Linda Flanigan

I particularly enjoy working with anxiety and stress which can manifest themselves in different ways, with different symptoms or associated issues such as weight gain, IBS, low self-esteem or confidence, limiting beliefs, grief or even pain.

I also enjoy working with weight loss to help you become healthier, take back control, stop comfort eating, form a new relationship with food and wear those clothes you want to wear!

I use a variety of different methods and techniques as well as hypnosis including amongst others:

• NLP (neuro-linguistic programming)
• EFT (emotional freedom techniques)
• Solution-focused techniques
• Virtual gastric banding for weight loss

So, I can give you a host of tools and techniques that you can use yourself in between sessions so that you have got the best chance of releasing and continuing the good work that we do in the sessions and going forwards in the future.

I regularly update my training by doing CPDs and courses to keep up with latest practices (see Professional Experience tab for information)

It depends on the issue/treatment involved – each session is client-specific.

The first session is a generally a fact-finding one to get to know you and come up with a treatment plan. It will involve taking your case history and getting to know your desired outcomes. In this session we are looking for solutions to the things you want to change, we’re looking to what you want in the future rather than being stuck in the past.

The session lasts 1½ hours and doesn’t always involve hypnosis.

Each subsequent session (lasting up to an hour) might typically consist of:

• Guiding you into a deeply focused state
•  The ‘therapy part’ of the session: using methods or suggestions discussed to manage or eliminate the issues in line with what you would like to achieve (such as getting a great night’s sleep).
• Teaching you coping mechanisms or self-hypnosis or self-help tools
• Gradually bringing you back out of the trance state
• Asking you to carry out work in between sessions to keep you on track to change (might be listening to a recording or practising some techniques you’ve learned or keeping a diary).

i. What is hypnosis and how does it work?

Hypnosis is the process of inducing a natural, effective, safe, trance-like state of focused attention and physical relaxation; a state in which your unconscious mind becomes more open to positive ideas for change.

Hypnotherapy is the use, by qualified practitioners, of hypnosis combined with various therapeutic methods to allow you to let go of and resolve your emotions and psychological issues or challenges.

It works by changing unconscious learnings and beliefs, thoughts, emotions and fears. It does this by allowing the conscious mind to relax and addressing the unconscious mind to bring about your desired change. It is guiding your imagination and activating your inner resources and potential so that you can achieve realistic goals.

ii. Will I lose control?

Hypnosis is not a state of mind control. You are in control at all times and cannot be made to do anything against your will. Clinical hypnosis is nothing like stage hypnosis. It is a relaxed state that you can come out of naturally any time you wish. It is a state of absolute focus just like when you are completely engrossed in your favourite pastime and can ignore all outside distractions. It is a gentle, caring, respectful process.

iii. Are there any side effects?

Sometimes hypnotherapy can be emotional at some stages of the therapy but the only side effects are likely to be positive ones. For example, feeling more confident or relaxed or more in control, less stressed, less afraid or more motivated. You should come away from the appointments feeling very relaxed and perhaps sometimes tired if you have been dealing with something challenging.

iv. Will it work?

Almost any issue with a psychological element can be helped using hypnotherapy. Most people are suitable for hypnotherapy provided they have a reasonable ability to communicate and a genuine commitment to change. It is not, however, a ‘miracle cure’ and all therapy (and even medicine) does not work for all people in all cases. Hypnotherapy is a collaboration been you and I which, with my help, empowers you to make change.

What I can guarantee is that I will bring all of my expertise, skills and care and, provided you come with an open mind and commit to the treatments given, there is no reason why we will not be successful!

v. How many sessions will I need?

In comparison with other therapies, hypnotherapy tends to be a much faster approach. The number of sessions depends on the person and the complexity of the issue. It’s important to me that you get the result that you want and that we have the option to change things as we work together. The average number of sessions is between 4 and 6, with some issues (perhaps stopping smoking or phobias) taking less and others taking more (such as mild to moderate depression). I can, however, reassure you that I will not continue therapy unnecessarily and that we will work together closely and finish therapy when we both agree that you’ve reached your goal.