Penelope Ling BA DHP SFBT CBT SFBTSUP - Supervisor
About me
Currently online only during lockdown:
I have been offering a friendly and professional Hypnotherapy service since 2007, either from clinic or online. Using a variety of models such as Solution Focused, CBT, NLP and BWRT to enable my clients to be able to move towards their goals and solutions in a progressive way, and not keep going over the problem.
I have been described by my clients "as a warm and understanding therapist with a fantastic laugh and a soothing voice".
Specialising in Anxiety related problems, including Exam stress, Driving Fear, IBS and mild phobias, I overcame my many phobias during my training back in 2007, which included driving - I had not driven for 13 years, - needle, spider, balloon and dental phobias. I have been included in a book about driving phobias and has been interviewed by the National Press and BBC Radio on the subject of hypnotherapy and phobias.
My book "Driving me crazy - overcome the fear of driving" is available on Amazon. The book explains the brain's role in driving anxiety and how using a variety of tools - including hypnotherapy can help address this problem.
To help clients understand how their therapy is progressing, I use Outcome Ratings, as introduced by the International Center for Clinical Excellence. So they always know how it's progressing.
In 2016 I added Nutritional therapy to the list of therapies on offer so I could work confidently with eating disorders, ARFID and fussy eaters and weight loss clients. In 2017 I became a Senior Associate of the Royal College of Medicine. After completing an Integrated Medicine foundation course with The College of Medicine,
I have experience of practically every problem hypnotherapy can help with. Working currently online, seeing clients from all over the UK, or Kingsmoor clinic if that's not possible. I have regularly seen students for stress management, time management, confidence issues, sleep disorders and exam stress, sleeping disorders, fear of failure and confidence issues.
My biggest achievements have been working with difficult cases such as helping a stroke victim to swallow again (phagophobia), and a young man who suffered serious brain damage after an attack to overcome agoraphobia and have a life again, and being able to travel, his last holiday was to travel to Gibraltar by ship with a friend, then fly home - it was his first time on a plane.
Areas of expertise are:
- IBS
- Confidence, self-esteem and relationship issues
- Sports psychology and performance
- Food phobias, eating problems - with nutrition
- Stage fright and performance enhancement
- Fears, mild phobias and anxiety
- Stress management
- Lack of motivation
- Fussy Eaters / ARFID Avoidance/Restrictive Food intake disorder
- Exam nerves
Hypnotherapy is a powerful therapy, helping make changes within the subconscious mind and solution focused therapy helps you to use all your strengths and resources and to find more.
I am fully qualified (HPD), insured & has DBS check. Trained originally at the Clifton Practice in Bristol back in 2007, and has subsequently trained with Human Givens, Coaching and is currently training in nutrition therapy to help food phobia and weight loss clients with their food choices. I am a Senior Associate of the Royal Society of Medicine, an accredited member and supervisor for the NCH (National Council for hypnotherapy) a member of the CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council), The College of Medicine and a member of the AfSFH (Association for solution focused hypnotherapy) and I was their editor for Hypnotherapy Today and Metamorphosis between 2010 and 2015. I also teach therapists about Social Media and internet marketing.
I have made regular appearances on BBC Radio Oxford talking about many issues affecting our mental health and on Oxford Talk TV Freeview channel 8, and I am a contributor to Happiful magazine.
Training, qualifications & experience
BA Hons - Oxford Brookes University - included module in Psychology. I also volunteered for research at Oxford University Psychology labs and the Warneford Hospital.
I studied for a diploma in Hypnotherapy at the Clifton Practice in Bristol in 2007 and went on to attain the DHP after which I set up a practice at the Oakspring Clinic in Clevedon. Soon after I trained in CBT, NLP, SFBT and Supervision, and started working from clinics in Bristol. I now work from clinics in Oxford, Abingdon, & Bampton.
I supervise hypnotherapists from all over the UK, and I am an executive member of the Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, one of the member organisations recognized by UKCHO. As Editor for Hypnotherapy Today Magazine, I work with very experienced colleagues helping support those therapists who have just trained.
I specialise in anxiety based problems especially phobias and sleep related problems such as insomnia, and sports hypnosis for those who wish to improve their performance.
Other CPD includes:
Hypnobirthing - Clifton Practice 2008
Mindfulness and acceptance - Clifton Practice 2008
SF Coaching in business - Clifton Practice 2009
Drug and alcohol dependency - Clifton Practice 2009
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - Clifton Practice 2009
Solution Focused Brief Therapy - Clifton Practice 2009
The impact of hypnosis on pain & disease. - Clifton Practice 2010
Supervisors course - Clifton Practice 2010
Hypnotension - NCH 2011
Coaching - The Coaching Academy 2012
NCH extravaganza - NCH 2014
Couples therapy - Human Givens College 2014
Solution Focused Couples Therapy - 2014
Research - Clifton Practice 2014
Mentoring women back to work - Oxfam 2014
NCH Extravaganza - NCH 2015
Brain working recursive therapy - Terence Watts 2015
Train the trainer - Knowledge Academy 2015
NCH extravaganza - NCH 2016
Working with children - Clifton Practice 2016
Training Therapists in Social Media - FHT 2016
Nutrition therapy - Oxford College 2016
Foundation course in Integrated Medicine - The College of Medicine 2016
Pain Management - Dorothea Read Cardiff Hospital 2016
Science of the IC - CPHT 2018
GDPR - School of Clinical Hypnotherapy 2018
DBT - Udemy 2018
EDMR - 2018
PTSD - Andy workman 2020
PTSD - Dr David Muss 2020
Course creation - 2020
I am a published author, run workshops and courses on meditation, marketing and present talks on the myths and truths about hypnosis.
Member organisations
Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
National Council for Hypnotherapy
The National Council for Hypnotherapy holds one of the largest registers of independent Hypnotherapists in the United Kingdom and strives to maintain the highest standards among its members.
There is an agreed Code of Conduct, an established Complaints & Disciplinary Procedure and all members are obliged to maintain comprehensive Public Liability & Professional Indemnity Insurance, maintain regular CPD (continuing professional development) hours, and attend Supervision when needed.
Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
The CNHC encompasses many types of alternative therapy, including hypnotherapy.
In order to be admitted to the register a practitioner must have studied to the National Occupational Standards for that profession/discipline, or have reached the equivalent of the National Occupational Standards through other relevant training or at least three years of experience and been assessed by their peers.
A practitioner must also have professional insurance and agree to abide by the CNHC Code of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.
The General Hypnotherapy Register
Hypnotherapists may become members of the General Hypnotherapy Register if they satisfy certain criteria with regard to both training and ongoing requirements as determined from time to time by the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC).
Members are either registered at Practitioner status (which confirms that the GHR acknowledges their qualification to practice), or Affiliate status. Although Affiliate level registrants will have completed a sufficient number of training hours to equip them to commence seeing clients on a limited basis, the GHR does not acknowledge them to have yet been trained to full practitioner level.
All GHR Registered Practitioners are required to accept the published Code of Ethics and Complaints & Disciplinary Procedure.
Accredited register membership
Accredited Register Scheme
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of hypnotherapy I deal with
Information about health conditions (*)
Hypnotherapy can enhance the well-being of individuals diagnosed with serious medical conditions, but should not take the place of medical treatment and advice. If you have been diagnosed with - or suspect you may have - any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor before starting hypnotherapy.
Other areas of hypnotherapy I deal with
Enuresis
Menopause
Fibromyalgia - relieving stress and pain management
Life coaching
Supervision
working with children over 14
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
Consultations
20 minute by phone - FREE
Full hour at clinic - £75
Full hour and half online with session - £65
Clinic Sessions - also see options
£75 at clinic
£65 online
Special concessions at certain times and places, please email to find out more
*If you agree to a set number of sessions reductions are available.
Stop smoking - either 2 hours @ £180 or 2x one hours sessions @ £90
*At the consultation, you will receive a complimentary CD to listen to between sessions or a link to MP3.
Student discount available with NUS card for exam stress package - ask at consultation.
OPTIONS
I also have a payment scheme for those who wish to spread the cost. I have a number of times available for lower income individual, children and senior citizens, please say when you call
Also can provide some private health schemes with invoices, so you can claim back expenses.
Further information
SUPERVISION
Group supervision takes place in Caversham Reading every 2 months - please contact me for more details. Other supervision is via Skype and supervisees need to be a member of the NCH or AfSFH. I do one to one mentoring as well.
Mentoring for Oxfam
I am part of the Oxfam mentoring scheme to help women who wish to re-enter the workplace after having children, or who are about to retire and worry about what to do next.
Corporate Health
Having worked in industries which have either strict deadlines or a fast turnover of staff, I am very aware how important it is to look after the mental welfare of employees. Presenteeism and absenteeism cost companies a lot of money each year so making sure you have an appropriate mental health policy is essential.
I have either worked with companies to help managers utilise solution focused tools to help overcome problems, as well as providing stress management sessions for employees to show how visualisation can help focus their minds.
Or, I can help companies by providing them with subsidised therapy sessions as part of their employee benefits package.
Call for a consultation.
Testimonials
Problems with a nervous tick
It is hard to put into words just how much Penny has helped both my daughter and myself. Having been through turbulent times my daughter had become very nervous, and had developed severe twitching of her head and eyes which she was unable to control. Penny has given her back the confidence to believe in herself and the ability to deal with whatever life brings. She no longer twitches and instead interacts well with others when under pressure. I can not recommend Penny highly enough.
TP - Vale of the White Horse
Problems with self esteem and emotional issues.
Hello Penny. I just want you to know I am still going strong. The BWRT really helped me. Thank you so much. My Dad is no longer a problem. If I can ever help you, in any way to help somebody please call on me.
TB Vale of White Horse
A level student helped to sleep to prepare for rowing championships
Hello, this is MB. I just wanted to let you know I’ve been sleeping very well for the past week and a half and therefore won’t need any further sessions. Thank You for your help, it was a great experience!
MB Abingdon
A level student regains confidence in exam results
Hi Penny, I thought I should let you know that your therapy has completely changed me for the better. Since our final session not only have I not suffered an attack like before, but the thoughts have hardly come into my head. I remember one night where the same thoughts came to me and caused me to sit up however despite something like that almost certainly causing me to have an attack a while ago, I was able to deal with the thoughts all by myself which was something I never thought I could do. I think your therapy also helped me to focus on GCSEs and I am delighted to tell you that I ended up getting 7A*s and 6As, something I am immensely proud of. Thank you again.
GF Oxford.
IBS sufferer gains her independence
“Penny was helpful, informative, professional with a varied background and education, she brought a lot of useful varied outlooks which helped me tremendously.”
JT Abingdon
