In my previous article, I looked at the pros and cons of launching a client newsletter, and some of the legal considerations to be aware of. [CLICK HERE TO READ IT] This time we’ll think about what you should put in your newsletter and when you should send it. What should I put in my newsletter? Let’s start with the nitty gritty. If you have a newsletter, what are you actually going to write about? How can you make it useful or entertaining enough to make people click on open and read it? Here are my ideas. Editorial or Introduction. This is your opportunity to build trust and rapport wit ..read more

Do you have a client newsletter or are you thinking about launching one? On the face of it these seem like a great idea but, for therapists, offering a newsletter may not be as straightforward as it seems.  In this article, we'll show you how to navigate the practical and ethical elements of newsletters, and next month we'll look at the easiest ways to create compelling content that keeps your readers engaged.  All businesses are bound by legislation to safeguard their clients’ personal data but most collect pretty basic stuff - just enough to complete your order. Therapists hold ..read more

Autogenic training is a way to use calm and relaxation to enhance general health and well-being. It was developed in the 1920s by a German cardiologist named Johannes Heinrich Schultz who noticed that many people experienced warmth, heaviness and relaxation when they were hypnotised. He wanted to find a way for them to access this without necessarily using formal hypnosis. Autogenic training, often said to be the precursor of biofeedback techniques, was the result.  The training affects the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary processes like heart rate, blood ..read more

As hypnotherapists, we know that language is important, and the way we use it in our suggestions and metaphors are often debated in social media groups, supervision and training. However, the conversational part of the session is equally (if not more) important. It’s where we see the client’s own interpretation of their situation, where we have to opportunity to observe their para language and non-verbal cues and where we can decide which therapeutic approaches are going to suit them best. In the Hypnotherapist’s Companion, I talk about clients who are very chatty – how to decide what’s rele ..read more

Lots of therapists go for a DIY website when they first qualify, so this month I’ll be looking at some simple steps to making your website as effective as possible. And the first step to building your website is not to build it – yet!  As with most things, you need to start with research, so you know what your potential clients are looking for and what their needs, questions, and expectations are. Then you can write your content to cater to their specific interests, which can make a significant difference in engaging them effectively. There are two main aspects to making a good website ..read more

Autogenic training is a way to use calm and relaxation to enhance general health and well-being. It has links to hypnotherapy and, having recently incorporated it into my practitioner course, I thought it would be good to share a few details with you here. What is autogenic training? A German cardiologist named Johannes Heinrich Schultz developed Autogenic training was developed in the 1920s. He noticed that many people experienced warmth, heaviness and relaxation whilst hypnotised. He wanted to find a way for them to access this without necessarily using formal hypnosis. Autogenic training ..read more

In my experience, the most common reason hypnotherapists consider giving gift vouchers is as a means of supporting some local good cause or event, perhaps as a raffle prize. But you may be thinking of vouchers as a way to expand your business, or even to promote as a Christmas gift? (Yes, I know I’m writing in August, but you need to think ahead if you want to do some holiday promotions). At times of economic difficulties, we all have to consider new and innovative ways to reach potential clients and one such approach is to offer gift vouchers.  So, I’m going to delve into the pros and ..read more

Safeguarding is something that therapists often talk about, but have you ever thought about exactly what it means? There’s a lot more to it than you might think, and this month I’m going to have a look at how we can safeguard our clients - and ourselves - in the best ways possible.  Safeguarding in therapy Safeguarding is important for therapists for several reasons. Firstly, it’s essential for maintaining trust, promoting positive therapeutic outcomes, and upholding the integrity of the profession.  Secondly, therapists often work with individuals who may be classed as vulnerable ..read more

Stress personalities may be why some people struggle with stress, while others thrive on the challenge or accept life as it comes. And identifying your client's approach to stress can help you decide on the best way to improve their resilience. Stress 'Personalities’ In this blog, I will look at “stress personality types”. These describe different attitudes to stress, and they might help you work with clients. Let's say up front that the concept of stress personalities is far from perfect. But it can still have value if you're trying to narrow down where to start. So the theory goes, we all ..read more

Until recently, many have argued that there is no specific psychological mechanism by which affirmations might work, other than, perhaps, placebo effect. The placebo effect is, of course, measurably real. And anecdotal evidence and a plethora of self-help books demonstrate that many people find affirmations helpful. However, we now know that neuroplasticity may be playing a part. Affirmations and neuroplasticity We know that repeated thoughts or behaviour can change both the chemistry and physical structure of our brains. So repeating affirmations may be taking advantage of this to 'reshape ..read more