For me, the most rewarding part of my career, and what makes me get out of bed every day, is the chance to help people who are struggling; whether that be with a phobia, lack of confidence, IBS or something else. There is nothing like hearing a past patient tell me how our hypnotherapy sessions changed their life and allowed them to move past an issue that had crippled them for years.
After this, one of my career highlights has to be being awarded ‘Hypnotherapist Of The Year’ at the Austin Hypnotherapy Awards. To be recognised by one’s peers and industry is a great feeling. I won this accolade ten years ago, and as the 2022 awards are being hosted today in London, I decided to reflect upon one of my greatest achievements.
Despite the name, the Austin Hypnotherapy Awards are not anything to do with Austin, Texas! They are named such because they were founded by Valerie Austin, who is a leading British hypnotherapist.
Valerie’s journey into hypnotherapy was not an easy one. She had a near-fatal car accident which caused hysterical amnesia (severe memory loss). Her memory only returned when she attended a hypnosis course by Hollywood hypnotist Gil Boyne, who practised hypnotherapy on her in front of the rest of the class.
Unfortunately, disaster struck again when Valerie returned to the UK. After suffering multiple family bereavements, including the death of her dear mother, her memory loss was triggered once more. It is a well known fact that experiencing great trauma can induce memory loss. Valerie’s memory loss was so severe that she forgot she had a husband in the USA and spent the next four years struggling with amnesia. It was only some years later that she fortunately regained her memory once more, after trying hypnosis for a second time.
This led Valerie to complete a course in hypnotherapy herself, and was the start of a decades long illustrious career; one in which she has helped thousands of people. Since then, Valerie has written books, made multiple documentaries, treated celebrities and, like myself, run a Harley Street (London) practice. She has become known for her ‘Stop Smoking in One Hour’ programme, as well as The Austin Technique, which she used to treat a wide range of conditions such as relationship and weight issues.
Valerie and her husband James Pool both practise and teach hypnotherapy. Valerie’s work has been featured in many media outlets; in print and on TV. A few examples are The Guardian, CityAM and the BBC.
As you can see from the above, Valerie is an industry expert, so to be given an award by her, particularly ‘Hypnotherapist Of The Year’, was a great honour. I have now been practising as a clinical hypnotherapist for over 18 years, and I divide my time between my Harley Street clinic in London and webcam appointments for my global and international clients.
My career began with a passion for psychology in the 1980s. What began as a hobby turned into something I truly wanted to build a career in, and so I decided to get qualified as a hypnotherapist. I hold a Diploma in Advanced Hypnotherapy, a Senior Qualification in Hypnotherapy Practice (SQHP) and am a member of the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR).
Like Valerie, I have been featured in the media and asked to be a guest expert. I have acted as a phobia therapy adviser to BBC Radio and London Talk Radio. I have also written guest blogs for industry websites and been featured in articles.
My goal is to help people to make changes in their lives. I consider myself a very caring and sympathetic hypnotherapist who is sensitive to client’s fears and totally dedicated to helping them make that desired change. I’m experienced in dealing with all aspects of stress management, panic attacks, insomnia, fear of flying, emotional overeating, poor self belief, poor motivation, poor self esteem and IBS.
If you would like some help, you can book an initial, confidential and free, 30 minute online consultation with me now. We will discuss what problem you would like help with and what course of treatment I would offer.
If, when I see you for a first appointment, I think you may need more or less appointments than initially planned, we will discuss this and I will amend the treatment. I think it is very important that the course of a hypnotherapist’s treatment is led by each client and their individual needs.
You can get in touch via telephone, email or via the booking form on my website. I am also on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram if you would like to follow me on social media.