I trained with NCTH in Leicester throughout 2007-08. Although I loved my training and the skills it gave me, actually qualifying was another matter.  I was always clear that I wanted to continue practicing hypnotherapy after qualifying but that was easier said than done, as I found the biggest obstacle to achieving this goal was me. 

I began to practice from home, on friends and family this was a great lesson for me as I soon realised that this wasn’t an ideal working space. I was limited because I had a family and also it was my space. I worked during the day and home was my relaxation space, therefore exploring people’s issues and concerns with them I found encroached on this.  My next step was to find other Hypnotherapist and work alongside them, discussing case studies and self-employment strategies, I found other practitioners really open to sharing their successes and case studies, research information and courses available.

I found this time to be invaluable, I was even lucky enough to sit in on some therapy sessions with the client’s consent and observe how the sessions were broken down and how the clinic bookings and client care is accomplished.

We decided to move to West Yorkshire, to Hebden Bridge to have that work/ life balance and spend more time together as a family.  I knew then that it was time to put into practice what I had learnt. I began looking for clinic space; I had a clear vision of how I wanted it to look and after a couple of months had finally found somewhere.  I was looking for space that was welcoming, easy to relax in without computers or telephones. I wanted it to be a serious therapy room but with colour and character, something that wasn’t too clinical. Rent was something I had to consider as it affects the cost of sessions and the accessibility for clients.  My biggest concern was being a solo practitioner, so I made sure that I found a clinic with other practitioners and therapists. I also contacted other local Hypnotherapists which was a really positive experience. 

A friend of mine designed my logo and website and I sent my work off to the local printers to get my marketing material published.  Once I was ready to launch I rang local advertising papers which are free to the community and local businesses and placed my advert, everything I was doing was a learning curve for me and often as deflating as it was inflating.

In every step of the way I learnt more about myself, for most of the distance I had the enthusiasm but lacked in the self-belief.  I surrounded myself with different people to help me keep believing in what I was doing and my abilities within that scope, all of those people have mentored me into the practice I run today, I consider myself very privileged.

For me being successful isn’t about how many people book into my clinic, but how effective I can use hypnotherapy with each individual I work with. That’s how my practice builds, it builds from my self-belief.

For more information about Karen's hypnotherapy practice please look at her website- www.yourmindworks.co.uk

If you are interested in finding out more about Hypnotherapy we have taster courses running at the moment- Follow the link for more information on Taster Courses