Suzanne Thomas is a London hypnotherapist who uses hypnosis, relaxation, self-hypnosis, mindfulness, NLP, imagery and visualisation within a counselling, therapy framework to help with bereavement, grief, unhappiness and depression. She is a fully registered hypnotherapist practising hypnotherapy in London.
‘It is during our darkest hours we must focus to see the light’ Aristotle Onassis
The word depression describes many different states of mind, from feeling a bit fed up through to full-blown clinical depression. It covers depression that arises from an obvious cause including bereavement. It covers depression that seems not to have any particular cause. It covers misery and unhappiness with current circumstances or unexpressed fear and anger. It could be manifesting in obsessive compulsive behaviour or other behavioural or physiological difficulties. Many of the other pages on this website are concerned with issues that may be depression linked, so you may want to take a look at any that seem relevant.
What different forms of depression have in common are feelings of isolation or loneliness
Talking about what you in particular mean by depression, unhappiness or loss and your feelings and thoughts being received, recognised and accepted without being judged and in confidence is the essential starting place. Even with supportive and loving friends, there are often things that are difficult to share or commonly, a feeling that you may be ‘boring’ them. Finding a therapist you feel ‘gets’ you and who you feel you can trust is vital. Building rapport is one of my aims in a session so that you feel completely safe and comfortable. My commitment is to providing depression treatment people find enlightening, releasing and effective.
A common factor in all of the above is varying degrees of loneliness and isolation. I see loneliness as the lack of something. You can feel lonely when alone or in a crowd of people. A relationship that is not going well can be a very lonely place. Loss may leave a very lonely space. A feeling of difference may lead to feelings of separateness and isolation.
Hypnotherapy and counselling for depression, unhappiness and bereavement
After establishing the ground then, it may be about looking to the past to be able to understand or re-view things in a new way with a view to leaving the pain behind. It may be about making changes in the present to thinking, feeling or behaviour patterns. It could involve planning for re-shaping the future.
I believe that when a real change happens it happens in thinking, feeling and behaviourally or physically.
Here are some tools and suggestions:
- Since depression is about living in the past (whereas anxiety is about living in the future), and the present is the only place where you can make changes and live effectively, bring yourself back to the present. Consider this and also use the following tips and suggestions to help you to do this.
- A good way to ground yourself in the present is through your senses. See what you see right now. Hear what you hear right now. Touch what you touch and feel how that feels right now. Taste and smell what you taste and smell right now. You can try giving your senses “treats.” Look or listen or touch or taste or smell something wonderful and notice what you are experiencing at this moment. As you can only do this in the present, it will bring you here!
- Do something physical but make it something that you enjoy. It could be yoga, running, a sport, the gym or dancing.
- Listen to one of my relaxations daily by clicking on the Soundcloud link on the home page of this website with the aim of giving yourself a mini holiday.
- Talk to someone. Consider seeking professional help. See your GP.
- You’re welcome to come to see me. Contact me to talk further