Rebecca Collins

You will often find me saying to clients “don’t go over the but bridge, you don’t want to fall down the crack, it’s not a very nice place to be.”

The “but bridge” is a subtle yet potent mental trap. We often begin a thought positively – like “I’m making progress” – only to follow it with the undermining word “but.” This seemingly innocuous conjunction acts as a treacherous bridge, instantly transporting us from a landscape of achievement or potential into the murky waters of negativity.

Once we cross this bridge, we land in a space filled with self-doubt, excuses, and pessimism. “I did well, but I could have done better.” “I like the idea, but it’s too difficult.” Each “but” erodes confidence, stifles creativity, and transforms possibility into limitation. It encourages us to dwell on perceived flaws rather than embracing strengths or finding constructive solutions.

This week don’t go over the but bridge and don’t fall in the crack.

Ikigai, the Japanese concept of “a reason for being,” whispers of a life lived with purpose and joy. It’s a pursuit that often feels elusive, a shimmering mirage in the desert of daily routine. But what if we could actively cultivate our Ikigai? Solution-focused hypnotherapy offers a promising path.

Unlike traditional therapies that delve into past traumas, this approach centers on identifying desired future outcomes. Through guided imagery and focused suggestions, it helps bypass the critical mind and tap into the subconscious resources needed to achieve goals. This is where the connection to Ikigai emerges. By focusing on what we want our lives to be like – our passions, skills, contributions, and value – we begin to build a framework for discovering our reason for being.

Hypnotherapy can help us unearth hidden talents, dissolve limiting beliefs, and envision a future where our passions intersect with the needs of the world. By concentrating on solutions and desired outcomes, we can move closer to a life brimming with purpose, fueled by the potent combination of self-awareness and intentional action.

Finding Ikigai is a journey, and solution-focused hypnotherapy can be a powerful tool, gently guiding us towards a fulfilling and meaningful existences. 

Recommended wee read https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ikigai-Japanese-secret-long-happy/dp/178633089X

We can often feel lost and lonely, even when we are surrounded by a sea of faces, each carrying their own silent story, longing for connection, yet often paralyzed by the fear of rejection, of vulnerability, of simply taking that first, daunting step. It’s a paradox – craving intimacy while simultaneously erecting walls of self-preservation.

But there is hope. Solution-focused hypnotherapy offers a gentle pathway through this maze of fear and apprehension. By focusing on desired outcomes and tapping into the subconscious mind’s inherent resources, it can help individuals dismantle limiting beliefs and cultivate a more confident, proactive approach to connection.

Imagine a world where more people felt empowered to initiate, to extend a hand in friendship, to risk a genuine, “hello.”

Solution-focused hypnotherapy provides tools to navigate the uncertainty, encouraging us to move beyond fear and embrace the possibility of connection, ultimately weaving a richer, more compassionate tapestry of human interaction.

The relentless churn of rumination, that endless loop of “what ifs” and replayed regrets, can feel like a mental prison. It’s a familiar landscape for many, a space where anxieties fester and solutions seem impossibly distant. Yet, within this struggle lies the potential for profound change.

Solution-focused hypnotherapy offers a unique approach to break free from this ruminative cycle. Instead of dwelling on the problem, this therapy gently guides the mind towards envisioning desired outcomes. Through carefully crafted suggestions and visualizations, the focus shifts from analyzing the past to building a future where the problem no longer holds sway.

Hypnotherapy is deeply relaxing, allowing the subconscious to explore possibilities and identify inner strengths that were previously obscured by anxiety. In this state of focused attention, new pathways are forged, empowering the individual to move beyond the confines of rumination and embrace a more positive and proactive mindset.

The journey out of the trap begins not with dissecting the cage, but with envisioning the open field beyond.

The weight of expectations. That’s how I’ve come to understand toxic masculinity. It’s the invisible armor forged from societal pressures, demanding strength, stoicism, and suppression of vulnerability. We see it played out in countless scenarios, from the locker room banter to the silent suffering of men unable to express emotional pain. But what if we could gently dismantle this armor, not with criticism, but with understanding and a roadmap to healthier expression?

Solution-focused hypnotherapy offers a unique pathway. It doesn’t dwell on the origins of these ingrained beliefs, but rather focuses on building a desired future.

Imagine a man, guided by a skilled therapist, visualizing himself confidently expressing his needs, seeking support, and navigating challenging emotions with newfound ease.

Through focused attention and suggestive language, I can help men access internal resources and develop healthier coping mechanisms, rewriting the narrative of what it means to be a man. It’s not about erasing masculinity, but about redefining it, fostering a future where strength lies not in silence, but in authentic self-expression and genuine connection.

The older I get, the more I find myself returning to seemingly simple truths, none more profound than the Golden Rule: treat others as you wish to be treated. It’s a principle that hums with universal wisdom, and one that resonates deeply with the practice of solution-focused hypnotherapy.

Hypnotherapy, at its core, is about empowering you as an individual. It’s about helping you unlock your inner resources and navigate challenges from a place of strength and self-compassion. How can one truly guide another down this path without first embodying the Golden Rule? To offer understanding, empathy, and respect, mirroring the very qualities one hopes to cultivate within the client, becomes paramount.

Solution-focused hypnotherapy emphasizes identifying strengths and positive future outcomes. It necessitates seeing the potential within each individual, viewing them not as broken, but as capable and resourceful.

This perspective is simply an extension of the Golden Rule – to believe in the inherent goodness and potential of others as we believe in our own.

It’s a reminder that by offering kindness and support, we create an environment where healing and transformation can flourish, echoing the golden desire for a better self, a better life, for all.

The worst prison is in your mind, the heaviest chains are the ones we forge ourselves, link by link. We build prisons out of fear, doubt, and the echo of past failures. These self-constructed cells, though invisible to the outside world, confine us more effectively than any physical barrier. 

Learning to dismantle these internal prison bars can be hard as we often do not know where to start. As a solution focused hypnotherapist I can help give you the tools you need to start this process.

I will help you to challenge the negative narratives we create for ourselves and help replace them with self-compassion and a belief in your potential.

Freedom isn’t about escaping external circumstances, but about mastering our internal landscape. It’s about recognizing the power we have to choose our thoughts, to rewrite our stories, and to step out of the shadows and into the light of our own making.

The journey may be arduous, but the reward – a life lived authentically and without the shackles of self-imposed limitations – is immeasurable.

 “learn to free yourself”

During Lent it is traditional to give something up, I have decided to give up some of my time so that I can offer any past clients a free wee top up session or a chance to help someone else.

The session would consist of a mini explanation of the brain, creating a positive next step, and a 20 minute relaxation time. People would also be given access to my MP3 recording.

The session would be online and need be booked before the 17th of April.

Note: Please trust that there will be no expectation to do any further sessions

Teenagers today face a complex barrage of hormonal changes, academic pressures, social anxieties, and the influence of social media.

This can leave our young people feeling stressed, anxious, angry, having low mood or generally feeling overwhelmed by life.

Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) addresses these difficulties, offering a practical and empowering approach that focuses on identifying and amplifying existing strengths and resources to achieve desired goals. By focusing on outcomes and identifying steps towards achieving them, SFH helps teenagers develop a sense of agency and control over their lives.

Help your teen be the best version of themselves. Get in touch today for a free discovery phone call.

The human brain is a complex and fascinating organ, composed of billions of interconnected neurons working together to allow us to experience and interact with the world around us. At the heart of this incredible organ are two distinct but interconnected systems: the intellectual brain and the primitive brain. Understanding the functions and interactions of these two systems can provide valuable insights into human behaviour, thought processes, and decision-making.

In a world often obsessed with problems and their origins, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) offers a refreshing and empowering alternative. Moving away from dwelling on the past and dissecting the root causes of issues, SFH focuses instead on identifying a client’s desired future and helping them develop the resources to achieve it. This future-oriented approach, combined with the therapeutic power of hypnosis, yields a multitude of benefits that can transform lives and unlock untapped potential.