About Me
My name is Neil Saunders and I want to help you become the best version of yourself. I have a diploma in cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy (CBH) from the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy, the only hypnotherapy training course approved by the British Psychological Society because of their entirely evidence-based approach. I also have a diploma in Stress Management and Resilience Building from the same college.
With a previous career in education, working in challenging schools in London and Norwich, my interest in mental health grew from my personal experiences of work-related stress, supporting students' mental well-being and witnessing the impact of poor mental health on colleagues and the wider community. I knew that this was an area in which I wanted to develop professionally.
Having had a longstanding interest in meditation, I trained with the Mindfulness in Schools Project (MISP), where I learnt how to teach evidence-based techniques to children in schools to enable them to develop better focus, awareness and emotional regulation. These simple practices are effective tools to help children manage stress, reduce anxiety and improve resilience. This experience prompted me to explore further training and led to me train and qualify in cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy.
Alongside my work as a cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist, I currently volunteer for the Norwich Samaritans.
My Qualifications
and professional registrations
Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (Dip CBH) from the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. This is the leading UK training centre for evidence-based hypnotherapy integrated with CBT (Hypno-CBT®) and the only school of hypnosis accredited by the British Psychological Society. The course is also accredited by NCFE, BPS, GHR, NCH and REBHP.
Registered Hypnotherapist (GHR Reg) General Hypnotherapy Register
General Qualification in Hypnotherapy Practice (GQHP) awarded by the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR)/General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC) Diploma in Stress Management and Resilience Building (Dip SMRB) from the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy, and accredited by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA)
What to expect from
Focused Attention therapy sessions
How do I work?
When working 1:1, I strongly believe in the importance of building a strong therapeutic alliance with clients. After your initial enquiry, I would arrange a time for a brief chat to discuss the issues you want to work on. Then, at our initial assessment session, we would discuss and agree to specific and appropriate therapeutic goals. The therapy sessions would then work towards these goals using tailored techniques from a combination of: hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness,and relaxation training.
Progress towards your goals can then be regularly assessed and discussed using this collaborative approach.
Between sessions, I may give you 'homework' tasks such as keeping a record of thoughts and feelings, recordings to listen to or some other activities to help consolidate the principles and skills covered in the session.
Generally we would meet for between 4 and 12 sessions, depending on the issues and your goals.
Focused Attention Stress- Management Workshops
The tools and techniques that I use in my Focused Attention therapy sessions are highly adaptable for stress-management workshops with organisations. Who wouldn't want improved levels of resilience, reduced levels of stress-related illness, increased cooperation and better working relationships? With group workshops, I keep things practical, sharing a variety of techniques for managing stress and enhancing well-being, while also discussing the theories and evidence behind them.
I can provide bespoke half-day or full-day workshops for the requirements of your organisation. Or I can deliver shorter sessions if required. Areas of focus can include combinations of the following, depending on the needs of your organisation and the depth of training you require :
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definitions and models of stress
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the physiology of stress
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styles of coping with stress
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the traditional CBT model
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The ACT model
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managing issues of perfectionism
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cognitive distortions
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sleep and stress
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strategies for increasing resilience
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coping with anger
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dealing with worry
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assertiveness
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problem-solving
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cognitive de-fusion techniques
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mindfulness / attention training
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neuromuscular relaxation
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breathing relaxation techniques
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self-hypnosis/imagery techniques
If you would like to find out more about how the Focused Attention approach can help your workforce, click the contact button below and get in touch.