A Friday ‘meet the expert’ post from the lovely Jacqueline Bell. She’s never more pleased than when helping someone overcome an issue or fear.
I begun my career as a volunteer counsellor over 20 years ago, along the way, I have trained in other disciplines and now I am a registered, experienced hypnotherapist and have my own hypnotherapy practice.
Quite simply, hypnotherapy allows us to access the parts of the brain that consciousness can’t reach – and to speak its language. It’s not magic and it certainly isn’t about taking control of another person’s mind (if it were, my husband would be ironing all the laundry forever more!). It’s a two-way process that can at times feel magical in the way that relief can occur so rapidly.
The truth is the human brain is an incredible mechanism. We just don’t always recognise it – or if we do, we convince ourselves that we were at the back of the queue when emotional intelligence or coping strategies were being handed out.
I am extremely proud of the fact that in five years I have never had a client fail to rapidly recover from depression or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. But it’s important to remember that what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. I firmly believe that you have to tailor the solution to the client’s needs and beliefs if you are to make a lasting change.
I think what helps me personally achieve rapport with my clients is that I am a very ordinary, down to earth person who has never forgotten how it feels to be overwhelmed with a problem. I’m not perfect and I don’t pretend to be.
I know it takes a lot of courage to discuss personal issues with a stranger so I believe it’s important to respect that and not be judgemental. Although I specialise in depression advice, PTSD, stress and anxiety help, it doesn’t matter to me what the issue is, if its getting in the way of you leading a happy and fulfilling life than the issue is important.
The bravest person I ever met was a pensioner who walked into my office suffering from depression, but who truly believed she was suffering from Alzheimer’s because she was struggling to remember everyday things like a shopping list. Despite her terror, she had decided she needed to know the truth. Imagine how difficult that must have been for her!
Watching the relief in her face when she realised that poor memory function is only one of many symptoms of depression was a poignant reminder that no issue is irrelevant and more importantly, that the recovery process can begin in a heartbeat.
I believe that being able to talk to an expert from the comfort of your own home is a wonderful idea, you can talk at a time that suits you and if you are like many clients I see each week suffering from depression anxiety or PTSD, then just getting out of the house can be an ordeal. Now if you are ready to talk, I am simply a phone call away.