Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) is a powerful therapeutic approach that uses a blend of psychotherapy and hypnosis to help individuals overcome a wide range of emotional, psychological, and even physical challenges. Unlike traditional forms of therapy, SFH is future-oriented, focusing on solutions rather than delving into past problems or traumas. It aims to help clients envision a positive future and guide them in achieving it through small, incremental steps. One of the most distinctive features of SFH is that it is deeply rooted in neuroscience, meaning it is backed by scientific understanding of how the brain works, particularly in relation to habits, emotions, and behaviours.
I trained with the Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training (CPHT), widely regarded as the leading and most accredited hypnotherapy training provider in the UK. CPHT’s courses ensure that practitioners are equipped with the latest research and techniques grounded in neuroscience, allowing clients to benefit from cutting-edge therapeutic approaches.
How Does SFH Work?
SFH works by helping clients reach a state of relaxation, or hypnosis, which allows access to the subconscious mind where many of our habits and patterns are stored. Once in this deeply relaxed state, clients are more open to suggestions and can start making meaningful changes in their thinking and behaviour.
What sets SFH apart is its solution-focused nature. Instead of focusing on the past or the root causes of issues, it directs attention towards how clients want their future to look. By helping them focus on what they can change, SFH encourages clients to break free from negative cycles and build confidence in their ability to shape their lives.
The Neuroscience Behind SFH
The human brain operates using different systems, including the primitive brain, responsible for fight-or-flight responses, and the intellectual brain, which governs rational thinking and problem-solving. When stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, we often operate from the primitive brain, leading to unhelpful behaviours or thoughts. SFH helps rewire these responses, guiding clients back to their intellectual brain, where they can think more clearly and make constructive decisions. This process is underpinned by neuroscience, as it aligns with how the brain naturally responds to focused, positive attention.
Conditions SFH Can Help With
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can support a wide range of conditions and challenges. Below are some of the most common issues clients seek help with:
Smoking/Vaping Cessation
According to a 2023 report from the NHS, nearly 5.4 million adults in the UK smoke, and many of them are keen to quit. Hypnotherapy is one of the most effective ways to stop smoking, with research suggesting it is more successful than nicotine replacement therapies. SFH helps individuals break the habit by addressing the subconscious triggers associated with smoking or vaping. Through hypnosis, clients can reframe their relationship with cigarettes or vapes, making it easier to quit and stay smoke-free for good.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD affects around 1.2% of the UK population and can be debilitating. SFH helps individuals with OCD by reducing anxiety, the key driver behind obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. By accessing the subconscious, SFH assists in calming the mind, making it easier for clients to manage their intrusive thoughts and focus on more positive, rational behaviours.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is estimated to affect around 10-20% of the UK population, often exacerbated by stress and anxiety. Hypnotherapy has been endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as an effective treatment for IBS. SFH helps by reducing stress and encouraging relaxation, which in turn can ease physical symptoms like cramping, bloating, and diarrhoea.
Weight Management
Struggling with weight is an issue for many people, with around 28% of adults in England classified as obese according to 2021 figures from Public Health England. SFH is a powerful tool for weight management as it targets the underlying emotional and psychological factors that contribute to overeating, poor diet choices, or lack of exercise. By helping clients focus on their goals and adopt healthier habits, hypnotherapy can lead to lasting change.
Anxiety, Stress, and Overwhelm
One in six adults in the UK suffer from anxiety or depression, according to a 2020 report by the Office for National Statistics. SFH is particularly effective for treating anxiety, stress, and feelings of overwhelm because it works to calm the brain’s primitive responses. It helps clients shift their focus away from problems and towards the future they want to create, helping to reduce negative thought patterns and increase resilience to life’s challenges.
Sports Performance
Many athletes, from amateurs to professionals, use hypnotherapy to enhance their performance. SFH helps sportspeople improve focus, increase motivation, and overcome mental blocks. By accessing the subconscious mind, athletes can visualise success, boost confidence, and develop a mindset geared towards peak performance.
Quick, Effective, and Long-Lasting
One of the standout benefits of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is how quickly clients start to see results. Most clients notice significant improvements within 8 to 12 sessions. The changes achieved through hypnotherapy are designed to be long-lasting, offering life-long benefits in terms of improved mental and emotional wellbeing.
A Versatile Approach
While the above conditions are some of the most common reasons people seek SFH, this is by no means an exhaustive list. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help with a wide variety of concerns, from building confidence and overcoming fears, to managing chronic pain and improving sleep. The solution-focused approach ensures that each session is tailored to the individual, working towards their specific goals.
Why Choose Solution Focused Hypnotherapy?
- Neuroscience-based approach: SFH is backed by modern science and helps to rewire the brain for success.
- Quick and effective: Most clients experience significant changes within 8-12 sessions.
- Future-focused: SFH focuses on creating a positive, solution-oriented future rather than revisiting past traumas.
- Lasting results: The changes made in hypnotherapy sessions tend to have life-long benefits.
If you’re ready to make positive changes in your life and move forward towards a brighter, more fulfilling future, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy could be the key to unlocking your potential.