Free Your Mind
Counselling and Hypnotherapy
& Clinical Supervision
Suzanne Knowles
Ad Dip.PC. Hype. CS MHS
Member of BACP
Suzanneknowles1@outlook.com
07368609236
NCS Advanced Accredited Counsellor & Hypnotherapist
Welcome to Free Your Mind
Counselling and Hypnotherapy, the path to inner peace and well being
Are you struggling with issues related to trauma, grief, addiction, anxiety, or major life changes? There comes a time when we need some help from a certified professional to help cope with many of life’s challenges. I’m Sue Knowles, a Registered Advanced Counsellor and Hypnotherapist and I’d love to help you on your journey toward healing and self-discovery.
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“Probably the biggest insight… is that happiness is not just a place, but also a process.
Happiness is an ongoing process of fresh challenges, it takes the right attitudes and activities to continue to be happy.” ANON
How may I help you ......
At Free Your Mind you can expect to feel safe and comfortable in an environment that offers confidential and friendly surroundings.
An environment that will give you the opportunity to explore the areas of your life that are causing obstacles in enabling you to move forward. We will work together to develop an insight into ways that you can decide the best way forward for you. Because no one knows you better then yourself....
As an Advanced Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, the relationship I develop with my client is at the centre of my practice. I believe that each person is unique and work with my client to help them systematically navigate through their issues by implementing effective methods to instil self-awareness and understanding and encouraging them to adopt new attitudes and feelings towards life situations.
Helping people to improve their quality of life has always been a passion for me. It is my belief that each person is unique and I tailor my therapy to meet the needs of the individual by considering their personal and unique abilities. I use all my skills and life experiences to assist my clients to review and access their personal qualities to help them achieve fullness and improve their quality of life.
I have experience working with clients from young children to senior adults presenting with a variety of issues such as depression, grief and bereavement, anxiety and low self esteem, anger management, domestic abuse, phobias, social and relationship issues, weight management, school and exam concerns.
The therapies I offer
The therapeutic approach I adopt is guided by the presenting needs of my client and the client themselves and I utilise an integrative approach by incorporating CBT, Gestalt, Psychotherapy or Person Centred therapy as appropriate.
"Within the limitless mind, the possibilities are endless. Allow in everything, moment by moment" HEADSPACE
Therapies I Offer
Through Hypnotherapy and Relaxation my clients can be supported with:
Stress
Neuralgia
Depression
Phobias
Anxiety
Weight Loss
Smoking Cessation
Anger Management
Self Esteem Issues
Counselling
With Therapeutic Counselling, I am able to support my clients with:
Pain Management
Neuralgia
Fibromyalgia
Stress; Anxiety and Phobias
Depression
Bereavement
Relationship problems
Abuse
Anger; Frustration
Social issues
Life Coaching
By using Phsycodynamics we can work together to help with:
Work related relationships
Confidence Building
Goal setting
Self Esteem
Work related stress
Identifying own qualities
Personal awareness
Relationship Issues
Couples Counselling
If you are experiencing problems and disillusionment within your relationship it does not signify that the relationship is doomed...
Moving through your relationship it is easy to lose site of the things that help it grow and strengthen like:
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How you work through your differences
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Where you focus your attention
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How you respond and communicate
through stressful situations
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How you manage and think about your difficulties
With Couples therapy you have the opportunity to explore any impasse that is preventing you from reaching the connection you previously had or seek for your future in a safe and neutral atmosphere...
At Free Your Mind, your mental health and well-being is important to me. I passionately believe that the relationship between client and therapist is the solid foundation to develop a trusting, honest empathic environment that allows the client to feel heard and supported. I love helping my clients develop the tools they need to cope with all of life’s challenges and I get great satisfaction from seeing them heal and thrive.
Contact me today and we can discuss how I may be able to help you......
Suzanne Knowles
Ad Dip.PC. Hype. CS MHS
NCS Advanced Accredited Counsellor & Hypnotherapist
Member of BACP
suzanneknowles1@outlook.com
www.counselling2freeyourmind.com
Phone: 07368609236
©2017 by Free Your Mind. Proudly created with Wix.com
Get in Touch
Suzanne Knowles
Ad Dip.PC. Hype. CS MHS
NCS Advanced Accredited Counsellor & Hypnotherapist
Member of BACP
suzanneknowles1@outlook.com
www.counselling2freeyourmind.com
Phone: 07368609236
©2017 by Free Your Mind. Proudly created with Wix.com
Hypnotherapy
Your sub conscious mind is as individual as you. Your thought processes unique to you. An experienced and proficient Hypnotherapist has the ability to communicate directly with that individual part of you that controls how and why you react to certain situations.
To communicate with this part of you the Hypnotherapist draws on the pattern and ways that your mind works, the colour that you feel most comfortable with the way that you default your communication, which sense you automatically default to. "I see what you are say" "I feel what your are saying" "I hear what you are saying" By tailoring the treatment to this style allows the therapist to tap into your inner emotions and communicate on a similar level.
The state of hypnosis is a complimentary medicine which requires both therapist and patients commitment with a rapport between them for complete trust. The therapist helps the patient to reach this state of hypnosis through a series of relaxation methods and talks the patient through various levels of consciousness
Once the final state of Hypnosis is reached the patient is at a point where therapy can be administered to target particular areas of treatment or benefit.
Once the treatment has been administered and the patient has had the opportunity to relax deeply for some time then they are brought back with clear instructions of what to expect and what to achieve once they have reached full consciousness.
There are a number of myths that have been brought about over the years particular by media and theatrical demonstrations. This has clearly had a detrimental influence on some attitudes to Hypnotherapy which when used effectively can be beneficial and sometimes life changing for the patient.
THE ROLE OF RELAXATION IN HYPNOSIS
Relaxation is the act of relaxing the mind and the body and can also be defined as the state of being relaxed.
The therapist would use confronting and pleasant suggestions to encourage a patient to reach the trance state required for relaxation:
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Relax the muscles
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Feel pleasant and calm
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Imagine a peaceful place
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Feel safe and comfortable
The aim of relaxation is to quiet theming and to allow thoughts to flow in a smooth rhythm. This mental quiet allows for rest and rejuvenation. Relaxation does not attempt to empty the mind, since it is not possible to think of nothing. In relaxation, we focus the mind and relax both mind and body ready for the more instructive suggestions of Hypnosis to allow changes in behaviour or deal with past trauma.
As a therapeutic treatment Relaxation can also be used to reduce stress and anxiety.
TOP FIVE MYTHS ABOUT HYPNOTHERAPY
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Will the Hypnotist control my mind and thoughts
At no point within the process will you lose control of your mind. The Hypnotist will use their skill with suggestions that have been discussed with you in your initial interview. If a suggestion is given that you do not agree with then your conscious mind will reject it.
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Will I be made to perform embarrassing acts, quack like a duck, dance with a broom.
This belief is generated from theatrical, stage show demonstrations. The participants of these shows are volunteers who enter into the process with the knowledge that this may happen, therefore their conscious will allow this. Hypnotherapy is a serious and beneficial treatment when used in the correct manner under the correct circumstances.
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When I am hypnotised I may not wake up or be able to snap out of the trance.
Hypnosis is safe and any time during the process if circumstances were to arise
the person would simply bring themselves back by opening their eyes and
stretching.
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How do I know I can be Hypnotised. I have never been Hypnotised before
We often tap in to a sense of Hypnosis in our eery day activity when actions are performed in an automotive manner such as driving a regular route daily. Often called day dreaming or Environmental Hypnosis.
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Hypnosis comes from "Black Magic" or is "Supernatural"
Hypnosis is a natural state that has been studied scientifically. Hypnotherapists are not Psychics or Palm Readers with "special powers" Hypnotherapy is based on many years of clinical research by famous Psychologists such as Dr Sigmund Freud and Dr Carl Jung and more recently by Dr Milton Erikson and Dr John Kappas.
When we are unable to change a situation we can change our approach so that the experience itself is altered in some way
Life Coaching
Throughout our lives from the day we are born we have influences and experiences that frame the person we eventually become. As we mature it is hoped that we are nurtured and guided into a rounded well balanced adult, however there are times when troublesome underlying human behavior, feelings, and emotions that might relate to early experience hinder our development and the way that we are able to lead our lives and interact with others.
It is believed that our feelings, motives, and decisions are actually powerfully influenced by our past experiences, and stored in the unconscious. Our personality is shaped and modified by different conflicts at different times in childhood. The impact on this is that we develop a number of traits later in life that can be detrimental to our mental wellbeing, in the form of social anxiety, lack of confidence, self esteem and relationship issues.
It is important in all therapies that the client feels listened to and in control but in the circumstances of these conditions it is extremely important that they lead the direction and the treatment, after all no one knows you better then you know yourself. I see my role, as therapist is to help you to reflect on your past experiences and make connections with the way that you view situations today.
We are not born frightened of a spider, something, some learned behaviour or experience gives us that fear. To deal with the face value of that fear is only to mask its depth. It is like lancing a wart that will eventually regrow. It is my belief that in some conditions we need to tackle the route cause of the issue in order to be able to deal with the presenting problem. Psychoanalysis helps with this process and I work with my clients to reflect on their past experiences and re-align their coping mechanisms to deal with their issues of today.
Using Psychodynamics I hope to help you to make the connection between your beliefs and thought processes of today and that influenced from your past.
Five Tips to Boost Self Esteem
If you are struggling with low self-esteem, try these five tips to help manage negative thought patterns and learn positive coping strategies
LIVE IN THE MOMENT
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Stop worrying about what might happen in the future or what has happened in the past. Focus on the present moment and connect with the here and now.
NOTE DOWN COMPLIMENTS
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When someone compliments you, make sure you take notice! Keep a compliment jar - write down every compliment and start filling that jar.
RECOGNISE WHEN YOU ARE BEING NEGATIVE
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Catch yourself when you have a negative thoughts and try to counter them with positivity. Argue with the voice in your head when it puts you down.
LEARN TO LET IT GO
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Instead of going over and over something in your head, practice just letting things go. Imagine it is in a balloon and let it float away.
GET SUPPORT
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Sometimes we all need a helping hand. Don't be afraid to talk to a friend, family member or even a counsellor if your struggling with low self-esteem
National Counselling Society
It is the fundamental things in life which are paramount to our true happiness, the warmth of the sun, fresh air, good harmony, good food, strong energy from those around us. When it boils down to it, these are the things that are healthy to our wellbeing - most of the other things that concern us are really not important, if we had only tomorrow to live, the little things will become the most important things for us to fill those precious moments with.
Experts estimate that the mind thinks between 60,000 – 80,000 thoughts a day. That is an average of 2500 – 3,300 thoughts per hour. The majority of the time these thoughts are fleeting and flitter in and out of our consciousness without a “second thought”. Our minds are able to filter our thoughts so that only those important ones are actually retained by us.
Negative thinking patterns, however, is where these thoughts become distorted and the potential outcomes can be catastrophized can repeatedly damage our mental well being. They can make us feel anxious, depressed or develop conditions such as OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and other mental and physical health problems.
The events and situations that people encounter throughout life are only one piece of the puzzle. In order to understand the impact of such events, I believe it is also essential to look at the beliefs people hold about these experiences as well as the emotions that arise as a result of those beliefs:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Many people benefit from short term treatment, this can be a course of six therapy sessions that focus on dealing with your issues by re-thinking them and finding different perspectives:
The most common irrational beliefs include:
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The feeling that a person has no control over their own happiness, and that this is totally reliant on external environment or other people;
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The belief that they must be 100 percent successful and efficient at all that they do to be able to feel valued and worthwhile;
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The feelings that avoiding life’s difficulties or challenges will make them feel happier;
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Being ultra sensitive to other peoples errors or misconduct, and taking responsibility for the results.
CBT is learning to stop the cycle of negative thinking.
By using short term therapy such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) I hope to help my clients overcome irrational, emotional, negative thinking patterns in order to overcome psychological problems and mental distress. CBT is a talking therapy that can help my clients to manage their problems by changing the way that they think and behave. It looks at how their thoughts, beliefs and attitudes effect the way that they feel and behave. We look at ways to change how they feel and respond to situations. This process looks at the here and now and enables them to change their approach and behaviour moving forward.
The nature of CBT and the practice of “goal setting” allows my clients to continue their own therapy outside of our therapy sessions. So we discuss homework tasks that allow them to feel involved in their own recovery and able to take control of the outcomes.
These homework tasks range from reading self help material to conducting behavioural experiments by monitoring their actions and outcomes. I encourage my client to recognise and have a clear understanding of the direction of the therapy and what they can achieve. CBT is a very structured therapy which requires collaboration between you as the client and me as the therapist.
Who am I?
My name is Sue Knowles, Counsellor, Hypnotherapist but most of all someone
you can trust to share with confidence.
I am an Advanced Psychotherapeutic Counsellor accredited with the National Counselling Society and a member with BACP with proven experience of working with a variety of clients in private practice. I also work as an Associate Counsellor with Embrace for a number of companies with Employment Assisted Programmes and with Cruse Bereavement and YMCA. I am also a Supervisor. I have a passion for supporting young people both within my associate role and within my own practice, because I believe in the importance of helping young people to find the right support and self belief while they are young to prevent the heart ache of the effects much later in life. Many of my clients come to me with deep routed issues that are effecting them today from events from their past.
I have my own Consulting Rooms, Indemnity Insurance and Advanced DBS.
I live and practice in Whittlesey Peterborough
My hours of work are
Monday to Thursday 10.00-17.00
outside of these hours by negotiation
Fees
£50 per hour
Concessions available
Reduced rates for Students and young people
to include student and Practicing Counsellors
Hypnotherapy
"I just wanted to say that since my session, without even realising it my confidence and self esteem has improved so much. It isn’t even me making a conscious effort, it’s after a situation I realise how different I feel and how without even thinking I’m so much more relaxed and just me. I’m not thinking about whether people like me or not and feel like I can just be myself, I am also dealing with situations so much better too. I feel a much stronger person inside and not someone putting a strong front on to the world.
Thank you Sue,
you have helped me so much"
Marion
What people say .....
''The counsellor I was referred to was brilliant. It was my first experience of reaching out about mental health and the six sessions I had have really helped me to reset and get a handle on some things I was dealing with. Six sessions felt like a strong beginning and I want to seek out ongoing support, but I no longer feel like I'm in the middle of a crisis. It was a huge first step that has made a massive difference to my life, even in just those six weeks.''
CIC
Young person Counselling
Thank you so much for your support you have given my daughter, her self esteem was very low and she was struggling at school with her friendship groups - you helped her to boost her confidence and to recognise what she was able to do to help her with her situation.
Thank you so much
Lorna
"My counsellor Sue was very good, she has helped me look at myself and come to some realisations about my mind set and inner dialogue. She was great.
EAP Work
Grief Counselling/
Smoking cessation
"I originally came for counselling following the loss of my husband quite suddenly. Having worked through these emotions, I then decided to come and see you with my smoking habit.
I saw you four months ago when I underwent Hypnotherapy to stop smoking. I can honestly say that I haven't had a cigarette since. I have been with people and found the smell of the smoke has put me off ever going back.
Thank you for the help that you have given me."
Jacqui
Telephone counselling
Our way of working over the past few years has altered considerably due to the circumstances we have been living in. Face to face communication with our work and colleagues has become a thing of the past - whilst this is a good thing for some it brings its own issues for others. Staying home has become a way of life - the downside to this is that you can feel isolated-the pressures of work can get too big with no one to share this with. You feel unable to process the anxiety and sometimes depression that this creates. Counselling is always there at the end of the line...... Just call...
Telephone counselling sessions are available on 07368609236
