Welcome to my Articles Page:
For all things Hypnotherapy & transformational, for 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:
What is Imposter Syndrome?
You’ve just been promoted, landed a major client, or received recognition for your work. While others are celebrating you, a quiet voice inside whispers: “You don’t deserve this. You just got lucky. Sooner or later, they’ll find out.”
That’s Imposter Syndrome - a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite clear evidence of their competence. Far from being rare, it's a phenomenon that quietly affects high achievers across industries and walks of life.
Where It All Begins: The Roots of Self-Doubt
Coined in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, Imposter Syndrome was initially observed in high-achieving women who were unable to internalise their success. Over time, research has shown that it affects people of all genders, cultures, and backgrounds.
Its roots are often complex:
• Perfectionism: People with imposter tendencies often set impossibly high standards for themselves and equate failure to meet them with personal inadequacy.
• Early family dynamics: If a child is labeled as “the smart one” or “the responsible one,” they may internalise a pressure to maintain that identity flawlessly. Conversely, children who have been pushed aside in favour of another sibling feel compelled to prove their worth.
• Cultural and systemic factors: Individuals from marginalised groups may feel they have to work harder to "prove" they belong in spaces historically not built for them, amplifying feelings of fraudulence.
The Mask We Wear: Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome
While it manifests differently in each person, common characteristics include:
• Attributing success to external factors (luck, timing, others’ help)
• Fear of being discovered as not truly capable
• Downplaying achievements
• Overworking to cover perceived inadequacies
• Chronic self-doubt even after repeated success
Ironically, those experiencing Imposter Syndrome are often the ones performing at the highest levels. Their achievements come not from deception, but from dedication and competence - yet this truth is obscured by internal narratives of fraudulence.
Different Faces of the Imposter.
Dr. Valerie Young, a leading expert on Imposter Syndrome, categorised it into five “competence types”:
• The Perfectionist – equates success with flawlessness.
• The Expert – feels they must know everything before starting.
• The Soloist – believes asking for help reveals incompetence.
• The Natural Genius – expects to succeed without effort.
• The Superhuman – pushes to excel in every area to prove worth.
Understanding which type you align with can help in targeting strategies to reframe thinking patterns.
The Impact:
Unchecked, Imposter Syndrome can lead to:
• Burnout from overwork and constant striving
• Stagnation due to fear of taking risks or seizing opportunities
• Poor mental health, including anxiety and depression
• Impaired leadership, where self-doubt hinders decision-making and delegation.
It can also create a cycle where people hesitate to share their struggles, reinforcing the illusion that everyone else feels confident and secure.
Strategies for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
• Name it to tame it
Recognise and label imposter thoughts. Awareness is the first step to disempowering them.
• Reframe your inner dialogue
Replace "I don't belong here" with "I'm learning and growing every day." Affirm your value and progress.
• Track your wins
Keep a success journal—document achievements, positive feedback, and moments of pride. This builds a factual counter-narrative.
• Talk about it
Open up to mentors, colleagues, or friends. You’ll likely find you’re not alone - and that honesty can be liberating.
• Detach self-worth from productivity
You're not your output. Rest - mistakes and learning curves are part of growth, not signs of inadequacy.
• Seek therapy or coaching
For deeply ingrained patterns, professional support can offer personalised tools and insights.
Conclusion:
Embracing Authentic Confidence
Imposter Syndrome thrives in silence and shame. But when we speak about it, we chip away at the illusion that everyone else has it all figured out. Confidence isn’t the absence of doubt - it’s the decision to act with courage despite it.
To overcome Imposter Syndrome is not to eliminate all uncertainty, but to reclaim your story from the grip of false narratives. You are not a fraud - you’re human, growing, and deserving of every inch of the space you occupy.
Understanding the 6 Types of Depression – More Than Just Sadness
Depression is more than just feeling sad or going through a rough patch. It's a complex mental health condition that manifests in different forms, each with its own causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches. Recognizing the type of depression someone is experiencing can be a crucial step toward effective healing. Here are six common types of depression you should know about:
1. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Unipolar Depression
Also known simply as clinical depression, MDD is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. People with MDD may experience changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and thoughts of death or suicide. Symptoms must last for at least two weeks to meet the diagnostic criteria.
Key Features:
• Persistent sadness or emptiness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most activities
• Sleep and appetite disturbances
• Fatigue or low energy
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• May include suicidal thoughts
• Symptoms last at least 2 weeks
2. Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
Formerly called dysthymia, PDD is a chronic form of depression that lasts for at least two years. Although the symptoms are usually less severe than major depression, they are more enduring and can interfere with daily life and relationships. People with PDD often describe feeling “down” or “low” most of the time.
Key Features:
• Long-term, chronic low mood (most of the day, more days than not)
• Duration: 2 years or more
• Less severe but more enduring than MDD
• Low energy or fatigue
• Poor self-esteem
• Difficulty making decisions or concentrating
• Hopelessness
• Often coexists with episodes of major depression ("double depression")
3. Bipolar Depression
Bipolar disorder involves mood swings that include both depressive and manic or hypomanic episodes. During the depressive phase, symptoms closely resemble MDD. The key difference is the presence of manic episodes—periods of elevated mood, increased energy, and often impulsive behaviour. Treating bipolar depression requires different strategies than unipolar depression.
Bipolar Depression (Depressive phase of Bipolar I or II)
Key Features:
• Occurs as part of bipolar disorder
• Episodes of major depression, alternating with mania or hypomania
• Depressive symptoms similar to MDD
• Manic symptoms (outside depressive phase) include:
• Elevated or irritable mood
• Increased energy or activity
• Decreased need for sleep
• Risky behaviour or inflated self-esteem
• Requires different treatment approach (e.g., mood stabilizers)
4. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
SAD is a type of depression related to seasonal changes, typically beginning in the fall and continuing through winter. Reduced exposure to sunlight is thought to affect mood-regulating chemicals in the brain. Common symptoms include low energy, excessive sleep, overeating, and withdrawal from social activities.
Key Features:
• Depression tied to seasonal changes, especially autumn/winter
• Low energy and motivation
• Increased sleep (hypersomnia)
• Craving for carbohydrates; weight gain
• Social withdrawal ("hibernating")
• Often improves in spring/summer
• Related to reduced sunlight exposure
5. Postpartum Depression (PPD)
PPD affects women after childbirth and is more intense than the "baby blues" that many new mothers experience. Symptoms include severe mood swings, exhaustion, anxiety, and difficulty bonding with the baby. It can interfere with the mother's ability to care for herself or her child and requires prompt treatment.
Key Features:
• Occurs after childbirth (usually within weeks but can take months)
• Severe mood swings and exhaustion
• Irritability or anger
• Difficulty bonding with baby
• Anxiety, panic attacks
• Feeling overwhelmed or hopeless
• Can include intrusive thoughts or fear of harming the baby or self
• More serious than "baby blues" (which are mild and short-lived)
6. Atypical Depression
Despite its name, atypical depression is quite common. It differs from other types in that mood can temporarily lift in response to positive events. Other features include increased appetite, excessive sleep, heaviness in the limbs, and sensitivity to rejection. This type responds well to certain antidepressants and therapy.
Key Features:
• Mood improves in response to positive events (unique feature)
• Increased appetite or significant weight gain
• Excessive sleeping
• “Leaden paralysis” (heavy feelings in limbs)
• Intense sensitivity to rejection or criticism
• More common in younger individuals
• Often co-occurs with anxiety
Final Thoughts
Depression doesn’t look the same for everyone. Understanding these different forms can help reduce stigma, support those who are struggling, and guide individuals toward the most appropriate care. If you or someone you know shows signs of any type of depression, reaching out for help is a sign of strength—not weakness.
Understanding ADHD: What It Is, What It Isn't
and What It Feels Like to Live With It
When most people hear "ADHD," they picture hyper kids bouncing off the walls or adults who just can’t sit still. But ADHD — Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder — is so much more than that, and often deeply misunderstood.
What ADHD Is:
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the brain’s executive functions — things like focus, organization, emotional regulation, impulse control, and memory. It’s not a lack of intelligence or willpower. It’s a different way of processing the world.
There are three main types:
• Inattentive (often missed or misdiagnosed, especially in women and girls)
• Hyperactive-Impulsive
• Combined
ADHD is lifelong, and while it can present differently from person to person, it’s always valid — even if it doesn’t look the way people expect.
What ADHD Isn’t:
• It’s not just a childhood issue — adults have it too.
• It’s not about being lazy or unmotivated.
• It’s not something you can “try harder” to overcome.
• It’s not always visible — many people with ADHD are masters of masking.
These myths can lead to shame, self-doubt, and years of feeling "not good enough."
What It Feels Like:
Living with ADHD can mean:
• Forgetting things mid-thought
• Struggling to start or finish tasks, even ones you want to do
• Feeling overwhelmed by simple routines
• An inner world that’s always on
• Deep emotions that swing fast and hit hard
• Trying harder than most just to keep up
It can also mean creativity, insight, intuition, passion, and resilience. But the world isn’t always built for neurodivergent minds, which can leave many people feeling lost or burnt out.
The Science bit expanded:
What ADHD Is (with a note on the science)
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain regulates attention, behaviour, emotions, and motivation. It’s linked to differences in the brain’s structure and chemistry — particularly in areas like the prefrontal cortex, which manages executive functions (things like planning, impulse control, and emotional regulation).
Research shows that people with ADHD often have lower levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in motivation and reward. This means tasks that seem simple to others — like starting a project, staying organized, or finishing something once the novelty wears off — can feel much harder for someone with ADHD.
Brain imaging studies also reveal that certain networks in the ADHD brain, like the Default Mode Network and Task-Positive Network, may not switch on and off as smoothly as in neurotypical brains, leading to internal distractions or “mental noise.”
But it’s important to remember: this isn’t a defect - it’s a difference. With understanding and the right support, these differences can be worked with, not against.
In my practice, I support people with ADHD by blending:
• Hypnotherapy to reduce overwhelm and build inner calm
• BWRT® to quickly shift patterns like procrastination, low self-worth, or emotional triggers
• NLP to reframe limiting beliefs and build empowering strategies
• Transformational Coaching to create meaningful, lasting change with compassion and clarity
This approach is gentle, practical, and tailored to how your brain works — helping you move from coping to thriving.
If this sounds like the kind of support you're looking for, you're welcome to reach out. There’s no pressure — just a safe space to explore what’s possible.
Do You Always Overthink Everything or Expect the Worst?
You Might Be Catastrophising - And Here’s How to Break Free
Have you ever found yourself spiraling into thoughts like:
“If I make one mistake, I’ll lose everything.”
“They haven’t texted back—something must be wrong.”
“This small problem is going to turn into a complete disaster.”
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This mental habit is called catastrophising, and it’s more common than you might think.
What Is Catastrophising? The Science Behind It.
Catastrophising is a type of cognitive distortion - a pattern of thinking where the mind jumps to the worst-case scenario, often without any real evidence. It’s a survival-based mechanism, deeply rooted in how our brains are wired.
When we perceive a threat (real or imagined), the brain activates the amygdala, the part responsible for the fight-or-flight response. This causes the body to release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, preparing us for danger. The problem? With catastrophising, this threat is imagined, yet our brain and body react as if it’s real.
Over time, this pattern can:
• Increase chronic anxiety
• Lower your confidence in handling situations
• Lead to avoidance behaviors
• Disrupt sleep, relationships, and decision-making
In essence, your brain becomes trapped in a loop of fear-based thinking, hijacking your ability to respond rationally and calmly.
Why Do We Catastrophise?
There are several reasons why catastrophising develops:
• Early life experiences or trauma
• Perfectionism or fear of failure
• An overactive nervous system due to prolonged stress
• Learned behavior from parents or caregivers
While it's a protective mechanism in origin, it becomes maladaptive when it interferes with daily life and well-being.
The Good News: It’s Not “Just How You Are”
Catastrophising is learned, which means it can also be unlearned. With the right support, you can retrain your brain to respond more calmly and clearly.
At Stanton Hypnotherapy I help clients break free from these unhelpful patterns using a powerful combination of:
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy helps access the subconscious mind, where these automatic fear patterns are stored. In a calm, deeply relaxed state, we can identify the root of the catastrophising habit and gently reprogram it—replacing anxiety-driven scripts with empowering, realistic beliefs.
BWRT® (BrainWorking Recursive Therapy)
BWRT works directly with the brain’s early-warning system. Using a structured protocol based on neuroscience, BWRT interrupts and rewires the moment a catastrophising thought begins - before it spirals out of control. Many clients feel significant relief in just a few sessions.
NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)
NLP is all about understanding how your mind creates meaning through language and images. By identifying the triggers and internal dialogue behind your catastrophising, we can teach your brain new ways to interpret and respond to challenges - calmly and rationally.
Transformational Coaching
While therapy helps heal the past, transformational coaching focuses on helping you step into your future. Together, we’ll uncover your core beliefs, build emotional resilience, and empower you to move forward with confidence, clarity, and purpose. Coaching helps you turn panic into progress.
Imagine a Life Where:
• You feel calm and grounded in the face of uncertainty
• Your mind no longer races to the worst-case scenario
• You respond to stress with resilience, not reactivity
• You trust yourself to handle whatever life brings.
It’s possible - and I’m here to help you get there.
The Science of Gratitude: Why Being Thankful is Good for You
Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good buzzword—it’s a powerful emotional practice that has been studied and proven to benefit our mental, emotional, and even physical health. In a world that often focuses on what’s missing or what needs fixing, choosing to focus on what’s good can be a radical, and transformative act.
Exploring the science behind gratitude and why making it a regular habit can change your life.
What is Gratitude?
Gratitude is the act of noticing and appreciating the positives in life. These can be big things - like good health, supportive relationships, or exciting opportunities - or the little everyday moments, like a cup of tea in peace or a smile from a stranger. It’s not about ignoring challenges, but about choosing to acknowledge what’s also good, right here and now.
The Brain on Gratitude:
Research in neuroscience has shown that practicing gratitude regularly can actually rewire the brain.
When you express or feel gratitude, your brain releases a rush of feel-good chemicals:
• Dopamine – Often called the “reward” chemical, dopamine creates a sense of pleasure and satisfaction. Gratitude increases dopamine production, encouraging your brain to keep seeking out the positive.
• Serotonin – Associated with mood regulation, serotonin helps reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Practicing gratitude helps boost serotonin levels.
• Oxytocin – Sometimes called the “love hormone,” oxytocin fosters connection and trust in relationships, and is triggered by feelings of appreciation and kindness.
Together, these neurotransmitters help improve mood, motivation, sleep, and resilience to stress.
Proven Benefits of Practicing Gratitude:
Dozens of psychological studies support the impact gratitude can have on wellbeing. Here are just a few evidence-backed benefits:
• Improved mental health – Gratitude is linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety. In fact, some studies have found that keeping a gratitude journal can significantly reduce symptoms of depression over time.
• Better sleep – People who regularly practice gratitude report falling asleep faster, sleeping longer, and waking up feeling more refreshed.
• Stronger relationships – Expressing appreciation strengthens bonds. Whether it’s thanking a friend, a partner, or a colleague, gratitude helps deepen trust and connection.
• Boosted immune system – Some research suggests that grateful people may have stronger immune responses and lower levels of inflammation.
• Greater resilience – Grateful individuals tend to cope better with trauma, adversity, and stress, often bouncing back more quickly from difficult experiences.
Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude Daily:
You don’t need to overhaul your life to benefit from gratitude. Here are a few simple practices to start with:
• Keep a Gratitude Journal – Write down 3 things you’re thankful for each day. Keep it small and specific to make it meaningful.
• Say Thank You More Often – Whether it’s a text, a phone call, or a face-to-face moment, expressing thanks out loud reinforces feelings of appreciation.
• Use Visual Reminders – Sticky notes, screen savers, or daily alarms with uplifting messages can prompt regular gratitude.
• Practice Mindful Appreciation – Take 30 seconds each day to pause and savour a positive experience - a warm drink, a bird singing, a quiet moment.
• Reflect Before Sleep – Ending your day by recalling good moments helps your brain lock in the positive before rest.
Gratitude is a Skill - Not Just a Feeling
Like any habit, gratitude grows with practice. It might not come naturally at first - especially during challenging times,- but the more you do it, the more automatic it becomes.
And the best part? Gratitude is free, available at any moment, and requires no special equipment - just a willingness to pause, notice, and appreciate.
Final Thought:
Gratitude won’t solve all your problems, but it can change how you experience them. By shifting your focus from what's lacking to what’s already present, gratitude invites joy, calm, and a deeper connection to life. Why not give it a try?
Understanding Anxiety: Effects and Transformative Therapies
Anxiety is a common yet complex emotional experience that affects millions of people worldwide. While it's a natural response to stress or danger, chronic anxiety can interfere with daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being. Fortunately, a range of therapeutic approaches - such as hypnotherapy, life coaching, and BWRT (BrainWorking Recursive Therapy) offer powerful pathways to relief and resilience.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is the body's response to perceived threats, triggering physical and psychological symptoms such as:
• Excessive worry or fear
• Restlessness or irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Muscle tension
• Sleep disturbances
• Panic attacks
While short-term anxiety can be protective, prolonged or disproportionate anxiety can become a mental health disorder, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety, or Panic Disorder.
The Impact of Anxiety
Unchecked anxiety can have profound effects on both mind and body:
• Mental Health: Increases the risk of depression, burnout, and low self-esteem.
• Physical Health: May contribute to high blood pressure, digestive issues, headaches, and a weakened immune system.
• Daily Life: Interferes with work, relationships, and decision-making, creating a cycle of avoidance and stress.
Traditional treatments often include medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy, but complementary approaches are gaining attention for their holistic and empowering benefits.
Hypnotherapy for Anxiety
How It Works: Hypnotherapy guides individuals into a deeply relaxed, trance-like state to access the subconscious mind. This allows for the reprogramming of anxious thought patterns, replacing them with calm, constructive beliefs.
Benefits:
• Reduces physical symptoms of anxiety (e.g., rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing)
• Breaks the cycle of negative thinking and catastrophizing
• Increases self-awareness and emotional regulation
Many people find hypnotherapy to be a fast-acting, non-invasive method to restore calm and build inner strength.
Transformational Coaching for Anxiety Management
How It Works:
Life coaching focuses on personal development, helping clients identify goals, clarify values, and build confidence. Unlike therapy, coaching is future-oriented and action-based.
Benefits:
• Develops practical coping strategies and routines
• Builds self-efficacy and accountability
• Encourages positive mindset shifts and resilience
A life coach acts as a motivator and guide, helping clients move forward despite fear and uncertainty.
BWRT: BrainWorking Recursive Therapy
How It Works:
BWRT is a modern, neuroscience-based therapy that aims to “reset” the brain's automatic responses to anxiety triggers. It uses logical, structured techniques to recondition thought patterns at the neural level—without needing to relive past trauma.
Benefits:
• Often rapid results (sometimes within 1-2 sessions)
• Does not require disclosure of personal issues
• Targets the root cause of irrational fears or responses
BWRT is particularly effective for phobias, performance anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms, offering a unique solution where traditional talk therapy may fall short.
Choosing the Right Approach
Each person’s experience of anxiety is different, so the ideal therapeutic path depends on individual needs, personality, and preferences. Some may benefit from a single approach, while others find a combined method most effective—for instance, using hypnotherapy to calm the nervous system, life coaching to regain control, and BWRT to neutralize deep-seated triggers.
Conclusion
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, but it’s not insurmountable. Hypnotherapy, life coaching, and BWRT provide powerful, proven methods to help individuals reclaim peace, confidence, and control. Whether you're dealing with chronic worry or situational stress, these approaches can open the door to lasting change and emotional freedom.
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 thatpeople 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.
