Hypnotherapy for bereavement

Hypnotherapy for bereavement helps you process your grief properly.

It’s a way of helping you dial down the pain.

You have to accept that you’ll have good days and bad days.

What we’re working together to do is increase the number of good days.

And hypnotherapy for bereavement is this process.

First things first, you have to make a start. Give yourself the opportunity to process your grief properly.

This is NOT as some people think self-indulgent. It’s you processing grief properly and doing it once and for all so it doesn’t hang around.

Grief recovery through Hypnotherapy 

Hypnotherapy for bereavement gives you the opportunity to process your grief at your pace. Ideally we’re working together to get you to reach the stage where the memories of your loved one can be enjoyed without the attached pain of missing them.
Basically to teach your brain to focus on the positive. The love you shared, rather than on the sadness of your grief.
How? By understanding that your grief is not a permanent state of mind, but rather it’s a process that everyone goes through. With the help of hypnotherapy, the process will become less troubled with tension and stress and transformed into a time full of love and appreciation.
What we’re saying here is that you are not your thoughts. The painful memory may pop up from time to time, but you understand how to let it go. Remember the good times.

Taking your time with hypnotherapy and letting yourself greave gives you:

Time to be kind and patient to yourself and process your grief on your terms.
Time to focus on your other needs throughout the day, such as proper hygiene, eating properly, and getting the right amount of rest. Not letting yourself go. Think, “What’s the point”.
Remembering the person for who they were when they were alive, and not letting them be defined only by their death. You become what you give your attention to, in other words.

10 ways hypnotherapy can help with your grief.

(1). It’ll help you find times of peace where you can rest from your grief.
(2). It’ll reduce the unbearable intensity of your grief. You’ll Strat to understand that all things must pass.
(3). It’ll help you look after yourself with compassion. Be kind to yourself. Stop beating yourself up about what might have been.
(4). You can organise your grief, and grieve at your own pace instead of all the time.
(5). You can find a place for grief that does not overwhelm you.
(6). You can reconnect with the positive memories of the person you have lost.
(7). You’ll increasingly enjoy your memories without them being charged with painful feelings. Although we have to accept we aren’t machines there may well be times when you cry your eyes out. What we’re aiming for is for these to become less frequent and intense.
(8). It’ll allow you to access feelings of calm and strength
(9). It’ll help you to move on with your life without attached guilt. You’re not ‘left behind’, you have a life to be getting on with and live to the full.
(10). You’ll be empowered to get things done.

What is hypnotherapy? Frequently asked questions.

What is hypnotherapy?


Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation and focus where a person is more open to suggestions. Whilst hypnotherapy is a psychological therapy that combines hypnosis with talking therapy techniques to help you change your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Leave your grief behind. Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation and focus where a person is more open to suggestions. 



Is hypnotherapy safe?


Yes, hypnotherapy is safe and has no side effects. It's physically impossible to be stuck in hypnosis, and you can come out of it at any time. In fact you can choose to come out of hypnosis whenever you like. It’s only done with your agreement.



How many sessions are needed?


This depends on the depth of your grief and what you’re like as a person. Also I give you exercises to do between sessions - brain ‘re-training’/homework. And the more you buy into this the quicker you ‘heal’ - reduce your hurt.



Can someone be in the room with me during hypnotherapy?


Yes. Whatever it takes to make you feel safe. But you have to be totally comfortable with them being there. You speaking honestly and freely may lead to a long and awkward car trip home.


Is hypnotherapy the same as stage hypnosis?


No, stage hypnosis is for entertainment. Hypnotherapy is used for therapy.



Who am I to talk about bereavement and loss?

I’m James Thomas a Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist. I moved back to the family home to help mum nurse dad who had a high-grade glioma (brain tumour). He took 14 months to pass away. Sometimes he seemed to rally and offered mum and I a sense of hope, but overall there was a long slow glide in. It was plenty of time to talk about our lives together, the good times and happy memories. I turned him, shaved him every day and made sure he didn’t get bed sores. Mum lasted another 11 months then died in front of me in less than three hours of a massive intracranial bleed (a stroke).

Suddenly I had no parents.

That is my grief story.

Professionally I’m a Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist.

It’s to stop your thinking hurting yourself. It’s not easy, but it’s so you can live again, to understand that everything in this world is temporary and grieving for something that is lost stops you moving forward. We only get one life and we need to live it.

I remember coming back on the the ward after being given dad’s brain tumour diagnosis and hearing on the hospital radio a song. The chorus went, “Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think”. Hit me straight between the eyes.

You can reach me at jamesthomas@thegentlemind.co.uk or call me on 07787563099. I have consulting rooms in Leeds, York, Lincoln and Louth.

“Joy comes to us from those whom we love even when they are absent”. Seneca