ABOUT ME
Hypnosis and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are a powerful, proven combination
DEBORAH MENDS - HYPNOTHERAPIST
I combine hypnotherapy with cognitive behavioural therapy, focusing on the now and getting you feeling better as quickly as possible. Through this combination, we can build on resources you didn't even know you had.
In the years before becoming a hypnotherapist, I worked as a visual thinking consultant, researcher, author and conference speaker on creativity and the brain, and as a trainer in neuroscience-based drawing instruction. I continued my exploration of the visual mind with a view to helping and healing, which led me to hypnotherapy.
After humanities diplomas from New York University and the Université de Paris III, I became an International Coach Federation (ICF) coach and I studied cognitive-behavioural therapy at the University of Derby and the Beck Institute. I discovered my passion for hypnotherapy, and trained with the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy; later furthering my training with the Jacquin Hypnosis Academy.
I am extremely committed to continual professional development and I have trained extensively in a wide range of specialised hypnosis techniques, allowing me to use a wide range of tools and experience to help my clients.
I am a registered member of:
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EFT (tapping)
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Bilateral stimulation for trauma treatment
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ACT Therapy (training with Dr Russ Harris, renowned for the bestseller The Happiness Trap)
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Transformational dreamwork for personal development, training with Dr Susan Sims Smith, Jungian psychotherapist, and Bob Hoss, Gestalt psychologist and former president of the International Association for the Study of Dreams.
I am a GHR Authorised Supervisor, coaching students and offering supervision privately and at the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy.
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The International Coach Federation (ICF)
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The National Guild of Hypnotists (USA)
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The American Psychological Association (USA)
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The General Hypnotherapy Register (UK)
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The Jacquin Hypnotherapy Association (UK)
My further training has included:
MEET MY ASSISTANT, WATSON
There aren't many assistants quite like Watson. He's a Yorkshire Terrier who has served by my side in my study as a therapy dog for several years. He's the cutest assistant around.
I had been searching for a puppy to adopt for around a year, looking for a puppy with the special personality needed for a therapy dog: calm, yet sociable. I met a lovely, reputable breeder in Brittany, who identified two potential puppies with the personality traits I was looking for.
One of them was especially curious and friendly, and I settled my choice on him, telling the breeder his name would be Watson, like Sherlock Holmes’ faithful companion. When I went to pick him up six weeks later, she presented me with my Yorkshire pup and his pedigree, that stated: “Dr John Watson”.
Today, Watson is in the study with us in sessions, on a leash. He generally warns me when someone is approaching our door, warmly welcomes the client, sleeps quietly during the session, and wakes up to say good-bye.
Watson has a wonderful sensitivity to the difficult emotions of my clients. When he senses it, he awakens and leaves his bed to pull on his leash toward the client.
If the client wishes so, with their permission I release him, and Watson runs straight to their lap to give them his gentle affection. In this way, he has helped soothe the emotional pain of my clients. He also plays with and relaxes clients who are children, playing with them until they relax.
