All about Confidence
What is Confidence?
Confidence is something that most people struggle with at some point in their lives. While it is often associated with public speaking, presentations or social situations, a lack of confidence can affect many different areas of life, including relationships, work, decision-making and the ability to pursue new opportunities.
Confidence is not something we are simply born with; it develops through experience, learning and repetition. The more we practise a skill or face a situation successfully, the more capable and confident we tend to feel when encountering it again in the future.
When confidence is low, it can be easy to doubt ourselves, focus on what might go wrong or avoid situations that feel challenging. Over time, this can lead to staying within familiar surroundings and comfort zones, which may provide temporary relief, but can also prevent personal growth and new experiences.
Low confidence and self esteem are often influenced by past experiences, negative self beliefs or patterns of thinking that have developed over time. The good news is that confidence can be built and strengthened. By developing a better understanding of these patterns and learning new ways of thinking and responding, it is possible to feel more self-assured, resilient and comfortable being yourself.
Building confidence is not about becoming perfect or never feeling nervous; it is about learning to trust yourself, recognise your strengths and move forward even when situations feel challenging.
Therapy for Confidence and Self Esteem
The most effective approach to building confidence and self esteem will depend on your individual experiences, challenges and goals. Because confidence can be influenced by so many factors, I tailor therapy to your specific needs rather than taking a ‘one size fits all’ approach.
Hypnotherapy can be particularly helpful for situations where confidence is affecting a specific area of life such as public speaking, interviews, social situations, driving, exams or performance related activities. By helping you access a relaxed and focused state, Hypnotherapy can support positive changes in the way you think, feel and respond in situations that may previously have felt challenging.
Where low self esteem has been present for some time, or where past experiences have contributed to negative self beliefs, talking therapies such as Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be beneficial. These approaches can help you understand the origins of self-doubt, challenge unhelpful patterns of thinking and develop a healthier, more balanced view of yourself.
Therapy can also help you recognise your strengths, build resilience and develop greater self confidence in both personal and professional situations. As your confidence grows, many people find themselves feeling more comfortable stepping outside their comfort zone, embracing new opportunities and approaching life with greater self belief.
"This experience has been brilliant for me, it has literally changed my life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which type of therapy do I need?
The most appropriate type of therapy for you depends on your situation and the problem or issue you would like to address.
Many people find Hypnotherapy helpful for confidence related issues and most therapy sessions will involve a blend of different therapies depending on your situation. We will discuss your situation at your first session and decide on the best approach for you.
How long is each session?
Standard therapy sessions are 50 minutes in order to maximise concentration and get the best from the process. Your first session is usually a little longer (approximately 60 to 90 minutes) to allow sufficient time to discuss your situation and answer any questions you may have.
What happens in a therapy session?
Therapy sessions provide a time and space for you to explore your situation. During your first session, we will discuss a number of areas connected with your problem or issue including everyday events, problems, feelings, thoughts, memories, past experiences and the future. At each session, we will discuss your progress since we last met and a combination of therapy techniques may be used during your session.
You may be given exercises or tasks to complete between your sessions to build on the work done during your session and to help you develop new skills and strategies to enable you to overcome the problem or issue.
How often do I need sessions?
Hypnotherapy sessions are typically 2 to 3 weeks apart as this allows sufficient time for your subconscious mind to process new ideas and for you to start making changes.
We will discuss the frequency and number of sessions during your first session.
How much does it cost?
The standard therapy session fees are £80 per session. A deposit of £40 is payable online before the online initial consultation or your first therapy session and this is refunded at or following your final therapy session. For more information, please see the fees page.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach in therapy, so it’s difficult to say exactly how many sessions you may need because everyone is different and some people experience changes more quickly than others.
The number of sessions required also depends on the problem or issue, along with your level of motivation and participation in your therapy sessions.
Generally speaking, most people find between 4 to 6 sessions helpful and occasionally further sessions may be required.
Will therapy work for me?
If you are committed to making changes, you have a good chance of succeeding. However, there are a variety of factors that can affect the outcome of therapy sessions and for this reason, it is unethical to offer any guarantee of success.
Hypnotherapy and talking therapies have a good track record in helping people to make lasting changes, however everyone responds differently and therefore outcomes may vary from person to person. Your motivation, participation and commitment are the key to success, so you need to play your part too.
Why do I need to complete therapy tasks between my sessions?
The problems or issues that people often seek help for have usually occurred as a result of past experiences and unhelpful thought processes. To overcome a problem or respond differently, the desired change must come from within, therefore we need to change our thoughts and behaviours.
During your therapy sessions, you may be shown how to use self help tools and techniques to enable you to make the changes that you desire. How you use these tools and the level of effort applied, will affect how quickly you experience positive changes. Remember, your motivation and participation are the key to your success.
Free Consultation
If you have any questions or are unsure whether therapy is right for you, I offer a free 20 minute online consultation via Zoom.
Experience hypnotherapy wherever you are
Whether you want some time to relax or you’re looking for help with a problem or issue, a range of hypnosis audios are available to buy from the downloads store.
