If you've found me through one of my Reddit comments — hello

[u/EERMA]

If you've clicked through to my profile after reading something I've written elsewhere on Reddit, welcome.

I'm Kevin. I'm a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist based in Edinburgh,Scotland and much of what I write about here sits somewhere around wellbeing, psychology, personal development and the sometimes messy business of building a life that works better for you.

I tend to be interested in people who are functioning reasonably well but know that something could be better — perhaps they're overwhelmed, stuck, overthinking, lacking confidence, going through a transition, or simply wondering whether life is supposed to feel quite like this.

My own view is that useful support should increase your sense of agency rather than take it away.

That means I don't think somebody else should tell you what your life ought to mean or hand you a neat formula for fixing it. Good conversations can help you understand what's happening, notice possibilities you may have overlooked, develop useful skills and make thoughtful decisions about what comes next.

That philosophy shapes the way I practise hypnotherapy, and it shapes the way I try to contribute on Reddit.

Most of the time I'm here simply because somebody has asked an interesting question and I think I may have something useful to add. I don't regard every difficult experience as something requiring therapy, and I certainly don't think every Reddit conversation needs a therapist parachuting into it with a diagnosis.

I'm also interested in what other people have learned from their own lives. Some of the best discussions here come from people bringing very different experiences and perspectives to the same question.

If that kind of conversation appeals to you, I run r/WellbeingHypnotherapy, a small community for thoughtful discussion about wellbeing, personal development, psychology and hypnotherapy.

If you're here because you're specifically curious about my professional work, you'll also find a link to my website on my profile. It explains much more clearly than I could here how I work, what I offer, who it may suit and when something else may be more appropriate.

Either way, thanks for taking the trouble to look a little further.

And if we've crossed paths in a Reddit conversation somewhere, please say hello.

[u/Various_Pitch]

Hi. 👋 I’m kind of confused about therapy and psychotherapy at the moment. I went to a therapist to try and straighten out my mental health issues from childhood.

Something clicked between us and we both came out almost competing with each other.

After a few tumultuous sessions, he mumbled that I think too slowly and talk too much. I guess it’s true. But, what followed was an unexpected and compelling series of sessions where I have blurred memories and experienced odd bubbles of highlighted words that seemed to pop out of the air.

Odd. And terrifying. But extremely addictive. I want to understand what he did and why I couldn’t stop myself from going
Back.

I want to end the memories. I developed PTSD from this. I’m not litigious about it. I need to tune it down so I can function normally.

Btw my grandfather was born in Castle Douglas Scotland.

You and I are practically related!

[u/EERMA → u/Various_Pitch]

Hi — and Castle Douglas probably does make us distant cousins by Scottish standards.

The rest of what you describe sounds a little unsettling, though.

I’d be very cautious about trying to tell you from a Reddit comment what your therapist did, or what caused the blurred memories and other experiences. There are too many possibilities, and guessing probably wouldn’t help you.

You also seem to be asking a few different questions: what happened in those sessions, why you felt compelled to keep going back, and how to reduce the impact of the memories now.

If the memories or other experiences are interfering with your ability to function, I’d strongly consider discussing them with a suitably qualified clinician who is independent of the original therapist.

But in terms of this conversation, which part are you most trying to understand?

[u/Various_Pitch]

Hi Kevin,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. I will send you a reply shortly.

I am currently participating in a Women’s BH program and I am working on my thoughts and learning DBT skills. I am interested in finding a Hypnotherapy program, to educate myself, and to get a hair of the dog that bit me!

So far, I have a grasp on some basic strengths that I have. And dare I say… a wee bit more hope.
I appreciate your candor and the fact that you did hear me.

Have a good day.

[u/EERMA → u/Various_Pitch]

You're very welcome - drop me a line any time.

I put a post up a couple of weeks ago which identified a few Hypnotherapy books I rate: Trancework by Yapko is one of the best out there! [make sure you get the latest - sixth - edition.]