Anxiety, Stress and Resilience Support for Emergency Services in Bicester, Oxfordshire and Beyond!
Hi - My name is Andy Selway-Woolley (he/him) and I’m a Clinical Solution Focused Hypnotherapist. I run HeadFirst Hypnotherapy, based in Upper Heyford (near Bicester), Oxfordshire and also work online nationally.
Anxiety, Stress and Resilience Support for Emergency Services in Bicester, Oxfordshire and Beyond!
Offering a 10% discount for emergency services personnel – including those with a Blue Light Card! Contact me to find out more!
I also offer a FREE 45-minute Initial Consultation either in-person at my private therapy room in Upper Heyford, nr Bicester, Oxfordshire, or online.
Having worked for the NHS and within an A&E environment myself, I know first-hand and have witnessed how challenging and stressful the work in emergency services can be.
Whether you’re an ambulance crew member, paramedic, police officer, firefighter, or any other emergency responder, the emotional and physical toll can be immense.
It’s no surprise that, over time, this can affect your mental health.
Emergency Services Mental Health Support in Oxfordshire
As someone working in emergency services, you’re no stranger to the unique pressures your job brings. The intensity of dealing with trauma, making quick decisions in high-stakes situations, and working long hours can lead to anxiety, stress and burnout.
A 2019 ‘Mind’ Mental Health Survey found that 75.8% of ambulance staff and 70.4% of police personnel reported personal experience of mental health issues.
In 2022, 13,263 police officers were off work due to mental health-related challenges (PFOA, 2022).
These statistics show the importance of addressing mental health proactively, which is why finding effective support is essential.
The Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy for Emergency Services Mental Health Support
If you're feeling overwhelmed, dealing with stress, or managing the emotional effects of your work, Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) might offer the support you need.
SFH is focused on solutions rather than problems, helping you develop practical steps to regain control and reduce stress.
Research has shown that SFH can help improve psychological well-being in high-stress jobs like yours.
A study by Smith (2017) found that police officers who engaged in SFH reported a reduction in anxiety, improved sleep, and a higher overall sense of wellness.
SFH provides a structured, results-oriented approach to managing the stresses and challenges you face on the job.
How Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy Works and Its Neuroscience for Mental Health Support
SFH isn’t just about relaxation. It taps into the brain’s ability to rewire itself, a concept known as neuroplasticity, which is key to mental well-being.
By using a combination of hypnosis, cognitive-behavioural techniques and positive visualisation, SFH helps individuals reshape thought patterns, allowing for healthier emotional responses.
Understanding how these areas of the brain function can explain how SFH helps improve mental well-being:
Amygdala and Stress
The amygdala is responsible for processing fear and emotional responses. In high-stress environments like emergency services, the amygdala can become overactive, triggering the fight-or-flight response. SFH helps calm the amygdala, reducing anxiety and emotional reactivity. This helps you manage stress and avoid being overwhelmed by your emotions.
Limbic System and Trauma
The limbic system controls emotions and memory. When you’re exposed to trauma repeatedly, the limbic system can become dysregulated, making it harder to cope with stress. SFH works by reframing negative thought patterns, helping you process emotions in a healthier way and reducing the emotional impact of past traumatic experiences.
Pre-frontal Cortex and Cognitive Control
The pre-frontal cortex is key to managing your thoughts, decision-making, and emotional regulation. When stressed, this part of the brain can be less effective, making it harder to manage emotions or think clearly. SFH helps strengthen the pre-frontal cortex, enabling you to better control your emotions, make decisions, and cope with the challenges of your job.
By leveraging neuroplasticity and combining relaxation with positive visualisation and cognitive restructuring, SFH facilitates lasting changes in the brain, empowering you to better cope with stress.
Key Benefits of Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy for Mental Health Support
Positive Visualisation
SFH guides you to visualise positive outcomes and behaviours, which helps build resilience and reduces the impact of stress.Goal Setting:
Setting achievable, realistic goals is vital for maintaining focus and motivation. SFH encourages goal-setting that fosters a sense of purpose and control, helping you stay on track.Stress Reduction:
The relaxation techniques in SFH reduce stress and help manage the physical and emotional effects of high-pressure situations.Cognitive Restructuring:
SFH helps identify and reshape negative thought patterns, so you can approach challenges with a healthier mindset and reduce anxiety.
Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) is a holistic approach that combines relaxation, positive thinking, and goal setting to help you take control of your mental health. It’s designed to build resilience, something that’s essential in the demanding world of emergency services.
By focusing on positive outcomes and practical solutions, SFH empowers you to develop the mental strength needed to not only cope with the stresses of your job but to thrive in it.
This comprehensive approach supports you in managing stress, overcoming anxiety, and addressing the emotional toll that comes with your role.
It’s about empowering you to take charge of your mental well-being, so you can continue to serve and perform at your best while maintaining balance in your personal life.
References:
Mind. (2019). Mental Health in the Emergency Services Survey. Mind. Available at: https://www.mind.org.uk [Accessed 7 Jan. 2025].
PFOA. (2022). Report on police officer mental health statistics. Police Firearms Officers Association.
Smith, J. (2017). The effectiveness of Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy in managing stress and anxiety in emergency services personnel. Journal of Mental Health in Emergency Services, 41(4), 217-223.
Find out how Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy can help you manage stress, anxiety, and the emotional challenges of working in emergency services.
Book your FREE 45-minute Initial Consultation today and start your journey towards better well-being
In-person at my Oxfordshire Therapy Room (Upper Heyford, near Bicester or Online via Zoom).
My name is Andy Selway-Woolley (he/him) and I am a fully qualified Clinical Solution Focused Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist. I run HeadFirst Hypnotherapy®, based in Upper Heyford (near Bicester), Oxfordshire.
I assist people in regaining control of their lives by retraining their brains to overcome limiting thought patterns, master their emotions, and cultivate resilient behaviours for a brighter and more positive future.. I know… It’s awesome!
a nutshell, I ‘get you out of your own way’. Because, let’s face it, a lot of us are.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy taps into the power of your subconscious mind so you can move forward towards the life you’ve always wanted to live. It’s a quick, practical way to address thought patterns, emotions and behaviours that are holding you back in life.
I’m a registered and accredited member of the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH) and National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH).
I service the main towns and cities around Upper Heyford, including Bicester, Banbury, Oxford, Kidlington, Witney, Brackley, Charlbury, Northampton, Buckingham, Chipping Norton, Thame, Didcot, Abingdon, Henley-on-Thames, and Aylesbury, along with other local areas.
I also work nationally and offer remote hypnotherapy services online, so no matter where you're based, support is just a click away!