​Over the years, we have been asked by quite a few people if there is a meaning behind our name,
Therapy in the City.

The short answer to that question is yes!
 
To us, the words Therapy in the City are a way to describe finding your calm in the rush of life.
 Let us explain…

The Therapy Part...

Therapy is of course part of what we do as a global hypnotherapy and mind coaching practice and is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as a treatment that is intended to relieve or to heal. For our clients, therapy is a process they can use to relax their minds and bodies, it allows them to refocus, reenergize and reinvigorate their lives.
 
However, this idea of finding calm is not just something we believe is reserved exclusively to therapy sessions, it is everywhere. It can be found in small things such as a well-deserved quiet moment with a good cup of tea or a quick cuddle with the dog to big moments such as climbing mountains and travelling the world. To find any sense of calm is to find your therapy and that is where the first part of our name comes from.

The City Part...

The second part, City, might at first seem self-explanatory. We currently work from clinics in St Andrews and Dundee but over the years we have held practices all over the UK and of course we are now available for sessions online in cities, towns and villages all over the world. So, the City part of our name refers firstly to the location of our business but on a deeper level it refers to the general rush of everyday life.
 
Many of us are living in a hectic hurricane, we are torn between the things we need to do and the things we want to do. For many people day to day life can seem to fly past in a blur of work and to do lists and over time this state of constant tension can lead to anxiety, stress and even depression.

#find yourTITC
 
That is why we believe it is important to take even just five minutes a day to find a little piece of calm and enjoyment, to take a step away from the rush of life and allow yourself some Therapy in the City or as we call it TITC.
 
Come and join our search for calm over on Instagram and #findyourTITC 

Written by Nicole McKendry, Clinical Hypnotherapist

When I sat down this morning to write this article for National Fertility Awareness Week, I had every intention of discussing the benefits of hypnotherapy for IVF and preparing your mindset for the treatment… but the more I looked at the blank page on the screen I just couldn’t shake five little words that were repeating in my mind ~ I’m sorry there’s no heartbeat.  Why was I thinking of them?  Good question, perhaps it was because I had been reading some of the #fertilityin5 tweets on twitter or simply reflecting on my own fertility… either way those words were not something I had read or even heard during a talk with a client, they were spoken to me directly some years ago and the more I thought about those five dreaded words, the more I realised I had something else to write today.
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The taboo of miscarriage and childlessness is very easily swept under the rug but when I think of my own experience… it’s a very lonely place to be.  People are still very uncomfortable with the subject and the consensus seems to be it’s better not to mention or talk to you about it.  The only problem with that is when your pain, loss and fears are not acknowledged it can almost feel like no one really cares and that baby never mattered. I like so many I’m sure (yes even therapists need a little support) found myself joining groups with those that had shared the same loss… but after a while I realised that I found no solace in those Facebook pages, in fact if anything they made me feel worse and prevented me from healing that wound.  Thankfully I was able to use my own therapeutic techniques to heal from that loss but I realise today that the emotional scar it left, likes to let itself be known when something like writing this article touches a nerve.

It’s here I find myself today, thinking about those woman like myself over 35 that have experienced a loss and still remain childless. So today although a little more close to home than I had intended, I dedicate this article to all the women over 35 who are trying to conceive…. it’s time to create a fertile mindset ladies.

First things first, those on the outside looking in… if they’re not supporting you, then you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life!  It’s very easy I know (and I’ve treated clients who have experienced it), to feel stress and anxiety when people place judgement or make assumptions on why you don’t have children when you get to a particular age... let's be honest who needs someone highlighting that already loudly ticking clock!  The truth is not always because career comes first or it's due to being unable to have children, for many the fear of being too old and leaving it too late creates a belief system, a mindset that almost works to block fertility and can be the cause of many unexplained fertility issues in over 35s were no medical cause has been found.  It’s those established set of attitudes that need to change... replace negative attitudes and responses with positive and forget the myths, the stats and the lack of support by breaking down your own walls that support those limiting beliefs, fears and instead create a fertile mindset that supports your fertility mentally, emotionally and physically.

Most importantly remember that the mind-body connection is a powerful one and your mind, what and how you think can have a direct influence over your body. 
 
 “Where there are no tangible medical complications of pregnancy, the risks of childbirth in older women are no greater than in younger women” … Editorial, British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

To get your started, I’ve provided a quick self-hypnosis exercise below to help you visualise conception.  If you don’t have time to do this, then I recommend you take the positive affirmation and repeat it to yourself daily. Change starts in the mind!

Self-Hypnosis

Find yourself a quiet place where you can relax undisturbed for 15 minutes:

• Close your eyes
• Focus on your breathing - breathe slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth
• Silently and mentally count down from ten to one (count on every second breath out)
• As you breath out and count each number, allow your body to become more relaxed
• As you count ten, focus on your feet and toes, let them relax
• As you count nine, focus on your calves and ankles, let them relax
• As you count eight, focus on your thighs and knees, let them relax
• As you count seven, focus on your pelvis and hips, let them relax
• As you count six, focus on your stomach and lower back, let them relax
• As you count five, focus on your chest and upper back, let them relax
• As you count four, focus on your arms and hands, let them relax
• As you count three, focus on your neck and shoulders, let them relax
• As you count two, focus on your head and face, let them relax
• As you count one, allow your entire body to relax more, feel your body and mind relaxing
• When you feel relaxed repeat the following positive affirmation at least seven times:

 
I trust my body, my body knows how to conceive a healthy baby

• Continue to breathe slowly as your repeat the affirmation
• When you feel calm, relaxed and positive about a healthy conception then count up to five slowly and open your eyes on 1. Repeat daily.

If you would like to discuss creating a fertile mindset or conceiving over 35, you can email me at [email protected]


#HiddenFaces | #NFAWUK | #FNScotlandUK | #Fertility | #Dundee | TherapyintheCity | Hypnosis

Written by Nicole McKendry, Clinical Hypnotherapist

As we blow a parting kiss to summer and embrace the arrival of autumn with a hug, it seems the perfect time to pull out our chunky knits and spend as much time as possible in front of the log burner drinking pumpkin spiced lattes. However, my autumnal bliss was interrupted a few nights ago when I was rudely reminded by a very large house spider that the chill in the air and darker evenings also signify something else… spider season!

Now as my boyfriend kindly reminded me, we do live in the country and sharing our home with #spiders is part of the country life!  To which I concur and it’s not as though I think there’s a queue of spiders with their little suitcases waiting at our front door to move in but… when faced with the prospect of a large spider about to run up your bare leg, I feel I was entitled to find the whole experience just a little disconcerting. Truth be known, Cedric (as he has come to be known) was as freaked out by me as I was him and he dashed back under the bathroom door and is to this day still hiding out somewhere in the house!

Whether it’s those pesky spider house invaders, plastic Halloween spider decorations or a YouTube video of an Australian Huntsman spider carrying off a mouse (if you haven’t seen the video this week and can stomach it click here to watch) one thing is very clear… if you suffer from a fear of spiders, known as #arachnophobia this time of year can be extremely distressing.

Arachnophobia is one of the most common phobias, affecting 55% of women and 18% of men in the UK.  Now I had a brief moment of fear when I thought the spider was going to run up my leg but what differs between this and a spider phobia is that the fear would overwhelm the sufferer, with the fear being greater than the actual risk.  It’s natural to experience fear if encountering danger or if we were in a situation in which we faced a poisonous creature that threatened our life (just for the record here my bathroom skirmish was neither!) but an Arachnophobic would experience this intensity of fear, even when the danger to their health or wellbeing is not real or present.

So do you suffer from a spider phobia? Chances are you know you do but for those still unsure, why not answer the following question - if you find a spider in your house do you:

a) Throw it outside?
b) Suck it up the vacuum or squash/flush it?
c) Feel as if your heart is about to burst out your chest, start screaming and running around unable to deal with it, start sweating, feel sick… call the estate agent it may be time to move?

If you answered yes to C then this article is for you.

The physical responses mentioned above happen when you experience anxiety from being exposed to a spider. Arachnophobia can be debilitating and stops people going on holiday, gardening and in extreme cases they live in constant fear.  

Clients I have treated tend to be less scared by the actual danger that spiders present (thankfully in this country not a lot!) and more of the thought of them, the way they move which can seem to be unpredictable and irrational.  I swore blindly to my boyfriend (much to his amusement) that the spider came running under the bathroom door straight for me but in truth, he was likely running away from something else, like blaring light or sound.

Fear of spiders is a conditioned response, something that we have learned… as such we simply need to unlearn this unhelpful fear that is enforced each time you are exposed to a spider.  The good news is this fear can be effectively treated using clinical hypnotherapy or BWRT® and the negative conditioning responsible for running the faulty subconscious programming that underpins and drives this fear removed.  The treatment works directly with your subconscious mind to change the automated response that you have when you encounter a spider, removing the emotional triggers and replacing fear with confidence and calm. 

So when you see that lone spider running across your carpet, he’s probably trying desperately to find a mate and not running at you.  Male spiders don’t live long, he’s taking a chance being out in the open and risking his life.  As for you… he’s most probably hoping you won’t see him!

Finally, for those of you who don’t suffer from a phobia but just simply want to evict those eight legged unwanted house guests.  Then I suggest you do what I do and invest in a good bug catcher!

If you would like to talk to me about your spider phobia, please do get in touch [email protected]




#Spiderphobia #Dundee #Scotland #Hypnotherapy
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#Fibromyalgia (fi-bro-my-al-juh) is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder resulting in widespread pain and fatigue throughout the body.

Pain radiates from the fibrous tissues such as tendons and ligaments and is described notably by those suffering from the condition as an aching, stabbing and burning sensation from head to toe.

The actual cause of Fibromyalgia has yet to be identified but research suggests that it often develops after some form of trauma that acts as a trigger such as a fall, car accident, childbirth, viral infection, operation or an emotional event.  However, it can develop without any visible trigger.

Symptoms of the Condition - In addition to #chronicpain and #fatigue there are a number of symptoms experienced from person to person, some of these can often include:

• Sleep Disorders
• Chronic Headaches
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Tingling, numbness, Prickling or burning in hands or feet
• Sensitivity to external factors such as weather
• Allergies
• Cognitive Disturbances (#FibroFog) such as lack of concentration, temporary memory impairments, slow or confused speech
• Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)

Read more about Fibromyalgia Symptoms on the NHS website.

Current treatment of this condition seems to be focused on treating the symptoms and not the actual condition itself.  This may be attributed to on-going research into the actual cause of Fibromyalgia.  Prescribed medication is the primary treatment provided by the medical profession.  However, those suffering from the disorder believe learning to manage the symptoms will provide greater relief as current medicinal drugs have been suggested to be insufficient in controlling symptoms

Managing Symptoms with Hypnosis - #Hypnosis is a mind-body therapy and can help those suffering from Fibromyalgia to make positive changes both mentally and physically.  With the application of hypnosis those diagnosed with this chronic condition can begin to manage the symptoms and aggravating factors to provide them with a lifelong management system for the disorder. 

Effects of Hypnosis on Fibromyalgia Sufferers - many sufferers attribute a reduction in their symptoms with the treatment of hypnosis and often use hypnosis as a way to limit their pain symptoms and increase their energy and comfort level.

 1. Pain Relief - Hypnosis has long been utilised in managing pain and works in three phrases.  The first is complete physical relaxation.  This is important as the muscles of those in pain become tense and this in turn increases pain.  Hypnosis can bring about a level of relaxation required for total muscular relaxation.  The second phase is sensory alteration, transforming the pain into another sensation whereby triggering a different perception of the pain in the patients mind.  The final phase is a form of mental distraction, to draw the sufferer's attention from the source of the pain, which in turn has the ability to server the connection between fear in the mind and symptoms in the body.

2. Stress Management - Emotional stress and #anxiety can trigger muscular pain, headaches and in extreme cases anxiety attacks.  It can also cause sleep disturbances which in turn increases symptoms of the condition.  Learning to successfully deal with stress using hypnosis can help patients to manage symptoms and the condition easier.

3. Quit Smoking - #Smoking is an aggravating factor in Fibromyalgia.  Those suffering from the condition have reported finding that inhaling nicotine can trigger and flare symptoms.  The reason for this is due to the fact nicotine impairs the function of your muscles and as it enters the bloodstream it reduces the amount of oxygen circulating the body.  With a reduction in oxygenated blood, muscles don't receive the vital oxygen and are unable to repair themselves, causing the sufferer pain.  Nicotine has also been linked to muscle contractions, which in turn can lead to sleep disorders like restless leg syndrome.  If you want to ease your symptoms and manage the condition, it is highly suggested you consider cutting nicotine out of your life.

Other benefits of hypnosis include:

• decreased muscle pain
• decreased morning fatigue
• fewer sleep difficulties
• increased relaxation

Fibromyalgia impacts the lives of those diagnosed with this condition on a daily basis.  However, with the application of clinical hypnotherapy they can learn to manage symptoms and begin to take back control of their bodies.

If you would like to discuss using hypnotherapy for Fibromyalgia or book an appointment at my #Cheltenham clinic, please contact me on [email protected] or call me direct on 07525 375957.

How often do you wake up feeling tired?  One possibility is that your Smartphone or tablet could be affecting how much sleep you're getting.  Recent research has found that LED screens disrupt sleep by stopping the body producing the hormone melanin, which responds to light and governs whether you feel sleepy or not.

Studies support and suggest that the decline in the number of hours slept per night is affecting public health by increasing the risk of obesity, heart disease, depression and diabetes in adults and contributing to concentration problems in children.

2. Don't take your Smartphone/Tablet to bed with you for the fear of FOMO (fear of missing out).  Lack of sleep induces anxiety and makes day-to-day functioning difficult.

3. Recognise and be honest with yourself about the real reasons you can't unplug when you go to bed.  Are you being overloaded at work or is your manager imposing unrealistic deadlines. (read more on how France is trying to help workers with work-life balance).  Perhaps you're afraid to miss a text or update from your boyfriend/girlfriend...why?  A healthy relationship with trust should allow for time apart without you feeling anxious or needing to be in constant and instant communication.

Give it a try.... unplug and have a goods night sleep!

Sleep problems?  Why not contact Therapy in the City and change your sleeping pattern.