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Hypnotherapy Today

An initiative of the Australian Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists (ASCH), showcasing articles about hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, counselling, mental health, and more.

A young blonde woman sits with her eyes closed in discomfort

Understanding and Using Body Syndromes in Therapy

As therapists, our ultimate goal is to help clients achieve a state of well-being that encompasses both their mental and physical health. One intriguing concept that bridges the gap between these two realms is 'Body Syndromes.'...
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An out-of-focus person sits curled up in distress with their hands clutching their head.

Stress and the nervous system

Stress is a natural response of the nervous system to perceived threats or challenges. When an individual encounters a stressful situation, the brain, specifically the hypothalamus, activates the body's stress response, signalling the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol....
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A vintage black-and-white collage showing two women in profile facing each other.

The intuitive therapist

Life cannot ever be anything but itself. The equivalent, constant and inseparable relationship between the energy of physical matter (mass) realised by Einstein is the intrinsic creative intelligence that enables an apple seed to grow and create apples. It is the life force of all things. It is this same...
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Sandy Beech

Healing Hearts and Minds: A Glimpse into the Inspiring Work of Volunteer, Sandy Beech, Therapist at Quest for Life Foundation

There is a time and a place, where few want to enter when invited in. Any life-threatening illness or life-changing event can have a profound and wide-ranging effect on individuals and their loved ones. Quest for Life is a not-for-profit healing centre in Bundanoon, New South Wales, Australia that offers...
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A black and white photograph of a large, rustic wooden gate where one section is propped open.

The Door Metaphor in Psychotherapy

Doorways and openings are symbolic structures that have great significance in our daily lives. There are many expressions that use doors, providing transition point to change as we move through difficulties or challenges....
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A young blonde woman sits with her eyes closed in discomfort

Understanding and Using Body Syndromes in Therapy

As therapists, our ultimate goal is to help clients achieve a state of well-being that encompasses both their mental and physical health. One intriguing concept that bridges the gap between these two realms is 'Body Syndromes.'...
Read More
A close-up portrait of an elderly woman with blue eyes and grey hair gently holding the sides of her face with both hands.

The power of mantras: Silencing the ego and our mind by taking control of our thoughts

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, our minds are often plagued by incessant chatter, self-doubt, and anxiety. This non-stop stream of thoughts is called the monkey mind, a term derived from Buddhism that refers to a mind that is restless, unsettled, and prone to incessant chatter. This metaphorical...
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Silhouettes of two young women jumping energetically in the air on a beach dock.

Pieces of Happiness

Happiness is a universal and complex topic. This article considers the paths to happiness, or at least, the paths away from misery from the perspective of Positive psychology, which is based on the belief that people are entitled to lead lives informed by meaning, purpose, and connection....
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An out-of-focus person sits curled up in distress with their hands clutching their head.

Stress and the nervous system

Stress is a natural response of the nervous system to perceived threats or challenges. When an individual encounters a stressful situation, the brain, specifically the hypothalamus, activates the body's stress response, signalling the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol....
Read More
A close-up shot focused on the hands of two individuals.

Understanding and Addressing Unconscious Bias in Psychotherapy: Strategies for Personal Growth and Professional Development in the Australian Context

In Australia, a nation celebrated for its cultural diversity, the fields of psychotherapy, hypnotherapy and counselling face unique challenges and opportunities in fostering mental well-being across a spectrum of communities. This includes Indigenous populations, immigrants, and a variety of ethnic groups, each with distinct cultural backgrounds and experiences....
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A joyful family on a gravel path outdoors on a rainy day

The Goulding Method: Unleashing Sweet Dreams and Sanity for Parents and Kids

We are working on a better future, one child at a time. Parenthood is an exhilarating rollercoaster ride filled with laughter, tears, and the occasional sleepless night. As parents, our goal is to nurture contentment, health, and success in our children by fostering a positive perspective, instilling self-control, and promoting...
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A large choir of women wearing matching black shirts with a green logo stands in rows.

Choir + People = Community & Well-being

If you were one of over ten million folks to click on Pop Choir Australia on Tik Tok, you might have sought out the website www.popchoir.com.au and discovered director, Sharon Stokes, who declared: 'It is a great way to meet friends and be part of a thriving community. Oh, did...
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An elderly woman wearing an elegant pink lace dress smiles joyfully as she stands outdoors with her arms outstretched wide under a leafy green tree.

The Gifts of Elder-ing

I wonder how often in our interactions with others of a 'certain age' we consider their experience of ageing, and what do we make of our own ageing? Although we see nothing in the natural world living forever, the western mindset seems to hold a subtle denial of physical death...
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The book cover for 'The Chimp Paradox' by Prof Steve Peters

Book Review: The Chimp Paradox, by Prof Steve Peters

George Owen George Owen is a hypnotherapist based in Sydney, Australia. With a long-standing passion for adult education, George has been lecturing within the behavioural science arena for over two decades. Consultant psychiatrist and lecturer, Steve Peters, has enjoyed an illustrious career. This includes credits for the turnaround of the...

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A dramatic studio portrait of a woman wearing a white mask over her eyes and nose.

A Guide to Understanding and Applying Resource Therapy (RT)

Philipa Thornton Philipa Thornton is President of Resource Therapy International, the official governing body of Resource Therapy founded by Professor Gordon Emmerson Ph.D. She has the privilege of considering Professor Emmerson her friend and mentor. She is CEO and Co-Founder, with her husband Chris Paulin, of the Resource Therapy Institute...

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A candid, close-up shot of a woman with short brown hair looking down thoughtfully.

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): Can Hypnosis help?

Jerry Knight Jerry Knight has had an extensive career in the UK military (Royal Navy) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) and saw active service in the Falklands conflict, Kosovo, Macedonia, Sierra Leone and Iraq. He trained as a hypnotherapist in 2013 at the Australian College Hypnotherapy (ACH) in Sydney and...

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A vintage black-and-white collage showing two women in profile facing each other.

The intuitive therapist

Life cannot ever be anything but itself. The equivalent, constant and inseparable relationship between the energy of physical matter (mass) realised by Einstein is the intrinsic creative intelligence that enables an apple seed to grow and create apples. It is the life force of all things. It is this same...
Read More
Four copies of the book cover for 'The February Man' by Milton H. Erickson and Ernest Lawrence Rossi.

Book Review: The February Man, by Milton H. Erickson

The February Man is an old book, not simply because it was published over 30 years ago in its current version, but it took a lot of years to reach final publication. Ernest Rossi shelved the project for awhile after Milton Erickson’s death in 1980....
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A low-angle profile shot of a young blonde man meditating outdoors with his eyes closed.

What’s in a Name? Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as the Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy

I suggest that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MSBR) is a form of hypnosis under a different name. This immediately begs the question: Why is MBSR considered empirically evidenced and adopted under the CBT umbrella, while hypnosis is still struggling for a wider acceptance despite existing centuries earlier?...
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Surreal, smoky digital artwork in shades of teal showing two overlapping faces of a woman looking upward in opposite directions.

Parts Therapy review

Parts Therapy invites us to explore the lively inner committee that governs our thoughts, feelings and behaviours through the often comical and baffling world of our inner parts. Parts Therapy is enjoyable, enlightening and engaging....
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A view from behind of four friends standing side-by-side with their arms around each other's shoulders

Coaching young people to become authentic leaders. An ontological and Mindfulness approach

Of course, I will do it. This has been my response for over 20 years to a request from Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) to facilitate a session on learning and leading at their annual conference. The aim of the conference is to expand choices for young people aged between...
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A young girl in a pink shirt sits in a lush green meadow filled with small white daisy flowers.

There’s more to us than we know

If we open our minds to a universe of infinite possibilities and accept our role in the evolution of consciousness, we can serve humanity in ways that surpass our wildest dreams. Our magnificence has been hidden from us since time began, though today there is a light appearing under the...
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Vaping stats

How addictive is vaping?

Highly addictive! And it's becoming more addictive according to recent research from the University of Wollongong. 'Vaping companies have tripled the amount of nicotine in their products and are using other dirty tricks to get teens addicted to the equivalent of a two pack-a-day habit in record time'.1...
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A black and white photograph from behind showing two young children walking down a gravel road

The cry of the wounded inner child

Trauma-informed therapies are increasingly prevalent in the symptomatic treatment of trauma, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Thanks to the pioneering work of a new wave of psychologists, psychiatrists and doctors it is clear that the origins of trauma arise on more subtle levels of being than can be attributed to...
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Sandy Beech

Healing Hearts and Minds: A Glimpse into the Inspiring Work of Volunteer, Sandy Beech, Therapist at Quest for Life Foundation

There is a time and a place, where few want to enter when invited in. Any life-threatening illness or life-changing event can have a profound and wide-ranging effect on individuals and their loved ones. Quest for Life is a not-for-profit healing centre in Bundanoon, New South Wales, Australia that offers...
Read More
An equestrian rider in a dark blazer and helmet leans forward on a white horse mid-air.

Sports Performance in Competition: Managing Anxiety Like a Professional

In any sport, success depends on the sports person's skill, mental discipline, focus and physical fitness. Equestrian sports introduce a unique element of communication and partnership with an animal. Success depends not only on the rider's skill but also on their ability to understand and work harmoniously with their horse....
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A surreal composite image showing a large twin-bell alarm clock with Roman numerals being submerged diagonally in a churning ocean wave

Discovering Past Lives, Part 2

Here is Part 2 of Lyndall Briggs' article, Discovering Past Lives, Part 1. Lyndall continues with the tools to connect with past life memories and to develop your intuition. They include conducting a dialogue with your Inner Advisor, looking upon life as a Mystery School, and more....
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The silhouette of a person standing with arms outstretched on a shallow, glassy water surface.

Discovering Past Lives, Part 1

Past Life Therapy explores memories to assist clients to gain insights into unresolved issues that may be affecting their present-day. Identifying and resolving past issues can create incredible healing and personal and spiritual growth....
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A close-up shot of a person writing with a pen in a small notebook on a white wooden table next to a smartphone and a white coffee cup.

A Blueprint for Success: Planning and Maintaining New Year’s Eve Resolutions

Calling all New Year's resolution warriors! If your New Year's resolutions have a history of ghosting you faster than a fad diet after two weeks, fear not. We're about to embark on an adventure far more exciting than finding last year's forgotten gym membership card....
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