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Goodbye To 2016 And Say Hello 2017

shutterstock_154633811As 2016 ends and you move on into the next year, take some time to review, to contemplate and to maybe mindfully meditate. Give yourself the opportunity to have a brake just for a day or two before you go back into your normal routine – to work, back to school or just your everyday life.  

Grab a cup of coffee or tea and a pen, and get your journal or notebook to write your answers.  Take a little time to create space and freedom to reflect on the past year. As we can learn a lot by reflecting the past year by celebrating your achievements even the small things, mourning your losses and being grateful for an eventful and challenging life.

Here are a few questions to get you started…

Reflective questions:

  1. What was your highlight/achievement of 2016?
  2. What was the most challenging/hardest thing that happened?
  3. Who were the most important people in your life last year?
  4. What was the most important thing that you learned last year?
  5. What was your biggest time waster in your life this past year?
  6. Choose 3 positive words to describe 2016
  7. Choose 3 negative words to describe 2016
  8. What was the best book you read
  9. What was the best film or programme you watched
  10. What was the best thing you experienced.
  11. In what ways did you grow either emotionally, physically or spiritually last year?
  12. What was the best use of your time last year?

Lastly, create a phrase or a short statement that describes this past year for you.

2017 Goal Setting

As you move forward looking into 2017 it is more helpful to think of solutions rather than resolutions. I don’t believe in resolutions because resolutions are plans and for most people plans rarely worked out particularly well. Its funny that resolutions are meant to bond us and be helpful because we all want to change something, like lose weight, stop a habit, learn something new like a language, play an instrument, add a skill or experience or start on that novel.

  1. Quit smoking, stop drinking, eat more healthily, do more exercise, or lose weight
  2. Stop procrastinating, improve motivation
  3. Become more confident, maybe more social
  4. Get more sleep, or improve quality of sleep
  5. Improve relationships or find a new relationship
  6. Find a better work/home life balance
  7. Improve financial situation
  8. Learn to let go of past hurts, traumas and find a new way to deal with issues
  9. Learn how to control your emotional responses
  10. What three things would you like to see or do this year?
  11. What would you like to change this year?
  12. If you got to December 31st 2017 – what would you regret not doing, saying, experiencing?

If you are feeling stuck or don’t know where to start then this is where I can help. Contact Sarah for a FREE no-obligation initial phone consultation on 07734 104421 or email sarah@sarahbrambleby.com.

Find more balance, be happier, more resilient and successful by:

  1. Schedule some fun time everyday
  2. Stop overthinking and take action
  3. Believe in myself & tap into my confidence
  4. Let myself off the hook
  5. Remember my true worth
  6. Be prepared to take risks
  7. Take my needs seriously
  8. Be kind to myself
  9. Keep my sense of humour
  10. Appreciate everything I have… “I am grateful for….”

Well, there you have it, a list of advice and tips to help you see your New Year’s plans through and make some long-term changes in your life. Wishing you a very Happy New Year.

Sarah Brambleby is an experienced Hypnotherapist, Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, Certified Havening Techniques® Practitioner and Certified BWRT® Practitioner. Registered with the Accredited Voluntary Register and a member of the both the National Hypnotherapy Society and the National Counselling Society accredited bodies. She uses an integrative approach with Hypnotherapy, Counselling, Havening Techniques®, BWRT®, EFT, CBT, Mindfulness and Coaching, in a safe and friendly non-judgemental therapeutic environment based at the Risborough Therapy Clinic in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire.

Mind, Body, Fertility Workshop – Sat 21st May

logoI am excited to be one of five complementary therapists from the Thames Valley area that have combined their expertise to create a workshop specifically to help with unexplained infertility.  It is a one day practical programme to assist couples or individuals who want to conceive and may be experiencing emotional and/or life stress.

Fertility and the ability to conceive is unique to you and your partner, there is no magic bullet and no one size fits all solution. Yet there are things that you can do to get your body and mind in their optimum state. We’ve created a practical workshop to help you gain unique insights and information for both mind and body, and you will get the chance to have your questions answered by our team of experts.

I am thrilled to be participating in a mind, body, fertility workshop. As a specialist in anxiety disorders there is so much that can impact the body at a sub conscious level. I thought it might be useful to understand why hypnotherapy is a very effective therapy with fertility issues…. Mind, Body, Fertility Workshop Flyer final.
There is a growing body of research on psychological aspects and the relationship with infertility. It is believed that psychological stress alters levels of cortisol (F), prolactin (PRL), and progesterone (P), which in turn have an adverse affect on pregnancy outcome. Whatever your specific psychological issues are, hypnosis assists by developing a new narrative around infertility and can remove negative emotional patterns and change thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

However regardless of which member of the couple may be experiencing the problem, the issue of infertility is still shared by the couple. Together the couple will have a much better understanding of what the other one is going through and be more supportive.

Typical fertility psychological issues:fertilityphoto

  • Performance pressures
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Trauma (especially childhood trauma)
  • Pre-existing physical conditions or issues e.g. pain
  • Guilt
  • Grief/Loss
  • Loss of identity
  • Self esteem
  • Depression
  • Anger

Come and experience hypnosis for yourself during my workshop session and learn useful tools to manage your stress/anxiety to help you to move forward in your journey to pregnancy and beyond.

Workshop Booking Details:

Date: Saturday 21st May, 2016

Time: 9am – 6pm

Venue: Thame Barn Centre, Church Road, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3AJ www.thamebarnscentre.co.uk

Costs: £195 each. £300 for couples. More information is available www.facebook.com/MindandBodyFertilityworkshop

To Book Eventbrite

For further information please contact either Sarah Brambleby on 07734104421 or Saffron Rogerson on 07926 004062. Restricted places available due to room size, so book as early as you can to avoid disappointment.

Downloadable Flyer Mind, Body, Fertility Workshop Flyer final

 

Havening Techniques local training opportunity

HaveninglogoHavening Techniques® – A Better Life Through Neuroscience

Havening Techniques certified 2 day practitioner training opportunity, coming to venue on the boarders South Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire on Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th May, 2016. The course venue is very easy to reach of both M25 and M40 motorways and for anyone living or working in London or the Home Counties areas. If you are interested to book or discuss the benefits of this training, please email Louise Carmi, certified trainer on louisecarmi@gmail.com and for more information see www.louisecarmi.com.

Participants completing this training will be eligible to attend our exclusive Havening Conference in Solihull 10th & 11th June, 2016. With presentations from Dr Ronald Ruden, Dr Stephen Ruden and Dr Paul McKenna.

The Havening Techniques® is a psychosensory method, which is designed to alter thought, mood and behaviour. Changing the brain to de-traumatise the memory and remove its negative consequences of particular stressful life events or traumatic experiences. As part of it’s protocol, the Havening Techniques® uses the sensory input of Havening Touch® which can either be facilitated or self applied, which triggers the delta waves in the brain. The delta waves in turn prompt helpful chemical chain-reactions in the amygdala. This removes specific AMPA Receptors from the surface of neurons in the amygdala where the traumatic event is ‘stored’.

The Havening Techniques® have three distinct applications, one is for emotional disturbances and encoded psychological trauma, second is for wellness, stress management, and peak performance, and the third is as a self-help tool. These techniques are the result of over 14 years of scientific research and development by New York based Medical Practitioner and PhD in Chemistry, Dr Ronald Ruden, author of ‘When the Past is Always Present’ and ‘The Craving Brain’ with support of his brother Dr Steven Ruden. Both doctors use Havening Techniques regularly in their practices.

Now you can learn the techniques for your own personal use. This

Meeting Dr Ronald Ruden, Author When the past is always present & creator of Havening Techniques.

Meeting Dr Ronald Ruden, Author When the past is always present & creator of Havening Techniques.

training is ideal for therapists and professionals working in mental health, wellbeing and people development, who wish to learn about Havening Techniques® and would be interested in starting their journey to qualify as a Certified Havening Techniques® practitioner. It is particularly beneficial for first responders, emergency services (police, fire service, ambulance staff, paramedics, nurses, doctors), psychologists, counsellors, hypnotherapists, coaches and NLP practitioners.

Havening Techniques® combines easily with many other methods and approaches. Examples of therapeutic areas include; trauma, PTSD, phobias, anxieties, stress responses, physical complaints, chronic pain, anger, grief and many other issues like fear of abandonment and panic attacks. In particular Havening Techniques have been used to support the recovery of military veterans and their families with the aftermath of service related trauma.

See the website www.havening.org for more information, training events and a list of fully certified trainers and practitioners.

Applied EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique

I am always looking for effective therapeutic tools to assist my clients to cope with life’s challenges.  I recently went on an EFT practitioners training course, Emotional Freedom Technique which was originally developed by Gary Craig based on the work of Professor Roger Callahan.

Professor Callahan was interested in combining techniques based on the ‘Meridian Points’ of acupuncture with psycho-therapeutic processes.  Instead of using needles as in acupuncture or massaging the actual acupuncture or ‘meridian points’ Professor Callahan utilised a ‘tapping process’.  The results were and are spectacularly effective.

EFT is incredibly effective for emotional issues such as Fears, Phobias, Stress, Anxiety, Trauma, PTSD, Grief, Confidence, Self worth and physical issues such as Chronic Pain.  What I really like about EFT is that its effects are amazingly rapid and in some cases only taking minutes to resolve.  If you would like to know more about this effective tool or to book an appointment please call me on 07734104421.

Sokalmia a method for working with Trauma

SokalmiaI have just completed my training on the Sokalmia® method which stands for Sensory Overloaded Kinesthetic Auditory Linguistic Mindfulness In Action. Malika Stephenson has created this wonderful therapeutic method that evolved through years of healing experience with hundreds of clients including many veterans.

Her unique Colour Calm Therapy is particularly helpful to use with clients that have suffered literally unspeakable trauma, or suffer from PTSD. As it is a non disclosure technique, clients don’t have to verbalise or even re-live their traumatic experiences.

IMG_1284

Very exciting becoming a practitioner & using it with my clients…. This method is used alongside
other therapeutic techniques like Hypnotherapy, Havening Technique® to elicit fast, permanent change using language, metaphor and swift resolution for clients issues for example: PTSD, phobias, fear responses, dissociation, chronic pain, relationships, loss, grief, bereavement and anxiety.

Self Havening – Do It Yourself!

Self Havening

 

Arm SH Face SH Palm SH

 

 

 

 

The following process is given as a guide for Self Havening:

  • Activate the specific emotional event that you want to work on by thinking about it as if it is happening to you at that moment. Once you have accessed the memory, rate your subjective unit of distress (SUD) level on a scale of 1-10, where 0 is not at all and 10 is extreme.
  • Now clear your mind and begin self-Havening by applying Havening touch on the face, arms or palms with repetitive circular movements as shown in the diagram about once per second.  At the same time, with your eyes closed, visualize walking up a flight of stairs counting out loud from 1-20 with each step. As you climb, imagine yourself becoming more calm and peaceful diminishing the distressing feelings exponentially.
  • On reaching the count of 20, begin to hum a familiar tune such as twinkle, twinkle little star or happy birthday for a two rounds.
  • As you continue applying the Havening touch on arms, face or palms take a deep breath in and then keep your head straight with your eyes look to the left and then to the right.
  • Close your eyes again, inhale deeply and breath out on the count of 5 whilst still applying Havening touch and then rate your SUD to track how much the emotion has reduced.
  • Repeat 2-4 times with a different Havening surface (beach, meadow, forest, swimming, running etc), or choose the same visualization and counting from 1-20 and hum your tune, or you can choose a different tune. Continue repeating Havening rounds until your SUD is at 0.

Havening is a powerful technique that some people may be left feeling a little ‘lost’ as they become accustomed to their new way of being. It can be necessary to help the client adjust to their new way of being and it is therefore recommended you seek further help as necessary. Havening is often used to complements many other methods of healing and personal development.

If you would like to find out more about practitioner training please visit www.havening.org.

References and Further Reading
Ruden.R. Dr. When the Past is Always Present. Taylor and Francis Group, LLC. United States of America. ISBN 978-0-415-87564-6. 2011.

Havening Techniques

The Past is always presentIn April I attended the first of three stages to training in Havening Techniques (2 days) on a quest to become fully certified practitioner I’ve only got two more stages to complete but the standard of certification you will be pleased to know is very high.

The Havening Technique is a revolutionary approach being used to help people who are suffering from trauma, PTSD, phobias, anxieties, stress responses and many other issues.

The Havening techniques were developed by New York neuroscientist Dr Ronald Ruden a forward thinking medical doctor with a PhD in neuropharmacology (the study of brain chemistry), together with his brother Dr Steven Ruden and is also championed by Paul McKenna. See the website for more information and a list of fully certified practitioners www.havening.org

This method is designed to change the brain, to de-traumatise the memory and permanently remove its negative effects from both our psyche and body. Part of its protocol The Havening Technique uses the sensory input of human touch.  The practitioner (or the clients themselves) makes particular sweeps over the client’s arms and areas of the face and hands which triggers the delta waves in the brain. The delta waves in turn prompt helpful chemical chain-reactions in the amygdala. This removes specific AMPA Receptors from the surface of neurons in the amygdala where the traumatic event is ‘stored’. For some Craving Brainparticular uses of Havening there are also some distraction techniques used so that as the work is being done, the area of the brain storing the trauma is not constantly being re-activated.

The key is finding the original encoding event and to remove the trauma then use Event Havening (most commonly known), and a mix of other Havening techniques including: Transpirational Havening, Affirmational Havening, Outcome Havening and Role Havening. As extensive research continues and the ongoing use by practitioners the techniques will envitably evolve as our understanding grows.

Havening is very helpful to treat:

Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Abandonment Issues, Fears, Phobias, Distressing Memories, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anger, Grief, Guilt, Cravings, Compulsions, Emotional Eating, Depression, Stress, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Confidence Issues, Chronic Pain and more.

Once you’ve learnt how & when to do self-Havening, it is highly effective for everyone but particularly for those working in stressful situations (police, fire, ambulance, medical, lifeguard, forces etc). Havening is also having amazing results in emergency situations, particularly where traumatisation can potentially occur.

There is lots more information on the Havening website and videos www.havening.org.
Watch Dr Ron Ruden on Vimeo video… https://player.vimeo.com/video/57277747
Dr Ronald Ruden, creator of The Havening Techniques™ explains:
“When an event or experience is perceived as traumatic, inescapable or very stressful, it becomes immutably encoded, often with life-altering consequences. However, recent research from the field of Neuroscience has shown us how it’s possible to modify this encoding. The Havening Techniques™ are methods which are designed to change the brain to de-traumatize the memory and permanently remove its negative effects from both our psyche and body.”

Paul McKenna, international best selling author and ‘one of the world’s most important self-help gurus’ (The Times of London’) Paul McKenna.Paul McKenna

‘Havening, also known as Amygdala Depotentiation Therapy (ADT) is going to change the face of therapy across the world. What used to take months to cure can now be done in minutes in most cases: PTSD, trauma, pain, depression and many more disorders. The initial study recently completed by King’s College London shows the remarkable effectiveness of this extraordinary set of processes. This is not to be confused with other psycho-sensory techniques, TFT, EMDR, etc. Whilst they are very good, Havening is light years ahead. If you want to be an excellent therapist, you can’t afford not to learn this breakthrough approach.’  Paul McKenna, Ph.D

Communication can be so tricky!

Something happened recently to people I care about (keeping confidentiality) it reminded me that all to often poor communication seems the root cause to relationship breakdowns in families, or with friendships or between colleagues.

When it all goes wrong

What starts as a conversation can easily escalate into a fight in which the original issue gets forgotten/lost, you lose track of what you’re even yelling about, and nothing gets resolved. Even simple discussions turn into heated, unproductive arguments that ultimately damage their relationship (friends/family etc). Angry fighting leads to distance, yelling, sarcasm, insults, and name-calling undermine trust. This type of communication creates defensiveness and alienation, which makes it nearly impossible to address their issues together.

“The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. “
Writer, George Bernard Shaw

Art of communication

I believe that the ‘art of communication’ requires an awareness not only of how we are communicating with another person, but how we also communicate with ourselves. In this way you can bring out your authentic self, by making a conscious effort to bring out the best in someone else through your communication. Making communication less me-centric, or talking at someone rather than with them.   Although if you know that someone is spoiling for a flight, then make your excuses and leave it until the emotional intensity has subsided. Don’t let them use you as an emotional punchbag.

What is Mindful Communication?

Mindful communication is about talking to another person mindfully, it starts with awareness and then giving them the attention they deserve. So no matter who you are speaking with comes from a place that is present, kind and respectful for no other reason than that’s how you want to treat them and be treated in return.

Mindful communication:

  • Being present. Try to pick the most appropriate time and place for both parties and preferably no distractions (phones, tablets, tv). For example last thing at night you are likely to be tired and may not be the most suitable time of day.
  • Be prepared. Make some notes about what you want to say, read it out loud and see how it sounds to you. Keep to the point.  Make sure you are not using inflammatory language. Be aware of the tone and expressions you are using.
  • How does it sound? If it’s acceptable to you, thats great however, if it’s not, change it as you would want it said to you.
  • Listen – I mean really listen. Try not to interupt – we all have a tendency to do this and have had it done to us, but it really doesn’t help!
  • What does your body language say?  For example – have good eye contact. Your body language is also important as it often gives away so much information about you.  Body language can demonstrate how you really feel and it can conflict with your words/meaning.
  • Tone and expression. These are considered to be even more important than the words you use. So if its a difficult discussion that needs to happen – think about doing it face to face.
  • Remember that there are two sides to every communication. Acknowledge the other person’s point of view – you don’t have to agree with it but it helps them to be heard.  This can also help them to open up to you, and have the added benefit finding out any hidden agendas or games being played.
  • The Sandwich Method for difficult conversations. It should go without saying that all of your issues or criticisms (positive or negative) should be authentic and well thought out.  You should ask yourself the question – it is useful or do you really need to challenge/critique/feedback?  Does it have to be now or can it be deal with better at a later time?  Or will it just make a situation worse? For challenging situations try the ‘Sandwich method’…

The Sandwich Method

  1. Start off with positive feedback (authentic praise of something they did recently). Try and give some detail to it, so it will feel more in proportion to the feedback/criticism.
  2. Provide your constructive criticism.  Be brief, yet clear and thorough in your delivery of the feedback/criticism you want to share. Provide your constructive criticism. Ideally you are giving them constructive criticism on just one thing (at most two things)…I find criticism of 3 or more items is too much for a person to handle at one time. Additionally, try to give them the criticism in the context of how it can help them reach their goals.
  3. End on a positive note – Ideas on how to end with positivity include:
    You could simply reiterate the initial positive feedback/compliment you had given them.
    – You could speak in general terms about how much progress they are making.
    – You can compliment them on their receptiveness to receiving constructive feedback/criticism.

I’m not putting myself on any pedestal, as I’ve made plenty of mistakes too. However shutterstock_105969221I’ve noticed that as I continue practicing mindful speech and increased my listening skills, the ‘pot of gold’ at the end of my rainbow is that I’m seeing a positive impact with my children, family and friends. I’m sure I will occasionally mess up, but I can see how its made me a better person which is improving my ability to communicate more effectively in both my personal and business life.

 

All change!!!

After very careful consideration I have decided to give up my marketing consultancy to focus my time and efforts on Hypnotherapy and Counselling from January 2015.  My website is in transition from its previous use and I am creating a new home for my therapy business.

I am also excited to announce that in January 2015, I will be operating out of the Risborough Therapy Clinic, Duke Street in the centre of Princes Risborough.

I will leave my previous posts on marketing related as there are some useful tips and advice.