As a qualified hypnotherapist and trainee counsellor, I wanted to share some things I’ve learned about mental health over the last few years.
We all have mental health, it doesn’t mean there has to be a problem or struggle. Good mental health can be having coping strategies in place to help you through tough times, or maybe not even thinking about it at all and just being able to enjoy life without constantly worrying.
There are so many different types of therapy, and it definitely isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s about finding the right one for you. For example, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy focuses more on the solutions and moving forward, whereas counselling may look at your past, childhood, relationships, or what’s going on in your life now. It doesn’t always have to be about trauma either, sometimes it’s about understanding yourself better or working through things that are affecting you in the present.
All therapists are unique in their own way (like you), so everyone will have different approaches. Finding the right fit is really important, because the therapeutic relationship itself can make a huge difference to your progress.
Although counselling and hypnotherapy are not government regulated professions in the UK, professional therapists will usually belong to recognised associations and hold relevant qualifications. It’s always worth checking credentials and memberships, which are often listed on their website or professional directory. Most therapists will also offer a free discovery call or consultation so you can ask questions and see whether they feel right for you.
Research, studies, and therapeutic approaches are always changing, so something that didn’t work for you, or perhaps someone you knew years ago, may not be the case now.
Although there can often be long waiting times to access talking therapies, there may be other ways to access support. Some employers offer counselling through an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) or private healthcare, so it’s always worth checking what is available through work. There are also local charities, colleges, and training centres that may offer free or low-cost counselling. In some cases these may be trainee therapists completing their placement hours under professional supervision.
What you learn in therapy can stay with you for life. The tools, awareness, coping strategies, and understanding of yourself can continue to help long after therapy has ended. If you think of it as an investment in yourself and your wellbeing, it can be one of the most valuable things you do.
You don’t go to therapy to be “fixed.” You work alongside a therapist who is trained to help you understand yourself better and move forward. There can be a lot of work involved, so it’s important to be open to change and have goals in mind, even if those goals change as you go through the process.
If you would like to understand more about how hypnotherapy can help, or you have questions about which approach may be right for you, I offer a free consultation so we can talk it through together.
