✦ Insights & Awareness ✦

Hypnotherapy Insights

Thoughts, insights and gentle reminders to support your wellbeing and those around you.

✦ Overthinking

When Overthinking Starts Controlling Your Life

Everyone overthinks sometimes, but some people do it more frequently than others…

✦ Overthinking

Overthinking is not a choice, It's a Depression Response.

Everyone overthinks sometimes. But some people do it more frequently than others…

✦ New Year

New Year. New Me. Same Dreams. Fresh Start.

Just trying to pick up where I left off in June 2025.

To my loyal friends, family and followers. You know it’s unheard of for me to not be posting on my Hypnotherapy page on a regular basis.

However, for those who don’t know, I’ve had my own health challenges to deal with this last year. You all know how positive I usually am, how I take everything in my stride, and how I am never anxious or stressed out over anything generally.

Well, 2025 changed that…

I experienced first-hand just how debilitating anxiety can be when it takes over. Then, let’s not forget the extremely low moods, when everything is just too much. There’s also the stress of long durations in hospital, multiple spine operations, and worrying over your day job, as you’re now on long-term sick and on nil pay.

To add insult to injury, you return to A&E in October and learn you now have a second subdural haematoma sitting on top of the original bleed. Only this new one is fresh blood, and it’s pushing your brain to the right side of your skull.

Emergency brain surgery it is… 🧠

Finally, health-wise, I’m better than I was, but I have to accept the permanent nerve damage that affects my right leg and my lower spine. I also need to manage my stress levels to avoid pressure on my brain.

Currently, I’m pushing to return to work. I just want to get back to normality, but first I need the OK from DVLA that I can return to driving. It’s so frustrating waiting on other professionals when it’s out of our control.

One thing this traumatic experience has taught me is that I am very fortunate. My knowledge as a Clinical Solution Focused Hypnotherapist has helped me immensely. It’s not been easy, and some days have been worse than others, but I’ve continued working on switching my thoughts and reminding myself to recognise the small positive improvements, while working to avoid the negative thoughts.

During my training as a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist, I learnt how positive changes can correct thought processes, therefore creating new positive neuropathways in the brain. I’ve also seen this in my 5 years of practice with my clients.

However, as I reflect on this past year, I’m eternally grateful for having qualified as a Clinical Solution Focused Hypnotherapist. It is my knowledge and my own recorded Hypnotherapy download that has kept me strong when I have felt weak and has helped me maintain a healthy mindset. Had I not had my Hypnotherapy, I don’t think I’d have coped with everything.

✦ Parental concerns

Parental concerns re: time online / social media

Parents often express concerns about their teenagers’ online presence due to potential risks…

Parents often express concerns about their teenagers’ online presence due to potential risks, such as exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and privacy issues. Many parents also worry about the impact of social media on their child’s mental health and well-being. However, it’s crucial to strike a balance between monitoring and respecting their privacy to foster open communication and healthy online habits.

Common concerns…

Parents worry that teenagers can encounter harmful content, such as pornography, violence, or hate speech online.
Online bullying and harassment are significant concerns, with many parents worried about their children being both victims and perpetrators.
Parents are concerned about teenagers sharing too much personal information online and the potential for it to be misused.
Social media use has been linked to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem in teenagers.
Parents are concerned about the lasting impact of their child’s online activity and the potential for it to affect future opportunities.
I recommend parents regularly talk to their teenagers about their online experiences, what they’re seeing, and how they’re feeling.
While it’s important to monitor your teenager’s online activity, do so in a way that respects their privacy and fosters trust.

If, as a parent, you have concerns about your child’s online activity, you should contact CEOP.

CEOP stands for Child Exploitation and Online Protection. It is a UK law enforcement agency that focuses on protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation, both online and offline. CEOP also provides resources and support for children, parents, and professionals to help them stay safe online.

As parents, we need to think of the examples we set for our children. If parents are constantly on their devices, children are likely to do the same.

Handing a young child your phone at the dinner table does disrupt family time. It also limits social interaction and can then lead to unhealthy habits. Therefore, parents are advised that phones should be kept away during meals to encourage conversation and a more positive association with mealtimes.

It’s sad to see tables in restaurants where Mum, Dad, and two siblings are all on their phones at the table, and not one of them is in a conversation.

#letsgetbacktotalking
#conversationsarekey
#nomobiledevicesatthedinnertable
#familytime

✦ Connection Before Correction

Support That Helps: Children Behave Better When They Feel Safe and Understood

We’ve all heard that parent, or been that parent, who has lost their patience with their child.

✦ Children Borrow Calm From Adults

What is emotional regulation in children?

Children are not born knowing how to handle big feelings. When a child shouts, melts down, hits, shuts down, or runs away, it is not bad behaviour.

✦ Stress of upcoming exams

Is Your Child Beginning to Stress About Upcoming Exams?

Have you noticed if they’re more irritable, anxious or disorganised?

✦ Parenting & Emotional Wellbeing

6 Things That Break a Child's Heart

A child’s heart is delicate. Small, everyday actions from parents, grandparents, and siblings can leave emotional scars..

A child’s heart is delicate. Small, everyday actions from parents, grandparents, and siblings can leave emotional scars… 9 out of 10 adults don’t even realise what they are doing. Many parents and grandparents unknowingly engage in behaviours that hurt their child’s/grandchild’s sense of safety, self-worth, and trust.

Having recently been doing some CPD, I realised I haven’t shared the six common ways children can feel emotionally wounded for some time now, so here goes…

Firstly, awareness is the first step towards change; understanding the subtle ways that words and actions impact a child can help parents/guardians to nurture resilience, empathy, and confidence.

6 Things That Break a Child’s Heart:

Dismissing or Minimising Feelings – Telling a child to “stop crying” or “it’s nothing” teaches them that their emotions don’t matter.

Comparing Siblings or Peers – “Why can’t you be more like your brother/sister?” fosters insecurity and resentment.

Excessive Criticism – Constantly pointing out mistakes instead of encouraging growth erodes self-esteem.

Neglecting Quality Time – Failing to spend meaningful moments together makes a child feel unseen and unimportant.

Broken Promises – Not following through on commitments teaches children they can’t rely on others.

Public Humiliation or Shaming – Criticising or embarrassing a child in front of others damages trust and emotional safety.

I dare say, reading this, you may have shaken your head because you’ve recognised some of these responses. You may even recall particular events when you’ve done or said similar things. This doesn’t make you a bad parent… instead, it’s an opportunity to replace those harmful habits with supportive behaviours that strengthen bonds and emotional security.

Every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and loved. Small adjustments in parenting can make a profound difference in shaping a child’s emotional well-being, building a strong foundation for their future happiness and mental health.

Children don’t come with instructions; we make mistakes. What’s important is sharing this knowledge with others, recognising the small changes we need to make to be a better parent and role model for our children.

School distress deserves support, not force.

When a Child Is Distressed About Going to School

If a child is distressed at school about going home, it’s instantly seen as a safeguarding concern — and rightly so.

✦ Parenting & Emotional Wellbeing

Support That Hurts vs. Support That Helps

Children behave better when they feel safe and understood. There’s a big difference between support that helps and support that adds stress — here’s what to know…

A faster path to feeling like yourself again

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy helps you focus on where you want to be — not where you’ve been. Sessions are tailored, compassionate, and often produce results faster than traditional talking therapies.