In my last blog, I touched on the relationship between practitioners in any psychological or talking therapy—this includes CBT, NLP, other talking therapies, and hypnotherapy—and their clients. Perhaps the most important task a therapist has is to handle this relationship with care and take into account the vulnerability of the client. A client will often disclose things to their therapist that they have never shared with anyone before. The process of therapy can take the client to places where they experience great emotional pain and require support. There is also the well-known phenomenon of transference, where a client may develop strong and inappropriate feelings towards their therapist. I do not intend to go through a checklist of dos and don’ts regarding ethics, as these can...
You’re having a stressful day—maybe work’s piling up, the kids are bickering, or life is just being life—and suddenly, your pain is screaming louder than ever. Sound familiar? That’s because stress and pain are best friends, and they love to wind each other up. But once you understand why this happens, you can take steps to turn the volume down on both. Pain and the Brain – What’s Going On? Think of your brain as a radio station. When you’re relaxed, pain is like background static—annoying but not overwhelming. But when you’re stressed? Your brain turns the volume way up. Here’s why: Your nervous system goes on high alert – Stress makes your brain more sensitive to pain signals, so everything feels worse. Muscles tense...
Most professionals working in hypnotherapy subscribe to some form of person-centred practice. This means we aim to treat each client as a unique individual, bringing their life experiences with them into the therapy room. I will now explore this idea in more depth by examining one model of person-centred care: the biopsychosocial model. This model does exactly what its name suggests—considering all aspects that a client brings when seeking professional help: physical, mental, and environmental. It studies and analyses how these various elements interact and impact the client. The biopsychosocial model has been widely used in medical research, particularly in large-scale studies of diseases such as HIV and AIDS. It is also applied in mental health to assess how a client’s environment and beliefs interact...
If you live with chronic /persistent pain, you’ll know that stress isn’t just something that makes you feel frazzled—it can send your pain levels through the roof. One bad day, a tricky conversation, or even just feeling overwhelmed can make your pain flare up like an overenthusiastic bonfire. But why does stress make pain worse? And more importantly, what can you do about it? These are some of the things I regularly talk about with my patients in my pain psychology clinic in Milton Keynes or on-line. The Science Bit – Why Stress Fuels Pain Your body is wired to protect you. When you’re stressed, it releases chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline—great if you need to outrun a lion, not so great if you’re just...
When a hypnotherapist helps a client, they are bringing a wide knowledge of how human beings tick to the relationship. Much of this knowledge is based on psychology. So a good place to start this series is to give an overview of the two disciplines and how they interact. The Unconscious Mind The concept of the unconscious mind is now widely recognised but is relatively modern in the history of psychology. It was first developed by Sigmund Freud in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as part of his psychoanalytic theories. Freud divided the mind into three parts: The conscious mind: The part that is readily accessible and aware. The preconscious mind: The part that is not immediately present but can be easily brought...
Ever heard of endometriosis? If you haven’t, you’re not alone—despite affecting around 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth, it’s still shockingly misunderstood. It’s not just bad periods; it’s chronic / persistent pain, exhaustion, and a whole host of symptoms that can impact work, relationships, and everyday life. And yet, many people struggle for years to get a diagnosis, often dismissed or told to “just get on with it.” Many women with endometriosis are referred to my pain psychology clinic (online and in Milton Keynes). Whether you have endometriosis, love someone who does, or simply want to understand it better, let’s talk—about the chronic / persistent pain, the blame, the shame, and, most importantly, how we can make things better. So, what...
When you live with chronic / persistent pain, brushing your teeth might not be high on your list of priorities. Some days, even the thought of standing at the sink can feel like climbing a mountain. But here’s the thing – looking after your teeth and gums isn’t just about keeping your smile bright; as we discuss in my pain psychology clinic (online and in Milton Keynes) it’s about your overall health and wellbeing. So, let’s talk about why oral hygiene is extra important for those managing chronic /persistent pain and how you can make dental care a little easier (and less stressful!). Why Oral Health Deserves Your Attention Did you know that poor oral hygiene can actually make pain worse? Infections in your mouth...
If you live with persistent pain, you’ll know how frustrating sleep can be. You lie in bed, exhausted, yet sleep seems to dance just out of reach. And when you do drift off, it’s as though pain has its alarm clock set to wake you up every few hours! Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many people I meet in my pain psychology clinic (online and in Milton Keynes) struggle to get the rest they desperately need. The good news is, there are ways to improve your sleep – and no, they don’t involve counting sheep or buying a fancy mattress! Let’s explore how you can take back control of your nights. Why is Sleep Such a Struggle? Here’s the tricky thing: pain and sleep have...
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a Consultant Health Psychologist working with people with chronic/persistent pain for over 25 years, it’s that chronic pain doesn’t just affect the person living with it—it impacts everyone around them. And when it comes to romantic relationships, well, let’s just say that pain has a way of inviting itself into bed and becoming the ‘elephant in the (bed)room’. Whether you’re dating, married, or in a partnership, navigating the tricky terrain of chronic/persistent pain while keeping your connection alive can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: love can thrive—even when pain tries its hardest to hog the limelight. Let’s dive into how chronic/ persistent pain can affect romantic relationships and how you can work together to keep the...
Let’s talk about something close to my heart: Pain Supported Self-Management Week, happening from 3rd to 8th February 2025. Now, I know the words self-management might not have you jumping up and down with excitement but hear me out—it’s all about you taking charge of your pain instead of letting it run the show. Living with chronic pain can feel overwhelming, like an uninvited guest who just won’t leave. But self-management isn’t about pretending the pain isn’t there or putting on a brave face all the time—it’s about learning how to work with it, not against it. And that’s where Pain Supported Self-Management Week comes in: to remind you that you’re not alone and to arm you with practical tools to help you live your...
