Celia's way out of the stress trap
FEARS of unemployment, marital and relationship problems, overwork and financial difficulties – all of these are contributing to record levels of stress and anxiety.
So many people are living their lives at full tilt that they find it almost impossible to stop and relax, putting their health and well-being at risk, says Brighouse hypnotherapist and stress management consultant Celia Hogan.
In July Celia, who herself turned her back on a stressful and busy career as a veterinary equipment sales rep to train as a hypnotherapist, moved her practice from Owler Ings Road in Brighouse town centre and opened a new therapy room at her home in Maryville Avenue.
She is convinced that talking to people and helping them overcome their fears and phobias by tapping into their subconscious can bring untold benefits.
"It can be a life-changing experience. So many people have lived with stress for so long that they think that's how it should be. They almost get used to feel tired and anxious all the time but there's only so much the human body can take.
"We have a long hours culture these days where people grab a sandwich at their desk for lunch and work late because they are fearful of losing their jobs. They seem to see it as a sign of weakness or feel guilty if they stop and take a break.
"Women are under pressure to keep down a career, run a home, be the perfect wife and mum and, on top of everything else, to look good. They are on a treadmill and they don't know how to stop."
Celia is convinced that negative thinking turns into a self-perpetuating cycle of doubt and worry. "People say things like 'I can't cope', 'No-one else can do this as well as me' and 'I don't have any time for myself'. If this goes on it gets to the point where people can find it difficult to function in their everyday lives.
"It's not always possible to change the things that are causing the stress but it is often possible to change the way that the person reacts to that stress."
Celia points out that hypnotherapy is nothing like stage hypnosis which is put on as entertainment.
"I have nothing to do with getting people to do what they don't want to do. Rather I work with the client to get them completely relaxed and open to positive thoughts and suggestions. When we worry the mind closes down, hypnotherapy helps to open it up. Usually two or three sessions are enough and the techniques can be reinforced with a relaxation CD."
According to Celia, a programme called neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy can be used to help resolve a variety of problems such as panic attacks, lack of confidence, insomnia, depression, fear of flying, anger management and low self-esteem. She helps people who want to give up smoking or drinking, lose weight or who are having relationship issues.
"Stress can become like a trap and people often feel so overwhelmed by it that they think there is nothing they can do. They often come to me as a last resort. I can show them how to make positive changes that will help them start to enjoy life again."
Fact file
Financial problems, family problems, death of a loved one, bullying, redundancy, even the birth of a child – all of these contribute to stress and anxiety which in turn can generate sleep problems, panic attacks, illness and depression.
Hypnotherapy is the treatment of emotional and psychological conditions, unwanted habits and undesirable feelings. The aim is to assist the client to find meaningful
alternatives to unsatisfactory ways of thinking, feeling or behaving.
Celia Hogan is a trained NLP practitioner, hypnotherapist and life coach. She has released a range of self-help CDs to help with relaxation techniques. She can be contacted through the website www.celiacanchange
you.com or by phone on 01484 711574.
A first consultation is 43 but any Echo reader taking along this page will be eligible for a 5 discount.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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