Confidence - where has it gone?
“If i felt more ‘me’ my confidence would be back”
Reflecting on the work I do with women in my practice, I’m struck by how many times ‘confidence’ is flagged up as an issue.When I look superficially, the women that lack confidence appear calm, together, successful.
Yet there is something missing.
We dig a little deeper and discover that whilst on the outside everything seems to be going well, underneath there is a sense of anxiety – panic even, that they are not doing enough, not doing well enough. Not quite matching up to expectations.This isn’t confined to a particular group of women. I’ve seen this loss or lack of confidence in women of all ages and professions, and at all stages of life.It can appear in young women and girls on the verges of puberty. Mothers, students, career women and those entering menopause.
So what has happened to the confidence of these women?
These feelings of lack of confidence in women most often come from within, and frequently from an incident in the past which has stayed at the forefront of the mind. Often women’s confidence is further eroded by societal perceptions and comparisons, often with men, especially in the workplace. Sometimes at school.
And then there is the role played by female hormones, often neglected through a historical feeling that women should be able to manage despite the cycle of emotions created by their biological differences.
Confidence at work
Recently, I worked with a wonderful young woman who regularly received fantastic appraisals and had been offered promotion, yet still worried that she was not seen as good enough by her peer group, her colleagues and her family. This was holding her back. She wasn’t sleeping well, or doing the activities that she enjoyed, because of the ‘mind monkeys’ that played in her head whenever she wasn’t actively involved in working.
One of the enormous benefits of hypnotherapy is the way that it helps with sleep. By reducing the amount of stress that the brain has to deal with, we quieten the mind at night, and restful sleep is the result. If sleep is a problem for you you may want to work through my SLEEP course which you can access here.
Confidence at home
Another fabulous woman, at the top of her profession in law, who wouldn’t allow herself to enjoy her home life because of feelings of not being good enough. Her lack of confidence was preventing her from living her best life. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, and some work on limiting beliefs helped her to see how to get the balance back, bringing the confidence from her professional career into all areas of her life.
And another who was relying heavily on alcohol to make herself feel like the person she thought others wanted to see…
The benefit of solution focused therapy in addiction is that it creates a new way of thinking which comes from inside each client. The benefit of using our own resources, rather than suggestions or advice from outside ourselves, is that the solutions stick.
Confidence in Relationships
The ability as a woman to speak out and stand up for what you want from a relationship requires confidence. If you find yourself experiencing relationships – intimate, professional or in the family – where you don’t have a voice, hypnotherapy can help *
Womens Health and Confidence
A recent call for evidence by the British Government for women’s health has revealed the inadequacies of the health service in the UK. Too often, women have been advised that they should just ‘carry on’ . This has resulted in women living with pain, tiredness, and a multitude of symptoms.
There is hope that the medical profession will receive the training it needs to be able to properly recognise when women need treatment for their symptoms and health issues. A recent BBC news article explains more.
One of the benefits of a course of hypnotherapy is that you will feel confident to manage your health. You’ll discover your ability to speak up and get the best for yourself. Women’s health matters. You matter.
What can Hypnotherapy do to Benefit Women’s Confidence?
The process of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy creates the space that allows you to safely and clearly see the steps you need to take to create a confident future as a woman.
I fully believe that every single woman is already in possession of all the strengths and capabilities she needs to be her best and most confident female self. However, sometimes those strengths get swallowed up by a series of events, thoughts, actions, that mean we can no longer see them.
Stress creates responses that can be unhelpful, and lead to a cycle of negativity that leads to a loss of confidence.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy – The Power of Your Own Mind
Gently and effectively we peel back the layers of uncertainty until you can clearly see what you need to do to access your inner confidence. Then you can move forward at your own pace, a confident woman in your own right, because you have rediscovered your self..
Then you can enjoy your relationships, your work and your adventures secure in your self. Use the power of your own mind to find confidence with hypnotherapy
“This is my first time trying hypnotherapy. I reached a point in my life where I knew change was necessary and I desperately needed something, whatever that was. I believe the answers were in me and I just couldn’t find them. After my first session, I have felt immediately physically and mentally lighter in my head. I felt much more in control and able to deal with the many challenges in my busy family life and at work.
Each session managed to help me refocus, rebalance and build in that calmness and pause. Sally has been fantastic as a hypnotherapist. I enjoy my discussions with her and love the stories she tells to help relax my mind. Her relaxation audio has found a place in my bedtime routine. Now, I feel that I have more resources in me as I move forward in my life and I believe I am able to find my answers.”
How many sessions will I need?
This is not a one-stop, quick-fix therapy. It’s a transformative, lasting process that will stay with you for a very long time. I’m proud of the benefits that my clients experience in their lives using this approach.
Everyone is different, so it’s hard to be definitive, but usually 4-6 sessions is a good estimate, with some needing a few more. Just imagine – in 4-6 weeks – how different your life could be!
If you are ready to change your life and become the confident woman you really want to be, click the button and let’s create your dream!
Since writing this blog in 2022 , I have also started offering residential retreats. These have proved to be an excellent space and time to rediscover confidence. If you’d like to give yourself the gift of time with a 3 or 4 night break on beautiful Dartmoor, have a look at my upcoming retreats. I work with expert coaches and a brilliant chef. Our accommodation is luxurious and cosy, and you are very welcome!
