What is Solution Focused Hypnotherapy?
The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (of which I am a member) summarises the practice as follows:
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a type of 'talking therapy', that combines the use of psychotherapy with hypnosis. Hypnosis or 'trance' is a very natural, relaxing state, encouraged by using guided relaxation, where the mind can relax and then focus on thoughts and suggestions that might be useful. As a modern psychotherapeutic approach, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy uses practical, structured, and well-researched strategies to help people make significant, positive changes in their lives in a relatively short period of time. Crucially, in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, therapists look at what the client wants to achieve (the solution) rather than at whatever prompted them to seek help (the problem).
You can see more about Solution Focused Hypnotherapy on the AfSFH website.
Where did the therapy come from?
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy has its roots in the practice of David Newton, who was a highly regarded hypnotherapist working in Bristol and nationally from the 1980s onwards. In the mid-1990s, frustrated by the limitations of 'analytical' therapy, which he felt was at risk of making clients more miserable, David decided to explore new approaches, becoming (in his own words) "very eclectic".
David was inspired by both the open-minded creativity of the Ericksonian hypnosis and NLP techniques that were making their way to Britain from the USA, and the client-centred humility (and speedy results) of Solution Focused Brief Therapy, which had been founded in Milwaukee in the late 1970s by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, but was becoming more prevalent in the UK.
By 2000, David felt he had synthesised these approaches into a solid, teachable therapy mode, and with the establishment of the first Solution Focused Hypnotherapy course in 2002 a new discipline was born.
What is special about Solution Focused Hypnotherapy?
For me, it provides the very best of several different therapeutic approaches:
- Clinical Hypnotherapy: We will use hypnosis (see below) to get the whole brain working creatively and sidestep psychological resistance to change
- Solution Focused Brief Therapy: We will focus on your strengths rather than your problems, and work to get you closer to your own picture of how you want your life to be or to feel
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: We will look together at how your brain works and how your experience is shaped by your own internal responses to what is happening in your life, before learning new patterns that will work better for you
What is hypnosis?
The National Council for Hypnotherapy (of which I am also a member) describes hypnosis as follows:
Opinions vary on the exact definition of this natural state of mind. First of all, contrary to what many people believe, hypnosis is not always a trance state or a sleep state even though a person in hypnosis may appear to be sleeping. Hypnosis is really a natural state of mind and is an important part of everyday life. Whenever our mind wanders, daydreams or is focused on something, such as reading a book, driving a familiar route or watching a film we are in a state of hypnosis.
In trance the internal voice of our conscious brain seems to quieten or disappear. As it does so, we gain access to the unconscious mind, which can be better at taking on board new information, ideas and suggestions.
As a clinical hypnotherapist I will use gentle visualisation and relaxation techniques to help you access trance states in order to encourage positive change, allowing you to be the best version of yourself.
Please do look at my page on How I can help to see more information about specific challenges and conditions that are amenable to treatment through Solution Focused Hypnotherapy.