Focused Hypnosis

I got in contact with Richard because I was struggling with confidence and anxiety around my placement as a student paramedic. I had previously been having CBT sessions, which were okay but not impactful enough for me. Whilst having an occupational health check, I was encouraged to try hypnosis, and a Google search later, I came across Richard. I was a little dubious at first, because I thought that I would not be able to go into trance and that it wouldn't work for me. But Richard had no doubt about the former. He talked me through all my questions and concerns and reassured me that if it wasn't for me, I would get my money back. He also highlighted to me that hypnosis is not a magic wand, it doesn't solve the problem for you; it gives you the tools to help you help yourself. Listening to Richard is like being immersed in honey; his words and the way he speaks makes you feel safe and calm. Being in a trance is like that period before you fall asleep. And it was so easy to get there. I was aware of everything at the time, but now I look back on it, I wouldn't remember the things that Richard was saying to me. If I wanted to move, I could have done, but I was so relaxed that I didn't even want to move my hand to scratch my nose. After every trance, I awoke feeling absolutely amazing and so good about myself. I don't feel like hypnosis particularly helped me when I think about it. However, it must have done, because I have since become a qualified paramedic. My mentor said that the change in my behaviour and confidence was profound. Maybe my conscious mind is unaware of the changes in my subconscious and that's why I don't feel different? I don't know how this stuff works, but I suppose it did! So, thank you Richard, you've helped me open the door to my brand new career. The only reason why Richard doesn't get 5 stars is because he forgot about one of our appointments and turned up 15minutes late, and I wasn't emailed a copy of our second recording session and was therefore unable to listen to it in my free time.

I recently went to Richard for hypnotherapy because I was suffering crippling nerves and anxiety when attending job interviews. It was really affecting my ability to secure jobs at the interview stage because, although I was getting the interviews following what must have been good applications, I was not managing to get the jobs. I had three sessions and found them fantastic. In addition, Richard forwards his recording of the sessions afterwards in case anything has been missed whilst under hypnosis, and also giving time to reflect again and reaffirming what he said during the hypnosis. The interview I attended after the last session went well and I secured the job. I can’t say that I wasn’t still very nervous because I was, but I managed to calm myself using the techniques Richard recommended. I would not hesitate to recommend Richard and his hypnotherapy to anyone. If you are experiencing confidence or anxiety issues, I would say just go for it as you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

I had suffered from panic attacks regularly in the past due to anxiety, it got to a point where I felt like I couldn't cope anymore. I visited Richard for an initial consultation where he gave me some tips on how to cope until our first session and even that was an unbelievable amount of help. I have had only one session with Richard and I feel as if the anxiety has near enough disappeared from my life. I finally feel like my old self again. Highly recommend, such a lovely man and so easy to get along with, felt like I had known him for years.

I found the experience here absolutely wonderful. Richard is very professional and brilliant at what he does. My sessions really helped me get over my fear of performing in public and Richard offered me a discounted rate when he realised I wasn't working. I'm still scared when it's a stage with things plugged in but I'm generally OK with small groups of people now and I would happily do some busking and jam sessions now. I'm still using the recordings from our sessions to continue hypnotherapy at home. I really recommend this place, you won't regret it!

Why I considered hypnosis: I decided to consider hypnosis to find a way to tackle my problems with public speaking, which have caused panic attacks over many years. These episodes have affected my quality of life, causing general stress and anxiety, loss of self-esteem and mental health issues. My health suffered, from loss of sleep, shortness of breath, poor temper, tension and lack of concentration. At times I felt desperate and unhinged, despite knowing deep down the feelings were unfounded and irrational. I buried the problem for too long, choosing to ignore it and hope the problems would not repeat. After lockdown, I felt tension increasing and problems re-surfacing. So I decided I had to do something about it, and contacted Richard at Sheffield Wellness Centre to seek help. The process: I don’t like being the centre of attention, or talk about my feelings, so was originally concerned the setting might be strange or intimidating. However, I found the Centre welcoming and relaxing; a space to be able to open up and be honest. This was essential for the first session, which was to discuss my past problems. During the hypnotherapy sessions, I didn’t know what to expect, so was initially slightly nervous. But I relaxed into it quickly. The set-up was slightly unnatural - speech was slow and deliberate, and I just listened for 50 minutes. But there was nothing worrying about the situation. I felt in control the whole time, and not brainwashed like you might think from seeing hypnosis on TV. The first part of each session helped me relax and study my breathing, relax my body, be ‘present’ and ignore external distractions. Richard used carefully crafted words to promote positivity, which were specific to the problem, but which were also general enough to apply to other situations. Richard was totally understanding my problems, which showed his intuitive nature, bringing years of practice and experience. At some sessions I felt like I drifted into a trance. And on all occasions, I finished the session feeling totally energised and like I had experienced a factory re-boot, feeling completely relaxed, happy and sociable. The recordings have been really helpful. Having them available to me after the session has enabled me to re-enter the feelings I had in the Centre. They have helped me repeat key parts, or sections I missed the first time. By listening back, I have been able to practice and embed the positive messages in my head. The outcome: I met with Richard 4 months ago. We had 4 sessions in total over 3 months. After the 2nd session, I had to make three public speaking presentations at work. I am delighted that these went really well. Although stressed beforehand, I was able to control my nerves and be clear, coherent and engaging, which I hadn’t been able to do previously. I can’t imagine how disastrous and stress-inducing the presentations might have been without hypnotherapy. This positive experience gave me so much confidence and a real mental lift, and showed how powerful and valuable the process had been. I know that I am not miraculously ‘cured’ – I still need to invest regular time and effort to overcome my issues. Although I am very happy with progress, I will continue to work on what I have learned, and go back over the recordings to keep it up. I am really pleased I chose this path to seek a positive improvement in my wellbeing. Life is short; this issue has affected my health throughout my life, and I am glad I chose to confront it before causing more years of harm. I feel this has been an investment in myself. It has taught me to take things slower and make myself more of a priority; to give myself more downtime and space to recuperate. I would recommend this path to anyone else who feels they are in a similar situation. There is everything to gain and nothing to lose.