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Hypnosis

As a Hypno-psychotherapist I utilise this approach for a range of presenting conditions. Hypno-psychotherapy aims to utilises focuses and skilled communication aimed at harnessing an individuals imagination in a way that helps elicit changes in some perceptions, sensations, feelings, thoughts and behaviours. The verbal communications used by the psychotherapist can be considered as suggestions which are utilised with the use of trance which is a particular frame of mind which is characterised by:

- Focused Attention
- Absorption in some activity, image, thought or feeling
- Disattention to extraneous stimuli

Hypnosis and Trauma

There has been many published clinical reports illustrating the use of hypnosis in the treatment of Trauma and Dissociative Disorders. For example in a Randomly Controlled trial (Brom, Kleber & Defare, 1989) indicated that the use of hypnosis was particularly effective for intrusion symptoms e.g. flashbacks. Therefore emerging research indicates that hypnosis can be used as an effective adjunct for the treatment of PTSD (Spiegel et al, 2000). It is crucially important for any practitioner using Hypnosis to be competent in understanding the steps to take to ensure risks and dangers associated with false memory are reduced through the approach of ‘free recall’ and adherence to a trauma focused approach.

Anxiety Disorders

The treatment of anxiety utilises self control training, cognitive therapy and exposure techniques is an empirically supported method. By reverse engineering and working backwards it can help identify:

- Catastrophic thinking
- Identify what went wrong when the danger system became sensitised (fight or flight response)
- Identify the aspects relating to ‘anxiety expectancy’ and also ‘avoidance'
- Using techniques to systematically reverse and restore healthy functioning

Choosing a practitioner

It is important to choose a qualified hypnotherapist who has undertaken all the necessary training to understand the theory and practice of hypnotherapy.  You can check whether a hypnotherapist is registered with the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) by searching the register at www.cnhc.org.uk. By choosing a practitioner registered with the CNHC you can be confident that they are properly trained, qualified and insured.

My training

I have completed a 4 year training as a Hypno-psychotherapist (my Membership Organisation of UKCP is the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy). I have also completed various trainings in the treatment of trauma disorders by using hypnosis as an adjunct to treatment e.g. Certified Specialist in Hypnosis and PTSD with the American Hypnosis Association.

What is Child Psychotherapy?

As a child psychotherapists I work with individual children and young people with a wide variety of difficulties, mainly this connected with providing forms of support to assist the recovery from the impact of  abuse, trauma and neglect. These difficulties are normally experienced by families and professionals as being either described as being associated with ‘internalising’ or ‘externalising’ behaviours which bring about concerns and the wish to provide a form of support to ensure the maximising of potential across all areas of the child’s life (educational, peer relationships,etc)

Predictability and structure is crucially importance to develop a therapeutic space for the children. Therefore I utilise a regular times and setting to support with this. My work generally focuses on using a three stage model of trauma treatment the first of which is to attain safety, stabilisation and increase affect regulation (reducing externalising or internalising behaviours).  To ensure there is an ability to prioritise treatment areas an assessment can ensure the work can focus on reducing those symptoms which cause the most impact e.g. anxiety, depression, anger, hyper-arousal etc.   

Professional Training

I have a Post Qualifying Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People, Certificate in Child Clinical Assessment and completed a range of trainings to enable me to be Registered as a Child Psychotherapist (UKCP) . I have been instrumental in developing a range of programs to help children and young people e,g, Trauma Informed Residential Child Care, The EQUIP program for conduct disorder and also the Adapted SOTP for sexually problematic behaviour.

Experience

I have worked for over 25 years with children and young people and supported families, adoptive parents, foster carers, schools, residential children homes and secure welfare and criminal justice environments

Counselling, Psychotherapy and Assessments

Hello my name is Richard Cross. I am a consultant psychotherapist who has worked with children, young people and adults for over 24 years. I am dedicated to working in partnership with my clients to create a sense of empowerment and safety, where at times, it is not about 'Getting back how things were'  but about getting to a 'New Place'.

As a psychotherapist, my goal is to help, support and guide you on your journey through the development of a safe emotionally containing peace where you integrate the difficulties which come around in your life and ensure we maximise your true potential.

While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to ensure the emotional experiences that these can create don't come around in your daily life to cause a distress.  By doing so we can better understand and resolve challenges in your life e.g.  use TF-CBT or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) to effectively process traumatic memories within an attachment orientated psychotherapy process (with children and young people I utilise appropriate approaches e.g. play based clinical assessment).

If you're looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you're just ready to move in a new direction in your life, I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.

Providing individual, couples and family counselling.

Treatment specialization includes:

• Psychotherapy for children, young people and adults e.g. attachment, trauma and dissociation
• Parenting Support (families, foster carers)
• Sexual addiction , compulsivity and other addictions (men and woman)
• Expert Witness Work (child abuse and neglect)
• Stress Management
• Consultancy regards looked after children

 Richard Cross

BSc (Hons) Psychol., DHP., Adv Dip SMT., Cert in Child Clinical Assessment, PQD Counseling Children and Young People
MESTD., MISSTD., MCCP., MEAP., UKCP Registered Psychotherapist &  Child Psychotherapist