Professional Memberships

I am a registered member of various professional, reputable, world-wide organisations. Each organisation requires me to adhere to a Strict Code of Ethics. This means that I am committed to a high level of professionalism, on-going training, and supervision ensuring that my clients always receive a safe, sound therapy.

My memberships are with:

• The Association of Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy (APHP).
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The British National Register of Advanced Hypnotherapists (NRAH).
  
  





• The National Council of Psychotherapists (NCP).
  
  





• The UK Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations (UKCHO).
  
  
  

Please visit these websites if you require further details.

Therapy > Depression help with Hypnotherapy

Are you feeling down or depressed?
Do you want to start living again rather than merely existing?
Are you ready to start overcoming anxiety and depression
for good?

Hypnotherapy treatment for depression could help you get your life back on track!

What is Depression?

Depression is often described as a feeling of lethargy, a bit like having the ‘flu’. Some people say it is a bit like ‘having a black cloud hanging over you’, ‘being stuck in a dark tunnel or hole’ or ‘seeing the world through dark glasses’. The feeling of depression is deeper, longer and more unpleasant than short periods of unhappiness that we all experience from time to time.

An Emotional Block

Feeling depressed is different to feeling sad because it is ‘a state of emotional block’ and sufferers often say they feel nothing/dead inside. Whereas sadness is a deep, powerful emotion and even though it hurts, it makes us feel alive.

It’s easy to miss the signs

It is important to remember that depression isn’t simply a case of either you’re depressed or you’re not. There’s a gradual progression from feeling blue to the full clinical illness as described above, and not everybody suffers every symptom. This can make it difficult for friends, family and loved ones to spot, and is why people often don’t even realise how depressed they are. They simply try to struggle on and cope by keeping busy. This can make them feel even more stressed and exhausted, sometimes causing physical pains such as constant headaches, stomach aches, backaches and sleeping difficulties.

Anger, Anxiety and Fear

Some people can be churning inside with anger and resentment yet rarely show it, so they become irritable, snappy and complain more. This is why depression is often thought of as ‘anger turned inwards’. Usually the sufferer feels guilty about expressing their thoughts and feelings so they become depressed and get stuck in a negative vicious cycle. Depressed people usually feel increasingly vulnerable, and things that they may have done easily before seem frightening. Anger, anxiety and fear are very much part of depression, as these emotions trigger off our natural instinctive ‘fight or flight survival response’ increasing our stress levels.

The Symptoms of Depression

Depression feels different to different people and not everyone will experience all of the following symptoms. Listed below are some of the most common symptoms that may indicate a person is suffering with depression:

• Feeling restless and agitated.
• Poor concentration and/or memory.
• Difficulty or inability to make decisions.
• Not coping with things that used to be manageable.
• Pessimism (e.g. the glass is always half empty instead of half full!)
• Constantly thinking about loss and self-blame.
• Feeling guilty.
• Self-criticism.
• Reduced levels of activity.
• Feeling tired all the time.
• Exhaustion both mental and physical (also known as ‘burn out’).
• Withdrawal from other people.
• Preoccupation with self.
• Increased fear and feelings of disorientation.
• Low confidence.
• Loss of sense of humour and the ability to enjoy things.
• Feelings of unattractiveness.
• Feelings of worthlessness.
• Feeling the future seems hopeless.
• Feelings of helplessness and/or despair.
• Inner feelings of emptiness and loneliness.
• Loss of interest in life.
• Feeling sad, upset and close to tears all the time.
• Crying a lot.
• Change in appetite (including weight gain and loss).
• Poor sleep patterns.
• Loss of interest in sex.
• Suicidal thoughts.

Who gets depressed?

Most people are likely to feel down and depressed at some time in their lives, although it is true that some people are more prone to depression than others. It can be due to low amounts of the chemicals Serotonin and Noradrenalin in the brain which may require Anti-Depressant medication. It is important to seek professional help if you feel you may be suffering with stress, anxiety, panic attacks and/or depression.

Understanding Depression

It is important to remember that once a person is in a depressive phase, it takes time and patience to come out of it. It is not as easy as just “Pulling yourself together” as some non-sufferers and unsympathetic observers often suggest. Listening and being non-judgemental is more helpful. If you can help the sufferer realise that they need to seek professional help then even better, however the person has to want to change – you cannot do it for them, and they must always make the first step on their road to recovery. Depression can often be the catalyst that makes a person change their life for the better, so they end up doing what they really want!

What causes Depression?

Sometimes there is an obvious reason for becoming depressed, and other times it isn’t so clear. There is usually more than one cause and different people have different reasons. For some people it may be because of a relationship breakdown, redundancy, the birth of a child or a bereavement. Whereas for others it can be too many demands on their time or too many life changes in too short a space of time. Whatever the reason it is important to take the first step and seek professional help.

Seeking Professional Help

There are two types of treatment available, talking treatments and medication. Medication can be effective if the depression is severe or goes on for a long time. It can also help with anxiety, panic attacks and sleeping difficulties to help the sufferer deal with problems effectively again. However, medication can have side effects and doesn’t always deal with the root cause(s) of the depression. It is therefore important to consult your GP and a Professional Therapist like myself to help you decide the best plan of action. Sometimes combining medication and therapy is the best option, and other times the sufferer prefers therapy to medication.

Clinical Hypnotherapy

Clinical Hypnotherapy helps to get to the root(s) of the problem providing permanent relief from the symptoms. The important reprogramming work we do during therapy allows you to cope differently in future. There will always be a certain amount of stress in your everyday life, it is how you react to it that is important. If you really want to change your life then you can, you just need a bit of help!

Some Facts about Depression

• Depression affects one in five people at some point in their lives.
• For some people there is a genetic risk of depression but biological sensitivity can also arise from early life experiences.
• Depression in its various forms is very common and has been for thousands of years.
• Millions of people all over the world suffer from depression, so you are not alone!
• Anyone can get low or depressed regardless of status or fortune. Indeed, many famous people including King Solomon, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill are well-known examples from history.
• It is important to remember that depression is NOT about human weakness. Our bodies have simply become overstressed and exhausted leaving us feeling defeated.
• Depression is associated with negative thinking and reduced positive behaviours. It involves changes in both our body and mind.
• Learning to exert more control over our lives and our thoughts can help us in many ways, not least by giving our brain chemistry a chance to recover.

The Mind and Body Connection

When you feel depressed, the last thing you want to hear is that ‘it’s all psychological’ or ‘only a state of mind’. You are most probably feeling tired and aimless, you may not be sleeping well and so you may feel exhausted. You may even feel physically unwell, ‘not your normal self’.

The fact is though that our mind and body does work differently when we are depressed. It is as much a physical problem as a psychological one. The mind and body really are one, even though we tend to think of them as separate. There is truth in that saying, ‘A healthy mind equals a healthy body!’

The Downward Spiral

As we become stressed, biological changes take place in our brain and these can lead us into downward spirals of stress and depression. Some of our negative ways of thinking are due to the way stress works to make us focus on the negative and assume the worst.

Stress is the Key

Nowadays, the connection between stress and depression is well documented and although stress is often blamed for all our problems - stress and anxiety really are key contributory factors because they affect our mood chemicals.

The Effects of Depression

• If you suffer from depression, you will be well aware that it is far more than just feeling down. It affects not only how we feel but how we think about things, our energy levels, our concentration, our sleep, even our interest in sex. Depression has an effect on many different aspects of our lives and is very demotivating.
• The emotions such as anger, anxiety and fear are common and at times more troubling than the depression itself.
• Some people become very agitated and find it extremely difficult to relax. They feel trapped and pace about, wanting to do something but not knowing what. Sometimes, the desire to escape and run away can be very strong. Yet again though, where to go and what to do is unclear.
• Some forms of depression are quite severe while others are less so but still deeply disturbing and life-crippling.

The Good News

Nowadays, there are many things that can be done to help people who are depressed. There are some good drugs (Anti-Depressants) available and many effective psychological treatments including Hypnotherapy, Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

Breaking the ‘Vicious Cycle’

There really is no need to suffer in silence, you just need a bit of help to break free from the ‘negative vicious cycle’ in order to regain control of your life.