Meet Nicole our expert hypnotherapist:
Hi, I’m Nicole Valens, I am a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and have been in private practice for 10 years.
As a hypnotherapist, I became fascinated by research into how hypnotherapy can help reduce symptoms of menopause. I discovered that in clinical trials, hypnotherapy was found to be 74% as effective as HRT for reducing hot flushes and night sweats – without any side effects!
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a form of psychotherapy, designed to help the client reach positive goals that they have set with their therapist. It works by utilising our natural ability to get into a trance state, which makes us much more open to suggestions and change.
A trance can feel a little like that lovely, relaxed feeling you get when you are just drifting off to sleep, your mind is wandering freely, and you can barely feel your body on the bed. When we are in this lovely relaxed, focussed mindset, the rational, cognitive part of our brain is dampened down, and our subconscious is much more active. Researchers have carried out brain scans which show this happening. Using hypnotherapy, we can directly access the subconscious, bypassing our rational thought processes. The subconscious is the part of the brain responsible for emotions and moods, habits and thinking patterns. It is also connected to the hypothalamus, which controls body temperature and is the part of the brain responsible for hot flushes and night sweats.
How can Hypnotherapy help?
Hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective in reducing many of the symptoms of menopause including hot flushes, brain fog, and sleep disruption. Research has shown that focusing on cooling imagery whilst in a state of hypnosis gives women greater control over hot flushes and can help prevent them altogether.
Sleep disturbance is a common problem among peri-menopausal women, with up to 70% reporting poor sleep. As well as helping to control night sweats, which can really disturb sleep, hypnotherapy can help promote more restful sleep or overcome insomnia. Listening to a soothing self-hypnosis audio at bedtime can help you switch off and drift into a lovely deep slumber.
Hypnotherapy can be hugely effective in increasing your self-confidence and reducing anxiety. By giving back a sense of control, it provides you with a sense of agency over this transition period, allowing you to feel calmer and more relaxed generally.
Hypnotherapy is also great at supporting a weight-control diet. Using hypnotic suggestions, you feel more motivated to eat healthily and do more exercise: invaluable in the fight against the dreaded ‘meno-belly’!
Hypnotherapy can be carried out in-person or through online sessions. A hypnotherapy session typically takes up to an hour, and most people benefit from 4-6 weekly sessions.
You can also try self-hypnosis. At MindMatters, we have lots of self-hypnosis audios available to listen to at a time that suits you. Have a look at our selection here: https://www.steppingstoneshypno.com/shop-1
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To find out more about how hypnotherapy can support you through your menopause journey, or to book an appointment, contact Nicole on 07905 288046 or email at hypnostones@gmail.com.
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