P is a 14 year old who had be experiencing increasing levels of anxiety when having to face any medical interventions. It had led to three adults having to hold her down when a blood sample needed to be taken. Extremely traumatic for her and everyone else too!
Since then she has refrained from any medical interventions which added to the stress of trying to manage ongoing medical treatment.
When working with teenagers, accepting that parents have a significant role in the process too is important. P’s Mum expressed her concerns regarding hypnotherapy. “Having seen the hypnotic ‘shows,’ I was concerned that my daughter would end up clucking like a chicken. I was also concerned about meddling with the mind of an already complex 14 year old.”
P however took a different viewpoint saying, “I was quite excited because I have always wanted to be hypnotised.”
Having helped Mum understand the difference to the stage use of hypnosis and the science that is behind the therapeutic use, we went ahead and did a chemistry session with P. This was done over zoom as we were in lockdown due to the Corona virus. P dealt really well with working remotely and after having her first experience of hypnosis went on to say, “ I felt really relaxed and sleepy. I really liked the feeling.”
There was a bit of a time delay until the second session where we addressed the phobia. The ‘testing’ of the results however, took a little time as unlike phobias of spiders etc, we could not just take her to a medical appointment! A few weeks later however it was holiday time and P had to have a Covid test before entering France which she managed, to her family’s surprise, with ease. “I would have been terrified and hysterical had I not seen Caroline,” she said.
Phobias are relatively easy to deal with as they are a very focused form of anxiety, however, as clients learn to use the power of their mind in a new way, there are often secondary benefits. Her Mum added, “P had a stress free and intrusive medical intervention and her school attendance has improved with no time off for ‘anxiety.’ She has been going out with her friends more and going to the shop alone which she was scared to do before.”
Many people struggle with phobias for life and the reality is that they can be reduced in a short period of time. “I was delighted that it took only two sessions to see a difference. We are well on the journey to helping our daughter deal with her anxiety,” Mum concluded with.
So if you have had a phobia that is impeding your quality of life or just want to know more, please get in touch.
Let's TalkMaggie was unable to travel to have hypnotherapy in Salisbury due to being in the throws of the Corona virus pandemic. She wanted help with weight management, and despite us never having met and all our work together being done remotely over zoom, her results were still exciting.
Maggie was familiar with stage hypnosis and in her words, “Doubted it would be like the TV shows.” After her first experience which she had in the initial session, her first words after she opened her eyes were, “Wow, that was amazing!” Understanding how it feels creates a confidence to then really dive into doing the therapeutic work.
Over the 5 sessions we had together we uncovered the key root to her current eating behaviour. This was buried deeply in her childhood and was not something she was consciously aware of. But as we spoke about it, the logic became obvious.
As is common with weight management, whilst the focus is on food related habits, other changes also start to emerge
“It gave me confidence, self-worth, determination and helped me use positive language to achieve my goals. I am now confident, have lost some weight already and I feel energised and worthy!”
It is quite common for weight management issues to go hand in hand with low self-esteem. By working with the power of the mind, not only can the physical image change, but the clients view of themselves also changes. This then stops a downward spiral and creates a very powerful upward spiral. The better you look and feel, the more confident you become, the more you look after yourself and so it goes on.
Maggie was a pleasure to work with. I hope that post lock down, we’ll get to meet each other face to face. In the meantime, she will have the last word:
“Just to say that Caroline is a complete professional, whilst putting clients totally at ease. I am so glad I found her.”
If you can relate to Maggie’s story and would like to chat, please get in touch.
Let's TalkJenny’s request for help came from obsessive thoughts regarding a relationship problem. Whilst living apart, she was constantly over thinking, picking at every detail of every conversation. This led to her not being able to enjoy the time when they were together. This was putting a huge strain on the relationship and also very detrimental to Jenny’s overall confidence and happiness.
Jenny’s interest in hypnotherapy was stimulated by having seen dramatic changes in a friend whom had worked with me. Thus she felt more curious than nervous about the process of hypnosis. When later asked how she would describe the feeling of hypnosis to someone her answer was, “All it is , is a deep sense of relaxation. It’s as easy as falling asleep and effectively that is what part of your mind is doing. It’s a strange sensation of falling asleep yet being awake.”
Jenny chose to travel up to Salisbury for her 4 hypnotherapy sessions which were spread across 2 months. There were some large gaps in between some of the sessions, allowing Jenny to do some work on her own that didn’t need my guidance, helping her build her own ‘toolset’ and experience the impact of using them.
Our work together started with a focus on the relationship problem; what it meant to her in the past, and where continuing those patterns would take her in the future. We then switched to focusing on the future and recognising that she could influence it and create a future of choice.
At the end of our work together, this is what Jenny said:
“I now look at all aspects of my life in a completely different way. A far more positive way. I was able to leave a relationship that wasn’t healthy for me. I’m able to look back at our time together with a sense of gratitude that it happened and that I still have that person in my life.
I have started yoga which I have been meaning to do for ages; I absolutely love it and wish I’d started it sooner. After buying my house, a goal I had had since I was 16, I felt a bit lost. Through our sessions, I now have a new dream ..” and that dream is very clear for her.
Jenny still has the person in her life. Whilst their paths are now on very different courses, when they are in contact, it is still a very positive connection – no bridges burned.
In a follow up contact with Jenny a few months later, Jenny had also changed jobs – leaving one that was not making her happy and using the tools she had learned to now develop other areas of her life. Her story is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when you learn how to use the power of your mind.
If you can relate to this story and would like to have a chat, please get in touch
Let's TalkAnne’s motivation to contact a Hypnotherapist in Salisbury was triggered by her needing help to get through a difficult time in life. Her husband had suffered from 2 strokes, resulting in significant care needs. Anne found herself in a role of carer, whilst also trying to continue her busy lifestyle. As a result, the pressure and stress was taking its toll on her. She was starting to have problems with sleeping and also noticed changes in her eating habits leading to her gaining weight. She also had a stress related sinus issue which, understandably, was escalating.
Anne was curious about hypnotherapy and very open minded. When she was asked how she would describe the feeling to someone else, she said, “It is nothing to be concerned about. You are in a relaxed and safe environment. Tension is dispelled and reassurance is given throughout.”
We had 4 sessions together, in some of which we used hypnosis, in others we spoke about her future. The sessions were spread over a total of nearly 4 months. This gave Anne time in between sessions to use some of the techniques she’d learned and to feel the impact of them.
One of these was to practise a relaxation process. Clients are offered a personalised recording. By listening to this regularly, it can not only relieve stress but also enhance a relaxed approach to life.
By our final session together she had made some adjustments to other areas of her life which had reduced her stress. She was sleeping better, felt more in control of her food choices and her sinus condition was noticeably improved – something she felt delighted with.
At the end of our work together she expressed the following:
“I have been able to clear the wood from the trees, able to look at perceived problems and have a different perspective now. I’ve re-prioritised my life and am handling things better. It is like I’ve gone through a tunnel into the daylight and am leaving my negativity behind. Many thanks for steering me in the right direction, the relaxation recording helps me back to normality when I need it.”
We cannot predict what challenges lie ahead in life. When those challenges originate from those we love, it can often make the impact higher.
If you are experiencing something in your life over which you feel you are losing control, please do get in touch. I’d love to chat about how hypnotherapy may support you adapt in a way that can still support a quality of life for you.
Let's TalkAngie came to see me with the brief simply that she had lost her direction. In her own words, “I feel like I am drifting on the sea and don’t know which way is up.”
She was someone with a number of pressures in life; a dependent mother, a single Mum to a teenage son with learning challenges and most significantly, a job she hated. She wanted to move away from the area but felt that her responsibilities meant she had to stay in Salisbury.
Our work together was two dimensional – firstly looking backwards at what was ‘anchoring her’. We started accessing emotions she had buried that she was unaware of, and then looking forwards to create a future that motivated her to take action. The result:
Whilst I will miss seeing her in and around Salisbury, I am delighted that she has found a new life for herself and is no longer drifting. What I also found particularly exciting was that her work not only found her new direction, but just like ripples in the pond, her action had an impact on those around her. Her mother was delighted at the prospect of going back to her home town and her son has opened doors to opportunities he had not found in Salisbury.
A few final words from her: “I am more confident and more focused. It (hypnotherapy) has changed my life dramatically. I could not have done any of this without you.”
Let's TalkSports performance is often not associated with therapy, however most top athletes now use techniques derived from hypnotherapy.
Caroline was fit, regularly completing demanding gym sessions but when it came to running, she found herself giving up after just minutes. She was struggling to understand why her body would respond to the demands made of it the gym, but would not do so out on the track.
“I knew it must be something in my head but I just couldn’t work out what! Caroline Cavanagh was able to take me back to the age of 4. I was very badly asthmatic as a child and I recalled my Mum telling me as she dropped me off at school ‘not to run around or I would get wheezy’. My asthma was no longer an issue as an adult but I was amazed that this repeated comment heard has a child had had such a lasting impact.
Having realised that, the behaviour was no longer relevant, Caroline helped me to let go of that child like instruction and the next day I went out and ran for 30 minutes. The difference was incredible and it was clear that the problem had been totally in my head. I then decided to sign up for a half marathon. I quickly progressed to covering 5-6 miles but then met another block. At this stage I would start getting painful stitches. So I booked another session. This time I went back to a time when I was 9 or 10. I was training 6 days a week as a gymnast and my developing body was struggling with the demands being put on it and I recalled getting various random aches and pains that would stop me training for a bit.
I understood this was my body’s way at that time of getting its own down time and now that I was back to making higher demands of it with the running, this old pattern was clicking back in. Caroline helped my adult mind to understand that I was in control and had the ability to train responsibly and again the child like behaviour was no longer relevant. From that point on, the stitches also stopped.
As part of the treatment I learned how to hypnotise myself and found this a great technique when I was running – just took my mind off to another place and let my body get on with the running.
I completed the Reading marathon in a respectable time – something I don’t think I could ever have done without hypnotherapy.”
Let's TalkRachel came to see Caroline with a desire nothing more specific than “I just want to feel better.” She found herself feeling very down and demotivated. Her eczema was bad and she was frequently tearful and over-emotional. And there were many days where it was a struggle to get out of bed. All signs of an increasing state of depression.
Rachel had a total of 5 sessions and her condition showed “significant improvement.” In her own words…
“There is way less intensity in experiencing negative emotions, definitely a ‘lighter’ feeling and the joy of rediscovering laughter. It is almost as though my range of emotions has broadened in number and variety…with less angst and intensity.
My goals and activities to achieve them are now crystal clear and my limiting beliefs are greatly reduced. This has led to increased motivation, a huge reduction in fear of failure and rejection and increased excitement in achieving goals. Also I am not put off by adversity along the way, am able to keep more balanced, deal with things and keep my eye on the prize…”
Everyone’s experience of hypnosis is unique to them, but new clients often ask what it is like. In Rachel’s case, “It actually felt like being completely awake but as a different part of me, if that makes sense? A focused part and a part that could not be presented in a non-authentic/self controlled light.”
Rachel is now motivated to build a new career and is finding that new opportunities are coming to her now that her energy levels have a direction.
Let's TalkWhen Sally first contacted me, she was experiencing a growing dependency on alcohol over the last 12 months. It had reached a point where she felt there was an alcohol addiction and she wanted to gain back control.
She, like many, expressed a slight scepticism towards hypnotherapy. Her scepticism was fed by a 6 week counselling course (based around another condition) which she felt had delivered little benefit.
The first session is always a gentle session supporting an experience of hypnosis. Sally described the feeling as deeply relaxing and noted how time had just flown by – as in this state of relaxation your perception of time changes!
Returning for her second therapeutic session Sally told me that she had not had a drink since the last session and more importantly, was not missing it. This session was a few days before Christmas and she was experiencing some anxiety that the normal festive activities would take her back to square one. However on her next visit (early Feb) she told me that Christmas had been great and she had gone through the whole Christmas period without a drink.
Sally has since made periodic visits as a ‘top up’, typically when life is stressful, and she seeks to reinforce her new beliefs around drink. She is not teetotal and can enjoy a glass of wine of an evening, or share a few glasses with friends and enjoy it. But she can also go out and not drink and no longer feels the NEED to drink.
When asked now what her impression of hypnotherapy is, she has moved from scepticism to, “It worked – amazingly!!”
If you are experiencing something in your life over which you feel you are losing control but may also have some scepticism, please do get in touch to find out more.
Let's TalkI have a strong belief that the body and mind need to be on the same page for full health. And this is never more true than when someone is trying to conceive and experiencing unexplained infertility.
The story below comes from a lovely lady who had been trying for some time to conceive. She was visualising her life with a baby, created vision boards with all the lovely things that she would buy, but still no baby. We had one session together and her story, in her own words, goes like this…
“My husband and I had been trying to conceive for several months without luck and it was starting to get me down. I confided in a friend that even though I was desperate for a baby, that I was feeling these feelings of stress and overwhelm in my business and that I was worried how on earth I’d manage to juggle a baby as well. She suggested this was why I was not conceiving.
I spoke to Caroline, a hypnotherapist in Salisbury, about this and aside from working on the key issues of stress and anxiety we focused on conception for a short time at the end of the session. After the session I felt so much more relaxed, things which would have added stress previously didn’t bother me. I continued to use some of the visualisation techniques we’d used in the session, particularly after intercourse and I couldn’t believe it when just a few weeks later I took a pregnancy test and it was positive! After months of negative tests it felt like magic! I’m certain it wasn’t a coincidence and that feeling more relaxed and less worried about my business definitely released a lot of tension from my body.
When we were trying to conceive so many friends had said- ‘it will happen when you’re relaxed about it’, and any woman who has been in the position of having several months of negative pregnancy tests will understand that that does not lead to a feeling of relaxation about the issue, it only makes you more anxious and worried that something might be wrong. The hypnosis finally helped me to let go of the tension I was holding and the mental anxiety I was harbouring about how to juggle family life with my business. I could literally see a way for the two to work together harmoniously and I feel like I have a really clear vision to work towards. It really feels like the hypnosis was a key that unlocked something inside me.”
And one of the things I love about what my clients learn though the hypnotherapy we do here in Salisbury is that it helps them in other areas of their lives. Her story continues…
“I’m more relaxed about my workload. Instead of panicking about how to get it all done, or feeling overwhelmed I know I’m in control of it. And if the feelings do come back I have strategies to bring back the feelings of calm. And I’m pregnant!!
In addition, I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you Caroline! I was starting to just feel so depressed every month with another negative pregnancy test again. It feels like magic that I had only one hypnosis session, did some visualising and was able to fall pregnant just weeks afterwards, but I know it wasn’t. You were able to bring out of me some of the best qualities about myself which had somehow got lost in the midst of all the anxiety and stress of running a business. You’ve helped me to see how my life can be, without stress, a clear and realistic vision to work towards.
Thank you!!!”
Let's TalkKath had one child and had had been trying to give her a sibling for over 6 years. Not only had no sibling appeared but she had actually stopped ovulating. There was no physiological reason the doctor’s could find for the infertility and she was put forward for IVF but there was a long wait. At her whits end, she decided to try hypnotherapy.
Her story, in her own
“Prior to having ICSI treatment, I commenced a course of NLP with Caroline Cavanagh.
Caroline used time line therapy, with the aim of identifying the possible cause of my infertility. During the initial session it became clearly evident that when I was aged five there were several traumatic incidents. These were predominantly related to starting school and my mother giving birth to my second brother, releasing feelings of fear and insecurity. Other incidents that came to light were an issue of bullying at nursery school and a week long hospital stay, during which time I only saw my parents once a day.
I found the treatment very relaxing and was reassured that I was completely aware of my surroundings and in control at all times.
Following the sessions I was very relaxed and slept well, although I had quite vivid dreams.
Caroline gave me exercises to do regarding bonding and strengthening the relationship between me now and me aged five. I felt this helped relieve a lot of internal anxiety and also improved my confidence socially.
Shortly after commencing our work together, I started ovulating again.
When I commenced my ICSI treatment I felt quietly confident that it would work. I was also surprised at how calm I felt throughout the treatment and that I didn’t experience any physical side effects.
I am now 36 weeks pregnant and can’t wait to meet my baby.”
Let's TalkLesley was facing an acute illness, potentially terminal.
These words have come directly from her.
“I have known Caroline in a professional capacity for 10 years. Caroline has a wonderful trait – integrity. In everything that she undertakes she approaches it with sincerity, professionalism, honesty, decency and truthfulness.
In 2012 I had a personal crisis related to my health. I was in deep despair and felt that I needed to help myself deal with my illness both physically and mentally.
I had had clinical hypnosis about 5 years ago – through someone I had researched on the internet – to give up chocolate. That worked and still does – so I believed that Caroline could help me to help myself.
I had around 6 sessions during 2012/13. My medical prognosis was not good and I was at an all time low mentally. Caroline helped me to manage this very difficult period in my life. Her skills enabled me to find the way forward and now all I can say that I have exceeded my medical prognosis and I am in good health, leading a full and active and very happy life.
I’m not one to gush – but I really could not have coped without Caroline’s input. She facilitated my medical outcome by working with me under hypnosis. I have an awful lot to thank her for and words just don’t seem to be enough.
If you are at a crossroads in your life – physically or mentally, you have the power within YOU to change. Caroline can help make that happen.”
Let's TalkCaroline had suffered from asthma from an early age and had been hospitalised with it a number of times. She could not leave the house without having an inhaler with her. It had got to a stage where finding that she was without an inhaler would instantly result in her starting to wheeze. She had not considered hypnotherapy for her asthma until it was suggested she look into it by a friend.
Here is her story.
“I could understand why I could get wheezy when rushing about but I hated being so reliant on having a ventolin with me all the time. But I would panic and start wheezing if I realised one was empty or there was not one in my coat pocket.
I had read a bit on using suggestions in hypnosis but was surprised when visiting Caroline, a hypnotherapist in Salisbury. She started talking to me about anger! I didn’t consider myself an angry person but the more I thought about it, the more I realised I did have a pretty short fuse.
In the sessions we went back to things in my childhood and I realised that my dad had pushed me really hard to be successful. As an adult I could see that he was trying to live his life through me. He wanted deflected glory from my success. I had bottled up all this resentment at being made to do things I didn’t want to do as a child.”
“It was a very emotional experience but the difference I felt at the end of the session was amazing. I genuinely felt lighter as if a weight had been lifted. It was still tricky to go out without an inhaler close by at first but it didn’t take long to notice that I wasn’t using it. Slowly the confidence grew and I increasingly left the inhalers behind.
I also noticed that I just felt calmer. There is a much longer fuse before I ‘blow’ and my relationship with my Dad also changed for the better. I used to go through a ventolin about every 6 weeks. It has now been over a year since I went to the GP for a repeat prescription.
It’s hard to comprehend how an emotion I had unknowingly bottled up could have such a physical impact. However, the evidence is undeniable.
I suspect the boundaries for how hypnotherapy can help reduce illnesses are almost limitless and have encouraged lots of people to now look at alternatives to just keep taking drugs.”
Let's Talk
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.