Zoe Clews & Associates

5 Ways in Which Hypnotherapy Can Change Your Life

 

Hypnosis is a centuries-old tool, which has recently risen to popularity as an effective way of treatment for a variety of issues. More and more people turn to hypnotherapists because studies back the idea that it is useful in the long run. Could it be the solution to your problems? Perhaps. 

 

Let’s browse a few ways in which hypnotherapy can help you make positive changes in your life: 

Smoking cessation – as it turns out, hypnotherapy is a good method to get you to quit smoking. It presents itself as a viable alternative to all of the other methods, including medication, nicotine bubble gums and all that. Like any other addiction, smoking presents some challenges the individual must overcome on a psychological level. Even though it is your body craving for nicotine, you can easily overcome this by knowing why you turn to smoking in the first place. It could be a way to combat stress or to ease yourself into doing something else. The hypnotherapist can get to the reasons behind your smoking problem and make helpful suggestions to change your thoughts about smoking into something more helpful. 

Overeating – a healthy diet and plenty of physical exercises are the two major factors for successful weight loss. Emotional overeating often gets in the way and it is hypnotherapy that can combat it. The hypnotherapist will examine the issue with you and come up with a solution for it. They may reveal a problem with stress and your thinking that food is a way to fix it. They will try to fix your triggers, which are making you turn to food for comfort, and replace your beliefs with something more effective. The secret lies with the fact that overeating is something your subconscious unlocks, but it is an easily fixable problem, once hypnotherapy gets in the way. 

 

Cure phobias – a lot of people feel dread and experience crippling panic when faced with certain things. Phobias develop in a variety of ways, but they have one thing in common: all of them are more of a psychological problem. The secret to overcoming phobias is working on the subconscious part of the mind, which is where the fears and anxiety stem from. By accessing this part, a hypnotherapist can find out exactly why you developed a phobia and help you overcome the problem by making helpful suggestions. In doing so, they will give you a new perspective on things and help you adopt new views on the stressful situation or object that is causing you dread. That way you will react differently to it, and potentially overcome it entirely.

Improve sports performance – a great number of sports professionals have turned to hypnotherapy to better their results on the field. The secret lies with the skill of using visualization. Seeing the successful move in your mind, or yourself triumphing over what must be done in your kind of sport is vital for success. A hypnotherapist can help with this, but also with building up mental endurance, which is also essential for success in any kind of sport.

Relieve stress and anxiety – a lot of people are struggling with anxiety. The good news is that hypnotherapy presents a fine way to combat the problem. It works by allowing the expert to examine the root causes of anxiety and provide long-lasting solutions by changing your views and thoughts on these experiences and situations. Adopting a new perspective can have a positive effect and minimize your anxiety.

As you can see, there is a lot that hypnotherapy brings to the table in regards to dealing with some of the most common issues people face. It is up to you to make the most of it. 

 

© Zoe Clews & Associates

5 Signs it is Time to See a Psychosexual Therapist

 

How long has it been since you have had satisfying sex with your partner? For those lucky enough to experience great emotional and physical connection with their partner, the answer will likely be ‘just recently’. But for many people out there, there is a notable decline in the sexual connection with their partner, and there are problems that manifest themselves in various forms. 

 

If you fall into the latter category, you will want to consider sex therapy services. According to experts, this is a good way to overcome many of the issues that plague intimacy. If you are not quite sure whether such services are right for you, there are a few notable signs to look out for: 

 

1. You have suddenly lost your libido

 

There is a notable difference between ‘not feeling in the mood for sex’ and sudden loss of libido. In the former case, you may feel tired or distracted and not feel like doing bedroom action for a night or two. In the latter case, the problem comes with a complete disinterest in sex. If you notice a sudden change in your desires about sex, and the change lasts long, it may be a problem you need to look into.

 

2. All you can think about is sex

 

In contrast with the first problem, if you find yourself thinking about sex a lot, this too may be a cause of concern. Sex is good, so why wouldn’t you dream and fantasise about it? As it turns out, if your sexual desire has suddenly spiked, it may cause you to concentrate too much on it, to the point where it gets in the way of some daily activities. Sex may become not an enjoyable act, but a preoccupation, which requires help to overcome. 

 

3. Reaching orgasm has become a problem

 

Reaching orgasm indeed requires a different approach for everyone; for some, it comes easy, for others, it takes longer and is much more difficult. It is okay to be in either camp, but there might be a problem if you have changed sides all of a sudden. If you find yourself unable to reach an orgasm, even though you try to make your sex life exciting, there might be a new mental problem that a psychosexual therapist can help with. There is another kind of problem in regards to orgasm, in the form of feeling pressured about it. If you feel like reaching/making your partner reach orgasm is a requirement, otherwise, you have failed, there is a certain pressure, which could create problems in your love life. 

 

4. Sexual trauma has manifested itself

 

Sexual trauma can negatively affect your love life. And the effect doesn’t even always occur instantly, but years later. The affected may experience a wide range of problems, from avoiding sex and feeling great stress about it, to more severe cases of avoiding connection altogether. One of the best ways to combat this is to speak to a therapist. 

 

5. You are at an impasse with your partner

 

Sometimes you can trace the issues to your relationship, not yourself alone. Any imbalances there will affect your sex life negatively. One of the most common reasons for this is varying levels of libido between both partners. A sex therapist who focuses on work with couples may be the best option to resolve such issues and restore balance in the relationship, essentially solving the sexual difficulties the couple encounters. 

 

If you feel like some of these signs are true for you, then seeing a sex therapist presents a great way to solve the present problems and give your sex life a much-needed boost. 

 

© Zoe Clews & Associates

6 Good Reasons Why You should Work with a Life Coach

 

There is hardly a second opinion on this: life is hard. Between all of the obligations and expectations, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. The pressure mounts and adds more weight, which holds you down and doesn’t allow you to follow your goals and true passions. It may get to the point where life passes you by, and you feel like you cannot get back on track.

 

Working with a life coach is a way to fix this. In fact, an expert like this can be of so much use to you. Below you will find a few more good reasons to consider hiring a good life coach.

 

1. You find it difficult to follow your goals 

 

Achieving goals is no easy feat. It is not just setting the goals themselves that is hard, but also following them through. A life coach is someone who can help you define your goals better and also motivate you to achieve them. They will even be able to offer a new perspective on why you haven’t been able to achieve those goals in the past, thus allowing you to continue to improve and get back on track.

 

2. You need to limit the beliefs that are holding you back 

 

In most cases, people find it difficult to follow through with their goals because of the limiting beliefs held in their subconscious mind. One of the goals of a life coach is to help identify these beliefs and help you push through them.

 

3. You have no idea where to begin 

 

Sometimes it can be difficult to begin. You know what you want to achieve, but you don’t know where to begin. As a result, you never start. Whatever the reason for this inability to start, a life coach can help you identify it and overcome it. It is always the first step that is most important, and life coaches can help you make it.

 

4. You cannot define a clear vision

 

Does it ever feel like you are living by someone else’s wishes and rules? Your goals may not reflect what you are after. As a result, you may feel like you are pushed and pulled in different directions, lacking the vision of what you want to achieve. A life coach can help you gain a new perspective on the things that are most important to you and define those as new passions to pursue.

 

5. There is some chaos in your finances/career/business/relationship 

 

If you feel like your life is in disarray, you will need some help to get through the most difficult times. Regardless of which field of life you are most struggling in, working with a coach gives you a way to see the forest from the trees. Identifying the complexities and the problems that surround you is just the beginning.

 

6. Stress and anxiety are taking the best of you

 

If stress and anxiety are recurring themes in your life, things can seem pretty bleak. It is not difficult to see why you can get so stressed out. What is more difficult is to learn how to minimise the effect of these emotions thanks to a brand new perspective that a life coach can give you.

 

Now that you know what a life coach can help you with, you should search for one. There is a lot to be gained from such experts, and it is up to you to do so in a way that meets your goals.

 

© Zoe Clews & Associates

The Difference between Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

 

A lot of people lack the knowledge of what hypnosis and hypnotherapy really are. Even though hypnotherapy and hypnosis are popular terms nowadays, a lot of people seem confused as to what each of them means. More importantly, it is good to point out that there is a difference between the two. To find out more on the matter, you should consult this guide answering some of the more essential questions. Let’s begin. 

What is hypnosis?

In essence, hypnosis is guiding someone in a state of trance. There are different definitions as to what the trance state is, but most of them refer to it as a state of deep mental relaxation, as well as being extremely focused. Another thing about the state of hypnosis is that a person becomes more prone to suggestions. While all this may sound very complex, in reality, the hypnotic state is nothing extraordinary. In fact, you probably enter a trance state regularly, zoning out while you are on the bus for work or getting lost in thoughts as you listen to music. The difference is that hypnosis is a state, which someone else induces. 

What are some myths about hypnosis?

Hypnosis is not a form of mind control. It is surprising how many believe this is the exact case, whereas this is an entirely media-driven myth. When under hypnosis, you remain fully aware and conscious, and you retain your ability to guide your actions. Even the part about planting suggestions in your mind is nothing new, since movies, books, music and advertisements you see constantly do it. 

What is hypnotherapy?

If hypnosis is the tool, hypnotherapy is the use of this tool. Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis as a form of therapy to accomplish the goals of resolving an issue. In that sense, practising hypnotherapy means using hypnosis as a way to help a person overcome their physical or mental condition. It turns out the hypnotic trance is a flexible tool for this purpose, and it serves to help people quit smoking, prevent overeating, relieve chronic pain or the symptoms of IBS, for instance. Furthermore, research shows hypnotherapy is also a fine method for addressing anxiety, addiction, depression and PTSD. 

How does hypnotherapy work?

The subconscious mind of a person is where most of their memories, emotions, thoughts and experiences reside. During hypnotherapy, the subconscious becomes accessible. Thanks to the guidance of the hypnotherapist, a person can pull up the memories and experiences buried deep in their subconscious, which could be causing the mental health problems. In other words, it is possible to create new conclusions about the old memories and choices of the past, essentially changing habits. This is particularly useful for shaking common addictions like smoking. 

Is hypnotherapy effective?

A lot of experts believe that hypnotherapy holds great potential and is in fact a better alternative to conventional therapy methods. Enough studies point out to the fact that hypnotic procedures are beneficial to many of the problems of psychotherapy, psychiatry and medicine. There is also proof from brain imagining technology showing that there are physical manifestations of the therapy in the parts of the brain responsible for change and insight. Therefore, it is a good idea to consider hypnotherapy for treating various conditions, as it holds great potential. 

Knowing more about hypnosis and hypnotherapy means that you can better take advantage of treatment for your problem. With the powerful aid of the hypnosis tool, an expert can help you overcome a significant problem. 

© Zoe Clews & Associates

What are the Signs it is time to See a Psychosexual Therapist?

 

 

There is no denying the fact that couples deal with their sexual compatibility differently. Some people like to seek help immediately when they hit a bump on the road, whereas others are reluctant to do so and live with the problem for a long time. 

 

Regardless of what group you fall into, you need to realise that sexual problems aren’t that uncommon, even in committed relationships of long periods. If the issues remain unresolved for a long time, this may cause a lack of connection, feelings of loneliness, and in many cases, even separate the partners. The result can be devastating for both men and women. 

 

Regardless of what stage you are on with your partner currently, if you ever experience any issues, you will do well to seek expert help. Here are the signs that will help you identify the  need for psychosexual therapy

 

1. You want to make a change, but are getting nowhere

 

If you have a sexual problem and you are trying everything to solve it on your own, then you know you may need expert help. Sometimes people don’t want to talk about such matters with their partners, or said people aren’t on the same page as them. You may end up in a situation where you constantly have the same discussions and arguments, potentially harming your relationship. Instead, you should turn to a sex therapist. They will not only help you understand the nature of the problem better but also present a solution to it.  

 

2. Some sexual issue is so close to you that it is practically your life

 

Usually, couples figure what works for them and adopt certain patterns when it comes to sex. They make it so that they get the most of the sex, but that pattern only lasts for a short while. Without some open communication and variation, it will lose effectiveness. The main problem then comes from changing that pattern, which can be so deeply ingrained, as to cause a lot of trouble. The job of the sex therapist then is to identify the pattern and present different options, which the couple may be blind to. 

 

3. You want change, but don’t know where to start

 

When it comes to sexual issues, it is only natural for people to research possible options and solutions online. The only problem is that the advice you read online can often be too vague, or simply not cover your case. Thanks to the guidance of a sex therapist, you will get a tailor-made solution, complete with potential exercises for you to follow. That way, you are treating the problem directly. 

4. You know there is a problem, but don’t know what it is

 

The cause of sexual problems is often difficult to pinpoint, simply because the factors that contribute to them are so numerous. There are gender differences, cultural shame, relationship problems, physical and mental issues that even you may be unaware of. Because sex therapists often possess multidisciplinary perspective, they can accurately identify the issue and work with you to overcome it. 

 

5. You feel uncomfortable doing or fantasising about erotic things

 

It is no secret people have various feelings and thoughts at some point in their life. This is only normal, but if you are feeling uncomfortable about it, you can see a sex therapist. They are non-judgemental and will lend a new perspective to your beliefs and fantasies, allowing you to address them easily when going forward

 

Now that you know what the most common signs for trouble are, you can better determine when to seek help in the form of psychosexual therapy. 

 

© Zoe Clews & Associates

How to Ensure that Hypnotherapy Works for You

Hypnotherapy has become quite a popular solution for many problems in people, from physical issues to habits, beliefs, fears and other mental problems that you wish to overcome. Surely you have wondered how to resolve many of these blunders in your life, to feel better and improve your wellbeing. Many people are rather sceptical about hypnotherapy. They believe that hypnosis as a whole is nothing more than a stage act and that it will hardly help them in any way. Of course, this is not true, and there is a growing number of researches that proves it. Hypnotherapy is useful in many ways, even more so when you consider some of the following tips that will help you get the best results:

You should find out what it works for

Hypnotherapy offers a broad range of solutions to many issues, some of which may even surprise you. For example, hypnotherapy is excellent for various children’s issues, like bedwetting, low self-esteem, problems with concentration, etc. Adults can benefit from treatment of various phobias and conditions that have a lot to do with the psyche – emotional eating, addiction, anxiety. Hypnotherapy is a well-known treatment for people with depression. Sports people often resort to this method, to improve their performance on the field or overcome the obstacles that are holding them back from giving 100%. Evidently, knowing what you can use hypnotherapy for is a sure way to make the most of it, and seek it out in the first place.

Seek a therapist with a medical background

Since hypnotherapists don’t have special training by law, sometimes you can end up with a person who has little experience and no clue how to address your issue. One thing you can do to minimise the risk of ending up with someone who cannot help is to find a therapist with a medical background. Whether it is a doctor, a counsellor or a psychologist, working with a hypnotherapist who has the expertise is a sure way to see positive results in regards to the issue you are dealing with.

Look for an expert with experience in your problem

Hypnotherapy can help with many things, but the best way for it to do so is to have an experienced therapist on your side. Sometimes the issue may be rather severe, such as a mental health problem (depression, anxiety, phobia), or perhaps you are trying to improve your weight loss efforts. When you find a therapist with experience on the matter, you are significantly improving your chances for the treatment to work.

Ask people you know for a recommendation

If you have a friend or a family member who has been to hypnotherapy, ask them about their experience. If they are happy with the service, maybe you too should try the same therapist. This is all the more important if it is the same problem you want to deal with. Although it is true that hypnotherapy works differently for everyone, at least you will know that the therapist helped someone you know.

Check if their organisation is accredited

Working with an accredited hypnotherapist is another way to tell if they are serious and work to the approved standards. See if they are part of an organisation that maintains high standards from another authority on the matter. As you can see, there are quite a few ways to improve the odds of hypnotherapy helping you out. It is up to you to make the most of it. For more hypnotherapy news and tips, make sure to visit Zoe Clews & Associates.

 

© Zoe Clews & Associates

Can Hypnotherapy be used for Addiction and What are the Benefits?

 

Addiction is a major issue, which causes quite a lot of problems for the individual as well as for their family/loved ones. As devastating as it may sound, there is always a bright side. In this case, it comes in various forms of treatment, among which is hypnotherapy. This kind of therapy is gaining more popularity and recognition, as studies reveal the beneficial impact it has on an addict.

According to many, hypnotherapy can successfully deal with addiction, because the problem is mainly a mental one. Many studies reveal that hypnotherapy performed throughout several weeks can severely help people get off drugs and stay that way for an extended period of time. Such success rates should come as no surprise because hypnosis has been used for treating drug addiction since the 70s.  

So what exactly is hypnotherapy?

In essence, this is the science of using hypnosis to affect a person’s unconscious part of the mind positively. This should not be confused with stage hypnosis, which is mostly used for entertainment purposes. In hypnotherapy, a trained therapist talks to their client about different aspects of their life and what the person wants to change/achieve. Afterwards, the said client is put in a trance-like state. In it, their conscious mind is completely relaxed, which allows the therapist to imprint various positive unconscious commands on their mind.

During hypnotherapy, the client is in a state of extreme suggestibility. This doesn’t mean they can be asked to do absurd things. On the contrary, they are in control, because the state they are in is neither asleep nor awake. Their unconscious mind is accessed and thus open to suggestions, which the therapist provides.

There is unequivocal empirical support that hypnotherapy works. When it comes to addiction, it has clear benefits:

  • Helps with the withdrawal symptoms – going through rehab is painful for anyone and it - sometimes causes people to return to the substance. Thanks to hypnosis, the severity of these withdrawal symptoms can be significantly alleviated.
  • Helps physical/mental pain – other than withdrawal discomfort, there is also a physical and psychological pain for the addicted to deal with. Hypnosis works wonders for these symptoms, whether on its own or alongside other forms of treatment.
  • Adjustment of addictive behaviours – to beat addiction, one often needs behavioural adjustment techniques. Since hypnosis targets the unconscious, it can easily change these deeply-rooted behaviours.
  • Gives the person better emotional health – anxiety and depression often manifest in a person battling addiction. Hypnotherapy steps in to help with both of these symptoms. By undergoing sustained hypnotherapy, one can remain focused on rehab and reduce the stress caused by withdrawal symptoms. Not only will it take the edge of these symptoms, but also decrease the chance of co-occurring disorders.

As you can see, hypnotherapy is definitely a worthy choice in the battle against addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with the condition, be sure to try it out.

Find out how hypnotherapy can further help with addiction by contactingZoe Clews & Associates on 07766 515 272.



© Zoe Clews & Associates