Hypnotherapy

Are you feeling anxious, depressed, or angry? Perhaps you are struggling with a loss, such as a job loss or a relationship breakup, or you are not able to move past a particular fear. Whatever your motivation for seeking help, hypnotherapy is a powerful tool in your return to emotional balance. Yet many people have a sensational view of hypnosis and hypnotherapy, largely stemming from films and stage shows. At Achieving Balance, I use hypnotherapy in a practical manner to help treat a wide range of psychological issues.

What is Hypnosis?

A woman in a hypnotherapy session with Martin Cox MSc., Therapist in LondonBefore you can understand what hypnosis is, it is important to understand what hypnosis is not. Media portrayals (think Derren Brown and Paul McKenna) imply that hypnosis involves mind control, making people do things that they would never do of their own free will. In fact, this is simply not the case.

A hypnotherapist can only influence a client to the extent that the client wants to be influenced. A common definition of hypnosis is “the process of influential communication“. Hypnosis is a state of mind or focused attention which allows the hypnotherapist to communicate in a specific way that can influence the client’s thoughts. However, the hypnotherapist has only as much influence as the client allows.

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is the skilful use of persuasive communication while the client is in a state of hypnosis. The point of the communication is to create specific alterations to behaviour, thoughts, attitudes, perceptions, and sensations. Only those changes that the client desires and has asked for help in achieving are attempted.

Hypnotherapy at Achieving Balance

Firstly, you will be treated with the utmost degree of professionalism and respect. We will begin with a detailed assessment of the your concerns and goals. Once a mutual understanding and agreement is reached, I will help you to achieve a state of hypnosis. This is a natural state you already find yourself in when day-dreaming, just before you fall asleep and perhaps when driving in “auto-pilot” (unaware of steering, changing gears etc). At this time, I will use carefully guided communication to more fully explore the issues and to influence you to create change.

Like all therapies, hypnotherapy is done with you, not to you. You will never be influenced against your will (I consider this an impossibility anyway), and you will be in control of the session at all times. All I ask is that you enter into the process with as much of an open mind as you can muster, and that you do your best to work with me, as a team, towards overcoming your problems and reaching your goals. Most clients find the process of hypnotherapy a relaxing, pleasant, and enjoyable experience.

If you are interested in a free, 20-minute consultation to find out if hypnotherapy is right for you, please feel free to contact me on 020 7096 8854 or email me at martin@achievingbalance.co.uk. I am available from 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Thursday, and Friday mornings.

About Martin

Martin Cox Msc., Qualified Therapist And Counsellor In LondonI am a fully trained and accredited counsellor, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, and Cognitive Behavioural (CBT) Therapist. I am down-to-earth, easy to talk to and always balance a thoroughly professional approach with a good deal of common sense and humanity. Read more about me or my approach to therapy.

Issues Treated

Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Health Anxiety / Hypochondriasis
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Panic Disorder
Phobias, i.e. Agoraphobia
Bereavement and loss
Depression/low mood
Anger management
Anxiety
Personal development and coaching
Social Anxiety (or Social Phobia)
Relationship issues
Self esteem
Confidence
Habits & Addictions
Smoking Cessation
Coping with Stress
Weight management

Therapies Offered

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Couple/marital therapy
  • Counselling (Integrative)
  • Family therapy
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Neuro Linguistic Progamming (NLP)
  • Psychotherapy (Integrative)
  • Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)

Hypnotherapy Testimonials

  • I visited Martin just before my final Amatsu exams. I wanted to be as mentally prepared and relaxed as possible so that all my hard work would convert into good exams results! I found Martin to be extremely professional, warm and easy to understand as he explained the hypnotherapy procedure. His use of client headphones meant during the session, all I could hear was his voice – much better than a previous session I’d had with another practitioner when I was distracted by other noise. I came away from the session unbelievably relaxed and prepared for my exams. I was delighted to get a distinction when my results came through!

    An Exam Confidence Client in London
    Hypnotherapy for Exam Anxiety
  • I visited Martin to help me stop smoking after enduring the habit for some 25 years. The therapy took place some three or four months ago. I felt very welcome at Martin’s practice and was made to feel very comfortable. The therapy has had a very good effect on me, I have not smoked since neither do I want to smoke. I feel cleaner, happier and healthier and also wealthier. I have recommended Martin to a few people in the past and will continue to do so. Thanks Martin.

    A Smoking Cessation Client
    CBT for Breaking Smoking Habits
  • Several years ago I had a sudden panic attack on an aeroplane and was unable to fly at all. The panic attack was due to claustrophobic fears and being shut into a “tube” and having no control of being able to open a door for fresh air. This transferred onto going in lifts and underground trains. This all had a huge impact on my life and restricted me severely. I was not able to visit the theatre in the West End and other London attractions including the London Eye or go on holidays abroad. Friends would go to exhibitions, theatres etc and I felt I could not face the journey or sit in a dark theatre or cinema without being able to see a clear exit sign.

    Two years ago, my son announced he was to be married in Thailand. It absolutely threw my life into turmoil and I was very depressed and angry that he would expect me to make this long journey. Finally, I thought that this was controlling my life and I really needed to do something as I would only ever travel by car which was ridiculous. I made an appointment with Martin and was quite nervous about being hypnotised. Immediately I sat down on a most comfortable chair I felt completely at ease with Martin talking to me with a calm, reassuring and soothing voice.

    Martin took me on a journey that would change my life completely with several sessions on travelling in lifts, the underground and finally flying. I remember after the first session I was able to go in lifts again, even getting stuck in the first one and being in control! At each session of visualisation techniques, positive suggestions and looking for the root cause of my problems, Martin made me feel more positive and pleasantly relaxed. I have a CD of Martin’s which I listen to and it makes me feel relaxed just to hear his soothing calm voice. He is an excellent listener and seems to have all the time in the world for you. Martin will guide you into hypnosis and help you discover your inner resources, so you can resolve for good whatever problems or issues you may have. He has enabled me to become the person I really want to be and to achieve my full potential!

    The effect of the therapy for me was life changing. At first I tried several different flights with my daughter and we had the most amazing time on a Mediterranean fly/cruise and the next year a stunning visit to Rome. I also travelled with her to see several West End Musicals which I really love to do and now go to exhibitions, the cinema and many other places I would not visit. The ultimate experience was to be able to attend my son’s wedding, (six flights, visiting Dubai, Bangkok and Koh Samui) and to see parts of the world I would never have been able to see if it were not for Martin. He has brought the world to me and I cannot thank him enough for opening up my own world again and giving me the confidence to know “I CAN DO IT”. I would and have, highly recommended Martin and would not hesitate to see him again if I ever needed to.

    A Claustrophobic Client in London
    Psychotherapy for Claustrophobia
  • I visited Martin for hypnosis/NLP in October 2010 looking for help with a long standing class room phobia and confidence problems before I took a set of written and practical exams for a course that I was attending at that time. I found Martin very professional and the environment was friendly and comfortable. After just one treatment I had great improvement with my symptoms. Martin also supplied me with an Audio CD to listen to at home which I still use occasionally. I would say that my experience of Martin’s practice was a positive one and that I would recommend him to others that were seeking this type of help.

    A Student
    Hypnotherapy for Exam Phobia
  • I took my daughter (12 years) to see Martin as she was very anxious and prone to panic attacks. She had started a new school and it was a very difficult time for her. She was unsure about going to see Martin as she did not believe anyone could help her. She was very impressed at how relaxed she felt and the techniques that Martin was able to show her to get better control of her anxious behaviour. She only needed 2 sessions and I have to say I was very impressed at what a difference Martin made to her. She came out of the 1st session with a whole new attitude and I am pleased to say she has not needed any more sessions. She is well settled at school and not had any panic attacks since we last saw Martin. He is professional and effective and both my daughter and I would recommend him.

    A Mother’s View on Daughter’s Therapy
    Counselling for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
  • I had a fear of being sick, especially at school when others around me were ill, so two years ago my mum and I visited Martin to see if he could help. His sessions made me feel calmer, safe and more in control of myself when these fears appeared. His relaxation CD was very helpful and I used for months afterwards. I would definitely recommend a visit to “Achieving Balance” to anyone who had fears or phobias.

    A Young Student (with kind permission and help from his mum)
    Counselling & CBT for Phobic Behaviour
  • Having been a heavy smoker for nearly 30 years, I never thought I would be able to quit the habit. I was a little sceptical that hypnotherapy would work for me, however, Martin was excellent, he spent a good deal of time going through the process and what to expect. I am delighted with the results and have now been a non-smoker for over a year and a half.

    An Ex-Smoker from Central London
    Hypnotherapy for Smoking Cessation
  • I visited Martin about three years ago following a particularly harrowing visit to the dentist when, despite taking Valium, I left post injection and prior to the treatment beginning! I had had a fear of the dentist since of childhood, and found myself putting off visits for regular check-ups and only going along when I really needed to. This was my first experience of hypnotherapy and after only one visit, and some practice at home, I was able to return to the dentist and complete my treatment. I still don’t look forward to visiting the dentist, but each time I think back to what I learnt about relaxation and coping with anxiety – and haven’t taken Valium since.

    A Woman in East London
    Hypnotherapy for Dental phobia
  • I visited Martin as he had been recommended by a colleague. I was desperate to stop smoking from a health perspective as well as being tired of being a social outcast. The therapy was different to how I’d imagined. Much more relaxed and I didn’t feel like I was in a therapy session. Much more like talking with a friend. My life has been turned around by the therapy. I am a much more positive person and the health benefits are outstanding. I am now training for a marathon, having completed numerous other races. I write this exactly one year after my therapy and all I have to say is “Thank you”. My life is 100 times better than a year ago.

    An Ex-Smoker in London
    Counselling for Smoking Cessation
  • I would highly recommend Martin to anyone who wants to stop smoking FOREVER!

    An Ex-smoker from West London
    Hypnotherapy for smoking cessation