In 2013, Philip developed a condition in his foot that inhibited his mobility. This led to the need to make adjustments in many areas of his life. He struggled with these changes and things took a significant downturn following the death of his brother in law. Feelings of loss, insecurity, anxiety, problems making decisions and concerns about his future culminated in an increasing depression.
From a person who had had full control of his life, he found himself, “Living my life in fear with the feeling that there was something inside my head that was stopping me moving forward.”
Philip and I worked together over a few months. I gave Philip some practical tools to analyse his emotions to get a better understanding of the triggers of anxiety. He also started to notice what helped him feel better. This greater awareness of the external forces on his own internal state has helped him feel much more in control. This also helped him to be far less influenced by the words and actions of other people.
“I feel calmer in myself and more able to deal with situations as they arise. I’,m no longer unduly concerned about the future as I try to live in the day and not look back.
Life has improved and almost back to where I was before my illness. Whilst I still have moments of doubt/fear/concern, I am more able to deal with them and to not let them overtake/overcome me.”
Feelings of depression are experienced by most people at some time. The work that Philip has done does not mean that he will never feel depressed again. The key difference is that he now has a much greater awareness of his emotional state. This leaves him more able to take steps to prevent any decline back to that more clinical state of depression. He has tools to pick himself back up quickly on those days where, as we all experience at times, the clouds come over!
“Initially I was unsure about contacting Caroline as I thought that I could resolve my problems myself without outside intervention but I realised that I needed professional help.
The decision to get in touch with Caroline proved to be one of the best decisions of my life. If I had not done so, I would still be in that ‘dark place of despair’ with the potential consequences of that situation and its impact on my life and that of my partner.”
If you can relate to that ‘dark place of despair’ please know there is a light for you to find and I would love to have a chat with you .
Sonny is in his mid 70s. He contacted me to ask if I could help him overcome a phobia of eating chicken – a meat he had been unable to eat since very early childhood. The mere thought of eating it created nausea and revulsion.
The aversion had caused him some minor embarrassments at social functions over the years. However, a recent medical diagnosis had resulted in the need to drastically change his diet. He had been advised to adopt a high protein, low fat diet. He was not keen on beef, could not eat pork for religious reasons, and lamb was too fatty. Thus the variance in his diet had become very limited making it even harder to stick to the new regime.
Sonny had some preconceptions about hypnosis but had been encouraged by neighbours and family to, “Give it a go, as after all, what have I got to lose!”
In the first session we successfully recalled an experience directly relating to chickens. Reviewing that memory (known as regression) allowed a significant change in his attitude to eating chicken. At the end of this first session, he felt as if the issue had been “75% resolved”. The remaining 25% however did not have anything to do with the aversion – and this is very common. This new problem was related to what we call the “what if monkey” – that part that lives within most of us that jumps up and asked, “What if I …..” and in Sonny’s case, “What if I fail?”
The second session addressed this issue and the following feedback was received from Sonny shortly afterwards.
“The problem is now resolved. The fact I eat poultry now after over 70 years abstinence must mean a significant change has occurred. In addition, my wife, adult children and grand-daughter are so pleased with the change in my phobia of eating chicken.”
Like many people, Sonny was nervous of the concept of hypnosis. His thoughts post the two sessions;
“I had expected the hypnosis part of the process to be completely unconscious as seen on TV shows. Instead, I experienced some heaviness particularly on eye lids but was completely focused on the dialogue with the Therapist. I was aware of ambient noise but this was disregarded as attention to the dialogue was the principal requisite.”
Sonny has since recommended Caroline Cavanagh to a neighbour, referral being the highest form of recommendation.
Paul lives a very stressful life and this, combined with shift work, affected his ability to relax and sleep. He sought a hypnotherapist in Salisbury without a specific goal in mind. However, he was interested in learning how to relax more as a way of increasing his stress management.
“My experience with hypnotherapy has been very positive, I was intrigued with what it may be able to do for me. I approached it with an open mind but I must say it was a far more beneficial experience than I could have imagined. At all times I was talked through and reassured by Caroline. It was a completely relaxing experience and after one session the issue I had been living with was substantially better.
On top of that I felt more relaxed in my everyday life too. I have and will recommend Caroline Cavanagh to friends and colleagues. In fact I have introduced a friend who also has had a great experience through her hypnotherapy practise in Salisbury.
Caroline’s work surroundings are very calming and she puts you at ease from the moment you get to your appointment.
I personally have had more than one session and had significant improvements each time.”
This story of his fear of giving presentations comes straight from Adam.
“I have always felt a high level of fear when giving presentations. In my early to mid twenties, I had to regularly present various topics to my colleagues at work. I found this very stressful. The idea of being out of control and to be forced to present to a room full of people triggered panic attacks in me. Over time, these attacks got worse. I started to feel anxious in a whole range of public situations. For example, bumping into someone unexpectedly in the street used to be an ordeal. I would instantly panic and be unable to speak.
About 5 years ago, I decided to do something about it. I knew of Caroline’s hypnotherapy services in Salisbury having met her at a workshop she was hosting. She explained what hypnotherapy could do for someone like me and I gave it a go.
I met with Caroline about 6 times. We focused on my anxiety and explored what made me feel out of control. The information she shared was fascinating. I was taught techniques to focus on how to remain in control, and we explored memories, new and old, and analyzed what they meant.”
“I did not feel an instant change in how I responded to presentations and similar such situations. However, over time my concerns seemed to just die away. I have since started a business venture and employ over 30 staff; as such I have to regularly chair company meetings, presenting our vision and managing group discussions.
I no longer find this challenging and it no longer triggers panic attacks. When I think back to how I was 5 years, ago, it seems like looking at a different person. NLP wasn’t a magic solution, it was a process that helped me put things in perspective and gain a greater sense of control.
As much as anything I realized a bit of nerves is perfectly normal, and as a result I no longer panic when I feel nervous!”