Below are some our most frequently asked questions.
‘Mindfulness’ is taken from eastern systems of meditation, most notably from Buddhism. Despite these influences you don’t have to be a Buddhist to benefit from these psychological methods. By learning to watch our thoughts and become aware of our thinking habits, we can gain insight into how we disturb ourselves and how we can manage the process of thinking and the experiencing of emotions within the body. Combined with CBT, therapeutic work may be powerfully enhanced, leading to an experiential and even existential shift. ‘Mindfulness Training’ is the teaching of specific techniques from which increased awareness may be cultivated and built into daily life.
Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way, on purpose in the present moment, in a non-judgmental way. By paying attention to the present moment we spend less time thinking about the past or worrying about the future, where unhealthy thought processes often give rise to needless negative emotions. Because we do not pay attention to ‘how’ we pay attention we think we see the world for what it is, but actually we do not - rather we see our own often tainted and biased version.
Mindfulness can be practiced sitting down in a chair or in the traditionally cross legged seated fashion, but more importantly whilst experiencing daily life from moment-to-moment e.g. mindful breathing, moving, walking, eating, thinking, listening, tasting, smelling etc. It should not be confused with other types of meditation which use imagery or simple relaxation, however relaxation may be an additional outcome of mindfulness practice.
Jamie is an experienced practitioner of mindfulness meditation and has been practicing for fourteen years. He also runs mindfulness support groups in many London based universities, the NHS and in Highgate, North London for the public - click here for a link to information about this group and also how to book a place.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a scientific and evidence-based form of psychological treatment, which is usually effective in the short-term but can also be carried out in the longer term if necessary. Research has proven CBT to be highly effective with a number of mental health issues and is advocated by the government, as outlined in the NICE clinical guidelines.
CBT therapists show their clients how they are maintaining their problems and blocking themselves in the present moment from pursuing their goals. A CBT therapist will focus on the irrational beliefs a client is holding about events, which affect the view they have of themselves, others and the world. These irrational beliefs largely contribute to the consequential unhealthy emotions, behaviours and further thoughts that an individual may experience. CBT advocates the active challenging of these irrational beliefs and changing them with force and vigour to new rational ways of thinking, which are flexible, realistic, logical and helpful in nature. These changes may substantially contribute towards experiencing healthier emotions and pursuing more constructive forms of behaviour with a wide variety of problems.
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state that we experience on a daily basis. We focus internally to the exclusion of all other things, much like day-dreaming or being absorbed in a good book, entering an altered state of awareness. Within this state our minds become sensitive to suggestion allowing communication with both the conscious and unconscious parts of the mind.
‘Hypnotherapy’ is the artificial induction of this state through intense feelings of relaxation and imagery, for therapeutic and clinical purposes. Unconscious processes can be influenced, helping to change our symptoms, behaviours, thoughts and emotions for the better. It is not the same as sleep as the patient can drift in and out of awareness during a session.
Cognitive Behaviour Hypnotherapy is the inclusion of hypnosis and vivid imagery, in deepening the effects of CBT. CBT is enhanced in a deeply relaxed state with various imagined scenarios appropriate to the clinical issue being treated. This way of working may not be used with all clients as it will depend on the symptoms and issues that the client presents with.
During hypnosis a client will remain in control at all times and the unconscious mind will always retain the ability to discriminate against suggestions that are not in line with their goals. A client may drift in and out of conscious awareness but will always be able to wake up. Hypnotherapy is as safe as going to sleep at night. The only factor that may vary here is the level of training that the therapist has. Jamie is trained in hypnotherapy to the highest standard as well as having lectured on the topic. He also adheres to the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis code of ethics and holds full professional indemnity insurance.
This will depend on the scale and type of problem(s). A client may also wish to work on other issues after the initial problem has been resolved, so the length of therapy can vary greatly ranging from 1 to 20+ sessions. How many sessions a client needs will be approximately determined in the first session in which a clinical assessment will be taken.
An individual session runs between 60-90 minutes. The first session will include an initial assessment of your needs and will last for 90 minutes. Subsequent sessions will last for 60 minutes and are usually weekly (however they can be 90/120 minutes should a client request this).
Please email Jamie for pricing details and full costs shall be made clear before attending any session. Payment is usually made prior to any session by bank transfer or alternatively it can be paid by cash on the day. Fees are straight forward and uncomplicated and there are no hidden costs.
IMPORTANT NOTE - ANY CANCELLATIONS OR TRANSFERS OF APPOINTMENTS MUST BE MADE NO LESS THAN 24 HOURS NOTICE TO AVOID CHARGE.
Making an appointment is easy, simply call or email us and you will be able to make an appointment with Jamie straight away. If there is no answer please do leave a message as I may well be in session with a client and unable to answer.
If you wish to make an appointment or enquire for a friend or family member, that too is fine. Just ask them to contact us in the same way or alternatively you can make the appointment for them if they are unable to do so themselves. Note however, I only work with adults (16+) at present.
If your questions remain unanswered feel free to get in touch for an initial discussion, by email or phone.
Yes, I am frequently asked to come into a wide variety of businesses to help them with issues relating to employee wellbeing. Currently I am providing sessions for staff anxious about giving presentations and also in-house Mindfulness training for heightened focus and stress reduction. For further information please see the tab entitled ‘Training’ or simply call or email.