Author: Neil

Your First Step to Mastering Your Mental Health

Taking care of our mental health is becoming increasingly important, especially with the busy and stressful lives we lead. While many people prefer in-person therapy, online therapy has become an increasingly popular option in recent years, especially since the pandemic hit. With so many different video meeting platforms available, it can be difficult to know where to start. Google Meet, however, is one of the best options available for online therapy. In this article, I will provide you with simple instructions on how to join your first Google Meet.

Before I dive into the steps, it’s worth noting that you will need a laptop/desktop or a mobile device to participate in online therapy. You may also find it beneficial to download the Google Meet app, which can make the process a little more straightforward.

Joining a Google Meet on Mobile Devices (iPhone, Android, iPad)

If you’re using a mobile device to join a Google Meet, follow these simple steps:

1. Open the email you received from your therapist with the meeting link.
2. Click on the meeting link provided in the email.
3. Click “Ask to join” to request access to the meeting.
4. Once your therapist has given you access, you will be automatically redirected to the meeting.
5. Occasionally, you may need to approve the request for permission to use your device’s camera and microphone.

Joining a Google Meet on Desktop or Laptop Computers

If you’re using a desktop or laptop computer to join a Google Meet, follow these simple steps:

1. Open the email you received from your therapist with the meeting link.
2. Click on the meeting link provided in the email.
3. Click “Join now” to request access to the meeting.
4. Once your therapist has given you access, you will be redirected to the meeting.
5. Occasionally, you may need to approve the request for permission to use your computer’s camera and microphone.

Now that we’ve covered the steps for joining a Google Meet, it’s worth discussing why online therapy is becoming increasingly popular. One of the main advantages of online therapy is convenience. You can receive therapy from the comfort of your own home, without the need to travel to a therapist’s office. This can be especially beneficial for those who live in rural or remote areas, as it can be difficult to find a therapist nearby.

Another advantage of online therapy is that it can be more flexible than in-person therapy. With online therapy, you can schedule sessions outside of regular office hours, which can be beneficial for those who work full-time or have other commitments.

Of course, online therapy is not for everyone. Some people may prefer the face-to-face interaction of in-person therapy, while others may not feel comfortable using technology to connect with their therapist. However, for those who are open to the idea, online therapy can be a highly effective and convenient option.

In conclusion, joining a Google Meet for therapy is a simple and stress-free process, and one that can have a positive impact on your mental health. With online therapy becoming increasingly popular, it’s worth considering whether it’s the right option for you. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily connect with your therapist from the comfort of your own home and take that first step towards mastering your mental health.

For those more technically minded, I can confirm that if you’re not using the Google Meet app and accessing through your browser….using Google Chrome as your browser is the preferred way. For those that have Apple products the default browser (Safari) can suffer with some minor audio crackling, so switching to Google Chrome would be advantageous for you, allowing for more adjustments and quality etc.

Additionally, the requirement for a gmail email address is not a prerequisite – unless you are using a mobile device such as a tablet / phone. Desktops and laptops are the preferred option allowing use of the platform without a gmail email.

We all have thoughts and behaviours that hold us back. But by going online with me for online hypnotherapy, you’ll learn to discover and overcome these hurdles with the support of me, Neil Cox Hypnotherapy.

Here’s how it all works…

Firstly, I recommend you find the right person. Hopefully, that will be me if you’re reading this. Alternatively I can recommend the National Council for Hypnotherapy register where you can find appropriately trained and qualified therapists.

Initial consultation

Secondly, you’ll be wanting to make an appointment to have that initial consultation. It’s not quite as scary as you may imagine. I’ve made it super easy using an online booking portal here.

Choose the day and a time that’s convenient for you and everything is arranged automatically with automated confirmations and reminders. Before your appointment happens I’ll issue you with an invite email, which will provide the link you need to join the appointment. Don’t be late! And if you’re not familiar with how it works… here’s the simple instructions on how to join a meeting.

During the consultation you can talk about the issue(s) you’re needing help with, in as little or as much detail as you like. No need to be shy, it’s just like talking to me in person, and if you’re worried about getting it all wrong, I leave my phone switched on in case we encounter any technical problems.

I like to explain how the I work, and in particular why your brain does what it does, and importantly how we can change it. More than likely, I will provide an audio file to listen to before your first session which gets the ball rolling nicely. Arrange that appointment, and you’re away. So here’s that link to make that booking. Still unsure?

Why online hypnotherapy is right for you

Using online methods has proven to be as effective, if not more effective than face-to-face working, with important benefits that bring the experience into the modern era. For some though, traditional methods will be their choice because they haven’t yet experienced the freedom that online offers. But with the Covid-19 situation this is becoming more and more the new normal as online becomes the obvious choice.

So, if you’re on the fence about whether online sessions are right for you, consider these positive benefits.

Communicate in a Way You Feel Comfortable

With traditional face to face sessions, the experience has remained relatively unchanged since psychotherapy’s inception. You arrive at a location, have a seat, and talk with your therapist about your challenges. Afterwards you depart and see each other about a week later. Same time, same place. Types of solution offered can include everything from cognitive behavioural, psychodynamic, art to family therapy.

The online way opens up new ways to communicate, and doesn’t require that you leave the comfort of your own home. If you want to have a session in your pyjamas — while polishing off a packet of crisps — that’s your choice! I can help you with that though.

Your Therapy, Your Terms

In the past people have had to make plans around visiting me. This involved a drive to my office which previously was in Bude, which, depending on where you lived could have taken up to an hour or more each way. For those with hectic, unbalanced lives, scheduling a traditional session may have been prohibitive — especially for those who needed to arrange for childcare, and its associated financial and time costs. The end result is that those who could have benefited most from solution focused therapy may never have explored the option.

A Convenient Solution

Going online allows you to set the time, location, and initial direction of the therapeutic relationship. It’s a freedom that puts you, the client seeking solution focused hypnotherapy, first.

As was mentioned, making time to see a therapist can be the most difficult logistical challenge to solve. If you enjoy keeping a routine, scheduling a weekly live session with me helps keep you on schedule.

There’s no “office” in online sessions — your session is wherever you have access to an internet connection. My clients could theoretically have their sessions in their beds, in a sunny garden, or anywhere they feel comfortable enough to communicate with me. Even then, you don’t need to lug along a laptop. The Google Meet app, available on iOS and Android, keeps me by your side wherever your smartphone travels with you.

It’s Cost Effective

In the past, finding the right therapist meant you’d likely be looking through local providers, and if you’re in an area where costs are higher than the norm then you find yourself paying excessively higher for the same thing. You could be paying sometimes double the national average, and simply not affordable. If you’re in the big cities, even more. But, going online, it opens up the world of solution focused hypnotherapy for everyone and at a price that suits you too. With distance no barrier, you may well be paying even less than you ever thought, and without the travel costs too.

It’s Entirely Confidential

I understand that stigmas still exist on many levels — especially locally when it comes to seeing any form of mental health therapist. In some communities, being seen entering a therapist’s office may have made you subject of gossip or judgement. This is another common, prohibitive reason some don’t seek help.

What does it do for a person?

With online sessions there are no doors to walk through, or the possibility of being seen. It’s about opening up when the time is right, which is why with solution focused hypnotherapy we don’t always even need to know what the problem is. You should never feel like you have to share more information than you’re comfortable providing, and I always like people to know that.

From a technological standpoint, online solutions offer a level of security and confidentiality on par with major world banks. Communications between clients and therapists are secured by Google Meet.

I Think I’m Ready to go Online. What’s Next?

If you feel you’re ready to go online with me, you’ll join a growing number of clients who have already made the important decision to prioritise their mental health. Thankfully, the next steps to begin your sessions are easy.

As previously mentioned make your booking for the initial consultation using my online portal. That’s all there is to it. I wish you the best as you begin your online journey, and hope to see and speak to you soon!

Don’t panic

It has been a pleasure working from my hypnotherapy practice in Bude, but sometimes a change of scenery is needed so there will be an unexpected relocation! I have come to the decision to relocate my business and will be moving from Bude Business Centre in the next few months. Don’t panic though.

My diary is still open. I would love to see you for one more time, or even multiple more times. I’m happy to do so given the timeframe (this will be months rather than weeks).

I’d like to reassure those of you who’ve already booked appointments or made deposits, these will naturally be honoured in full. There’s plenty of time.

This may have come as a surprise to many of you, but as I’ve always said, change needs to happen, and we shouldn’t deny or work against it. Although I plan to remain practicing within Cornwall, for a great many of you who live within the Bude catchment it will likely be a trip too far for appointments.

A compromise

I will endeavour to offer a compromise, and I may be able to meet people half way at a location in mid-Cornwall close to the A30, which may or may not suit you. However, being a therapist who receives clients from either ends of the county and beyond (including internationally), there will be some winners and losers.

This relocation has been a difficult decision to make, and not one taken lightly. But a number of factors have played a part in making this final decision to relocate. Bude has always been a location ‘out on a limb’ but that does make it unique and special, for which I will always hold within my heart. I have met the most amazing people since moving here, and they’re my clients. So that’s probably you!

Some personal reasons have come into play, including being closer to ageing parents, which is a real important aspect. But also the imposition of new longer term leases for the room I rent at Bude Business Centre. The powers that be, Cornwall Council, deem it necessary to change what was an excellent ‘incubation hub’ for small businesses into something that will likely be less attractive to new start ups.

Flexibility

Flexibility is a quality I like to embody, but there are times when you are faced against an organisation that doesn’t bend like a tree in the wind. And we all know what happens to those! This isn’t sour grapes by any means, but I felt it was right and proper to be open with you about my reasons for relocating. Long term I had ideas and plans to take forward which would simply not work under the new proposed lease terms here, and I’m genuinely sorry. 

I’m happy to field questions or concerns regarding the relocation and I will update you as and when. If you’d like to book that appointment – I’d recommend doing so sooner rather than later. Appointments are updated live using my online booking system here

Sex. It happens around 100 million times each day, most of us have it, most of us want it, most of us enjoy it – yet still nobody wants to talk about it. But have you used hypnotherapy for addressing sexual problems?

Sex, the last taboo?

Most people say that sexual problems have affected their relationship in some way. After all, sex serves several other functions aside from reproduction, including bonding and stress release. With increasing demands being placed upon people’s time and energy it isn’t uncommon for one partner to be raring to go whilst the other would prefer to hit the snooze button. And if the problem isn’t how often, the next most common issue is how well it’s done.

Whatever the sexual problems might be though, the first port of call should always be a visit to the doctor so that physical causes can be eliminated. Once it is clear that the problem is not physical, this is where hypnotherapy may be able to help. 

So what can hypnotherapy actually do? 

Whilst many individuals will naturally assume that a physical matter lies at the root of their problem, in actual fact many sexual dysfunctions are psychological. With factors such as stress, anxiety, depression and past sexual abuse all coming into play. 

Typical sexual problems include:

• Difficulty responding sexually
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Anorgasmia
• Low sexual desire (libido)
• Premature ejaculation
• Vaginismus

Loss of libido

A reduced sex drive is a common problem that affects both men and women at some point in their lives. There’s no ‘normal’ level of libido, but if you find a lack of desire distressing or it’s affecting your relationships, then it’s probably a very good idea to get help. Stress, anxiety and even exhaustion can have a significant impact on your sex drive.

As much as you focus on the problem, it can so easily be simply a case of helping you with tiredness, or reducing stress and anxiety. Self-limiting beliefs often crop up – For instance “I don’t give pleasure to my partner” – thoughts such as these can lead to feelings of anxiety and unreasonable performance expectations and can subsequently cause sexual issues to develop. 

As you can imagine, depression impacts on all areas of your life. But this includes your sex life too. Where prescribed medication is involved, it’s important to speak to your GP to see if the tablets you’re taking may be causing some unwanted side effects with your sex drive.

Intimacy

As an example, I help people change perceptions about sexual intercourse or intimacy so that it can be seen as a positive experience and the treatment will also negate the effects of over-anxiety. This can lead to stress, which can make a significant impact on the quality of life and wellbeing. Anxiety and stress can manifest itself differently for everyone but there are often physical and psychological side effects which can be alleviated through hypnotherapy.

Many of these sexual issues can result from earlier emotional experiences. They can often become repressed and buried into the subconscious part of the mind. As you can imagine, we can also build a negative image about them and turn them into a bigger problem than they need be. So, the key principles of hypnotherapy involve inducing a relaxed state of mind in the client. This state of mind then allows for positive messages to be delivered to the subconscious during this state in a bid to replace any negative or self-limiting thought patterns. 

As a qualified hypnotherapist here in Cornwall, I could be the first stepping stone towards driving out any sexual issues from underneath the covers. You can also be assured that the issue will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and with due regard to your wishes. Chatting through it during an initial consultation will take into consideration all of the above, and will start to put that wonderful process of putting your mind at ease once again.

Mental health is a crucial component of our overall well-being

But it often gets overlooked or ignored due to stigma or a lack of understanding. Mental health disorders can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. Mental health awareness is essential to ensure that people receive the help they need and that mental health issues are addressed.

Stress is one of the most significant contributors to poor mental health, and it is a common experience in our fast-paced modern society. Stress can be caused by various factors, including work pressure, financial worries, relationship problems, health issues, and life transitions. These stressors can cause significant disruptions in our daily lives and negatively impact our mental and physical health.

The effects of stress can be physical, emotional, and behavioural. Stress can cause headaches, muscle tension, stomach problems, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depression, and other health problems. When stress is left unaddressed, it can lead to burnout, breakdown, and other serious mental health issues.

Hypnotherapy is one of the many approaches that can help people overcome stress and other mental health challenges. It is a form of therapy that uses hypnosis to induce a trance-like state in the client. During this state, the conscious mind is bypassed, and the subconscious mind is accessed. This allows for the exploration of negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to stress and other mental health issues.

Hypnotherapy is a safe and non-invasive therapy that can be used alongside other forms of treatment, such as medication and talk therapy. It can also be used as a standalone therapy for people who prefer a more natural and holistic approach to mental health. The benefits of hypnotherapy are numerous, and it has been shown to be an effective treatment for various mental health issues.

In addition to hypnotherapy, there are many other ways to manage stress and improve mental health. Exercise, meditation, deep breathing, and yoga are all effective strategies for reducing stress and promoting relaxation. It is also essential to maintain a healthy diet, get enough sleep, and engage in activities that bring joy and meaning to our lives.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, it is crucial to remember that mental health is just as important as physical health, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you are experiencing stress or other mental health issues, consider reaching out to a qualified hypnotherapist for support. With the right treatment and support, you can overcome stress and other mental health challenges and live a happier, healthier life.

It is also essential to promote mental health awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health. This can be done by starting conversations about mental health, educating people about mental health issues and their treatment, and supporting mental health initiatives. Mental health is a fundamental aspect of our well-being, and it is our responsibility to ensure that it receives the attention and resources it deserves.

In conclusion, mental health awareness is crucial in promoting overall well-being and addressing mental health issues. Stress is a significant contributor to poor mental health, and hypnotherapy is one of the many approaches that can help people overcome stress and other mental health challenges. It is important to remember that mental health is just as important as physical health, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. By promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma surrounding mental health, we can ensure that everyone has access to the help and resources they need to live a happy and healthy life.

Is it the right solution for you?

So you’ve been working as a therapist for while now, and you’ve got a good client base. Things are going well, until you find next door begin renovations. Being in an area where most properties are of the same age, you find others doing the same. All of a sudden you have a DIY hotspot. Angle grinders, concrete mixers, deliveries being made – there’s a lot of scaffolding going on too. That quiet peaceful location you decided would be ideal to set up in business becomes somewhat less attractive and you end up wishing you never chose it in the first place.

Considerations.

You try and sit it out, thinking it can’t continue on indefinitely. Yes, you get the odd day when things are really quiet, but on the whole when one finishes another begins. Do you consider a temporary relocation with all the associated costs and upheaval? Maybe even stop trading and restart once its all quietened down? Or is there a better solution?

Well, a few years ago I was at a Mind Body Soul fayre and I saw a hypnotherapist with an audio system. He could provide short 15min sessions there and then in a busy hall without disruption. He spoke into a headset whilst his client would sit back in a chair. They had a pair of headphones on and were oblivious to the general noise. At the time I thought that was a really good idea, and that was that.

So fast forward to DIY central.. as with anything I do I always like to do a little research before taking the plunge. Clearly the product I saw should be available, and indeed a quick search on google finds the Hypnocom 5 unit. Alongside a couple of others if you do a little more digging. Considering it was retailing at over £300 I wanted to understand the mechanics behind it. I looked into seeing just how much a basic system would end up costing me.

The basic constituents I thought were as follows:

1. An audio mixer
2. 2 x pairs of headphones (with mic)
3. mp3 player for background music (usually found at the back of an old drawer)
4. Associated leads / cables to connect it all together.

Considering that after costing it up, I could get that for under £100 I decided to try it out. I plumped for a basic audio mixer being the Behringer Xenyx 502 mixer. It’s small enough but offered plenty of connections to do the job.

So, what exactly does this setup have to achieve?

1. Take input from a vocal microphone.
2. Receive input from an external music source (mp3 player)
3. Balance adjustment for both voice and music separately.
4. Produce good quality output to headphones not just for your client, but to yourself too.
5. Allows for output to a separate recording device to provide clients with a recording.

Hypno-Com 5 Professional.

At this point, I discovered a second hand Hypnocom 5 was being offered at a knock-down price. My basic system I had put together looked somewhat untidy compared to the bespoke Hypnocom 5. It was an opportunity I couldn’t miss so I purchased it. Just one word of warning if you are going to go down the route of putting a system together yourself make sure you do your homework. And that means specifically the cables / microphones / headphones you choose. Some will require adaptors to be able to plug into the audio mixer. You really need to get that right or you have a non-functioning system.

If you review it and compare the two, I would plump for the Hypnocom 5 every time. It just works and the sound quality is just right. You won’t have all the adjustments of an audio mixer but it’s ready to go and has only the controls you really need, straight out of the box.

Hypno-Quip

If you can find a second hand unit, they’re usually well looked after but they rarely appear. Personally, I would ask around your local therapists.

Its important to remember that background music, a microphone and headphones are not a necessity for carrying out hypnotherapy. But, they do add an element of professionalism to your sessions. Let’s not forget about the disturbance of DIY too!

Why choose the Hypnocom 5?

Your clients will love it. Results speak for themselves and if you compare a standard delivery compared to through headphones, you will find most clients opt for the headphones. Find a decent pair of comfortable headphones, they’ll want to know they didn’t notice they had them on at the end.

Although I haven’t made use of the option to record sessions, you can do this quite easily with the right equipment. All the connections are ready to use on the Hypnocom so it should be simply a case of plugging a recording device into it. And let’s not forget because you already have some background music feeding in, you won’t have to worry about adding some to the recording later.

My client found it much easier to begin the relaxation process using this system. It was an interesting observation as this client had previously experienced sessions using conventional techniques without a microphone.

There will be a short time spent doing a sound check to allow the client to find the correct volume levels. But just imagine those with slight hearing loss, no longer an issue with these headphones.

It’s important to consider that this setup is meant to sit in your treatment room. There are cables, and they’re long. Yes, they are unsightly but they’re no good if they’re too short.

Why not go wireless?

You may be tempted to use a wireless or a Bluetooth microphone, headset, or headphones, especially because being free from all those wires seems really sensible. I admit, I love to not have to deal with headphone wires. The fact is there isn’t a bluetooth feature on the Hypnocom 5. But, broadcasting your sessions without protection from potential other Bluetooth units picking it up is a potential confidentiality issue. One for the future that will no doubt be delivered in one way or another.

There is one over-riding issue I have to make and that’s that since a recent relocation to a business centre I have noticed that I pickup some elements of interference. I suspect some mobile phone signals and also WIFI possibly. Now, being the ever resourceful chap I am, I decided to grab some kitchen foil and wrapped it over the audio unit. It’s not ideal but would you believe it, it works. Crystal clear audio again! I suspect it simply needs a bit of shielding from modern electronic devices.

It’s not designed to look modern, it’s just meant to get the job done. That said, I’m very pleased with it. In my opinion, the system sounds just as good as anything you can put together with more expensive equipment.

Of course, none of this equipment is really necessary, but then again neither is a dedicated therapy room. As you know, I’ve done effective hypnotherapy sessions in the middle of DIY central. But like having a comfy reclining armchair and a quiet area helps your practice, so does having an audio setup that lets your client know something more immersive is happening. And it’s always reassuring you have that option when it’s needed.

Just one more thing.

Were you wondering about customer support after you’ve purchased one? Mine developed a buzzing noise whenever it was switched on. A quick call to Kev at Hypno-Quip and he immediately recommended a new power supply unit. Item arrives surprisingly quickly and it works fine again. Apparently the audio units themselves are pretty much bomb proof.

As a therapist you also need to be looking at automating your booking process…Here’s your invite to Square appointments