Press releases from us

Following Jamie Oliver’s recent programme on Channel 4 called, “Jamie’s Sugar Rush”, many people are trying to reduce the amount of sugar in their homes in an attempt to help reduce rising obesity levels.

To help with this, Trevor Eddolls, a Chippenham-based hypnotherapy master practitioner who supervises other hypnotherapists, is offering a free sugar elimination hypnotherapy session for anyone who drops off the sugary contents of their household at his Chippenham-based practice.

This comes after a recent report by the British Medical Association cast sugar as the villain of Britain’s obesity crisis, with one in three expected to be obese by 2030.

Trevor, who is hoping to be inundated with bags of sugar and sugary foods being dropped off said: “With this campaign, I’m not expecting everyone to suddenly rid their houses of every single chocolate bar, biscuit, and fizzy drink in sight.

“It’s more about raising the awareness of the dangers of sugar and encouraging people to make small changes, such as eating foods with naturally occurring sugar, instead.

“When we eat chocolate, and it tastes good, our mind learns that chocolate is ‘good’. But, for many of us, when we eat broccoli we don’t like the taste so we learn that it’s ‘bad’!

“Using the language of the subconscious mind, I guide people to create their own meaningful new ‘programs’ for letting sugar go and replacing it with other more positive habits that they would like to create.

“It’s incredibly powerful, and it works. It has been proven to be a very effective way to help you manage your sugar intake, whether your goal is just to cut back or to eliminate it from your diet completely.”

The NHS’s recommended daily guidelines for added sugar are currently 70g (17.5 teaspoons) for men and 50g for women (12.5 teaspoons), depending on a person’s size, age, and activity levels.

Trevor added: “Taking in too much sugar upsets your body’s built-in automatic blood sugar regulation mechanism. You may feel panicky and anxious after a sugar hit, or tired and sluggish when the effect wears off, setting off a renewed craving.

“After the hypnotherapy sessions, people say they feel much calmer generally, and less haunted by worries about sugar and weight. They begin to apply sensible strategies to control what they eat in a sustainable way and have reported finding it much easier to resist the appeal of sweet things and make healthier choices.

“After just one session many people find that their palate has already started to change and low-sugar foods start to taste really good. As your metabolism regains its natural equilibrium you start to feel so much better, changing your overall outlook on life.”

Contact Trevor for more information on how to claim your free sugar-elimination hypnotherapy session on 01249 443256 or visit www.ihypno.biz.

We’re barely into the summer and already people are starting training for those first games in the autumn – and many are using solution-focused hypnotherapy to gain that psychological edge when competing.

It is well know that professional sporting teams often use psychologists to help their players achieve that all important advantage and solution-focused hypnotherapy can be crucial in providing that all important edge to help you improve your game.

Trevor Eddolls, a fully-qualified and insured practitioner, says: “We all possess what we metaphorically term a ‘stress bucket’, and when our bucket fills up then our ability to concentrate on our game can suffer.”

“Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help a client empty their ‘stress bucket’ through harnessing the power of positive thinking and using trance – which is a safe and natural process.”

“Reducing that stress bucket load for any sports’ person is vital because it’ll help their mind to be focused on what they want to achieve and help them to think like a winner!”

“That ability to push yourself forward at Mile 20 of a 26.2 mile marathon can be hinged on your ability to be able to think in a positive way and that comes down to engaging that all important ‘can do’ mindset” says Trevor.

Hypnotherapy isn’t just useful for runners or team players, a number of professional boxers have also been known to embrace solution-focused hypnotherapy to help them achieve that all important advantage over their opponent.

Solution-focused hypnotherapy can also help with relaxation before and after competing, and visualizations – so you can see and hear and feel yourself as a winner.

So, if you are looking to help yourself to improve your game, or if you are looking to generally improve aspects of your game – or your life, contact Trevor Eddolls to see how solution-focused hypnotherapy could work for you.

Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. A person can often feel overwhelmed and unable to do their job as well as before.

Trevor Eddolls is a fully-qualified and insured therapist who is based in Chippenham. “The signs and symptoms of burnout are subtle at first and can build as time goes on. Burnout can manifest itself in a number of ways: physical, emotional, and behavioural”, says Trevor.

The physical signs of burnout include:

• Being tired and drained most of the time
• Lowered immunity, feeling sick a lot
• Frequent headaches, back pain, muscle aches
• Change in appetite or sleep habits.

The emotional signs of burnout include:

• Sense of failure and self-doubt
• Feeling helpless, trapped, and defeated
• Detachment, feeling alone in the world
• Loss of motivation
• Increasingly cynical and negative outlook
• Decreased satisfaction and sense of accomplishment.

And the behavioural signs of burnout include:

• Withdrawing from responsibilities
• Isolating yourself from others
• Procrastinating, taking longer to get things done
• Using food, drugs, or alcohol to cope
• Taking your frustrations out on others
• Skipping work or coming in late and leaving early.

Trevor explains: "Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a fantastic tool for helping people to reduce their stress loads. It allows the client to work with the practitioner in a way that is entirely forward focused, so you don't have to delve into past issues. It also is based on positivity and on building a strong foundation for a brighter future."

If any of the above sounds familiar then hypnotherapy may be able to help you.

As we get closer to those Christmas and New Year parties, you may find yourself looking at your wardrobe and thinking of ways to fit into that party dress or dinner jacket.

Well, if you are looking to shed a few pounds, it may be worth thinking about the benefits of visiting a Solution Focused Hypnotherapy practitioner.

Trevor Eddolls is a fully-qualified and insured therapist who is based in Chippenham. “We work with a client to help them to reduce their stress levels and focus on positive ways to move forward in their lives”, says Trevor.

“In doing so, we allow them to take control over specific areas that may have caused issues, which might have resulted in them overeating or indulging in certain foods that perhaps weren’t good for them”, says Trevor.

With obesity costing the health service billions of pounds a year and with some reported figures showing that obesity affects a quarter of adults, it is a serious issue for many people.

“Obviously anyone with health concerns about their weight should talk to their doctor”, says Trevor. “Where we can help with Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is in guiding a client towards achieving a set of goals that, in turn, build up over a period of time to help them take control over their eating habits.

“We are helping people to get into the correct mindset and then engage with their subconscious so that we can break the habit of poor eating.

“During the Initial Consultation, we explain how the brain works and also the different natural occurrences and reactions that happen in our body when we ingest food.

“Solution Focused Hypnotherapy allows the client to work with the practitioner in a way that is entirely forward focused, so you don’t have to delve into past issues. It also is based on positivity and the building a strong foundation for a brighter future.”

The therapy can also help with stopping smoking, reducing stress, anxiety, anger levels, and OCD, together with dealing with phobias (such as a fear of flying). It can also help to ease chronic and persistent pain.

Chippenham-based hypnotherapist, Trevor Eddolls is urging the public to look for practitioners registered with the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), if they want to use hypnotherapy to help them give up smoking during the NHS’s Stoptober campaign.
Many people use hypnotherapy to provide extra help when giving up smoking. The CNHC is the UK regulator for complementary therapists that was set up with government funding and support.
Trevor says: "Hypnotherapy is often used to help clients achieve the behavioural change needed to stop smoking but it’s so important the public use someone who knows what they are doing".
Trevor added that: "Hypnotherapy is one of 15 therapies registered by the CNHC. There are over 5,200 practitioners on the register and members of the public can search the CNHC register to find practitioners in their local area. More than 265,000 searches have been carried out since the register first opened in 2009."

With the sunshine finally giving way to rain and the nights starting to draw in, it’s not uncommon for people to experience a low mood in the autumn months – especially if we have enjoyed a summer break with a spot of sea, sun, and sand.
It can also be tough to get back into the swing of things when darker mornings and early commutes become combined with working in a stressful environment.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help to improve people’s moods. “We all have what we term a stress bucket”, says Trevor Eddolls, a fully qualified and insured Solution Focused Hypnotherapy practitioner and supervisor.
“When we experience negative thinking, that metaphorical stress bucket starts to fill up until, eventually, it starts to overflow and then we can find it difficult to cope.”
Trevor says Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can really help. “We help people to empty their stress-bucket levels by encouraging them to focus on positive aspects of their lives and to work through solutions with them so that they can move forward in their lives.
“Each session also has a hypnosis aspect attached to it where the trained and qualified practitioner can work with someone when they are in a trance state. Trance is actually perfectly normal, and we go in and out of trance on a regular basis every day – it is simply the brain’s way of processing information and emptying the stress bucket.
“When a client goes into the trance state, we are effectively aiding them in emptying their stress bucket and so allowing them to be able to cope with life in a more contented fashion.”
Stress can manifest itself in a number of ways and Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is designed to help people by focusing on future events in their life. As Trevor says, “Our job is to help someone move forwards in their life by looking at ways to make tomorrow better than today.
“Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a fantastic tool for helping people to reduce their stress loads but, obviously, it is important that people also remember that their doctor is there if they feel they need to discuss any stress-related issues with their GP.”
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can also help with stopping smoking, weight, anger and sleep management, along with phobias (such as a fear of flying) and easing pain.

With this year’s air tragedies in the Ukraine, Africa, and the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, some people find that flying can bring out some of their worst fears.
The fear of flying is a very common phobia and it can be reassuring to remember that, despite recent events, statistically speaking, it is still one of the safest forms of travel.
Government figures show far fewer deaths or serious injuries being linked to air travel than motorcycling, cycling, or driving.
Based on statistics from the Department of Transport, there is a far greater chance of being killed by simply crossing the road than being a passenger on a plane.
It is estimated that around 10 million people in the UK have a phobia and a common one is flying – with some people avoiding plane travel altogether, so missing out on holidays abroad, reunions, and even work opportunities.
In fact, people who say they have a fear of flying (aerophobia), may have:

• A belief that, regardless of statistics that show air travel to be remarkably safe, if they fly, their plane will crash.
• A fear of closed in spaces (claustrophobia), such as that of an aircraft cabin.
• A fear of heights (acrophobia).
• A feeling of not being in control.
• A fear of vomiting, where a person will be afraid that they’ll have motion sickness on board, or encounter someone having motion sickness and have no control over it (such as escaping it).
• A fear of being unable to control emotions, such as panic or claustrophobia, when not in control or able to escape.
• A fear of hijacking or terrorism.
• A fear of turbulence.
• A fear of flying over water or night flying.

Trevor Eddolls says: “As therapists, we see a substantial number of people who are afraid of getting onto a plane, but after four sessions with us then we find that the majority feel safe and secure when flying – with many actually enjoying the whole experience.”
Trevor uses simple and effective techniques, which includes hypnosis, to help a person overcome a phobia. Hypnosis is simply the use of a trance state, which is a completely natural feeling and something that we all experience regularly on a day-to-day basis.
“Using hypnotherapy to overcome a phobia is a straightforward procedure because we effectively work with people to help them remove the fears from their mind so that we can then help them to find reassurance in themselves.
“In terms of flying, this generally means they can feel calm, confident, and relaxed on future flights.
“It’s an effective method that I have used to help a number of people in achieving their goals of going abroad without worrying about the flight out or, indeed, the flight back.
More than 72 million people passed through Heathrow airport last year with 35 million going through Gatwick, more than six million through Bristol, and just over 700,000 through Exeter.
Hypnotherapy has helped people in a range of areas from overcoming phobias through to improving sleep patterns, reducing anger, assisting with weight management, easing general anxiety and stopping smoking.

Trevor Eddolls is warning of the dangers of prolonged stress on our psychological and physical well-being.
Our early ancestors faced very real hazards on a daily basis, resulting in the development of stress responses to enable our survival against predators and aggressors. We are hard-wired to respond to perceived threats by secreting the stress hormones adrenalin and cortisol.
In reality, we rarely face life-threatening situations, but we still have the in-built automatic response that activates when our minds perceive we are in danger, regardless of whether the threat is ‘real’.
Trevor often sees clients who are exhibiting the stress response as a result of a heavy workload, fast-paced lifestyle, financial pressures, or relationship issues.
“We’re not that far removed from cavemen”, explains Trevor, “and even though a company restructure, divorce, or exams are not life-threatening, they are the kind of situations that will cause clients to become stressed.”
When we’re under threat, we secrete adrenalin and cortisol, which have a profound effect on our bodies. Adrenalin increases our heart rate and raises our blood pressure. Cortisol increases sugar levels in our blood, it also suppresses the functioning of internal systems, such as our immune response, digestion, and reproductive system. Our moods are also affected, impacting on motivation and generating fear.
Prolonged stress can even effect our short-term memory. In a recent study, researchers from the University of Iowa found a link between high levels of cortisol and the gradual loss of synapses in the part of the brain that processes short-term memory. Synapses are connections that process, store, and recall information. Repeated and long-term exposure to cortisol can cause them to shrink and disappear, potentially contributing to mental decline and memory loss as we age.
Trevor’s clients report a wide range of stress-related conditions, including anxiety, digestive problems, high blood pressure, sleep problems, weight gain, concentration problems, and decision-making impairment.
Trevor can help clients lower their stress levels by helping them to relax, giving their mind and body respite from the hormonal onslaught. Then, by using solution-focused therapy techniques, he helps them to respond to their situation in a more constructive way.

Trevor Eddolls is giving a big thumbs up to the organisers of Love Parks Week (25 July to 3 August 2014) and is keen to remind clients of the importance of getting out in the open air.
Trevor often sees clients who work long hours, then spend most of their non-work time on laptops, catching up with housework, or watching TV. It’s not unusual for them to report that the only time they are outdoors is when they walk from the car to the door of their house, office, or supermarket.
When I ask people what they would like to be different, almost invariably they will say something like, "I’d be going for a nice long walk in the fresh air". There’s a bit of them that knows that getting sunlight and fresh air is good for them, they’re just not doing it.
Spending time in green open spaces, in contact with nature, can improve our mental and physical well-being, helping to reduce the symptoms of stress and improving our physical fitness. There’s even a theory that we have an in-built bond with the natural world.
Trevor can help people re-connect with the natural environment. "Part of my job is to help clients recognise that they have a choice about how they structure their lives. If they feel stuck or trapped, I can help them to identify options and help them take the steps necessary to implement the changes needed."
And if the change involves ‘going for a nice long walk in the fresh air’, what better place to start than your local park or other open green space? Find out more about Love Parks Week at www.loveparksweek.org.uk.

As we approach the summer solstice and the nights get shorter, local hypnotherapist Trevor Eddolls is highlighting the importance of a good night’s sleep.
With increased natural light levels and warmer temperatures, people, who have difficulty sleeping, often struggle more during the summer months. This can have a huge knock-on effect on their mental and physical well-being.
Sleep is important in so many ways. It’s essential in enabling us to learn effectively and to form memories; that’s why we become forgetful if we’re struggling with insomnia. As a rule of thumb, for every two hours we are awake, we seem to need an hour of sleep to download, process, and file the information we’ve gathered during wakefulness.
If we don’t get enough sleep, we end up with ‘unfinished business’, which clutters our minds, making it difficult to concentrate or to make decisions.
Many of my clients seek my help because they have difficulty in sleeping, making them irritable, grumpy, and forgetful. If the sleep deprivation is prolonged, they can find it difficult to make rational judgements or to plan effectively.
Sleep is important to our physical well-being too. It has a beneficial effect on our immune and endocrine (hormone) systems, and there’s evidence to suggest that obesity may be linked to a lack of sleep. Insomnia has also been linked with high blood pressure, accelerated ageing, depression, anxiety, strokes, and gastro-intestinal disorders.
There can be no doubt that sleep is critical to clients’ mental and physical well-being. I help people to improve their sleep patterns, first by checking they have good ‘sleep hygiene’ in terms of making sure their sleep environment is comfortable and that they’ve taken time to wind down before going to bed.
I also give all new clients a free CD to help them relax into sleep and to help them to de-clutter their mind from the day’s influx of worries and loose ends.
Finally I help clients to deal better with the stresses in their lives, using solution-focused hypnotherapy techniques. I help people to change their unhelpful patterns of behaviour by encouraging them to visualize more beneficial ways of coping with situations, followed by a session of hypnosis to consolidate their positive image of the future. When they’re coping better, their brain has fewer problems to resolve during sleep. It’s not unusual for clients to report dreaming more vividly after the first few sessions, while their brain is busy de-cluttering a backlog of unresolved issues.
There’s no doubt that, as clients’ sleep patterns improve, they are better able to cope with the day to day stresses that prompted them to seek help in the first place.

The beginning of March sees an interesting awareness day “Old Stuff Day”. A day to sort, sift, organise, and declutter our environments. But what about an environment that lives inside of us, that we sometimes don't even realise needs a good clear out from time to time? Our brains!
Did you know that the average human brain thinks around 70,000 thoughts a day? That is a lot of thinking! Those thoughts can be neutral, optimistic, or pessimistic. It's interesting to notice the default patterns of how we think.
You know the old classic, whether the glass is half empty, or half full? Which way does YOUR thought pattern lean? If you lean towards the more pessimistic side, then it is likely that your brain could do with some serious decluttering. Negative thoughts that hang around in our system can, like weeds, grow and begin to take over our world, and, if we are not careful, we could end up with the weeds overtaking the garden of our mind. This can result in a vicious cycle of negative thinking, promoting negative behaviour, which attracts negative experiences, then reinforcing the negative aspects of life, and so on and so forth.
The brain can be divided into two parts, an emotionally primitive part and a logical intellectual part. The primitive part, which is the original part of the brain from primitive times, is responsible for keeping us safe, protected, and alive. It wants to check things out for safety and security. It is the mid-brain that our primitive ancestors used mostly to survive in the threatening conditions that they lived. However, we still have this part of our brain to protect us from modern-day threats. This part of our brain is always protective, and it has to be this way to ensure our safety. So you can now see that if our thoughts hang around in this part longer than necessary, this can cloud our optimism and better judgment.
We need to learn to live our lives and manage our thoughts from the intellectual part of our brain. When we master this skill, we can see the positive aspects of ourselves and our environment. We have balance, feelings of clarity and calm, and know and understand our personal strengths and internal resources that help us navigate our way through life with a solution-focused and relaxed approach.
So, how do we control how we think and make the switch-over from worst-case scenario pessimism into the positive side of optimism and solution-focused thinking?
It's simple! It's just a recognition about which part of the brain your thoughts are being filtered through. For example, if you experience a problem, and you immediately come up with the worst-case scenario, or have a doom-and-gloom approach to it, then you are surely in the grips of the emotionally primitive mind, and you will struggle to find a resolution. However, if the same problem occurs, but you are thinking with your intellectual mind, you will have a much better perspective, gain facts, find solutions or resources and get the problem sorted out in a calm and relaxed way.
Knowing how to identify which way your thought process leans is something that Solution Focused Hypnotherapy teaches you. We, as humans need to find our own way into our intellectual minds, and we simply do this by learning how to declutter those thoughts and relax.
Positive thinking isn't just a soft and fluffy feel-good term. Yes, it's great to simply “be happy”, but those moments of happiness are also crucial for decluttering your mind to be able to explore and build the positive skills that are valuable in all areas of your life.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, we are constantly reminded of our lack of partnership if we are single. And, if we are not, we are put under a different sort of pressure with how we should be declaring our love for our partner in a suitably commercial manner. Either way, there could be a potential social strain coming up.
For some people, this reminder every time we walk past a greetings card shop, or pop into the supermarket, or even go to our local pub or bar, can cause great pressure. And if untreated, can move from making us timid or shy into a more extreme form of social phobia.
Social Phobia was first recognised as a mental health condition in 1980 and some professionals believe it is one of the most under-recognised and under-treated mental health problems of the modern day. “Statistically, only 5% to 10% of people with social phobia in the UK currently get treatment for it”, says Solution Focused Hypnotherapist, Trevor Eddolls.
“People with social phobia have a belief that everyone knows they are anxious and embarrassed, which in turn makes them feel even more anxious and embarrassed. But this, of course, is not true”, Trevor says. The symptoms are anxiety-based and range from excessive blushing, breathlessness, stammering, mental blanking, sweating, butterflies in stomach, and heart racing, to a full-blown panic attack.
Trevor says: “This extreme condition can have an effect on simple social interactions and cause the sufferer to retreat more-and-more and avoid all social situations and contact, and find ingenious methods and mechanisms, such as alcohol and drugs, to essentially escape from their lives.”
“Situations where people can often experience this type of phobia range from answering the phone to speaking in public, such as in the classroom environment, or a business meeting, communicating with people in authority such as the teacher or the boss, eating in public (so restaurants become no-go zones), or any crowded places, like the shopping centre, or a trip to the cinema or theatre”, Trevor says. “It’s a cycle that if it goes unbroken, can lead to feelings of severe isolation and depression. When people stop themselves having positive experiences within a social setting, this turns into a fear, and then the more daunting the the thought of interaction becomes and the sufferer finds themselves in a negative pattern spiralling downwards. If untreated and unrecognised, it can have devastating effects on self-esteem and self-confidence. It can even prevent the more anxious sufferer from making new friends, asking someone out on a date, and even just being able to send an anonymous Valentine’s Day card.”
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help with re-integrating the sufferer back into social situations in a gentle and incremental way. This is done by starting to manage the anxiety that the sufferer faces by explaining how the brain works in relation to anxiety, and how this anxiety can be managed successfully by working on confidence and self-esteem and helping the client view the social situations and indeed themselves in a more positive way.

Trevor Eddolls is encouraging people to let go of issues from the past in order to achieve their New Year goals.
Trevor is anticipating an influx of clients who are seeking help to achieve their goals now that the enthusiasm and good intentions of sticking to New Year’s resolutions has, for many, worn off. The optimism and revitalisation that most of us experience at the start of the year often fade when day-to-day worries and pressures begin to cloud our focus and weaken our resolve.
“Ruminating about the past is one of the biggest obstacles to success”, explains Trevor, adding, “People often find it difficult to develop the new habits required to achieve their goal because they subconsciously repeat old behaviours, whether those behaviours relate to food, relationships, exercise, studying, or household finances.
“Initial momentum becomes dissipated when people unconsciously remind themselves of past unsuccessful attempts, and they erroneously believe that because that’s how they behaved in the past, they will inevitably repeat the same behaviour. They spend more time focusing on how not to succeed than they do visualising their success.”
The negative effects of ruminating were highlighted in a BBC Stress Experiment carried out in June 2011. Preliminary results from the study of over 30,000 participants indicate very clearly that: “a tendency to blame yourself for problems and, most importantly, a tendency to ruminate and worry are the most important factors when it comes to predicting your chances of suffering from stress.”
Solution Focused Hypnotherapists actively discourage clients from ruminating about the past. Instead they encourage clients to talk about their ‘preferred future’, a future in which they are closer to achieving their goal. New clients often express themselves in terms of what they don’t want, hanging on to their past behaviours, “I won’t be eating doughnuts”, “I won’t be shouting at the kids”, and so on.
It’s the therapist’s job to help clients let go of those unhelpful thinking patterns, encouraging them to express themselves positively, and helping them to maintain motivation to achieve their goal.
Trevor explains, “We learn by repetition. When we were learning to drive a car, we kept practising the same manoeuvre until we could do it automatically, subconsciously. It’s the same with any new skill. I help clients by encouraging them to think about what they want, not what they don’t want. I also help them to identify times when they have been successful, thus breaking the unhelpful, negative self-talk. By letting go of the past, they are better equipped to achieve their goals.”
If you feel you need help to maintain motivation for following through on your New Year’s resolutions, contact Trevor.

Trevor Eddolls is offering his services to help clients stick to their New Year’s resolutions and achieve the goals they have set themselves during 2014.
Whether it’s managing your weight, keeping fit, maintaining a tidy house, gaining a qualification or improving your work/life balance, hypnotherapy can help you achieve your goal.
Trevor employs techniques designed to help clients visualise their ‘preferred future’. He explains, “By asking specially formulated questions, I help people to describe how their future will be when they have achieved their goal. I encourage them to provide as much detail as possible so that they can create a vivid mental image.”
This visualisation exercise is followed by a session of hypnosis, a relaxed state in which the mind is more receptive to ideas and suggestions. Trevor is keen to reassure clients that they don’t need to be creative or artistic to be able to visualise a scenario, “If people are worried about this aspect, I ask them to describe their wedding day, or tell me what their kitchen looks like. Visualisation is no more difficult than that.”
Trevor warns, “It’s important for people to understand that Hypnotherapy is not a magic wand that can change a person’s behaviour without any effort on their part. Will power and determination are still needed, but hypnotherapy can be enormously helpful in maintaining a client’s motivation”.
Most New Year’s resolutions involve changing ingrained habits. We may habitually eat more than we need to be comfortably full, we may leave the dishes on the draining board until morning, or we may believe that we can’t leave work until we’ve dealt with all the emails in our inbox.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy works by helping clients to see an alternative behaviour, one that benefits them. We know that habits are created through repetition. The more we employ a new behaviour, the more automatic it becomes. By helping clients to imagine having achieved their goal, Hypnotherapists are helping them to create healthier habits of thought.
Neuroscience demonstrates that when we imagine doing something, similar changes take place in the brain to when we are actually doing it. So we can accelerate the formation of new habits by simply thinking about the way we want to be. The deeply relaxed state achieved during hypnosis helps the mind to absorb the positive mental image.

Trevor Eddolls is turning his attention this month to a health issue that has had a lot of coverage recently, insomnia, the inability to get off or stay asleep.
The nights are drawing in and, as nights get longer, those of us who find it hard to sleep can feel more desperate than ever - tossing and turning or just not getting enough of the restful sleep we need to be healthy and alert. Sleep is increasingly linked to many aspects of overall health and well-being, and it seems that more and more of us are finding it hard to get a good night’s sleep.
Factors including stress and busy lives are well-documented, but the environment we live in, including use of computers in the evening, light from e-readers, phones in the bedroom, all seem to add to the problem. It feels like every newspaper or magazine is filled with ‘helpful’ suggestions or products that aim to solve the problem; to help people get off to sleep and get that magical eight hours of good-quality rest. Whatever the reason, there is increasing evidence that we are affected adversely in a number of ways.
Trevor says: “It has been found that people suffering from severe insomnia have a poor quality of life similar to those who have chronic health problems, such as heart disease. If you are suffering from insomnia, in addition to just not feeling sharp, it can affect dietary choices, which in itself can affect health and sleep patterns. You may find it hard to concentrate, have memory disturbance, not to mention irritability, and you may well find yourself making more mistakes at work and school, and it can also have a very negative impact on relationships at home and work.”
How soon does lack of sleep impact on our lives? Trevor says: “An Australian study reported that 17 hours of sleep deprivation causes impaired performance levels comparable to those found in people having blood alcohol levels indicating intoxication”.
So if lack of sleep is causing issues for you, you may well be actively hunting for different sources of help. Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that is increasingly accepted in mainstream medicine as helpful for people experiencing symptoms related to lack of sleep. Trevor explains that an increasing number of clients are presenting with issues directly or indirectly related to lack of sleep. A key component of therapy is helping in the process of restoring sleep patterns back to as normal a level as possible and relevant for the client.
Trevor is very enthusiastic about the efficacy of SFH in the management of insomnia. “We know that too much pressure can lead to stress and a range of physical and mental health problems, including the inability to sleep. Sleep and well-being are inter-related and affect the way you think, feel and behave, impacting every area of your life at any age. Hypnotherapy offers powerful techniques and strategies to enable you to deal with issues that can result in, or be as a result of, sleep and rest deprivation. It can help you to think and behave in a more positive way that has many health benefits, including an ability to 'switch off' and rest at night.”
By encouraging clients to think and express themselves positively, we can help to improve their responses to life’s stressors and enable them to sufficiently relax and sleep. It’s a really very effective form of therapy for insomnia, it’s relaxing and people enjoy it too!”

With summer drawing to a close, Trevor Eddolls is focusing this month on how hypnotherapy can help those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as people who suffer from this condition start to feel the initial impact.
SAD has hit the headlines many times in recent years as awareness grows, but it's not a new phenomenon. The Royal College of Psychiatrists suggests that for thousands of years, people have noticed that the seasons can affect our mood. It was not until the 1980s, however, that the term Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) first appeared. It is used for people who, although they sometimes become depressed in the summer, regularly become depressed in autumn and winter.
Trevor explains, "SAD has symptoms much like depression, but it has a clear pattern, starting in autumn or winter and stopping in the spring and summer. The kinds of things that people might experience include loss of energy, low mood, which is often worse in the morning than later in the day, wanting to socialise less, a kind of need for hibernation, feelings of exhaustion for no real reason, loss of libido and so on."
There are some subtle differences though. In depression, which isn't related to SAD, people often sleep and eat less; with SAD, they often sleep and eat more. This can make people feel even worse.
So who gets it? SAD is more common in women – about three times more common – and the further away you live from the equator, the more likely you are to suffer. It's common enough that many of us can relate to these symptoms, but if your symptoms are bad enough to interfere with your life, you may well have SAD. In the UK, about 3 people in every 100 have significant winter depression.
So how can hypnotherapy help with SAD? Trevor explains about the approach he takes with his clients.
He says, "Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) can help with many conditions that affect our mental wellbeing, and this includes SAD. During the (free) initial consultation we explain in detail about how the brain works and why it might 'behave' with some people in the way it does during the winter months. The Solution Focused approach encourages people to think in new and more positive ways. By means of imagery as well as suggestion, hypnotherapy also helps people who have SAD to change aspects of their behaviour, and refocus their thoughts in more positive ways."
Trevor is an executive member of the AfSFH and is enthusiastic about the efficacy of the approach with SAD.
"Clients are often relieved to learn that there are different ways that the symptoms of SAD can be managed and actually enjoy the process, which often works quite quickly, as well as the results! I have been able to help several people reduce their SAD symptoms; it is such an amazingly powerful technique."
Trevor is keen to stress that hypnotherapy is not a cure or replacement for medical intervention and that outcomes do vary.

OCD awareness week takes place this year between Monday 14 and Sunday 20 October 2013, and local hypnotherapist, Trevor Eddolls, is focusing this month on how hypnotherapy can support the management and control of some aspects of this complex and, for many, challenging and debilitating condition.
OCD, or Obsessional Compulsive Disorder, is a term that is often used these days to describe behaviours or tendencies that some people exhibit with little real understanding of what it is, and the extent to which it can have a devastating impact on some people's lives. It is a crippling mental health problem that severely impacts on the functioning and quality of life of those children and adults that suffer from it. It comes in many forms, from serious disabling and debilitating contamination fears, through to horrific and graphic intrusive thoughts that go round and round in the sufferer's head with little, if any, respite.
This year organizations, such as OCD UK, are highlighting people's unique experiences of OCD during Awareness Week to improve understanding about OCD, and to illustrate some of the daily struggles this illness can cause for sufferers in an attempt to challenge trivialising misconceptions and stigma that currently surrounds OCD.
So how can hypnotherapy help with OCD? Local hypnotherapist, Trevor Eddolls explains about the approach he takes with his/ her clients.
He says, "Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) can help with many conditions and this includes obsessional thoughts and disturbances, which can sometimes be exacerbated by anxiety.
"During the free initial consultation, I explain in detail about how the brain works and why it might react in the way it does in terms of these kinds of behaviours. With the help of a Solution Focused approach, which is forward-looking and positive, we can help clients to change the negative thought patterns by supporting them to become calmer, more positive, and leave some of those obsessional behaviours behind as the anxiety and negative thinking reduces."
Trevor Eddolls is enthusiastic about the efficacy of the approach with OCD. "Clients are often relieved to learn that there are ways to help them and it is something that can often be worked on quickly; they soon get the hang of how it works and they often say how much they have enjoyed the process as well as the result! I have been able to help many people reduce their OCD symptoms; it is such an amazingly powerful technique".
Trevor is keen to stress that hypnotherapy is not a cure or replacement for medical intervention and that outcomes do vary.

Local hypnotherapist Trevor Eddolls is focusing this month on how hypnotherapy can help with the management of birth and labour, after a rush of enquiries from interested people reading about the imminent Royal Birth and noticing that Kate has been practising something called "Hypno-birthing".
He says: "Self hypnosis can help women who want a gentle, natural birth with minimal intervention. It's becoming very popular here in the UK".
But what exactly does it involve?
Hypnosis for childbirth has been used for more than a century now. Self-hypnosis just refers to a person being able to alter their own state of consciousness by practising techniques so that normally perceived experiences, such as pain, do not reach awareness or do so with less force. It's becoming more common for women to request a "hypno-birth" and midwives across the UK not only welcome it but are also training to understand the techniques so that they can assist in the process too. Some women like to hire their hypnotherapy practitioner to assist them in labour as well, but, according to hypnotherapist, Trevor Eddolls, this isn't necessary – the practice and exercises will do the job!
Generally, hypnosis for childbirth is taught one-to-one or via classes and, between sessions, the expectant mother is encouraged to practise visualization and relaxation exercises regularly in preparation for the birth. Dads can be actively involved too, which for some parents-to-be is part of the appeal; they can learn how to gently encourage their partner through the process, so many Dads attend the sessions too.
So what are the benefits and are there any risks?
It seems that more women are questioning the level of medical intervention needed in the birth process, and feel that if pregnancy and labour are progressing normally, would prefer to deliver in their own time and in their own way. Hypnosis in childbirth forms a part of that approach. Certainly many women who have experienced it have enjoyed a calm, even relaxed, birthing experience. Research in the USA in recent years indicates that outcomes for women who used self hypnosis in childbirth have had fewer post-birth problems than those who didn't, but as interest grows here in the UK, studies are in progress which will provide feedback on overall outcomes.
Trevor Eddolls is a practitioner of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH). SFH is a modern research-based combination of hypnosis and psychotherapy, which promotes relaxation and helps clients to make beneficial lifestyle changes. He uses hypnosis to promote health and wellbeing in labour.
He says: "Hypnotherapy is a great way to reduce stress levels in general, and therefore it makes perfect sense that hypnosis techniques can be very beneficial in childbirth. I work with parents who prefer to have a birth experience with minimal intervention, and that includes pain relief. I use an approach which focuses on women understanding the physiology of labour and birth, and understanding some of the terms she may hear throughout her labour. The aim with hypnosis for childbirth is to develop a woman's natural physiological ability to birth through confidence, understanding and control. The mother is taught to induce and maintain a state of self-hypnosis through a variety of techniques, which I can teach one-to-one or class approach, where parents-to-be meet each other and this can provide a very supportive network for them too."
Trevor points out that hypnosis for childbirth is highly effective for most women, but that they do need to work with their midwives and medical personnel, and if there are any indications during pregnancy that a hypno-birth may not be suitable, they should listen to medical experts as safety and the well-being of both mum and baby are paramount. If there are no contra-indications then communicating to the midwifery team as early as possible about this approach is helpful in the care planning process.

Local hypnotherapist Trevor Eddolls is focusing this month on how hypnotherapy can help with the management of skin conditions.
As many of us who have suffered from these conditions will know, peeling off those extra layers of clothing and exposing skin to the summer sunshine may be good for us, but we don't want others to see our skin.
Thousands of people suffer with the discomfort, stress, and embarrassment that skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema, can bring. These conditions are usually not life–threatening, but can cause untold misery to those who have to deal with them day in and day out.
The skin is our largest organ as well as the most visible, especially during the summer months. Whether it's through sweating when we are too warm, shivering when we are too cold, or doing its job of getting rid of toxins and waste through the skin, this piece of body ‘covering' has a lot of work to do. It's often the first place where any signs of illness, stress, and imbalance in our lives, physically or psychologically, shows itself. As those who suffer are only too aware, the more we worry about the state of our skin, the worse it seems to get!
So where does hypnotherapy come in to the treatment of these conditions? Well, it seems that hypnotherapists have been working with clients with these conditions for years. Some of us may be aware that there is often a mind-body connection with some common skin conditions, so this is often where support from hypnotherapy can help. To give us some more detail, hypnotherapist Trevor Eddolls explains:
"In order to do its work, the skin contains millions of nerve endings that are closely connected to the brain, which is our body's main ‘control centre'. Because of these links to our nervous system, the skin is very closely connected to our emotional responses as well as those physical ones, for example, goose bumps when we are afraid, blushing when embarrassed, and so on. When we feel stressed, these emotional responses can make some skin conditions worse if you have them already, or can in some cases bring them on.
Trevor Eddolls is a practitioner of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH). SFH is a modern research-based combination of hypnosis and psychotherapy, which promotes relaxation and helps clients to make beneficial lifestyle changes. He says: "Hypnotherapy is a great way to reduce stress levels in general, and we believe that because stress and anxiety affect the chemical responses in the body and mind, hypnotherapy can really help to recreate that sense of balance. This is shown to improve skin conditions in general, plus there is mounting evidence to show that hypnotherapy is very helpful for pain control too. So it is helpful for reducing the stress and chemical responses that cause flare-ups and the pain that is associated with them. We work in a way that helps the client to manage stressful situations more effectively, thus reducing the possibility of re-occurrence."
Trevor Eddolls explains how Solution Focused Hypnotherapy works: "We encourage clients to focus on how they want things to be. We avoid problem-talk and instead help our clients to visualise their preferred future. By encouraging clients to think and express themselves positively, we can help to improve their outcomes.

A local hypnotherapist, Trevor Eddolls, is focusing this month on the issue of stress caused by exams as many people start to revise for those oh-so-important examinations this summer.
Thousands of people up and down the country will be taking an exam of some sort during the late spring and early summer. Other than the obvious (GCSEs, A levels, and Degrees) there are many people taking exams leading to professional qualifications, and many rely on a good pass grade to obtain a place at university or college, a professional qualification leading to employment, or even being able to KEEP their job. All very stressful and, although most of us get through exams without too much difficulty in the end, there are a significant number of us for whom the pressure can become too much, leading to poor results, or being physically unable to participate in the actual exams resulting in associated negative outcomes.
Local hypnotherapist, Trevor Eddolls, says: "It is completely normal, and in some ways a positive thing, to feel some anxiety around preparing for and taking exams, just as it can be with other important events in life. A little bit of anxiety, that ‘nervous tension', can actually act as a motivator and can help the person to focus their attention, keeping the mind alert. However, exam stress becomes a problem when it reaches a level where it interferes with the ability to prepare for and perform in exams. Too high an anxiety level interferes with clear, coherent, and creative thinking and can also create a negative mindset, which in turn can lead to panic."
Trevor Eddolls is a practitioner of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH). SFH is a modern research-based combination of hypnosis and psychotherapy, which promotes relaxation and helps clients to make beneficial lifestyle changes. He says:"Hypnotherapy is a great way to reduce stress and create new positive study habits. It can help during study periods and also help on the day of the exam itself because you are feeling more in control and relaxed. It can also improve and restore confidence and the motivation to succeed."
Trevor suggests that Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can be beneficial for anyone taking exams, but suggests that students who have been away from study for some time can be especially prone to stress and could benefit greatly from Hypnotherapy to get back into the rhythm and discipline of studying.
Trevor is a member of the AfSFH and is very enthusiastic about the efficacy of SFH in the management of examination stress. "We know that too much pressure can lead to stress and a range of physical and mental health problems. You don't need this at any time, but especially when you need to be on top of your game and get those grades! Stress affects the way you think, feel, and behave, impacting every area of your life. Hypnotherapy offers powerful techniques and strategies to enable you to deal with exam stress and to help you think and behave in a more positive way which has many benefits prior to, during, and after those exams".
Trevor Eddolls explains how it works: "We encourage clients to focus on how they want things to be. We avoid problem-talk and instead help our clients to visualize their preferred future. By encouraging clients to think and express themselves positively, we can help to improve their outcomes.

People who have Fibromyalgia, or know someone who does, may be aware that Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is coming up on 12 May this year, but many of us won't even be aware of this debilitating condition, let alone know how to effectively manage the symptoms. As part of his/ her own awareness raising campaign, local Hypnotherapist Trevor Eddolls is focusing this month on helping people understand more about how Hypnotherapy can help individuals suffering from Fibromyalgia, which causes misery for those who suffer with it.
So what is Fibromyalgia? The word itself is derived from pain (algia) coming from the muscles (my) and fibrous tissues (fibro) such as tendons and ligaments, but most people with Fibromyalgia also have other symptoms in addition to the pain, therefore, Fibromyalgia is sometimes called Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). It is a chronic (persistent) condition. It does not affect the joints because it is not an arthritis.
Trevor Eddolls says: "Fibromyalgia affects a surprisingly high number of people - about 1 in 50 of us develop Fibromyalgia at some stage, and it is seven times more common in women than in men. In most cases, it first develops between the ages of 25 and 55.There are many symptoms, but the main ones are pains felt in many areas of the body, and tiredness, but some people also develop other symptoms as well. The severity of symptoms varies from person to person and pain can occur in any area of the body."
Many areas of the body are typically affected, with some people feeling the pain all over. The most painful areas are usually the neck and back, and the severity of the pain can vary from day to day. Things like stress, cold or activity can make the pains worse. After a night's sleep, people may also feel quite stiff for a few hours and some areas of the body may also be quite tender. Tiredness (fatigue) is common, and is sometimes severe; for some people it is more distressing than the pain itself. It is also common to have a poor sleep pattern, with some people waking up feeling exhausted. Many people feel worse first thing in the morning, but improve by the afternoon. Even a small amount of activity may cause the sufferer to feel very tired which may lead to poor concentration.
He explains: "Because of the kinds of symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia, Hypnotherapy can be really very helpful in dealing with the effects of it - but many people aren't aware of this. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a modern, research-based combination of Psychotherapy and Hypnosis, aimed at encouraging clients to focus on how they want things to be. Many Fibromyalgia sufferers attribute reduction in their symptoms to receiving Hypnotherapy, which can help to alleviate or limit their pain symptoms and increase their energy and comfort level. A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health in the USA showed that Fibromyalgia sufferers undergoing Hypnotherapy reported 80% fewer pain symptoms than those who received no Hypnotherapy treatment, and also reported decreased muscle pain and morning fatigue and fewer sleep difficulties, which really helps them on a day to day basis. That's great isn't it? It means that there is more help available than purely relying on painkillers or just ‘putting up with it'. We do get some great results and it's certainly something to consider when deciding on treatment and support options."
For more information on Fibromyalgia, go to www.ukfibromyalgia.com.

Local Hypnotherapist, Trevor Eddolls, is focusing this month on how Hypnotherapy can help people to achieve their goals and get more enjoyment out of life as we head into Springtime.
Winter can send us into a state of physical and mental "hibernation", and, although many people look ahead to the arrival of Spring with great optimism and pleasure, for many people (for example those suffering with depression) the lighter evenings and longer days can in fact create more feelings of loneliness and low mood, as the days seem longer with less opportunity to "hide away".
Trevor explains, "This is a good time of year to take stock and give ourselves the opportunity to have a kind of mental 'spring-clean'. What do I mean by this? It's about coming out from that hibernating, wintery mind set and having a really good clear-out of things that might be holding us back."
"Negative self-talk can prevent us from doing things we want to do or from behaving and acting in a positive way. Our minds cannot differentiate between imagination and reality, so if we keep thinking about things we should have done, or tell ourselves we will never be able to do something, that negative repetition impacts on us and becomes a habit - to think we can't rather than think we can."
"If the average person thinks about 50,000 thoughts a day, and about 10 percent of those are negative, that's 5000 negative thoughts a day! The good news is that we can change these negative thoughts and habits into more positive ones – we just need to know the tools with which to do so!"
Just as we start to sort out our spring and summer clothes, or sort out our clutter at home, we can sort out old thoughts, feelings, and issues and re-evaluate them – are they useful to us any more? And how can we do this anyway? Trevor suggests that Hypnotherapy can really help people to move forward in a positive way and put those negative thoughts and feelings away; not just for Spring and Summer, but for good.
He explains, "Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a modern, research-based combination of Psychotherapy and Hypnosis, aimed at encouraging clients to focus on how they want things to be. It's great for people who have negative or self-critical thoughts or experiences that inhibit them from getting the very best out of themselves. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a forward-looking approach that is really effective in lowering stress and anxiety levels, and also helping with the replacement of negative habits and behaviours with positive ones.
"To be physically healthy, we have to be mentally healthy, and more people recognise these days that medication alone or 'just getting on with it' may not be enough and want to make change happen in an ongoing, realistic, and sustainable way. Through Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, you learn how you can use your full mental resources to achieve your goals and you get tools that you can use right now, and for the rest of your life."

1 March marks National Self Injury Awareness Day, and a local hypnotherapist is keen to help anyone who self-harms to deal with their underlying emotional issues.
Self-injury or self-harming is when someone deliberately hurts themselves physically to deal with the emotional pain they are suffering. The sufferer may be feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope; self-injury can sometimes even provide a release from the excessive stress. Some may feel numb and disconnected from life; self-injury can restore a feeling of being 'real' or alive.
The underlying emotional pain can be caused by issues such as low self-esteem, trauma, or perfectionism and these are anxiety related issues which can be helped by hypnotherapy.
Trevor Eddolls explains how Hypnotherapy can help tackle the anxiety underlying self-harming behaviours: "Self-harming seems to offer a release from emotional distress. By helping clients to deal with the distress that triggers the self-harming, they are better able to cope and can develop a more helpful perspective on life."
He says: "There are many misconceptions around self-harm and who does it, why, and how, but in fact people of both genders and all ages, races, and backgrounds harm themselves.
"I practise Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, which means that, rather than analysing the root cause of problems, I help clients to move towards their preferred future. We help clients imagine how they would prefer to behave in response to stressful situations. Visualizing a more helpful response enables the clients' subconscious to form a more helpful pattern of behaviour. Gradually clients find they are better able to cope with situations that would previously have caused them distress."

Local hypnotherapist, Trevor Eddolls, is focusing on how hypnotherapy can help individuals keep their motivation levels high well into the New Year.
Trevor is keen to explain how Hypnotherapy can help with motivation because most of us start with good intentions to lose weight, take up exercise, stop smoking, or change our lives in one way or another on 1 January, only to find that the motivation has gone out the window by the middle of January.
He says: "New Year's Resolutions can sometimes be an additional pressure that we put on ourselves to do something new or different, especially after the excesses of Christmas. However, we need to understand our true motivation and understand the 'whys' of what we want to do before we can really fulfil our goals."
So, what's the key to maintaining motivation, what really drives us to make positive changes? Some theories suggest motivation is a sort of positive reward for achieving something – "If I lose weight I will be confident on the beach this summer". Other theories suggest a converse effect; if we DON'T do something, then something negative might happen, for example, "I had better give up smoking or I may get lung cancer like my father did".
It seems that thinking of positive outcomes or goals usually motivates us more than negative ones, but then why do so many of us fail to fulfil our goals, even when we can see that we are going to benefit from completing what we set out to do?
There are many reasons why, sometimes it's just about getting our goal right in the first place. Goal-setting theory suggests we may all have some form of drive to reach an end goal, but the effectiveness of this depends on three main things:

• how far away that goal is
• how hard it is to achieve that goal
• how clearly it is defined.

Trevor Eddolls explains, "Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a modern, research-based combination of psychotherapy and hypnosis, aimed at encouraging clients to focus on how they want things to be. We work with our clients to help them set their own realistic goals. We encourage them to break things down in to smaller chunks or mini-goals, so progress can be measured and it's easier to see the movement forward. That in itself is a great motivator. There's nothing like seeing your own progress to help you move towards your goal, and that enables clients to maintain their motivation well after the seasonal festivities have become a distant memory."

Local hypnotherapist Trevor Eddolls is keen to explain how Hypnotherapy can help with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which affects so many people and is often exacerbated by a mixture of the changes in diet at this time of year and the associated stress and anxiety that this time of year can bring.
He says: "Irritable Bowel Syndrome (or IBS as it's usually known) is no joke for those who suffer. Unfortunately, doctors still don't know for sure what causes it. It's not always taken seriously nor is it easy to manage with traditional medical models of care. There is evidence that IBS can be helped significantly with hypnotherapy – in fact, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) includes hypnotherapy on its guidance for IBS. We do know that symptoms are exacerbated by stress and changes in diet, both of which are pretty commonplace at this time of year. A few days of stress and different food can take weeks and weeks to sort out"
The problem with IBS is that it's generally diagnosed by elimination – by what it ISN'T rather than what it IS. Symptoms vary and can be seen in other bowel-related conditions, so tests are carried out to rule out cancer or conditions such as Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease, and the tests can be invasive and take time. When these have been ruled out, and nothing else seems to be the cause of the symptoms, patients are often advised that they have IBS.
Unfortunately there is no real cure, as symptoms vary so much between individuals. Dietary advice is often conflicting and confusing, and it can take a significant period of time to exclude foods that aggravate the symptoms – and sometimes dietary changes don't help at all. Anti-spasmodic and anti-depressant medication is sometimes used too, but unfortunately there is no one-size-fits-all approach to IBS.
But there is some good news – Hypnotherapy can help to alleviate many of the symptoms of IBS.
In February 2008, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), which gives guidance to the NHS on effective treatments, published guidance for GPs and consultants saying there was good evidence that hypnotherapy was an effective IBS treatment and that it could be recommended for chronic IBS. (1)
In the UK, research conducted by Professor Whorwell in Manchester demonstrated high levels of effectiveness, helping all the symptoms of IBS with those improvements sustained over long periods of time. (2) In the United States, hypnotherapy for IBS is listed as a treatment for IBS on the highly-regarded Empirically Validated Treatments List – which is similar in its level of regard to the NICE guidelines in the UK.
Local Hypnotherapist, Trevor Eddols explains, "Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a modern, research-based combination of psychotherapy and hypnosis, aimed at encouraging clients to focus on how they want things to be. It's great for people who have IBS, because one of the keys to dealing with IBS is to lower the sensitivity to stress and also reduce the perception of the bowel pain. Hypnotherapy is really effective in lowering stress and anxiety levels and also helping with pain reduction.
"It's very effective because IBS is defined by its symptoms, so if Hypnotherapy can remove the symptoms then the IBS will be reduced, which is so helpful for our clients"

References:
1. NICE guidance www.nice.org,UK/ CG061
2. Issa B, Whorwell PJ (2011). "Will hypnotherapy help my patients?"

As the winter holiday season approaches, a local hypnotherapist is highlighting how hypnotherapy can help clients who might be anticipating a less than happy Christmas season.
Depression and anxiety are on the increase in the UK, with more than 12 million people going to see their GPs with some form of mental health issue each year - and many more struggling on without any form of help. For some people, the festive season exacerbates their existing symptoms, and for others, depression and anxiety are quite specific to this time of year, approaching it with dread rather than excitement. When everyone else seems to be getting ready for a merry time with their loved ones, for some people this time of year only worsens their feelings of isolation, depression, and loneliness, and for others, the struggle to cope with the pressures associated with having a great time, managing finances, family, and all of the associated stressors, creates a tremendous feeling of anxiety.
What sorts of things cause this "Christmas Stress/ Anxiety/ Depression"? Well, it depends - these feelings are all individual, and, of course, what makes one person sad, anxious, or depressed may not affect another person at all.
Typical sources of Christmas stress can include trying to balance all the demands of family with shopping and the social engagements, unrealistic expectations, financial worries, and sometimes bereavement - this can be a very difficult time of year. Sometimes the pressure of being with people (often family) that you would not choose to be with can lead to relationship tension.
There's been a lot of talk in recent times of environmental factors too, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is now well recognized with a variety of light aids to assist this condition, such as light boxes that recreate natural daylight.
So it's not a great time for those who feel depressed or anxious. Symptoms can range from increased headaches, excessive drinking, comfort eating, insomnia, trouble concentrating, to mood swings, fatigue, tearfulness – while everyone around seems so happy. So what can be done to help?
Hypnotherapy can help by assisting people to overcome negative thinking styles while in a safe, supportive environment. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) uses practical, modern, and well-researched strategies to help people make significant, positive changes in their lives in a relatively short period of time.
SFH therapists look at what the client wants to achieve rather than on the problem(s) that prompted them to seek change. The approach focuses on the present and future and not on the past. This enables the client to identify possible solutions themselves and work towards them. Hypnosis itself reduces anxiety and this is done very simply through relaxation and visualization, allowing the client to focus on the positive aspects of their lives that encourages a shift in perspective.
The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH) has been established to promote the benefits of the Solution Focused approach to improving mental well-being so that the public are more aware of this valuable resource.
Local Hypnotherapist Trevor Eddolls is an executive member of the AfSFH and is enthusiastic about how hypnotherapy helps clients at this time of year. "I have been able to help many people deal with holiday sadness, depression, and anxiety. It is such a powerful and truly positive technique because we are able to work with what the client wants to happen rather than focus on negatives. It's great to know that we can work with people to proactively help them have a happier festive period.

A Hypnotherapy Association is turning its attention to a nationwide problem as it focuses on National Stress Awareness Day on 7 November 2012.
Twelve million adults see their GP with mental health and stress-related problems every year, according to MIND 2012 statistics, and many more struggle on without seeking medical help.
Claire Brigg, Research Officer for the Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH), points out "It's already known that chronic stress can affect our health adversely in many ways. What is not so well known is that it can also lead to premature ageing and the health problems that are associated with getting older.
"Latest research suggests that these age-related diseases occur at different rates in different individuals, and 'psychological distress' appears to be an important factor in how quickly the onset of these diseases occurs."
Stress brings about imbalances in the body, such as high cortisol, glucose, and insulin, and lower amounts of growth hormones, and these may lead to unwanted responses in our bodies, potentially impairing the normal cell ageing processes.
Premature ageing can also occur as a result of a lifestyle that includes the sorts of behaviour that we associate with stress, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, a high-fat diet, and sleeplessness. These have all been linked to DNA damage due to a process called oxidation.
Claire remarks: "It doesn't sound great, does it? But the good news is that these ageing mechanisms can be reversed.
"Research suggests that individuals can help themselves by reducing their perceptions of stress, along with increasing healthier behaviours, such as sleeping better, drinking less, and stopping smoking. These changes may promote subtle but important improvements in premature cell ageing.
"In addition, hypnosis may contribute to stress reduction and health promotion. A study in 2010 showed that during and after a hypnosis session, heart rates were reduced and breathing rates were lower. So the state of relaxation induced by hypnosis could well be beneficial and lead to stress reduction, thereby minimising the risk of premature ageing.
Solution focused hypnotherapy (SFH) can help people manage their stress levels. SFH is a modern research-based combination of hypnosis and psychotherapy, which promotes relaxation and helps clients to make beneficial lifestyle changes.
The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy's (AfSFH) primary aim is to promote the benefits of the Solution Focused approach to improving mental well-being, thereby helping to ensure the public are more aware of this valuable resource.
Local Hypnotherapist, Trevor Eddolls, is an executive member of the AfSFH and is very enthusiastic about the efficacy of SFH in the management of stress. "We know that too much pressure can lead to stress and a range of physical and mental health problems, including, it now transpires, premature ageing. Stress affects the way you think, feel, and behave, impacting every area of your life at any age. Hypnotherapy offers powerful techniques and strategies to enable you to deal with stress, helping you to think and behave in a more positive way, and that has many health benefits".
Trevor explains how it works: "We encourage clients to focus on how they want things to be. We avoid problem talk and instead help our clients to visualize their preferred future. By encouraging clients to think and express themselves positively, we can help to improve their response to life's stress.

References:
Broadbent E, Kahokehr A, Booth R J, Thomas J, Windsor J A, Buchanan C M, Wheeler B R L, Sammour T, Hill A G (2012)
A brief relaxation intervention reduces stress and improves surgical wound healing response: A randomised trial
Brain, Behaviour, and Immunity 26:2, February 2012, 212–217

Epel E (2009)
Psychological and metabolic stress: A recipe for accelerated cellular aging?
HORMONES 2009, 8(1):7-22

Gidron Y, Russ K, Tissarchondou H, Warner J, (2006)
The relation between psychological factors and DNA-damage: a critical review.
Biol Psychol 72: 291-304.

Toussaint O, Michiels C, Raes M, Remacle J, 1995
Cellular aging and the importance of energetic factors
Exp Gerontol 30: 1-22.

VandeVusse L, Hanson L, Berner M A, Winters J MW (2010)
Impact of Self-Hypnosis in Women on Select Physiologic and Psychological Parameters
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing Vol 39:2, 159–168

Trevor Eddolls, a Chippenham-based hypnotherapist, is urging the public to look for practitioners registered with the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) if they want to use hypnotherapy to help them stop smoking during the NHS's Stoptober campaign.
Many people use hypnotherapy to provide extra help in the process of becoming a non-smoker. The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) is the UK regulator for complementary therapists that was set up with government funding and support.
Trevor says: "Hypnotherapy is often used to help clients achieve the behavioural change needed to stop smoking but it's so important the public use someone who knows what they are doing."
Trevor added that: "Hypnotherapy is one of 14 therapies registered by the CNHC. There are over 5,000 practitioners on the register and members of the public can search the CNHC register to find practitioners in their local area. More than 170,000 searches have been carried out since the register first opened in 2009."

World Mental Health Day raises public awareness about mental health issues and aims to promote a discussion around the issues including investment in prevention, promotion and treatment services. This year the event is being held on 10 October.
Trevor Eddolls is a local hypnotherapist who has helped many clients improve their mental well-being.
Using Solution Focused Brief Therapy techniques Trevor encourages clients to develop a positive image of how they would like their life to be. He explains: "People are very good at listing everything that's wrong in their life. It's my job to work with them and help them describe what life will be like when they feel better. So instead of 'I can't motivate myself to do the things I used to enjoy', I'll be looking for phrases such as 'I'll be getting out and enjoying myself again'.
"Using Solution Focused techniques I'll encourage them to describe specifically what they'll be doing and exactly how much they'll be enjoying themselves. This can sometimes be difficult at first, but clients quickly find it easier with each successive session and the hypnotherapy itself can help shift the person's perspective of themselves into a more positive gear.
"Creating this positive mental image encourages healthier thinking patterns."
Such techniques can be used to help a variety of symptoms, including not wanting to meet up with friends or avoiding situations, sleeping more or less than normal, feeling irritable, upset, miserable or lonely, or being overly self-critical.

For more information about World Mental Health Day, visit http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_mental_health_day/en/index.html

As the holiday season gets in to full swing, a Hypnotherapy Association is highlighting how Hypnotherapy can help clients who have a fear of flying.
Fear of flying, or "Aerophobia" to give it its correct title, is actually on the increase even though statistics tell us that air travel is the safest mode of travel(1). In fact, it seems that as many as half of us have some kind of fear around flying and air travel, although not all of these would be classed as a full-blown phobia(2).
Fear of flying is often more about the "what might happen" rather than what actually IS happening, and these thoughts trigger a reaction in the body that causes the person to be really fearful and anxious.
Fear of flying is often centred around the idea that flying is not a natural form of human movement and this arouses natural human fear, ranging from slight nervousness (perhaps being a little edgy when there is turbulence during the flight) all the way through to those who simply cannot and will not travel by air. The impact of this can be massive, not only because holiday options are more limited, but some people can become more socially isolated, perhaps because they cannot get to see family and friends. Others have lost jobs or job opportunities due to the air travel required on business and they simply cannot fly.
Sometimes just providing someone with factual information, such as safety statistics and learning about what turbulence actually IS, can help those who are just a little nervous about getting on a plane, but with those who have a severe or phobic response, another approach is needed.
Although a successful outcome can never be guaranteed, Hypnotherapy can help by assisting people to overcome negative thinking styles and phobic responses in a safe, supportive environment(3). Responses vary between individuals and many have found that they have been able to travel by air for the first time in years.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) can help with specific phobias like fear of flying by using techniques that assist the client to visualise a preferred future (and in this case it would be one when the whole experience of flying and everything that goes with it is an enjoyable one) combined with relaxation therapy, helping the client to see things from a positive perspective and break the pattern that leads to the fearful, phobic response. It has been seen to be effective and clients are often very quick to respond in as few as three or four sessions.
The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH) has been established to promote the benefits of the Solution Focused approach to improving mental wellbeing so that the public are more aware of this valuable resource.
Local Hypnotherapist Trevor Eddolls is an Executive member of the AfSFH and is enthusiastic about the efficacy of the approach with flying fears and phobias. "Clients are often relieved to learn that there are ways to help them and it is something that can often be worked on quickly; they soon get the hang of how it works and they often say how much they have enjoyed the process as well as the result! I have been able to help many overcome their fear of flying - it is such an amazingly powerful technique".

Reference:
(1) IATA (International Air Transport Association). (2009). Annual Report 2009 (online), http://www.iata.org/pressroom/Documents/IATAAnnualReport2009.pdf
(2) Capafons, J. I. ,C.D. Sosa, and C.M. Vina. (2009); A Reattributional Training Program as a Therapeutic Strategy for Fear of Flying; Journal of Behaviour Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 30 (2): 259-72
(3) McIntosh I B (2006); Travel Phobias; Journal of Travel Medicine Vol 2:2 99-100

Samsung Bike Week is 16-24 June 2012 and local hypnotherapist Trevor Eddolls is keen to explain how Hypnotherapy can help with motivation and performance.
The aim of the week is to demonstrate the social, health, and environmental benefits of cycling, and to get people to give cycling a go all over the UK, whether this be for fun, as a means of getting around to the local shops, or just to visit friends.
Bike week reminds us all of the importance of exercise and to get on our bikes this summer, but if you, like many of us, want to improve your performance or start anew in a chosen sport, be it cycling or otherwise, then Hypnotherapy may be the answer!
Local Hypnotherapist, Trevor Eddolls explains, "I often see clients who appreciate how beneficial physical exercise can be, and would like to get started, but lack the confidence or motivation to do so. Using Solution Focused Hypnotherapy techniques, I help them to visualise what aspects of their lives would be better once they are exercising regularly. These positive mental images help them to make the necessary changes in their lifestyle. Initiatives such as Bike Week provide a valuable focus by showing how cycling can easily be a part of everyday life".
Hypnotherapy uses mental imagery "the process of imagining the performance of a skill with no related overt actions" (1) for many different areas including sports performance, and the efficacy of the technique is well documented. Mental imagery in sports is often used for performance enhancement and consists of mentally rehearsing key aspects of your chosen sport as if you were actually doing it and, of course, imagining it going well!
An overview of research of mental imagery in athletics carried out in 1997 (2) indicated that mental imagery has been used successfully with a wide variety of sports and has been found to be effective not just for improving performance but is useful for skill acquisition, anxiety management, self-confidence enhancement, and pain control.
"So, if you want to get on your bike, whether it be for the first time in decades or for competitive sports performance, hypnotherapy can help", explains Trevor.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a modern research-based combination of psychotherapy and hypnosis, aimed at encouraging clients to focus on how they want things to be. Practitioners avoid problem-talk and instead help clients to relax and to visualize their preferred future.

Reference:
(1) Cohn. P. J. (1990). Preperformance routines in sport: Theoretical support and practical applications. Sport Psychologist, 4. 301-312.
(2) Jones L & Stuth G (1997) The uses of mental imagery in athletics: An overview. Applied & Preventive Psychology 6:101-115.
Note to Editors:
For more information about Samsung Bike Week, visit www.bikeweek.org.uk.

Local Solution Focused Hypnotherapist Trevor Eddolls is helping to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (21 - 28 May) by highlighting how hypnotherapy can help clients cope with stress by generating positive images of the future.
A recent survey shows that 3 million people in the UK suffer with an anxiety disorder.* The good news is that recent research into the relationship between what we think and how we feel could help clients think themselves happier.
It seems that worrying thoughts and imagining unpleasant situations can produce physical stress in the body. A study in 2007(1) found that performing guided imagery of moderately unpleasant situations results in physical responses such as accelerated heart rate, faster breathing, and sweating. It seems that imagining unpleasant events can activate the brain's fear network and result in an activation of the sympathetic nervous system.(2)
Trevor explains: "If we ever needed proof that worrying is not good for us, well here it is! Simply by thinking worrying thoughts we generate the same physical reactions that are involved in the fight or flight response.
"The good news is that the converse also seems to be true; imagining positive events can make us feel better. A large part of my role is helping clients imagine their preferred future, which as well as helping them feel happier, enables them to make the changes necessary to make that future a reality."
The validity of this approach would seem to be supported by research demonstrating that the benefit of generating images about positive future outcomes may not be limited to mood but extend to subsequent behaviour.(3)
Trevor concludes, "I use Solution Focused techniques to help clients replace unhelpful, negative thinking patterns with more beneficial thought processes. By thinking more positively, their anxiety levels reduce enabling them to cope better with life's challenges".
So there you have it, combat stress, think happy thoughts.

References:
* Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (2000)
1 Sebastiani L, D'Alessandro L, Menicucci D, Ghelarducci B & Santarcangelo E L (2007); Role of relaxation and specific suggestions in hypnotic emotional numbing; International journal of psychophysiology Vol.63 pp.125-132
2 Kosslyn S M, Ganis G & Thompson W L (2001); Neural foundations of imagery; Nature Reviews: Neuroscience Vol.2 pp.635-642
3 Pictet A, Coughtrey A E, Matthews A, Holmes E A (2011); Fishing for happiness: The effects of generating positive imagery on mood and behaviour; Behaviour research and therapy Vol.49 issue 12 pp.885-891
Note to Editors:
Mental Health Awareness Week is organised by the Mental Health Foundation. For more information about Mental Health Awareness Week, visit http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/mhaw/

The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is marking Asthma Awareness Week (30 April to 6 May) by highlighting how the therapy can help clients cope with the condition by reducing their levels of anxiety.
According to Asthma UK, a charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people whose lives are affected by asthma, 5.4 million people in the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma: 1.1 million children (1 in 11) and 4.3 million adults (1 in 12).
There is an inter-relationship between anxiety and asthma – for some people, anxiety can be a trigger for asthma, for others it is the asthma itself which causes anxiety. After all, there are few things more frightening than struggling to breathe. The link between anxiety and asthma can lead to an unhelpful cycle of cause and effect which can be difficult to break.
In fact some of the symptoms of a panic attack (hyperventilation) and asthma overlap making it difficult to distinguish between the two. In some cases, a panic attack can actually lead to an asthma attack in someone who already suffers with asthma.
It's not just asthma patients who are affected by anxiety – parents, partners and other carers can become anxious if the condition appears to be poorly managed.
Hypnotherapy combines psychotherapy (a talking therapy) with hypnosis and can provide clients with effective coping mechanisms aimed at reducing their anxiety generally. Used in conjunction with a patient's prescribed medication and treatment regimes, hypnotherapy can help clients deal better with life's stresses, thus minimising the anxiety which could precipitate an asthma attack.
There is a large body of research on the effective use of self-hypnosis, guided imagery, hypnosis and relaxation in asthma in adults1 and children2. A review of research into hypnosis and asthma carried out in 20003 highlighted that studies conducted up to that date consistently demonstrated an effect of hypnosis with asthma. Although more research is needed, the studies showed that its efficacy is enhanced in subjects who are more "susceptible", where the practitioner is experienced, when it is administered over several sessions, and when it is reinforced by patient self-hypnosis. Children in particular appear to respond well to hypnosis as a tool for improving asthma symptoms.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) helps to reduce anxiety by assisting clients to visualise their preferred future, ie a future in which they are coping better with the problem that is causing them stress. This helps clients to regain a sense of perspective and breaks the cycle of anxiety-asthma-anxiety. The therapy encourages positive thinking by helping clients to focus on solutions to problems, rather than dwelling on the problems themselves.
The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists (AfSFH) was established to promote the benefits of the Solution Focused approach to improving mental well-being so that the public are more aware of this valuable resource.
Local Hypnotherapist Trevor Eddolls is an executive member of the AfSFH and is enthusiastic about the efficacy of the approach. "Clients are often relieved to learn that we will not be dwelling on their problems or on how bad things are. They soon get the hang of thinking in a more positive way – describing how they want things to be, rather than how they don't them to be. It sounds simple, but in fact it is an amazingly powerful technique".

Note to Editors:
1 Ewer and Stewart, 1996; Hackman, Stern, and Gershwin, 2000; Maher-Loughna, Macdonald, et al, 1962 
2 Anbar, 2001; Anbar, 2002; Castes, Hagel, et al, 1999; Kohen, Olness, et al, 1984
3 Hypnosis and asthma: a critical review, Hackman RM, Stern JS, Gershwin ME, 2000

Hypnotherapy can help insomnia sufferers by dealing with the underlying factors that contribute to the condition
Around a third of people suffer from some form of insomnia at some point in their lives, including difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night or waking up too early in the morning. The effects of prolonged sleeplessness can range from fatigue, lack of motivation, irritability, reduced problem solving skills, inability to cope with stress, reduced immunity and weight gain.
Local Hypnotherapist, Trevor Eddolls, explains "Anxiety is a common cause of insomnia, and of course worrying that you're not sleeping only makes the problem worse. It's not long before a vicious cycle sets in and the harder you try, the more elusive sleep becomes. It can be really debilitating and can seriously impair a person's ability to function normally or enjoy life."
Hypnotherapy can help insomnia sufferers by addressing the underlying anxiety, which may be caused by work, relationships, health or financial worries, for instance. Ruminating on problems serves to amplify their significance and even small issues can get out of proportion in the middle of a sleepless night.
Hypnotherapists work with clients to alter their habitual responses to problems and develop more helpful coping strategies. By changing unwanted patterns of behaviour, clients' anxiety levels reduce and sleep often improves naturally.
Trevor says "It's so important to get a good night's sleep. Not only is it a time when the body repairs itself and restores energy levels, but REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, a phase when dreaming occurs, is vital for learning and memory. REM also replenishes feel good hormones such as Serotonin and Dopamine, which boost your mood.
"It's amazing to see how much better clients feel after just a few good nights' sleep."
Trevor Eddolls is a member of the AfSFH (Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy). Trevor explains why the Solution Focused approach can be so effective. "We actively encourage clients to describe how life will be when the factors that are causing their anxiety are in perspective. We don't analyse problems, or the cause of them; we believe it's preferable to help clients focus on positive outcomes".

How long do your New Year's resolutions last? Hypnotherapists often report an increase in enquiries during March and April when people's commitment to New Year's resolutions has worn off. Many turn to Hypnotherapy to help them lose weight, give up smoking or achieve other important goals.
Part of the problem," says Trevor Eddolls, a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist, "is that people tend to focus on external outcomes without addressing what's going on inside.
"Weight management is a classic case in point. Some people think that once they lose weight they will be happy. They struggle with various diets and lose heart when the weight piles on again. The chances are, they are struggling with internal issues that need to be dealt with before they can take control of other aspects of their lives, such as their relationship with food, stress, work, money or family.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy helps people to regain control by helping them to focus on how they want things to be – their preferred future, rather than focusing on the problems. The therapy uses Solution Focused questioning techniques designed to help clients develop a clear vision of how they want to be.
Trevor explains, "Typically if I ask a client to tell me how they want to be, they will give me a list of what they don't want – I don't want to be overweight, out of breath when I walk, staying indoors because I'm not confident going out.
"It's my job to help them describe what they do want instead – full of energy, feeling healthy, slim and confident. The difference is profound. Hypnosis helps to reinforce the positive image the client has developed.
"It's wonderful to see the transformation people can make to the quality of their lives, once they stop focusing on problems and direct all their energy towards thinking positively instead. And the great thing is that, because the client has addressed their internal thought processes, the changes are usually long-lasting. Unlike typical New Year's resolutions."

A new Hypnotherapy Association is marking Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) 21 – 28 February by highlighting how the therapy can help clients deal with the emotional issues that often underlie these debilitating conditions.
It is estimated that 1.6 million people are affected by eating disorders in the UK *
Eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating, are often an outlet for a range of emotions including anger, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Such responses can be caused by a variety of factors: a general inability to cope, psychological trauma, bereavement or difficult relationships. Eating disorders can develop as a coping mechanism in response to these stresses.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) tackles these conditions by reducing anxiety and helping clients to regain a sense of perspective; once anxiety is under control many troublesome symptoms can be alleviated, including unhelpful behaviours associated with food.
This highly effective form of therapy can help clients overcome conditions, such as eating disorders, that are caused by, or made worse by, inappropriate responses to stress. The therapy encourages positive thinking by helping clients to focus on solutions to problems, rather than dwelling on the problems themselves.
SFH differs from earlier forms of therapy by encouraging clients to formulate a positive image of their problem-free future rather than analysing the cause or symptoms of problems from the past. Clients usually find their ability to cope improves and motivation, confidence and self-esteem are all restored. Once they have a better perspective on life they can regain control and a healthy relationship with food.
The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists (AfSFH) has been established to promote the benefits of the Solution Focused approach to improving mental well-being so that the public are more aware of this valuable resource.
Local Hypnotherapist Trevor Eddolls has seen at first hand how the Solution Focused approach has helped clients regain control of their thinking: "It's amazing how so many conditions improve simply by reducing anxiety. Many clients are simply not aware that their negative thought processes cause or exacerbate their problems. It's so rewarding being able to help them visualise their problem-free future. Once they can visualize it, their mind can find subconscious ways of making their preferred future a reality."

Local hypnotherapist, Trevor Eddolls, is urging local employers to show how much they value their staff by marking National Stress Awareness Day on Wednesday 2 November 2011.
The awareness day is organised by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA) and their theme is "Wellbeing and Resilience at Work". The association's aim is to promote sound knowledge and best practice in the prevention and reduction of human stress, and this is the 13th year the event has been organised.
According to Mind (June 2011) "British businesses lose an estimated £26 billion each year in sickness absence and lost productivity". With greater awareness and mental health support, they said businesses could save one third of these costs – "a mammoth £8 billion a year".
The Health and Safety Executive defines stress as "The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them". There is a wide range of symptoms of stress, including psychological, emotional, physical, or behavioural. For example, worrying, negative thinking, anxiety, tearfulness, lack of confidence, rashes or skin irritations, tiredness, becoming a workaholic, sleep problems could all be the result of stress.
Recent research carried out by the Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH) has shown that anxiety is the most common reason people seek the services of its members.
Trevor explains: "Anxiety, like many stress-related conditions, tends to creep up on people. Busy lives, pressures of work, relationship issues, or financial worries all take their toll. It's not unusual for clients to be caught in a cycle of negative thinking – negative thoughts heighten anxiety levels, anxiety leads to negative thoughts and so on."
"Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a modern research-based combination of psychotherapy and hypnosis, aimed at encouraging clients to focus on how they want things to be. We avoid problem-talk and instead help our clients to visualise their preferred future. By encouraging clients to think and express themselves positively, we can help to reduce their anxiety. By reducing anxiety, other related symptoms often improve and clients feel better able to cope with life’s stresses."