Diana Martin BA (Hons), DCH, D.Hyp (Distinction), MBSCH, Dip S. Mgt, Dip CBH, CHFT is a member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis and The International Stress Management Association. She has completed diplomas in clinical hypnotherapy, stress management and cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy. Diana is a certified HypnoBirthing Fertility Therapist and has also trained with Sjanie Hugo in the Fertile Body Method. She is a director of the St. Albans and Hertsmere Women's Refuge and works closely with local GPs and consultants both in the NHS and private sector.
Diana employs a combination of skills and strategies to help you:
* Understand how you think * Rid yourself of irrational fears
* Respond effectively to challenges * Deal with stressful situations
* Become more confident * Learn to live a more positive life
In simple terms, hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness. Clinical Hypnotherapy, therefore, is the use of an altered state of consciousness, or trance state, to help carry out therapy. This means that individuals are therapeutically treated in hypnosis rather than with hypnosis. (more..)
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
CBT is a psychotherapeutic approach in which the client and therapist work together to identify and explore how our beliefs about ourselves, the world and others affect our thoughts, physical feelings, behaviours and emotions in the here and now. This is a brief, solution focused therapy which aims to help clients re-evaluate their coping resources and their perception of their problems in order to bring about positive change.
What is Stress Management?
Stress is the adverse reaction experienced when a person perceives their ability to cope is exceeded by the perceived demand placed upon them. An individual’s perception is therefore key to coping with life’s problems. Stress management is about understanding how stress affects our bodies and emotions, learning new strategies to reduce the impact of unavoidable pressure and being able to see everyday events in our world in a non-threatening way.
Clinical Hypnotherapy
A hypnotic state is a very pleasant state of relaxation, which individuals allow themselves to enter so that the therapeutic process can be carried out directly with the part of the mind known as the subconscious mind. In this hypnotic state the conscious, rational part of the brain is temporarily bypassed making the subconscious part receptive to therapy. During the trance state there is heightened concentration for the specific purpose of maximising potential, changing limiting beliefs and behaviours and gaining insight and wisdom.
Clinical Hypnosis practised by a trustworthy and professionally qualified therapist is completely safe.
How does Clinical Hypnosis work?
The subconscious mind is where our memories, emotions, beliefs, and behaviours are stored as information. Hypnosis is an effective technique for accessing the subconscious mind and thereby effecting the changes we desire by finding solutions to our problems and concerns.
Any therapeutic intervention implies change, so entering a trance state alone does not bring about the desired therapeutic change. Once the individual has achieved a trance state the clinical hypnotherapist uses a range of therapeutic methods ranging from simple suggestions to psychoanalysis.
Some uses such as calming a person require minimal change on the part of the individual, but more complex behaviour patterns such as overeating or treatment of panic disorders or reactive (non-clinical) depression require a more complex therapeutic intervention together with psychological and behavioural homework.
What happens in a hypnotherapy session?
The initial task of the therapist is to establish rapport with the client. This involves encouraging the client to talk about his or her concerns. The therapist would spend time with the client first to take a clinical history. As well as establishing a clinical record, the discussion contributes to building trust and confidence between the therapist and the client. Feeling safe, comfortable and secure with the therapist helps the induction of a hypnotic trance.
Goals for therapy are discussed and agreed and a full explanation of hypnosis is provided. Any questions or misconceptions about hypnosis would also be dealt with at this time.
There are many different ways of achieving trance state. Usually, the client sits or lies back in a reclining chair and the therapist speaks in a slow and soothing voice, guiding the client into a deep state of relaxation. Although the client will feel very relaxed, they will still be aware of their surroundings.
The number of treatments depends on the problem or symptom and the individual's circumstances. Although anywhere between one and 15 sessions may be required, the average number is around six. All sessions last between an hour to an hour and a half.
Verulam Clinic.
118 Victoria Street St Albans AL1 3TG
Phone/Fax 01727 833100
