Lesley had had a fear of birds for as long as she could remember. With a home in Spain that they regularly went to, she was unable to sit outside to eat and enjoy the glorious weather for fear of a bird coming down in search of crumbs. Whilst her partner was understanding, it was placing a real strain on what should be very relaxing breaks.
What was fascinating was that Lesley would happily feed the ducks with her grandchildren – the rationale being, they didn’t fly! This helped us to narrow down on the likelihood that it was a traumatic experience that had created the phobia – but not one that she was consciously aware of.
And this is where hypnotherapy is so powerful – it works at the level of the subconscious where memories are often buried.
Lesley was familiar with my work and had been hypnotised before so we jumped straight in. Her mind took her back to a very early experience of being in a pram, swaddled up and put outside for a midday sleep when a crow landed on the handle bar. Her mind was still using that reference to determine that you become powerless with birds that fly – and that reference was triggering the same fear all those years on.
Using a very simple therapeutic technique, we helped her mind understand that she was no longer a swaddled baby and that the reality is birds are now more scared of you! And if you don’t want them near, a simple wave of the arm and they are off.
After just one session she opened her eyes and said, “Find me a ‘bleep’ pigeon!
She left my house (where no pigeons were obligingly nearby) and that afternoon sent me a picture of her standing in a town centre (much like trafalgar square) surrounded by pigeons.
Hypnotherapy is very effective at dealing with phobias of all types. Many people suffer needlessly due to embarrassment or believing they can never change. Lesley managed to make the change 50 years after the phobic reaction was set up. It needn’t be that way! For more information, please do get in touch.
Let's TalkJulia came to me reluctantly, having been sent by another client and coming only to pacify him! Her insomnia had led to her not slept for more than about 4 hours in over 10 years. We did just one session and that night she slept for 7 hours. We kept in contact for a while and she was regularly sleeping through the night.
Extracts from her email to me are below:
” My Dear Caroline I can not tell you the difference in my sleep pattern, and I feel as if I have more energy.
I had no idea the Arthritis in my hip was waking me, now I turn and continue sleeping. Since my session with you I sleep much MUCH better. Not every night/day is the same but I do sleep for at least 5 hour, often up to 8 hours.
I did think what you do is “mumbo jumbo” but not any more. It was amazing and if I could bottle your voice I would make a fortune as the gentle way you speak was very relaxing. I do go through your relaxation process as I get into a comfortable position and often fall asleep before I get to the end.
My husband says its likened to a switch that I sleep so well compared to before we met. I’m sorry I haven’t emailed you before now but my life is very busy, but one thing not worrying me is insomnia!”
Let's TalkSabrina had given up smoking on a couple of occasions before but always drifted back to it. So our work to ensure a longer term success was to find motivations to end the habit once and for all.
Sabrina has teenage children and in the natural course of life, they were becoming more independent the desire to spend quality time with them when they were at home was paramount- no more sneaking off for a quick puff!
Also, she was very aware of how smoking reduced here energy levels and her ability to really enjoy her other habit – running.
And a further significant motivator was the recognition of how smoking was controlling her. She felt ‘like a slave to cigarettes’ with the addictive powers consuming thoughts and defining behaviours. “Thoughts of when I could have my next cigarette were constantly on my mind,” she said.
In our preliminary chat, we also uncovered a subconscious belief, “Smoking is always going to be my weakness.”
Such beliefs are powerful in defining our behaviours, but beliefs are just thoughts that have been repeated many times. Beliefs can be changed. And therefore, this became an important part of the therapeutic work.
The approach to stop smoking is a two part process. The first establishes all the reasons to stop smoking and all the potential barriers to success. I also give the client a really good understanding of what happens neurologically when we perform habitual behaviour. It creates the foundation we then build on in the therapeutic session.
This second session is a more intensive 2-2.5 hour session where we use a range of very powerful techniques to change the mental association with the smoking.
Sabrina was also given a personalised recording to listen to post the session that helped embed the work that we did and included a relaxation process that helps address the chemical addiction element of smoking progress more quickly too.
In a message from Sabrina a month following the therapeutic session, she said “Since our work, I am off cigarettes. Our work has been successful and I am really pleased.”
If people are to return to smoking, they will normally have done so within a 2 week period.
Whilst Sabrina is now a smoker who no longer smokes (she can never be a non-smoker) her chances of never picking up a cigarette again and potentially even higher as she is not using ‘willpower’ to not smoke, but has changed her deep psychological relationship with smoking.
Hypnotherapy is very effective at dealing with smoking cessation of all types. If you would like more information on this, or any form of addiction based habits, let’s have a chat.
Let's TalkRachael had had an accident at work leaving her in extreme back pain resulting in her losing her job. She had gone from living a busy life as a single Mum to being in constant pain, living off benefits and having a very restricted life. In her words, she had “no joy” in her life which had led to a suicide attempt.
Going back further into her life, there were other factors such as successive controlling and abusive relationships, various medical conditions, and a tendency to always putting herself and her needs secondary to everyone else’s.
Rachael was recommended to me by her partner, so we were able to get a swift start as her awareness of how I worked was already in place and after the first experience of hypnosis, she could feel a change in the levels of pain in her back. Her aim was to be able to throw away the crutches she was using.
After two sessions, she walked into the house without crutches – she was not quite ready to throw them just yet but was confident enough to walk short distances without them.
In total we had 4 sessions spread out over nearly 3 months. On our follow up call a month after her last session, she reported that she was now “able to walk upright without my crutches and am off my pain medication. When I am in pain, I can relax and use my mind to help control it.”
Whilst this was a great result, the increase in her self esteem was for me, more significant. “I am able to vocalise my thoughts. I have stopped being all things to everyone and am now my true self.”
“I now have the confidence and strength to look to go back to work and hopefully enjoy a job I really want to do.” (Rachael was waiting to hear if she has been accepted to train as a phlebotomist).
Working with Rachael helped her use her mind to not only heal her body but also to create a mental strength to create a life of her choice.
“I have no doubt that Caroline saved my life as I was in such a dark place.”
If you can relate to any elements of Rachael’s story, please get in touch
Let's TalkS was struggling at school. His Mum contacted me to help with his high levels of anxiety which were being exacerbated by ticks and she had also noticed an escalation in obsessive compulsive habits.
When first meeting S, he also explained that he had a couple of phobias, one of which was a high trigger of anxiety, and also struggled with self motivation, finding the temptation to give up all too easy.
This variety of manifestations of anxiety is not uncommon. A more generalised anxiety can also become acutely attached to specific things leading to phobias. OCD can often be a subconscious coping strategy to control anxious thoughts by doing something that is real. And low motivation comes from the fact that anxiety is very draining on energy levels. Cumulatively, they result in a downward spiral. And this is what we had to reverse.
S had just 3 sessions. The first session with teenagers is a very gentle session where we don’t do any therapeutic work but build a strong foundation to progress from. S had an experience of hypnosis and noticed that during it, his ticks reduced significantly which gave him hope. We had two more sessions which were spread out over time, allowing S to apply his learning to his day-to-day life.
In Mum’s words:
“S is absolutely amazing! He’s been so much happier and his increase in confidence has been absolutely astounding. I did notice quite a difference very soon after his last session with you.
It’s so lovely to see such am improvement, and obviously such a relief!”
Teenagers tend to be what I call ‘marmite’ with hypnotherapy – they either love it or hate it! And if it is for them, the results tend to come quickly. The benefit of teenagers learning these skills is that they then have access to them for life. S will be facing the challenges of exams and more in the years to come but having changed his relationship with anxiety, he will have a mental strength that can support him through those tough times.
If you would like to know more about hypnotherapy for your teenager, or indeed yourself, please get in touch for a confidential chat.
Let's TalkJoanna’s motivation to overcome her phobia was her children. Due to her fear of flying, her sons had not flown before but both were due to be going away independently over the summer and she wanted them to feel confident in flying – so she had to be too!!
Like most people who have this phobia, it not only makes the trip itself difficult, but will impact them for days and often weeks before the flight is due, and then also effect the holiday as the fear of flying rises again for the home leg.
Also, very similar to others, Joanna did not really understand where her fear had come from, her fears had just escalated over the years.
Phobias are typically very responsive to hypnotherapy and Joanna used the ‘deep dive’ process that I’ve developed over the years to effectively treat these acute fears. It is a 2.5-3 hour session where we use a range of very powerful techniques to change the mental association with the fear. Whilst intensive, it works!
Joanna was also given a personalised recording to listen to post the session that helped embed the work that we did and could be used to help reinstate a sense of calm at any point.
Joanna sent me photos from her flight out. She was listening to the recording, smiling and felt calm, as did her two sons. The younger of the two had expressed some concerns but by her staying calm, it really helped him too.
She can now relax when they go off on their own separate adventures over the summer and can also now plan her own next trips knowing that flights will never need to hold her back again.
In Joanne’s words, “I am amazed at how something I had struggled with for so long was dealt with so quickly. I really wish I had dealt with this sooner but am now looking forward to be able to plan holidays anywhere I choose to go in the future.”
Hypnotherapy is very effective at dealing with phobias of all types. Many people suffer needlessly due to embarrassment or believing they can never change. It needn’t be that way! For more information, please do get in touch.
Let's TalkEmma had had a fear of flying for years. The days before a flight would be affected by the increasing anxiety. She would study the weather forecast each day for the location and the destination airport and would work out how she could refuse to get on the plane if the forecast was not good.
She could never relax in the airport and during the flight itself, her husband’s hands would be squeezed to death!! And then the whole thing would start again on the days before the return flight, impacting on the fun and enjoyment of every holiday.
Phobias are very responsive to hypnotherapy and Emma used the ‘deep dive’ process that has been developed over the years to effectively treat these acute fears. It is a 2.5-3 hour session where we use a range of very powerful techniques to change the mental association with the fear – flying in Emma’s case.
Emma was also given a personalised recording to listen to post the session that helped reinforce the work that we did and could be used to help reinstate a sense of calm at any point. She continued to use some of the tools from that recording which worked well for her during the flight.
Emma’s text’s to me evidence her experience. Here are the messages received from her after her outbound journey and return journeys:
“I made the flight in one piece with Steve saying he had never ever known me so calm. I have to say it as an amazing thing not to be experiencing the churning stomach and need to not be totally sober. We even had a long delay on the tarmac and then a flight taking off before us who had to declare an emergency. Normally I’d have been in internal panic but not this time. Even the turbulence didn’t worry me; I actually finished my book!”
“…Even when towards the end of the flight it was announced we were entering thunderstorm activity, I didn’t go into panic mode at all and Steve’s circulation was intact. Not once did I fixate on the 35,000 ft between me and the ground. Honestly it’s been a revelation, I can’t believe the difference.”
Hypnotherapy is very effective at dealing with phobias of all types. Many people suffer needlessly due to embarrassment or believing they can never change. It needn’t be that way! For more information, please do get in touch.
Let's TalkR had a challenging entry into the world resulting in many invasive medical procedures and a full bone marrow transplant aged 7. On-going physiological conditions have meant that regular treatments continue to be a necessity. One of these is related to the need for regular flushing of the ears but for R, anything being put inside the ear is unbearable, resulting in R needing to be held down and the treatment taking a long time and traumatic for all.
R’s Mum contacted me to see what we could do to help her relax and explore whether self hypnosis could make these treatments endurable for R.
Due to them living overseas, all sessions were undertaken over zoom.
With younger children (R was 11) finding the triggers is important, whilst also creating anchors for them to use. One of R’s triggers was talking about her ears, so we referred to them as ‘milkshakes’ and changed the anxiety into something funny as we decided which flavour we were working with that day! Her anchors were around some cuddly toys, using heightened awareness of sensations in her hands to create the sense of control and safety.
In the first session we used a technique of dissociation – taking her mind to a place where she felt safe and she could see herself in the treatment room but not associate with it. Over a total of 4 therapeutic sessions, we continued to overlap sessions with treatments. To support R, we also created a personalised recording that she could listen to on the way to her treatments which also helped her to relax.
The following was received by R’s Mum:
“Thank you so so much. She was like a different child. It went really well and best of all her ears feel really nice now, she says, so she’ll look forward to the next one!
Thank you for everything- really. Words aren’t enough.”
And from R herself (albeit a little edited!!)….
“THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today went brilliantly, I listened to the special video you made me on the way there and in the waiting room. When I went in, mum practically had to push me in because I was so sleepy. And luckily there was only Dr Dani and Mum with me so that helped a bit more. Then Dr Dani started and it was very easy and I had one ear phone in the other ear, still listening to my special recording.
Then we hoovered out the first ( her description of the treatment) and I was able to stay still!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for helping me get to this point Caroline, you have helped me soooo much.”
Hypnotherapy cannot only help overcome previous traumas but also help you face challenges in the future that cannot be avoided. For more information, please do get in touch.
Let's TalkA mum came to me for help with her child who was still bouncing off the ceiling in the evenings and despite being a very physically active young man, could not get to sleep. In her words:
My 9 year old son has always found getting to sleep very difficult and could lie in bed for over an hour each night without falling asleep. With young children of her own, Caroline Cavanagh made my son feel comfortable with their meeting immediately. Caroline’s method was simple and effective. I know very little about hypnotherapy, but there was nothing scary about the session. The only way I can describe it, is as the most calm hour ever spent in a chair. All through the power of a relaxing voice. Since his first and only required session, my son is now getting to sleep in about 20 minutes or less. My son is delighted with the result and I no longer need to dread bedtime”.
Insomnia can affect people in one of two ways, either stopping them falling asleep or waking them throughout the night. The sub conscious causes are different but hypnotherapy is a very effective treatment in overcoming them, regardless of age!
Let's TalkAt 14 years old, O was struggling with friendship issues – something not uncommon to early teenage years but for her, it was affecting her sleep, her motivation and leading to heightened levels of anxiety. Her self esteem and confidence were being eroded.
Hypnosis is something that teenagers tend to respond to in a rather ‘marmite’ way – they either love it or hate it. The first session is always a gentle session, giving the teen the opportunity to learn more about the process and experience hypnosis without having to pour their heart out in front of a relative stranger. This provides a platform that we can then build on.
In the first therapeutic session, O was able to revisit previous experiences and see them from a new perspective. This allowed her to see ‘ring leaders’ in a new way and her role in the interactions. This new understanding allowed her to feel a sense of control once more.
O returned to Boarding School after one therapeutic session. Two weeks on, I received the following email from her Mum.
“I am delighted to say that things at school seem to be going very well. I have had no tears on the phone and she seems genuinely happy.
O has mentioned that she thinks it is a combination of the girls are being more pleasant and when things have been said she is able to take it as nothing more than a comment and she hasn’t taken it to heart and allowed it to upset her – fabulous!”
At the end of a full term at school O wrote,
“Hypnotherapy has helped me to form better and effective coping strategies and has helped me improve relationships with my friends. Thank you for helping me.”
How we feel inside can often be picked up by others. This can result in those who are feeling vulnerable becoming targets to bullies. By creating a sense of empowerment, it changes this vulnerability leading to different interactions and this is what O experienced. And in addition, even when comments are passed, she has the self confidence to acknowledge they are just an opinion and she can choose whether she takes it on board or not!
Whilst this is a common scenario for teenagers, a lack of self-esteem and confidence is seen in adults too, leading to them being vulnerable to those that delight in preying on perceived weakness. O has demonstrated that this can be resolved relatively quickly leading to a different quality of life.
If you would like to know more about how hpynotherapy could help you, let’s chat
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Edward’s fear of eating in restaurants and eating around others was having a significant impact on his quality of life. The thought of an invite to a dinner party would result in many sleepless nights and high levels of anxiety. Even work became affected as he would do his best to avoid work trips that would require staying away with colleagues. And if the trip could not be avoided, the anxiety would become debilitating.
He had done two CBT courses through the NHS but had felt little change in his anxiety levels. In his words, “This is ruining my life.”
Over the course of 6 months, Edward had a total of 10 sessions. He had a few sessions and then had a break to put what he had learned into place. This would then be repeated. This was because the issues leading to his anxiety had built up in layers. We would peal back some layers and give Edward some opportunities to build his confidence. For example, first going out for coffee. Then a light lunch etc. Each new breakthrough contributing to the confidence that the problem was reducing and he was making progress.
The final goal was to attend a wedding in Italy that would involve multiple restaurant visits as well as the wedding reception. This was something Edward could not have conceived of doing in the past.
Edward’s goal was to attend the pre-wedding reception and the wedding itself. Everything else would be considered a bonus. He not only achieved his goal but attended numerous other functions, managing to comfortably eat at each one and enjoy the occasion. And whilst there were short periods of mild anxiety, he had the tools to face the fear with a range of strategies to put himself back in a position of control.
In Edward’s own words, “Caroline has helped me reach a place where I feel I can now take back control of my life. Attending the wedding was something that was inconceivable in the past, but now I am planning more trips away and actually feeling excitement about them. I am now enjoying playing football and not worrying about anyone suggesting going for a meal afterwards. I can react positively to a spontaneous offer to go out. A whole new world of social engagement has opened up to me and alongside that, I am sleeping better and feeling more relaxed generally.”
Eating out is a big part of our social pleasures, but for people like Edward, it can be a source of huge stress. However, it needn’t be that way. If you can relate to his situation and fear being sick in public places, please know that there is hope and reach out for an informal chat with me.
Let's TalkKatherine had been struggling with spiders for years. During most of the year it was something that caused her discomfort, however she dreaded the autumn months knowing that there was a high likelihood of her going into a room and finding one.
Her main motivation to address her phobia however, was the fear of passing it on to her children. This was a very realistic fear as often phobias are learned behaviour, passed from generation to generation.
Katherine elected to do a ‘deep dive session’ – an extended session where we use 3 key therapeutic tools that are proven to be effective with acute anxiety. We start the session by paving the way – learning about the science behind hypnosis and developing awareness of how the mind works. This can be very powerful in recognising that a phobia is not an illness, but more of a mental hypervigilance to protect.
Katherine commented, “I didn’t fully understand hypnotherapy before seeing Caroline and wasn’t sure how successful it would be. Caroline fully explained everything.”
Many people have an impression of hypnosis developed from seeing stage shows or films. This can lead to a fear of loss of control or lack of awareness. So we spend time to dispel these myths and gain clarity on what hypnosis actually is – in Katherine’s words, “A deep state of relaxation.”
After the session, Katherine left with an optimism that she certainly felt different. She quickly had exposure when a spider was on her son and she did not react in the way she would have done previously.
“I have noticed that I am already more confident at dealing with spiders and I am more conscious of my thought processes around spiders and my reaction to them.”
Katherine was also given a personalised recording that has two key objectives: It helps develop the ability to relax which can reduce generalised stress and anxiety, and it also builds on the tools used in the session to help embed that work. Whilst the autumn was a few months away from our work together, using it will help maintain this changed mindset, however Katherine added, “It is still early days and the true test will be in the autumn but I already feel I have more tools to deal with the 8-legged creatures!”
Phobias tend to respond really well to hypnotherapy. People often do not get help for them as they feel embarrassed at their reaction to what they consciously know is not dangerous. However, a professional will help you understand how your mind is working and work sensitively with you to reduce and potentially remove your phobia. It you would like more information, please get in touch for an informal chat.
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Bexi had a fear of phobias that was literally terrifying her at even the thought that a 'beastie' may be around. We addressed this and then Bexi returned. She realised that traumas from her childhood were holding her back from realising her dreams. Here is what she had to say about her experience of hypnotherapy
This lady was struggling with performance anxiety. After a few sessions she became a World Champion.
Mia's anxiety was holding her back in her business and also in her life. She shares how our work together has helped her
William was doing well in his career and life in general but knew there was another level - and together, we found it!
It is still common for men to believe they don't need help and Keith only came after his wife had had sessions. His experience is shared in this short video
Lilli shares her story of how a diagnosis of anxiety had led to medication that she was not happy to stay on. So she explored other routes.
Sometimes it is not about being in a bad place, but knowing that if life does through challenges at you, there is somewhere you can go where it is safe to be vulnerable.
Carol talks of what being in hypnosis feels like and what results she was able to achieve after PTSD.
Alix had a phobia of the phone - and it was having a massive impact on her life. After two sessions she talks about the results she has had and how that has affected her.