NLP, EFT & CBT

As explained in the How it works page, many of our actions and habits are governed by the subconscious mind. Hypnotherapy is a method for changing the way the subconscious mind works via deep relaxation and suggestion, but there are other techniques including;

Each of these are explained in more detail below and are often used in conjunction with each other and hypnotherapy.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a set of powerful techniques for maximising potential. It focuses on how the mind words, how we communicate both internally and externally and our patterns of behaviour. Changes made can be quick and permanent.

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Emotional Freedom Techniques

Touch, used in the right way, generates a reaction. This is known as the "orientation response" and is a basic human instinct. If you're feeling down, a hug from a loved one can make you feel better. If the lights went out and you found yourself in darkness, the first thing you would do is reach out and touch something familiar, like a wall, window or door, because it orients you correctly and then you can do something about it.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), is a series of techniques involving fingertip pressure in certain areas around the head, arms and hands to produce a desired reaction, either in the form of a feeling or a behaviour. You choose the reaction you want and then learn how to generate that reaction through fingertip pressure. Affirmations, or what you tell yourself whilst doing it, are very important as the touch reinforces the words.

It's believed that EFT may work through the same principles as acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique that believes energy flows through the body along channels. If these channels get blocked, as can easily happen during normal life, the energy doesn't flow effectively and you suffer as a result. This suffering could be real physical symptoms or it could be emotional turmoil like stress or anxiety.

Acupuncture unblocks the energy channels using needles at crucial points in the body. EFT unblocks the channels using the fingertips rather than needles and, once you've learnt the techniques, you don't need a practitioner as they can be done by yourself.

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Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

What comes first; the thought, the feeling or the behaviour? Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) teaches you to realise how your thoughts, feelings and behaviour are all interlinked. You'll learn how to identify what's causing thoughts, feelings and behaviours rather than them being automatic reactions. Once you realise what they are and how they're all interlinked, you can start to spot them in advance and do something about it.

Perhaps someone cuts you up at a junction on the way home, making you feel angry. You're so cross that by the time you get home you're in a bad mood so you snap at the family who snap back and so starts an argument, making you even more angry. But were you actually angry before someone cut you up and this tipped you over the edge? Or did you really get so angry at someone cutting you up that it ruined your whole evening?

Identifying thoughts and feelings before you act on them can create real changes in your behaviour, whether that's anger management, stress and anxiety, smoking, overeating or a phobia.

Research has proven that CBT with the integration of hypnotherapy is more effective than using CBT alone. A study found that for between 70 – 90% of clients, cognitive and behavioural therapies were more effective when integrated with hypnosis. (Kirsch et al 1996).

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