The First Part of a Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Session - ‘What’s Been Good’ and the ‘Miracle Question’
Welcome to the next chapter of our Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Therapy journey!
If you're curious about what we do in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy sessions and how Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can make a positive impact, you're in for a treat and in totally the right place!
In this blog post series, we're delving into the typical structure of our Solution Focused Hypnotherapy sessions.
This can take place either at my private therapy room in Upper Heyford (nr Bicester), Oxfordshire or online.
To kick things off, we'll dive into the initial/first part of the session, where we explore ‘What’s Been Good’ & the ‘Miracle Question’.
If you missed the first part of this blog series. "The Discovery Session," be sure to catch up before diving into this second part. And, of course, don't forget to check out Part 3 ‘Deep Relaxation / Hypnotherapy’ the end part of a typical Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Session.
So, let's recap a bit. After our Discovery Session, armed with new insights into your brain, you've been falling asleep to your relaxation recording and writing down your ‘what’s been good’ setting the stage for positive change.
The first part of a typical Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Session
I find out ‘What’s been good’
Fast forward a week to our first Solution Focused Hypnotherapy session. I'll kick things off by asking you this question, that you will come to know and love ‘What’s been good about your week?… then we will find out..what else!
Notice, I'm not asking how you've been; I want to hear about the positive aspects of your week.
I get it; it might be tough to start with, especially if you're dealing with anxiety or low mood / depression - you might even rarely focus on these bits.
But this positive start is intentional and nothing is too small! By focusing on the good, we're activating the positive, objective part of your brain, setting the tone for our sessions.
I need you to be inthe intelectual, logical part of your brain for the next part of the session.
I'll keep prompting with questions like "And what else has been good about your week?" We're steering clear of the irrational, negative part of your brain.
Positive feedback and gentle guidance will keep you on track, focusing on the little things that matter— you had a nice long hot shower, a tea with a friend, good feedback at work etc.
This approach might be a breath of fresh air for you, as many clients share that it's a new and enriching experience.
Unlike traditional therapies that dive into problems, we're all about the good stuff in life.
The Miracle Question
After revisiting the brain science (from the ‘Discovery Session’) and tailoring it to your specifics, we embark on this powerful exercise.
Before we dive into anything else, we start with a simple scale that helps you gauge how you're feeling – your thoughts, your emotions, and your behaviour.
Zero to 10, 10 being the happiest, contented version of yourself. This scale serves as a mental anchor, giving you a starting point to understand where you currently stand. It's like a map for your mind, helping you navigate our journey together down solution focused road.
I'll ask you to unleash your imagination and envision what you'd be doing tomorrow if you felt a bit better (a point higher up the scale). Essentially, we are building a picture of your life, how you would be thinking, feeling and behaving (doing) if the problem(s), that brought you to therapy were gone.
Certainly, it's more than a simple question; it involves a series of follow-up inquiries that ultimately guides you towards identifying your "next small step."
Responding to this question can be challenging for many people, especially because you may have been so constrained by a persistent problem that envisioning a future beyond it seems difficult. That’s why we take our time. Silence in our sessions is a gift.. it’s very comfortable, as I need your brain to start building a different picture.
This question not only encourages you to look beyond your immediate problems, but also aids you in constructing a positive vision of the future, allowing you to take steps towards that vision within your current perceived possibilities.
As these positive changes take root, anxiety diminishes, and confidence grows – often leading to the miraculous outcome of the problem either disappearing or becoming less pertinent.
I'll guide you through this exercise, aiming for a small action that you feel you would be doing at the next point up the scale. For instance, you wake up feeling more relaxed, what would that change, if you more relaxed what would you be doing more of etc… eventually we break into a small action. Details matter, so we'll explore what, when, where and who – providing your subconscious with the specifics it craves.
This is the Miracle Question in action, a suggestion or idea to reprogram your subconscious mind for positive change.
Notice as the therapist, I am not telling you what to do or coming up with that action for you, nor are we focusing or exploring the problem(s) or the past.
The core belief of the solution focused approach is that you have the necessary skills and resources to find solutions to your problems. I work alongside you, asking questions to help you recognise where you are now, visualise where you’d like to be, and develop your own strengths to make that solution a reality.
Once you've crafted a vivid, feel-good mental picture, we'll move on to deep relaxation, where your subconscious takes the lead, making those solutions a reality.
Stay tuned for the next part of the Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Session– Part 3: Deep Relaxation / Hypnotherapy. Your journey to a more positive and relaxed you is well underway!
Want to find out more about how Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help you?
The next step is booking a FREE 45 Minute Initial Consultation / Hypnotherapy Discovery Session (no half-measures here).
In-person at my Oxfordshire Therapy Room (Upper Heyford, near Bicester or Online via Zoom).
The first step to setting yourself free and living the life you want.
It's perfectly normal to feel a bit apprehensive when reaching out to a therapist for more information. Taking this step is a powerful choice, and I want you to know that it's absolutely okay to feel that way. I’m here to provide support and guidance every step of the way.
My name is Andy Selway (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 behaviors for a brighter and more positive future.. I know… It’s awesome!
In 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).
Hypnotherapy sessions can be done either in my garden therapy room in Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire (Near Bicester). Ideally situated, it also serves individuals in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, and Warwickshire and I also work online nationwide via Zoom.
