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 eating disorders and weight issues. She is a fully registered hypnotherapist practising hypnotherapy in London.
In our culture, food, weight, money and sex, amongst other things, can come to symbolize so much more than their obvious functions. Food and eating may be about comfort, love, control, power or self-expression or some such. Weight may disguise or protect. These hidden functions may have been learned through example. Your parents may have used alcohol, food or something else in dysfunctional ways themselves. Maybe sweets were a reward or consolation. Perhaps your parents primarily expressed affection through the food they gave you. Maybe you found that whether or what you ate gave you some control or autonomy in a situation where you felt you had none All of these may have been useful at the time but have set in as some kind of truth. These days they are no longer useful – indeed, they may well be the very opposite – yet you continue to adhere to these old ways just because it has never occurred to you that that is what has been happening and that perhaps a change is due…
Hypnotherapy and counselling for eating disorders and weight
Here are some tools and suggestions:
- Facing up to thinking or knowing that you have a problem to do with an eating disorder or weight means that you have already made significant progress. Now you can take it further.
- Twelve step programmes are not for everyone but for very many people they are anywhere from useful to invaluable. Groups cover various issues. They include Overeaters Anonymous who you can find on the links page of this website.
- Click on the Soundcloud link on the home page of this website and listen daily to one or other of my relaxations every day to relax, centre yourself and have a mini holiday.
- Keep a diary to log the behaviour – exactly record the details. You may be surprised – either way! It could also be useful to take it to anyone you seek help from.
- If you are experiencing physical problems associated with your behaviour, go to your GP.
- Talk to someone. Talk to a friend or to the Samaritans. If it has been going on for a while or seems particularly distressing or is impacting on your life, consider seeking professional help. See your GP.
- You’re welcome to come to see me. Contact me to talk further.