What is Hypno-CBT?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, was introduced by Aaron T. Beck in the early 70s as a more modern approach to an otherwise outdated and mechanical behaviour therapy. However thought stopping and substitution techniques were acknowledged by James Alexander as early as 1928.

CBT is an evidence-based approach based on scientific principles that helps you to understand your problems and how these affect your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Therapy is based around the idea that our thoughts, physiology, and emotions are inextricably linked and that thinking, feeling and behaving are all inter-related. Therefore if any one of these factors changes, it will have an affect on the others. For eg. If I think calm and relaxing thoughts (Cognition), my breathing and heart rate begin to slow (Physiology) and I feel more in control (Emotion) but if I begin to worry about something (Cognition), I become agitated (Behaviour) and I feel panicky (Emotion).

CBT is the most widely accepted mind therapy within the NHS albeit as a conscious talking therapy.

Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy or Hypno-CBT takes these ideas one step further. I would work with you to identify your negative thoughts, feelings and actions using a combination of conscious and unconscious strategies. Then, by looking at the upside of these ideas in a positive framework and actively rehearsing self generated positive thoughts and beliefs at a deep level whilst in hypnosis, it becomes easier for you to accept and retain these positive beliefs.

Whilst in hypnosis, responses are monitored by you so that you can evaluate for yourself the positive impact of a change in your thoughts and beliefs.

In this way, you feel more encouraged and empowered to adopt and implement these positive changes into your real life situations.