Welcome to my Articles Page:
For all things Hypnotherapy, transformational, and changes that last.
Explore insights, tips, and stories designed to inform, inspire, and keep you up to date.
Published Articles on Hypnotherapy Directory and The Networker Netazine:
Dealing with stress:
https://the-networker.co.uk/deal-with-stress-now-not-later-your-brain-will-thank-you/
Letting Go:
Hypnotherapy Explained:
https://www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk/articles/hypnotherapy-explained-in-a-nutshell
Effects of Stress on our physical and mental health:
For more articles please visit my profile page:
https://www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk/hypnotherapists/debbie-stanton
(scroll to bottom of profile to see full list of articles)
Latest Articles:
The Hidden Link: How Emotions Shape Our Physical Health
In today’s crazy-paced world, we often treat the body and mind as two separate systems. But emerging science, and ancient wisdom suggests they are deeply intertwined. Our emotions don’t just colour our mood, they can leave fingerprints on our physical health, influencing everything from the immune system to heart function and digestion.
This connection has always fascinated me, so I want to share some of my findings with you and explore how different emotional states can manifest in the body, and why tuning into our emotional well-being might be just as important as diet and exercise.
Stress:
When we experience stress, the body goes into “fight or flight” mode. This is a useful short-term response, but when stress becomes chronic, it wreaks havoc on our systems. Elevated cortisol levels (the body’s primary stress hormone) can
weaken the immune system, disrupt sleep patterns, contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease.
Prolonged stress is also linked to inflammation, a root cause of many chronic illnesses such as arthritis, IBS, and even certain cancers.
Anxiety and the Gut-Brain Connection
Ever had "butterflies" before a big event? That’s the gut-brain connection in action. Anxiety often shows up in the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms can include: Stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhoea or constipation.
The gut is home to millions of neurons and is often called the "second brain." When anxiety is persistent, it can disrupt digestion, leading to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Depression:
Depression doesn’t just cloud the mind, it slows down the body. Those struggling with depression often report chronic fatigue,
aches and pains with no clear physical cause, suppressed immune function and sleep disturbances.
Some studies even show that depression can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Anger:
While occasional anger is a natural emotion, chronic, suppressed, or explosive anger has physical consequences. It can lead to
elevated blood pressure, increased risk of stroke and heart attack and muscle tension and headaches. Holding onto unresolved anger has also been linked to increased inflammation in the body.
Grief:
Grief, particularly after the loss of a loved one, can deeply impact the immune system. It often leads to a lowered white blood cell count,
increased vulnerability to infection, sleep problems and heart palpitations. There’s even a term for heart issues triggered by grief which is the 'broken heart syndrome' a real, temporary condition where intense emotion weakens the heart muscle.
The Healing Emotions, Love and Joy:
Positive emotions don’t just feel good—they’re good for you. Studies show that people who regularly experience gratitude, joy, and connection tend to have lower blood pressure, stronger immune responses, longer lifespans and lower rates of depression and anxiety.
Oxytocin, known as the 'love hormone', when released during affectionate moments, also supports heart health and lowers cortisol. That's why cuddles are so important.
Mind-Body Practices That Support Emotional and Physical Health
The good news? You can train your mind and body to work together. Here are a few practices that strengthen the emotional-physical connection:
Mindfulness and meditation - reduces stress and inflammation
Breath work and yoga - calms the nervous system
Therapies ie. Hypnotherapy & NLP - creates change at the psychological level
Journaling – helps process stored emotions
Connection and community - boosts emotional resilience
Art, music, and creativity - channel emotions constructively
Affirmations - Lower stress and improve mood.
Our body hears everything our mind says. Emotions are not just fleeting feelings; they are powerful signals from within that can affect your physiology in surprising ways. By acknowledging, understanding, and working through your emotions, you can support both your mental and physical well-being.
Start listening in—your body has a lot to say.
Hypnotherapy for Weight Loss: A Path to Sustainable Change
In the journey towards weight loss, many find themselves caught in cycles of restrictive diets and intense exercise routines, only to face frustration and setbacks. At Stanton Hypnotherapy, I recognise that true transformation begins not just with the body, but with the mind. Weight loss isn’t just a physical challenge—it’s an emotional and psychological one, too. Many of us eat when we’re bored, stressed, sad, or even just because it’s 9 p.m. and we’ve had a long day. We repeat behaviours we know aren’t good for us, often feeling like we’re stuck in a loop.
Understanding the Role of the Mind in Weight Management
Our relationship with food is deeply intertwined with our emotions, habits, and subconscious beliefs. Often, challenges such as emotional eating, stress-induced cravings, and ingrained habits can undermine our best efforts. Hypnotherapy offers a gentle yet effective approach to address these underlying factors by working with the subconscious mind to foster healthier behaviours and attitudes toward food and self.
The Science Behind the Suggestion
It might sound a bit too mystical for the data-driven world we live in, but science is catching up. A number of studies suggest that hypnotherapy can be a helpful tool in the weight-loss toolbox—particularly when paired with healthy lifestyle changes.
One study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that people who used hypnosis as part of their weight-loss plan lost more weight than those who didn’t—and they kept it off longer. Other research suggests hypnosis can help reduce emotional eating, boost motivation to exercise, and even improve body image.
How Hypnotherapy Supports Weight Loss
- Reprogramming Eating Habits: By altering subconscious associations, hypnotherapy can help reduce cravings for unhealthy foods and encourage a preference for nutritious options.
- Enhancing Motivation: Through tailored suggestions, hypnotherapy can boost your motivation to engage in regular physical activity and make mindful food choices.
- Addressing Emotional Triggers: And this is the BIG one - Hypnotherapy can help identify and manage emotional triggers that lead to overeating, comfort eating, procrastination, self soothing etc. by promoting emotional resilience and healthier coping mechanisms.
A Holistic Approach to Weight Loss
At Stanton Hypnotherapy, I believe in a holistic approach that combines hypnotherapy with Life Coaching plus tools and techniques to use at home. While hypnotherapy addresses the psychological aspects of weight management, integrating it with balanced nutrition and regular physical activity can enhance overall well-being and support sustainable weight loss. By utilising other therapies such as BWRT (Brain Working Recursive Therapy), NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), I am able to help re-programme the subconscious mind by giving it the tools and techniques to reinforce and support the journey.
If you're ready to explore how hypnotherapy can support your weight loss journey, please get in touch for a free, no-obligation consultation. Together, we can work towards achieving your goals in a compassionate and empowering environment.
An Holistic Approach to lasting change:
Utilising transformative, lasting change by drawing on a range of therapeutic approaches:
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Brain Working Recursive Therapy (BWRT)
Hypnotherapy
Transformational Coaching
Each method has its own unique strengths, and together, they create an holistic approach that addresses not just symptoms, but also the underlying beliefs, emotional patterns, and perceptions that shape each individual’s experience. Here’s how and when incorporated into therapy, they bring unique benefits to each individual
.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP): Unlocking patterns and mindsets
NLP focuses on understanding and changing the mental patterns that influence our emotions and behaviours. It’s especially powerful in helping clients recognize unhelpful thoughts or beliefs and replace them with more constructive ones. NLP guides you through techniques such as anchoring, reframing, and modelling successful behaviours.
NLP is effective for clients who feel "stuck" in certain mindsets or repetitive patterns of behaviour. For example, NLP’s anchoring techniques allow you to access positive emotional states when needed, while reframing helps you see new possibilities within old challenges. By shifting these internal perceptions, you find you have new tools to handle stress, anxiety, or self-doubt in real-time.
With NLP, we begin by identifying limiting beliefs that may be holding you back. From there, we introduce exercises that help you reframe these beliefs, empowering you to replace self-doubt or fear with confidence and clarity. Whether it’s for overcoming fears, improving communication, or building resilience, NLP’s versatility makes it a valuable part of any therapy practice.
BrainWorking Recursive Therapy (BWRT): Fast, effective, deep transformation
BWRT is a relatively new but highly effective form of therapy that works by "reprogramming" neural pathways to alter responses to triggers. Using the science of neuroplasticity, BWRT creates fast, often permanent changes in response to issues like phobias, anxiety, and unwanted habits by interrupting negative thought patterns and replacing them with healthier responses.
BWRT is an ideal choice for those who need swift, deep changes, particularly when dealing with trauma, intense phobias, or persistent behavioural patterns. Because BWRT works with the brain's natural processes and requires minimal storytelling, it’s highly effective for those who may feel overwhelmed discussing past events or details.
With BWRT, you are guided through a step-by-step process that rewires how your brain responds to specific thoughts or triggers. This method allows you to experience changes quickly and often without needing to revisit painful memories. BWRT is especially valuable for helping those who need immediate relief from phobias, stress, or trauma-based responses.
Hypnotherapy: Accessing the subconscious for deep-seated change
Hypnotherapy works by using a deeply relaxed state to access the subconscious mind, allowing you to tap into thoughts and beliefs that are not always accessible in a normal state of awareness. Hypnotherapy is effective for creating lasting change in areas such as weight management, anxiety, addiction, and self-esteem by addressing the root causes of behaviour rather than just surface symptoms.
Hypnotherapy is a powerful way to bypass conscious resistance and influence deeper patterns of thought and behaviour. It’s particularly useful for those who may have tried other approaches without success, as it directly targets the subconscious mind where many habits and beliefs are stored.
During hypnotherapy sessions, you are guided into a relaxed state where you are open to positive suggestions and visualization techniques. This allows you to explore your subconscious and replace negative habits, self-beliefs, or fears with constructive alternatives. By working with you in this state, hypnotherapy fosters profound and lasting changes, even for those dealing with long-standing issues.
Transformational Coaching: Cultivating self-awareness and personal empowerment
While NLP, BWRT, and Hypnotherapy focus on modifying specific thought patterns, beliefs, or behaviours, Transformational Coaching provides you with a structured, goal-oriented path to self-discovery and long-term growth. Transformational coaching emphasizes authenticity, self-awareness, and personal values, encouraging you to live a life that aligns with your true self and core beliefs.
Transformational coaching goes beyond addressing immediate concerns by helping you develop self-awareness, resilience, and a deeper understanding of yourself. It is ideal for those looking to achieve long-term personal growth, as it focuses on lasting inner change rather than temporary fixes.
In transformational coaching sessions, you area able to explore and align with your values, set meaningful goals, and overcome limiting beliefs that may be holding you back. By working collaboratively therapists and clients set a vision for their future, providing guidance, encouragement, and practical tools you can use on your journey toward fulfilment and purpose. Transformational coaching empowers you to take ownership of your life and make choices that resonate with who you truly are.
Why combining these approaches creates profound change
Each of these therapies is powerful on its own, but together, they create a synergistic effect that allows you to experience lasting, comprehensive change. Here’s how integrating these therapies benefits you:
Addresses multiple levels of experience:
Each modality targets a different level—conscious thought (NLP), subconscious triggers (BWRT and hypnotherapy), and overall life direction (transformational coaching). This layered approach ensures that both surface symptoms and underlying causes are addressed.
Creates both immediate and long-term benefits:
Techniques like BWRT and Hypnotherapy can create immediate shifts, while Transformational Coaching and NLP provide tools for long-term personal development and resilience.
Empowers you with practical tools:
From NLP’s anchoring techniques to Transformational Coaching’s goal-setting strategies, each approach offers you actionable tools you can use beyond sessions to manage stress, build confidence, and navigate challenges.
Fosters self-awareness and lasting self-confidence:
Together, these therapies encourage deep self-awareness, self-compassion, and a growth-oriented mindset. You develop confidence not only in managing specific issues but also in facing future challenges with resilience and self-trust.
By combining NLP, BWRT, Hypnotherapy, and Transformational Coaching, I offer a multifaceted approach that is flexible, effective, and adaptable to your unique needs. This integrative method addresses the full scope of your experience—thoughts, beliefs, behaviours, and life purpose—allowing you to make meaningful, lasting changes that enhance your personal and professional lives. Through this blend of powerful therapies, I help you not only overcome specific issues but also achieve a greater sense of purpose, empowerment, and alignment with you true self.
This holistic approach creates lasting transformation and offers you the tools to lead a life that is authentically fulfilling and resilient to life’s challenges.
Therapy for Tomorrow: Shifting focus from Past Wounds to Future Growth
In recent years, therapy has become more mainstream and widely embraced, with countless people experiencing its benefits for mental health. However, many still view therapy primarily as a way to heal from the past. Traditional approaches often focus on exploring trauma, family challenges, and unresolved grief to find closure. As a therapist trained in this method, I’ve seen its value. But I’ve also noticed that dwelling too much on the past can hold us back from envisioning and building the future we want. While understanding our history is important, it’s equally vital to focus on who we can become.
The concept of "forward-focused" therapy introduces a new perspective: while addressing past wounds is important, therapy can also help us look ahead and shape the person we aspire to be. Future-focused therapy encourages you to visualize your ideal self and move intentionally toward this vision with self-compassion. This approach reshapes therapy by focusing on growth and self-actualization alongside healing.
Traditional Therapy’s Focus on the Past
In the past, therapy has focused more on exploring past traumas and emotional wounds to find closure. This "backward-looking" model allows people to see patterns in their responses and understand the experiences that have shaped them. Yet, for some, dwelling on past pain can lead to feeling stuck, revisiting memories without making headway toward future goals.
When therapy over-focuses on the past, people can end up defining themselves through past hurts. For example, someone who experienced neglect might begin to see themselves as "someone who was neglected," rather than "someone working toward fulfilling relationships." This identity focused on past pain can limit optimism and growth.
The Power of Focusing on Our Future Selves
Future-focused therapy is about more than just "fixing" the past; it’s a commitment to building the future. Research shows that people who clearly envision their future selves are more likely to make decisions aligned with growth and fulfilment. By helping you look forward and imagine the life you want, future-focused therapy empowers you to see yourself as acreator of your future, not just products of your past.
By encouraging you to make choices today that benefit your tomorrow, this approach builds a sense of empowerment and encourages a mindset geared toward future possibilities.
Practical Techniques in Future-Focused Therapy
Future-focused therapy uses practical techniques to help you connect with your future self:
• Guided Visualization of the Future Self: Therapists guide you to imagine your life five, ten, or twenty years from now. What goals have you achieved? What values are central? This exercise brings your ideal future into clearer focus.
• Setting Goals with a “Reverse Engineering” Approach: You break down your long-term vision into smaller, achievable actions, weaving future goals into daily routines.
• Exploring Values and Long-Term Aspirations: Instead of focusing on why past events shaped certain values, clients focus on the values you want to prioritize moving forward.
• Building Resilience for Future Challenges: This is where you prepare for challenges and develop strategies for resilience. Rather than seeing setbacks as tied to past limitations, you view them as temporary steps in your path forward.
Psychological Benefits of a Future-Focused Approach
Shifting to a future focus doesn’t mean ignoring trauma or pain—it means placing it within a bigger story of growth. Future-focused therapy nurtures self-efficacy, or belief in the ability to achieve goals, helping you gradually let go of past pain and build confidence in your capacity to change.
Future-focused therapy also helps reduce rumination, a habit linked to anxiety and depression. By redirecting mental energy toward the future, you form constructive, solution-focused thoughts rather than replaying past scenarios. Over time, this can strengthen emotional resilience and foster a more empowered mindset.
Balancing the Past and Future in Therapy
Future-focused therapy doesn’t dismiss the past. Instead, it brings past experiences into a balanced approach where they inform, rather than control, future goals. By acknowledging old wounds and mainly focusing on aspirations, therapy becomes a journey of growth—honouring where you have been but focusing on where you want to go.
You may revisit past events with a future-oriented mindset, asking, “How can my experiences guide me toward who I want to become?” This approach turns insight into action, fostering growth and self-improvement.
A Call for a New Direction in Therapy
Therapy needs to move beyond its traditional focus on past experiences and shift toward an approach that encourages both healing and personal growth. A future-focused model offers a powerful way to help people not just cope, but truly thrive. By reshaping therapy as a place to envision and build a fulfilling future, therapists can support you in becoming an active creator of your life rather than passive products of your past.
In this approach, therapy becomes a dynamic process where you work to intentionally shape who you want to become, building resilience and hope along the way. Ultimately, the purpose of therapy may extend beyond fixing past wounds to empowering you to craft your future self with purpose.
