Hypnotherapy
Why Choose Hypnotherapy?
There is global evidence to support the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in helping a growing number of issues. Including, IBS, anxiety, panic attacks, stress reduction/resilience, pain management, quitting unwanted habits, motivation, confidence, fear and phobias, OCD, Low mood, children/behaviour, Claire can also use hypnotherapy to improve sports performance, help pass your driving test or exams, public speaking... Not mentioned - get in touch, We can discuss how I can help you!
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis -a relaxed state of mind, where the unconscious mind is more open to suggestion, allowing therapy to be very effective.
Whilst in a hypnotic trance awareness is present, giving you control over the session. (No Elvis or chicken impressions). Most people find the experience relaxing and awaken with a sense of well-being.
During hypnotherapy the unconscious part of your mind responds well to suggestion, stories and metaphor.
Sometimes regression may be necessary to get to the source of your issue. I will guide you through the process in a safe, caring environment.
Hypnotherapy involves more than just the hypnosis part. I take a thorough history, so I can tailor therapy to you.
and include a combination of other therapy techniques during the healing process, including
Counselling skills, Neuro Linguistic Programming and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
There is a commitment required on your part for hypnotherapy to be effective.
Tasks and audios will be provided for use between sessions.
Most clients require 4 to 6 sessions, depending on the issue and how long they’ve had that particular issue. Is there anything I can help you with?
Contact me to book or for further information.
Claire Castro
Hello,
My name is Claire Castro, I am a Yoga Teacher, Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master Teacher, and Cacao Ceremony and Circle Holder.
I also work part time as a Radiographer Specialist within the NHS and have over 30 years' experience in the clinical setting.
As a great fan of health, balance and wellbeing, I am inspired from my own experiences to empower others to reach their goals. Creating healthy minds, body and spirit.
Often feeling imbalanced, frustrated and emotionally drained, I began to question-
The outlook of health being mainly on the physical and how I could help change this?
Being empowered by the difference yoga, meditation, reiki and hypnotherapy made improving balance in my life, and caring for others, I have trained as an Elemental Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master Teacher, Hypnotherapy Practitioner, and Cacao Plant Medicine Circle Holder. All whilst still working in radiography.
I offer personalized reiki and hypnotherapy sessions designed to help you lead a balanced, healthy and harmonious life.
As a passionate therapist, I enjoy working one-on-one with you and also offer in groups sessions. In my York practice and online.
I enjoy weaving all these skills into work and everyday life.
Yoga, relaxation and circle have many wonderful nourishing benefits for your mind, body, spirit and soul.
Increased feelings of calm and happiness, stimulate your creativity, let go of stress and boost your immunity.
I love to see the difference It makes.
Please have a browse on the website or contact me for more information and to answer any questions you may have.
For hypnotherapy sessions I recommend a free Discovery Call Back with myself. Where we can have an informative chat and answer any questions you may have. A chance to see if I am the right therapist for you and how I can help you, with no obligation to book.
Professional Qualifications and Accredited CPD include:
BSc(hons) Diagnostic Radiography
Certificate in Counselling skills
Diploma in Professional Hypnotherapy (DIP PH)
Certificate in NLP Skills (CERT NLPS)
Certificate in Hypno-Coaching
Reiki Level One (Shoden)
Reiki Level Two Practitioner (Okuden)
Reiki Level Three and Four Master Teacher (Shinpiden)
Cacao Ceremony and Circle Training
Mental Health First Aid at Work
200 hour Elemental Yoga Teacher
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What Is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis- a deep state of relaxation, during which the unconscious mind is more open to suggestion, allowing for beneficial changes in ideas or behaviour to occur.
Very simply put, the mind can be thought off as functioning in either conscious or unconscious (subconscious) levels. As shown in the Iceberg Model of the Mind.
The unconscious mind is responsible for automatic functions of the body, dreaming, imagination, emotions and forming automatic habits. It remembers everything storing memory files and information for the conscious mind to access and make decisions. Its instinct is survival.
The conscious mind is analytical and logical, it also wants to protect you. Because it relies on the information stored by your unconscious mind, problems can occur if that information is misfiled, distorted or not a true reflection of reality. This is how issues like fears and phobias develop. Habits, even unhealthy ones like smoking can become almost “automatic”.
Hypnotherapy is effective here because during hypnosis the analytical conscious mind is less active and the unconscious mind is more open to suggestion. Hypnosis can change these misfiles, distortions of reality, or unwanted behaviors and create healthier habits and change.
The number of sessions required is usually 4 to 6.
There are many ways to induce hypnosis including relaxation and focus techniques. Claire will use those most suited to you and a number of therapy techniques to address and tailor therapy to your individual needs. One size does not fit all. A multidimensional approach towards therapy is adopted. You will be guided through the process.
Audios are provided for your continued use at home and in some cases tasks are given in between sessions to support your progress.
Iceberg Model of the Mind
Above sea level is the Conscious Mind
Below sea level is the Unconscious
or Subconscious Mind
Smoking Cessation
Are you ready for better health? Do you want to feel fitter and live longer? Perhaps you want to save Money?
There is so much support out there to help you stop smoking. Perhaps you have tried to quit before and failed?
Hypnotherapy with me may be just that extra help you need for giving up smoking once and for all.
Do you feel yourself wavering to old habits and would like a check in session to stay on track? Get in touch, I would love to help.
I offer a Smoking Cessation Program. Contact me to for further information or to book.
Resilience and Stress
Reducing stress and teaching resilience is a large part of all my sessions, whatever you may come to see me for.
Stress can impact all areas of our life. Relationships, family, work, children, happiness, overall health, fertility, immunity and habit formation to name a few. Without help and intervention stress can have implications for our future health and quality of life. It is so important to be stress aware, release stresses, form healthy habits and take steps towards self-care within our daily routines.
In some situations, the stressor cannot be avoided- like during war and covid pandemics. This is where resilience training comes in.
Menopause
Peri-menopause and menopause can be a difficult transition for women, and indeed a "what is going?" on time. Talking openly with others, including your GP is key. It's an essential time to have a thorough health check. I have many tools in my hypnotherapy kit which can support you through this stage of life- Reducing hot flashes, itchy skin, anxiety, mood swings, and more.
Do get in touch, I would love to support you through this transition.
Irritable Bowel
Hypnotherapy has undergone many clinical trials to prove its role in improving Irritable bowel type symptoms. For IBS, and other functioning inflammatory bowel disease, like Ulcerative Colitis.
My Gastro-Intestinal Consultant recommend gut directed hypnotherapy to me during assessment, explaining its success for many of his clients, (apologising it was not available on the NHS anymore, due to lack of funding). This was my first experience with hypnotherapy, and along with conventional medicine, achieved amazing results for me.
Whilst it can significantly help improve IBS symptoms, they may not totally disappear.
Past Life Regresssion
Whether you believe Past Life Regression is down to imagination or real, it attracts great Intrigue.
It can be used for fun or as an invaluable healing tool.
Whichever your reasons for searching out PLR, I am highly skilled, supporting you through this exciting journey and will provide you with any necessary aftercare should you require it.
Past life regression as a healing tool:
Sometimes, looking beyond our own life has the answers, a significant event in a past life may require healing to move on in the present. A very visceral, totally unexplained reaction or fear in your present life, that has not responded to other therapy techniques including age regression, may benefit from therapy within past life regression.
Revisiting a past life can gain insight and healing into your present life and soul journey. Go back in time to borrow resources and learn lessons from previous lives, ancestors or access the Akashic records.
Intrigued to explore for yourself? Is it a real experience or a fascinating trick of the imagination?
I offer PLR services, respecting all PLR beliefs, giving support and aftercare.
Inclusion and Neurodiversity
Being an advocate for mental health, acceptance, awareness and inclusion of diversity, is close to my heart.
I run an autism friendly business. Knowing that all individual needs differ - please get in touch to discuss your needs.
You may be going through a transition,
Or need support whilst waiting for an autism diagnosis.
The time around my own son's diagnosis was long and difficult.
I would love to help you anyway I can.
My services are available in-person, on-line or occasionally by home visit. Unfortunately, my practice is not accessible by wheelchair.
I offer a few voluntary hours of my time for those in financial difficulty.
Weight loss
Perhaps you have tried and exhausted all areas trying to loose weight?
Let me support you through a comprehensive hypnotherapy plan for weight loss.
Where you will:
Look at your goals, set targets, become motivated for exercise, make healthy habits, food choices and sized portions, heal emotions and relationships with food and pace your healthy way forward! I will give you many tools to help you succeed your weight loss goal!
I also offer the Virtual Gastric Band Style technique within my Weight Loss Program.
Are you ready? I would love to support you. Contact me to for further information or to book.
Hospital Related
Anxiety, fears and phobias may prevent you from reaching your hospital appointments or delaying the healthcare you need, through no fault of your own. With my Radiography background this is an area I feel very passionate about, so I have voluntary hours set aside for clients with- Scan related claustraphobia, fear of injections, and anxiety towards radiology tests.
I aim to be inclusive, however, hypnotherapy does have some contraindications, please refer to my policies section.
Fertility and Childbirth
From preparing for pregnancy, pregnancy, birthing, and early parenting stages.
I can support you through your fertility journey, using stress reduction, coping strategies, and healthy visualizations.
Hypnotherapy is alongside your midwife or consultant-led care. It does not act as a substitute for medical care.
Cacao Circle & Ceremony
Sacred Cacao Circle Ceremony is a special gathering for like minded women to enjoy a nutritious, heart opening drink of cacao, quiet their minds and connect to their inner wisdom. The Circle has a theme which follows our own energy and Natures rythyms. Magic happens when women connect in circle and share their stories, creating a safe and sacred space for deep healing. To experience this yourself, you can contact me to book a 1-1 Sacred Cacao Ceremony with me or join my Women's Cacao Circles.
Yoga
1-1 available.
Gentle Yoga & Relaxation classes
I am so excited to be offering a new class!
Venue- Bishopthorpe Village Hall
When- Tuesdays at 7.30pm
Your Investment- £40 for a 4 week block
£12 drop in
Yoga and relaxation greatly benefits health and well- being of mind, body and spirit.
Class themes are developed around the rhythm's of nature, the elements, present energies, and cultivating habits for better health and wellbeing.
Yoga practice will focus on all levels of yoga- the body, mind, emotions, energy and spirit.
I believe relaxation to be one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, which is why my classes include plenty of relaxation.
Have you noticed when you slow down and relax, like when you are on holiday how wonderful you feel, how your creativity kicks in?
Regular relaxation increases your ability to cope, reduces stress, boosts immunity and makes you more productive.
Yoga to destress, balance, calm, digest, process, heal, gain perspective, connect and much more!
A typical class with me will involve settling in and an introduction to the class and it's theme.
A gentle warm up with body wisdom flow.
Energy cultivation.
Yoga sequence.
A few yoga postures.
Breath work (not always).
And end with a wonderful relaxation.
All levels are welcome, working at what feels right for your body, modifications are provided.
To Book
Contact Claire 07792871961
clairecastro8gmail.com
Reiki
Relax and rejuvenate with the beautiful energy of reiki. Reiki, meaning universal energy, is the universal life force flowing within all living beings. It is safe for all and is not bound by religion. Most people experience a deep sense of relaxation. During a Reiki treatment, I will act as a channel for this beautiful energy to relax and rejuvenate you. Working intuitively. Holding you in a safe space.
Usui Reiki is a simple, graceful energy with ancient Japanese origins. Mikao Usui originally taught the method as a way of achieving Satori, healing oneself, and helping others to find their spiritual path. The healing aspects were just one part of his teachings, not the focus. To simplify his teachings, he wrote the five reiki principles- to be contemplated and lived by:
The Five Principles of Reiki:
- Just for today, I will not anger,
-Just for today, I will not worry,
-Just for today, I will show gratitude,
-Just for today, I will be honest and work with integrity,
-Just for today, I will be kind to all living things.
Book now to enjoy the beautiful experience of Reiki.
Reiki Session
A reiki session may be hands on or just hovering above. Although not part of traditional reiki, I may use crystals to enhance energy flow.
Reiki Training - All Levels
As a qualified Reiki Master Teacher, I enjoy sharing and bringing beautiful Reiki into even more lives. Teaching all Levels of Reiki: Shodden, Okuden, and Shinpiden.
No training dates available.
Distant Reiki
Reiki transcends distance and time. Allowing healing from distances and along timelines. Past present and future.
Plant and Pet Reiki
Reiki is not just for humans, it works on pets, plants, situations, and places too.
Very professional, the reiki had a wonderful calming effect. My head, which normally feels like cotton wool feels calm and my mind is"not busy" It just feels calm, really calm.
Vera
Claire exceeded my expectations with hypnotherapy to reduce stress and stop smoking. After sessions I would feel completely relaxed. I particularly enjoyed Claire's use of parable.