Written by Emma Findlay
“How well do you sleep?” is one of the first things I ask my clients, as often it’s an indicator that life’s stresses and strains are having a not-so-great impact on their lives. That question probably seems somewhat redundant for a parent, particularly of a newborn. “How do you think it is?” (with a wry smile) would be an understandable response.
“Do you find yourself worrying about the future?” (negative forecasting) is another question that’s asked. Again, you’re a parent, who doesn’t worry about their child!
A third: “Do you find yourself replaying a situation that’s happened, over and over, chastising yourself because you think you could have done better?” “Yes!” might be a parent’s response. Parent guilt, fear of failing your child, maybe struggling to provide what you think they may need – all real worries.
So, what’s the tipping point? It’s where it’s less about the day-to-day challenges of being a parent and moves into the realms of anxiety-related issues that are having a negative impact on a parent’s wellbeing.
What is solution-focused hypnotherapy?
It’s important to be clear that there are different types of therapy, and everyone should pursue what feels right for them. Solution-focused hypnotherapy is considered a brain-based therapy. It draws on neuroscience research on how positive thinking, relaxation techniques, and the trance state induced during hypnosis can positively affect brain activity and promote mental well-being.
Solution-focused hypnotherapy helps create positive change by focusing on the desired future and strengths rather than revisiting or dwelling on past problems, using a combination of solution-focused talk therapy techniques and hypnosis.
The thoughts we have create how we feel, and therefore if we are in a regular state of negative thinking, worrying, self-doubt, etc., we are less likely to be producing a more constant flow of our happy hormones. These are neurotransmitters and hormones that play a key role in regulating mood, pleasure, and overall well-being, including serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin. Each plays a pivotal role in creating our happiness.
Solution-focused hypnotherapists use specific questions to guide the person to explore what their subconscious mind already knows they want and need. The hypnosis is really where the magic happens. Hypnosis is simply a state of deep relaxation where the anxious mind is calmed, the conscious mind takes a step back, and the subconscious mind comes to the fore, being open to focused, positive reinforcement, thus creating and strengthening new neural pathways, known as neuroplasticity.
Happy hormones
The brain loves things that release happy hormones. Solution-focused hypnotherapy sessions focus on those small gains, the things that all add up to create positive change. For example, accomplishing a small goal or noticing what’s been good in what could have been a stressful day.
Small wins are like building blocks, and celebrating those wins, even if they seem insignificant, can be a powerful way to build positive habits that lead to the rewiring of the brain for a calmer, happier life. The brain also loves the repetition of positive thinking and suggestion. It’s a key process that helps to build and strengthen those neural pathways; things become habit over time and support emotional regulation.
Solution-focused hypnotherapy encourages and reinforces positive repetition both during the talk therapy and hypnosis elements. Additionally, the brain loves metaphor. We use metaphors numerous times a day; you’ll see how much if you consciously look for them today!
Phrases such as ‘he’s a night owl’, ‘She’s a walking encyclopaedia’, Laughter is the best medicine’, ‘Life’s a rollercoaster’. All metaphors that conjure up deeper meanings by association but aren’t literal. The subconscious mind communicates through imagination and emotion, and metaphors are used within hypnosis, using positive language and associations, providing a safe space for people to explore difficult situations without feeling overwhelmed and therefore creating solutions for their problems.
Solution-focused hypnotherapy and sleep
Finally, let’s talk sleep! REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is a crucial phase of sleep associated with vivid dreaming and emotional processing. The brain is intensely active, and the processing it undertakes contributes to emotional well-being. Whilst hypnosis isn’t a direct replication of REM sleep, there are some similar benefits.
Hypnosis induces a deep state of relaxation and attention focus, both of which occur in REM sleep. In solution-focused hypnotherapy, this means that it can aid the processing of anxiety-related issues. During both REM sleep and hypnosis, the mind is more open to suggestion, so the positive language patterns used during sessions and within the recording that clients are given to support the therapeutic process can be absorbed, given the focused state of the brain.
So, the three main benefits of solution-focused hypnotherapy for parents are:
- Supporting the improvement of sleep through deep relaxation hypnosis throughout the process.
- Providing the environment and techniques to encourage people to strengthen and build new neural pathways focused on happy hormones as opposed to stress hormones (overload of adrenaline and cortisol) and therefore creating calm and happiness.
- Building positive thinking, positive actions and positive interactions (what we call the ‘3Ps’) through an accumulation of small wins, repetition and use of positive language metaphors within hypnosis
Ultimately, as parents, you have an amazingly rewarding, though often challenging, role and are deserving of feeling calm and happy with the decisions you make and the confidence you have in parenting your children. You’re doing a great job!
To find out about my services at Well Mind Hypnotherapy and how I can help, head to my website or come and say hello on Instagram.
Head to the health and wellbeing section to read more articles about different types of therapies and support for parents.
