If you're living with social anxiety, the stress of social or public situations can create real fear and anxiety for you. It might be a fear of being the centre of attention, or worries about other people noticing your anxious behaviour. These fears and anxieties can lead to complete avoidance and withdrawal from social situations and can have a big impact on your life and career. The good news is that change is possible, and hypnotherapy can help you overcome these issues so you feel more confident and able to take part and enjoy life again.
Social Anxiety (sometimes called social phobia) is not just the occasional feeling of discomfort we might experience when entering a new situation or group. It is a long-term and overwhelming fear of the attention and judgement of others. It can arise from past experience of abuse, bullying or humiliation, and it can have profound effects on our relationships and general wellbeing. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can provide an effective therapy for social anxiety, reducing debilitating symptoms and empowering you to start enjoying life and connections to the full again.
Social Anxiety shares many symptoms with other forms of anxiety. Those experiencing Social Anxiety can:
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help overcome Social Anxiety by offering a safe space to explore and visualise how you would prefer to react in these situations.
Solution Focused techniques will help you gain perspective, increase your self-confidence and build resilience moving forward. We'll engage your subconscious mind to focus on your preferred future, rather than looking back to past trauma. This can help change feel a more natural, positive process than you might imagine. You can enjoy increased self-esteem and tenacity, and reassuring control over your thoughts, emotions and behaviour.
I understand how the issues of the stress and anxiety can creep up and affect your life. My own journey has had its ups and downs which became the catalyst that led me to invest in myself and train to become a professional therapist to help others transform their mental wellbeing. So, I understand you need support from someone that listens and cares.
Online hypnotherapy is very effective for anxiety related conditions. In fact, some people prefer working online with their therapist because they are more relaxed and comfortable in their own space or home. Also, there is no need to travel to see your therapists because online hypnotherapy is just as effective as working face to face. You also have flexibility because our sessions can take place wherever you are in the world via Zoom, and I often work with clients based in the US, Europe and around the world from my UK practice.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy works for anxiety by combining positive talking therapy and coaching with hypnosis. During the first half of the session, we talk and avoid past problems, and instead focus on the future. You're encouraged to think and express yourself in a positive way which helps you to reduce your anxiety. Because hypnotherapy is a brain based therapy, you'll also learn how the brain works in relation to your issues, but importantly what can be done to help you make changes to stop the cycle of anxiety so you can regain control and feel better.
Hypnosis reduces anxiety by using guided relaxation techniques to calm your body and mind. As you listen to your therapist, you will be guided into a relaxed state of focused attention by asking you to imagine certain things. Positive suggestions are made to help you make changes subconsciously by encouraging a shift in perspective. It allows your mind to reflect on the ideas and solutions discussed during our session to understand how they can help you.
The initial consultation and assessment is one of the most important sessions, the beginning of real focus and change. Together we'll explore what you want to achieve and how many sessions may be required. I'll explain how hypnotherapy works and I'll briefly explore how the mind works in relation to your issues and how if you're willing to make changes, hypnotherapy can help you achieve your goals. You'll also receive a complimentary guided hypnotic relaxation audio track to listen to at home which sets the wheels in motion for your subsequent sessions.
Social anxiety is a mental health condition characterised by an intense and persistent fear, self-consciousness, and distress in social situations. It differs from regular shyness in its intensity, duration, physical and psychological symptoms, impact on your daily life, it's also a recognised mental health disorder. While shyness is a common and mild personality trait, social anxiety is a condition that can significantly affect your life professionally and personally.
While shyness and social anxiety share some similarities, social anxiety involves more intense and pervasive fear and avoidance of social situations. Shyness is a personality trait characterised by feeling reserved or cautious in social interactions, but it does not typically cause significant distress or impairment. If your fear of social situations significantly impacts your daily life, disrupts your relationships or work, and causes distress, it may be indicative of social anxiety.
When explaining your social anxiety to friends and family, aim to be honest, clear, and specific about your experiences and symptoms. Emphasise that it's not their fault and encourage questions to foster understanding. Share your needs and ask for support if you're comfortable.
Offer resources for them to learn more about social anxiety, set realistic expectations, and express gratitude for their willingness to listen and help. Remember that responses may vary, so be patient and allow them time to adjust and support you in your journey.
Common triggers of social anxiety can vary but there are some common situations which often trigger anxiety and fear:
1. Public speaking or giving presentations: Speaking in front of a group of people can evoke intense fear of judgment, embarrassment, or making mistakes.
2. Attending parties or social gatherings: Large social events or gatherings may trigger social anxiety due to the fear of being observed, having to engage in small talk, or feeling out of place.
3. Meeting new people: Initiating conversations and forming new connections can be anxiety-provoking for individuals with social anxiety, as they may fear rejection or judgment.
4. Being the centre of attention: Being in situations where all eyes are on you, such as being the focus of a group discussion or being called upon in a meeting, can evoke anxiety and self-consciousness.
It's important to remember that triggers can vary for each person, and identifying your personal triggers can help you develop strategies to manage and overcome social anxiety.
Hypnotherapy works for social anxiety by combining positive talking therapy with hypnosis. During the first half of the session, we talk and focus on your strengths, skills find positive steps or solutions that helps you feel more confident to challenge yourself gradually. You're encouraged to think and express yourself in a positive way which helps you to reduce your anxiety too. We'll also explore in a simple way how to use the brain more positively at each stage which helps create healthier habits of though and behaviour that supports the changes you desire.
During hypnosis, we begin with guided relaxation techniques to calm your body and mind. And as you listen, you will be guided into a relaxed state of focused attention. Positive suggestions are then made to help you think differently and encourage changes subconsciously that help you overcome your challenges. If you're willing to make changes, hypnotherapy can set you free so you can enjoy life more and more.
If you'd like to explore how hypnotherapy could help you without obligation, please get in touch for a free initial chat with Andrew to explore your situation and discover what your personalised hypnotherapy program might look like.
If you have any queries or questions about Hypnotherapy
With the right support change is possible. Hypnotherapy is tailored to your needs and combines talking therapy with hypnosis to create the long-lasting solutions and change you need. Here's how it works:
It's FREE and we use this time to see if we're a good fit, answer your questions and ensure hypnotherapy is the best approach to achieve your results.
Together we explore your needs and create a personalised hypnotherapy program to achieve the changes you are looking for and we'll get started with individual sessions.
No more living with Anxiety and Stress, as you take control of your thoughts, you gain control over your feelings, actions and behaviours so you live life to the full.
Andrew helped me reduce my anxiety after a health scare. He helped me take back control. He was kind, patient and very knowledgeable. I don't think I would have been able to recover to the degree I have without his help.
LA, Surrey, UK
Working with Andrew has helped me feel and actually BE confident, curious, positive, and strong. I can now identify when I'm choosing to think negatively or ruminate and actually stop. This allows me to enjoy more of my life and focus on improving other aspects of myself. Each session, Andrew not only validated why I felt so stressed but he made sure to always remind me about moving forward and my goals. With Andrew I felt seen and heard and felt he had the same urgency as I did to end this negative cycle I was in.
PR, FL, USA
I sought out Hypnotherapy because I would feel incredibly nervous and would dread taking part in anything involving heights which I'd always dread and avoid. Andrew made me feel at ease and is very easy to talk to. It is a very safe environment and he is very good at explaining how the brain works in regard to fears and phobias. I now have the confidence to face my fears.
LB, Hampshire, UK
I couldn't stop over thinking, and my anxiety levels were the highest they had ever been which played a massive part towards my families mood. Since having these sessions, I have been able to think clearer and to put solutions in place so I don't spiral down the black hole. Just talking to Andrew on a weekly basis, encouraged me to take these needed steps forward to get back to 'me'. I would highly recommend Andrew as I feel that he has changed my life.
TH, Surrey, UK
Thirty or more years ago I was involved in a serious car accident which left me with both physical and mental challenges as a result. For the first year following my accident I would not sit in the front of a car if someone else was driving. Over the years I have been able to sit as a front seat passenger but I was very anxious and not a great companion. I can now say after workng with Andrew, I feel much better, more relaxed, comfortable and happier. Than you.
KH, Hampshire, UK
This free emotional health check will assess the key areas that are essential to creating balance in your life and achieving a happier, calmer and more confident you.
Just answer 24 simple yes or no questions to receive your personalised report and your results will help you get a better understanding of where you are now and provide some useful tips and small changes in specific areas that will help you boost your emotional health and wellbeing.
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Integral LIFE Centre, 44 High Street, Bagshot, Surrey GU19 5AZ
