage you to stop and think. But do not be put off by them; the more accurate self-knowledge you have, the better able you will be to make advantageous decisions about yourself and your life. So, I recommend you take your time to address each question – see it as an investment of your time, an investment in yourself – reflect, make notes and re-assess your responses. Then recognise the relevance of each response in relation to the discomfort and dissatisfaction you’re currently feeling. If you come across a question that seems just too difficult to tackle, leave it for a while and come back to it later.
Positive change improves lives, but the path to change can, at times, feel uncomfortable and arduous, and setbacks can feel alarming. But, these difficulties are a very normal part of the change process. I ask you to stick with it. In fact, it’s often the issues that we struggle over most that can result in the most profound change.
Make a decision; is now the right time to embark on this project? Are you willing to fully commit to this process? Yes? Great. Then let’s get going. (If the answer is a firm ‘no’ to both questions, place this book on your ‘to be reviewed’ shelf and re-visit it regularly. And, if you’re hesitant in answering ‘yes’ to either question, gently ask yourself why this is the case and see if you can steer yourself toward a more definitive answer.)