What is solution-focused hypnotherapy and how can it help?

Solution-focused hypnotherapy is a relatively new and effective holistic approach that allows clients to focus on solutions rather than the actual problems they have come to therapy for. This therapy works with the brain's ability to process thoughts, feelings, and emotions that have often built up over a long period. It combines solution-focused brief therapy and hypnosis to ensure that lasting behavioural changes are made in how clients think, feel, and act regarding events in their lives. This is achieved through psychotherapy techniques and goal setting. The success of the sessions can usually be measured by clients after a few sessions, as their sleep starts to improve and general anxiety levels subside.

What types of issues can solution-focused hypnotherapy help with?

This therapy can help with any brain-related issue. However, the main issues I personally deal with are anxiety and depression related. I have also helped clients achieve a better quality of life with issues such as IBS, pain control, fibromyalgia, rumination, addictions, MS, ME, insomnia, trauma, and migraines.

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a changed state of awareness and increased relaxation that allows for improved focus and concentration. It is the artificial activation of the REM (Rapid eye movement) state, which is the mechanism the brain uses to process thoughts, feelings, and emotions that have built up.

How does the REM state work?

For example, imagine if someone upsets you at work, and it lingers in your mind all night. Even when you go to bed, you are still thinking about it. However, when you sleep, the brain processes the emotions tied to that event via the REM state. The next morning, while you may still remember the argument or incident, the emotional weight of it has been processed.

How does this relate to hypnosis?

Unfortunately, the REM state is restricted to about 20% of our sleep pattern. This limitation poses a problem for the brain, as it has a finite capacity to process emotions. If the brain is overwhelmed and we are overusing our REM state, the quality of our sleep will be affected, leading to gradually increasing anxiety levels. This is why you may wonder why you keep waking in the middle of the night, with your mind racing and unable to get back to sleep, or why you feel tired when you wake up in the morning.

 Can this affect me?

If anxiety levels spiral out of control over time, the brain's fight-or-flight response may eventually be activated, resulting in the primitive part of our brain hijacking our thought processes. This part of the brain operates with three primitive "opt-out" clauses. In addition to the fight-or-flight response, this is the same part of the brain where old patterns of behaviour are stored and where chemical responses in the body and mind are regulated:

• depression
• anger
• anxiety

These clauses were essential for early humans to survive and are housed in the part of the brain focused on survival, rather than in the intellectual part responsible for rational, logical thinking, which is inherently positive. In fact, this intellectual part is unique to humans and is connected to vast intellectual resources.

The primitive part of the brain is not intellectual and cannot be updated. It does not know the difference between imagination and reality.

How does solution-focused brief therapy/hypnotherapy work?

SFBT focuses on solutions, setting goals, and using strengths to achieve positive change quickly. The therapy is delivered not on a conscious level like other conventional therapies, but while in hypnosis. This use of hypnosis is effective because it utilises the subconscious mind, which is highly responsive to behavioural changes.

Therefore, the key principles of solution-focused hypnotherapy are to:

• Reduce anxiety levels by accessing the REM state more effectively and making behavioural changes to ensure that clients' anxiety levels do not build up again.
• Focus solely on helping clients build a positive future by making small, achievable changes to their daily lives. These changes will eventually culminate in larger changes and an overall positive shift in how a person thinks, feels, and acts.

So what is the protocol for the therapy? The first stage is to book an initial consultation, which involves fact-finding about your life. We will discuss how I can help you and set short, medium, and long-term goals. I will also help you to understand how the brain works and how it will help you. I will then give you a copy of my sleep track, which you will need to listen to consistently throughout the process.

General sessions then follow a strict protocol:

• Listing what has been good throughout your week and positives. This technique's sole aim is to help your brain drift into the part in which trance work is more effective.
• Explanation of how the brain works.
• Miracle question: the part in which we set goals and get you to visualise how you are going to improve within the next day or two by achieving small goals.
• Trance work on the couch!

Interesting fact: 30 minutes of trance work is roughly the same as four hours of deep REM state sleep!

What are the barriers preventing clients from achieving their goals in therapy?

• Severe mental health issues: Individuals with severe psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, may not respond well to hypnotherapy.
• Certain medical conditions: Individuals with certain medical conditions, like epilepsy or serious heart problems, should consult their healthcare provider before proceeding.
• Lack of willingness: Clients who are sceptical or unwilling to engage in the process may not benefit as much from hypnotherapy.

My favourite quote about solution-focused hypnotherapy is:

'You can't effect the cards that you are dealt, but you can determine how you play them.'

Milton H. Erickson