Solutions focused hypnotherapy uses hypnosis in the framework of Solutions focused brief therapy (SFBT). It looks at an individual’s resources, the things they are doing when things are going well, to allow the person to move from the problem towards a solution. Training is based upon how the brain works; through research we know that the part of the brain that comes up with these positive solutions is the left hand prefrontal cortex, and the aim of solutions focused hypnotherapy is to utilise the brain functioning and give us tools to overcome future problems. SFBT is being recognised more within the NHS, not just as a therapy but also within management and supervision circles.

Hypnosis allows us then to reduce anxiety, through relaxation, visualisation and allows individuals to use this time to focus on the positive aspects of their lives. This, married with a selection of other tools such as CBT, NLP and mindfulness, can give a person the skills to manage their lives more effectively.

Penny has had an interest in psychology and hypnosis for many years, using self hypnosis in sports at school, and volunteering as a guinea pig for Oxford University Psychology department when she was a student. After 20 years in the media and the IT industry, she retrained as a hypnotherapist and has been working from clinics in North Somerset and the Bedminster Family Practice in Bristol. She trained at The Clifton Practice in Bristol, and from early 2011 will be available to supervise other therapists. Penny is a registered member of The National Council for Hypnotherapists, the Ukcho, the AfSFH and is on the NHS directory of alternative and complementary practitioners.

Penny’s specialist area is phobias, as for 13 years she had a driving phobia, needle phobia and a spider phobia for as long as she remembers. It was during training she understood what was going on in the brain and used the fast phobia technique to eradicate all three.

The number of sessions you would need is dependent on the individual, but roughly speaking phobias need between 3-5 sessions, anxiety related issues around 8 - 10 and depression between 8 – 12. If you would like to discuss any of your issues further with Penny, initial consultations are free, just call 01275 854354 to discuss how you would like your life to change for the better.

Or visit www.pennyling.co.uk