It has been sometime since I last put down some words about hypnosis. I continue to teach hypnotherapy for the Northern College of Creative Hypnotherapy at Tameside General Hospital (see www.ncoch.co.uk if you want more information) and I reflect that when you teach a subject it has a profound impact on your practice and visa versa. My teaching feeds my hypnotherapy practice and my hypnotherapy practice feeds my teaching. I am also blessed to teach alongside my good friend Ray Jenkinson, who is a constant inspiration and reminder of creative connection.

I have found that I have moved away from a structured script-based approach to hypnotherapy to a more creative intuitive and innovative way. This is underpinned by a confidence in my ability to be more intuitive together with the knowledge that I can encourage my clients to find their own answers. Sometimes they don’t even need to know consciously what they are changing or letting go of. Sometimes this feels like we are taking a risk, although the subsequent feedback is positive. I do believe that as therapists and practitioners we have an ethical commitment to research the effectiveness of our work. This needs to be balanced with good ethical practice, confidentiality and care for participants. If you would like to be involved in any research into the effectiveness of hypnotherapy I would love to here from you.

I continue to work using creative hypnotherapy for all kinds of issues from smoking, weight control, phobias, confidence, stress management, fear, relationships and spiritual issues. Please feel free to give me a call if you are unsure.

Jonathan Lloyd