Much of the work I have done over the years has been to help clients with deep-rooted issues that they did not fully realise they had. Sure, they were aware of the symptoms – whether low mood, anxiety, procrastination, relationship problems, IBS, headaches etc – but they had not connected these symptoms to something deeper that was underlying.
For such clients, it would often feel as if they were being hijacked by a part of their mind that had its own agenda, and they would lose the ability to be present and make useful choices about their well-being and state of mind.
Behind such symptoms is almost always a web of limiting beliefs, suppressed or repressed feelings and coping/defensive strategies. It makes living like driving with a foot on the brake pedal.
Provided the client is genuinely ready to change and to explore their subconscious mind and deeper experience, the solution is never too far away. There is always an underlying sense of something that is the portal to healing.
Yes, it might require a small number of sessions and a little discomfort (there are exceptions – especially with severely traumatised clients who often require many more sessions) but genuine transformation is not far away. Occasionally, an apparent miracle takes place and one session changes everything. But more often than not, it is necessary to do a little bit of ongoing work to deeply change the patterns of the mind.
It has always astounded me how people will invest large sums in cars, holidays and such things, yet they neglect to invest in themselves.
It is often said, that happiness is within. It really is – sometimes you can discover that yourself and sometimes you will need an experienced therapist or coach.
Ask yourself – what is my level of wellbeing and happiness? If you score less than 8 you probably could do with a little bit of mind maintenance.
Steven Lane is a psychological therapist, hypnotherapist and transformational life coach with 25,000 hours of experience.