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Welcome to "Hypnotherapy Reflections: From Training to Practice!" Join us as we dive into inspiring stories of individuals who chose to train with CPHT as solution-focused hypnotherapists and transformed their lives. Discover how their specialised training empowered them to become successful practitioners, profoundly impacting their clients and communities. Each episode features candid interviews, valuable insights, and practical tips from seasoned hypnotherapists who share their journey, challenges, and triumphs. Whether considering this rewarding career or seeking motivation to elevate your practice, "Hypnotherapy Reflections" offers the inspiration and knowledge you need. Subscribe now and embark on a journey of transformation and success in the world of solution-focused hypnotherapy!
So welcome to our latest episode of hypnotherapy reflections from training to practice. Today, we have the lovely Jodie with us. And she's been qualified for a little while now. So she qualified as a solution focused hypnotherapist at our St. Alban School, which is just recently moved to Watford.
Gary Johannes:So it's between the 2. So we're gonna explore Jodie's journey, the unique insights she has, both personal and those she's gained from CPhD, and the powerful impact of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and what it's had for her and her clients. So get ready for an inspiring conversation, highlighting that transformative power of hypnotherapy. So, Jodie, better introduce yourself.
Jodie Clayton:Hi. So I'm Jodie Clayton. I'm I'm based in East London, which is at Borderline Essex. I'm half and half. And, yeah, when did I graduate?
Jodie Clayton:It was December 2022. So it's been
Gary Johannes:2 years.
Jodie Clayton:A while now. Yeah. Quite a while now. And it's honestly the best decision I ever made. So, yeah, I'm here.
Jodie Clayton:I'm happy to be on here and yeah.
Gary Johannes:What's what's your hypnotherapy practice, ma'am?
Jodie Clayton:Forward Thinking Hypnotherapy. Forward
Gary Johannes:Thinking Hypnotherapy. Okay. So as you know, I've got a bunch of questions I I like to ask just to get into nitty gritty. So interestingly, one of the first things to ask is what motivated you, that lovely young Jodie? What motivated you to pursue training as a hypnotherapist?
Jodie Clayton:Okay. So if we rewind a few more years back to when I start before I started started training, I was actually suffering with panic attacks myself, which I had when I was younger. But for some reason, they resurfaced again, and I just couldn't get control over them. So I did try everything, and the doctors weren't much help, my doctor. Some other therapies, which didn't really work for me.
Jodie Clayton:That short term worked, but didn't really do the job. And then it got to a point where I felt a bit helpless. And my mom pointed me in the direction of hypnotherapy because she found someone and spoke to someone, actually, Kira.
Gary Johannes:Yeah.
Jodie Clayton:I booked in positions with Kira. I think I had about 8 or 8 to 12 sessions overall, and it was so impactful. It changed my life so much. Not only did I get rid of the panic attacks, it would just improve my life in so many different areas. I was like, I have to do this and leave my school job, which is causing me so much stress, and then train to be a solution focused therapist.
Jodie Clayton:Because I thought if that's how much it helped me, how many people could I help Yeah. If more people know about it. So
Gary Johannes:Wow. So that was the catalyst what started you to think you could do this because it helped you so much. I mean, that's a you know, it's a it's a regular story. We hear it often. But when you hear it, and that was so important, and it changed your life completely.
Gary Johannes:So you said your teaching job. So what was your career before you started hypnotherapy as it was?
Jodie Clayton:So I was in a primary school work with, SEN children. So I was Oh. Yeah. Like, the younger younger side of primary school. So it was quite a stressful job.
Jodie Clayton:Had its good days, but, yeah, it was quite stressful. It was quite a lot of work. Enjoyed it at times, but I think I done I done my years there, and I was ready to move on
Gary Johannes:to get that. Absolutely. You do some other stuff as well. Was that
Jodie Clayton:the other
Gary Johannes:role you did? Or to
Jodie Clayton:So alongside that, I also dance, which I was more professional when I was a bit younger. Right. Yeah. So I was working that alongside that, but now I'm more doing hypnotherapy. But I do still dance here and there.
Gary Johannes:Is that a high pressure industry?
Jodie Clayton:I would say yeah. Year like, years ago when I was more in the industry, it's definitely a lot of pressure because it's that comparison. It's always auditions. Am I good enough? Constantly.
Gary Johannes:Right. Okay. So the
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. I think if I would have had hypnotherapy years before, maybe I would have excelled more in that direction. But
Gary Johannes:So you could see that value there as well.
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. Definitely.
Gary Johannes:Okay. So you dance. You worked as an SEN teacher, which sounds like an amazing role, but it's definitely very stressful. We see a lot of teaching profession come to our course. Look, you're now doing hypnotherapy all the time from what I understand.
Gary Johannes:So what if I do to transition into the field of hypnotherapy where you were the hypnotherapist? That was your role.
Jodie Clayton:I just wanted a career change. I wanted to work for myself. And I always knew I wanted to work for myself because I feel like well-being is so important to me. It's such high up my list, and I couldn't find a job where I could prioritize that. Where I feel like now, I've found a job.
Jodie Clayton:I can work for myself. I genuinely believe in what I'm doing, and I'm so passionate about it.
Gary Johannes:Yes.
Jodie Clayton:I enjoy it. I never wake up. I never dread about going to work. It just feels like I'm sounds a bit cliche, but, like, living the dream. Like, I'm just doing what I wanna do.
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. Yeah. I work work around my life. And Yeah. Yeah.
Jodie Clayton:I think, think, yeah, probably the happiest I've ever been, which is So no.
Gary Johannes:That's really good. And and you did say earlier that you'd had lots of different therapies and support to help you through those challenging times you had. But, ultimately, you ended up training with CPhD, which, is a solution focused. How did you, you know, find CPhD? What made you the decision, you know, to choose the program?
Gary Johannes:Because we're very solution focused, very Yeah. Scientific based. So what made you choose that over all the types of therapy out there when you decided you wanna help people?
Jodie Clayton:I think I just really liked the approach. Like, when I worked with Kiera who also also, also trained with CPhD, and she's a supervisor in C. Now No.
Gary Johannes:She's not a supervisor.
Jodie Clayton:She's not. She's okay. Well, she's part of the gang.
Gary Johannes:Yeah.
Jodie Clayton:I just love the approach so much because I I was I was after every session, I felt like I was leaving with something and more information. And I just thought I just trusted her advice to go and train with where she trained because I wanted to be like her, basically. Yeah.
Gary Johannes:Wow. And and you you are. So that's you know? You're you're absolutely how are you finding it in business?
Jodie Clayton:I'm really enjoying the whole process of building a business because I know a lot of people feel overwhelmed. And I know a lot of people that not a good stranger. A few people that I trained with maybe are not doing it full time like I am because they struggled with building the business up. But I've, I've done okay. Like, I've been consistent.
Jodie Clayton:I've actually one of my good friends is a business coach, so he's kind of glad to be in, like Yeah. How to do, what's to and I think it's really important to have someone to guide you because it's so easy to fall off.
Gary Johannes:Like, I
Jodie Clayton:haven't trained in marketing and business. So it's like getting that extra hand and that reminder that you need to do this, that. Yeah. It's been it's been a journey. Like, I do have some days when I'm like, oh my god.
Jodie Clayton:I need to get clients. But I've just learned, don't worry, and they come. Like, as long as I'm doing lots
Gary Johannes:of people out there, isn't there, who who need that help. So how has training with CPhT shaped your approach to working with clients? Because before you trained, you was already working in in the field of helping people and particularly SEN, but you're now trained at CPHT. How has that in itself shaped the way you work with clients?
Jodie Clayton:It's just very logical and solution focused. It's what do you mean? Like, re relay that question a little bit.
Gary Johannes:Well, it's the way it shaped it because we as human beings, we naturally go, we wanna help people. We wanna do the best for people. But you've learned I hope you've learned a great deal of, understanding of people, but from a solution focused approach. So, historically, it's very easy to jump in to try and help put somebody, but you're doing, like you said, a very logical style. Has that shaped the way you now react to what people say to you?
Jodie Clayton:Oh, yeah. Definitely. Like, now I know the neuroscience behind everything, how the mind works. I understand, yeah, how how to get results from people, basically. So it's not yeah.
Jodie Clayton:It's, yeah, solutions and positive and not letting them go back down that negative rate. So it's definitely yeah. Not only sessions, but day to day as well. I think with family, friends, just everyone I come across. So
Gary Johannes:Change change the way you respond to everyone.
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. Definitely. And I can tell where people might need a little lift now and
Gary Johannes:Yeah. Yeah.
Jodie Clayton:Like, when to let people run and when to, like, just put put put a lid on it. Yeah.
Gary Johannes:So one of the things, you know, you you you've talked about you do some still do some dancing. You still, you know, you you feel like you're in charge of everything you do now. How do you maintain that work life balance? You know, running a busy hypnotherapy practice as well as looking after you, you know, what self care do you engage you?
Jodie Clayton:So I've always had it sounds selfish, but it's not selfish. But my priority is my well-being first because I know if I'm at my best and my bucket is empty, then I can be a better therapist, a better friend, a better, like, family member. I'm just I tick all the boxes. So what I do, exercise is really important for me. Being out in nature is really important.
Jodie Clayton:I think every morning, I'll do a walk. Been out in the sun. When we have sun, I'll make the most of it. Yeah.
Gary Johannes:So today is the hottest day of the year. So if anybody That's okay. For why you're you're you're in a, but both of us are like, you can't see the Zoom's great, but I'm in my shorts. Don't tell anybody. But I'm wearing shorts today.
Gary Johannes:You know what I mean?
Jodie Clayton:After this, I'll make make a noise of it. I'll be outside. So
Gary Johannes:Yeah.
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. But definitely exercise, eating healthy. Yeah. Just and I'll have sessions myself. Like, I'll constantly check-in with people I trained with.
Jodie Clayton:I'm looking for session when I sometimes when I feel like I don't even need 1 because I know that you always benefit even when you Yeah. Don't need 1. When you need 1, it's normally because it's too late. Yes. Yes.
Gary Johannes:That that's so right. So part of your work life balance is walking your walk, doing all the things you're telling your clients what they should be doing.
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. I thought it was my dad's. Yeah.
Gary Johannes:Do you have a story or, something what surprised you from what your clients have achieved?
Jodie Clayton:It's not just that
Gary Johannes:moment of working with someone.
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. One actually well, there's a few that stands out, but one that really stands out is when I was actually training. So this is for us having paid clients. I had a woman contacted me that contacted me that, just got diagnosed with cancer, and she lost all hope.
Gary Johannes:Wow.
Jodie Clayton:She was yeah. She just said, like, I don't know what to do. Like, it's affecting my home life. I just I'm kind of giving up. And I felt really overwhelmed because I was like, how am I gonna do this?
Jodie Clayton:But then I just stuck to the process. I did what I was taught. I relayed the information to her about the brain, and we then got her to a place where she was she was good. She was coping. She was still going out.
Jodie Clayton:She was doing everything. So she was really happy, and she wasn't letting the diagnosis affect her. And it then got to a point where she then passed all my details to her daughter because it was also affecting her daughter Yeah. And her sister. So by, like, halfway through working with her, I was then working with
Gary Johannes:Wow.
Jodie Clayton:Quite a few members of her family. Mhmm. And it was just crazy to see the spill on effects of her diagnosis, how it's affecting her daughter at school, and her daughter was bunking and all of this stuff. And then it was just such a beautiful moment when they text me a picture of her ringing the bell because she got rid of the cancer. Oh, mate.
Jodie Clayton:Got it all clear. And it's just so lovely that I was part of that family's journey, and it ends up really
Gary Johannes:amazing. Supportive was was you able to be because of what we do, not just to the lady who had had that unfortunate diagnosis. You helped her cope so she could get through to that, but actually helped her family cope, her daughter, her her sister. You know? That's such that happens with us, and it's so good that ripple effect.
Gary Johannes:We we actually witness as well, and you had the pictures and everything. I mean, that's amazing. So from a personal perspective, yes, you went and saw somebody who trained a CPHT, but then you trained. What difference has you training made? What personal impact has it had on you knowing what you now know?
Jodie Clayton:I think I'm just I'm just like the best version of me. Like, before, a 10 for me you'll get this because, you know, the training too. But a 10 for me was so different to what a 10 is now. Now I know it's, like, limitless, and I'm just like, wow. Like, every day is a new 10.
Jodie Clayton:It's like, okay, where can I get to today? And I'm definitely a lot more confident. I don't doubt myself. Yeah. I don't know.
Jodie Clayton:I'm just overall a better human being, I guess.
Gary Johannes:It it it's funny. I I I was listening to a podcast yesterday, and one of the purse people on the podcast said something, and you just reminded me of it. And that's and I wrote it down, so that's what I'm looking at my book for. Purpose is never achieved. It's attained daily.
Jodie Clayton:Mhmm.
Gary Johannes:And then we're looking the next day for our purpose sort of thing. So it's never dumb. It's every day, we achieve our purpose, and that's what you've just told me you're doing. Now that's amazing. So well done.
Gary Johannes:And I wrote that down. The purpose has never changed. It's attained daily, And that's what
Jodie Clayton:Mhmm.
Gary Johannes:Always looking for. That's that new ten every day. Wow. So that's that's amazing. So what are the challenges I hear, particularly when people first come on the course and sometimes afterwards, is how do you deal with skepticism or misconceptions about what hypnotherapy is when you encounter it, or do you encounter it?
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. I think that's one of the most questions that people message me on social media. It's just like, does this actually work? Is it mind control? So to combat that, I have made quite a lot of videos, reminding people, like I said, have stopwatch this.
Jodie Clayton:I'm not I'm not magic. I'm not gifted. I've just done the training, and I know what I'm talking about when it comes to the brain. So, yeah, I think it's just that reminder. I just, I don't know, I think it's just getting the word out there more of, like, letting people know it's not that thing you see in the movies.
Jodie Clayton:It's not like, I'm not a witch. It's not magic powers or anything. And, yeah, I think the way to get out there, just keep telling people, keep talking to people. I've even I've actually done some free sessions with bigger I don't wanna say bigger people, but people that can maybe spread the word faster than I can as well. It was just to get the word out there.
Jodie Clayton:Because I think the more people that do know about it,
Gary Johannes:Yeah.
Jodie Clayton:The better because it's just a shame it's not on NHS yet. I'll say yeah. But as
Gary Johannes:I told you earlier, what part of the reason for doing these little interviews is because we really do want people to see that solution focused hypnotherapy, and particularly solution focused hypnotherapy is available for everyone. And one of the challenges I see is there's not enough diversity. So one of the things most people think when they think of having therapy is somebody who's in their fifties or sixties, and, you know, it's it's stereotypical opposite to what people think a therapist should look like. How do you cope with that skepticism?
Jodie Clayton:I'm just I just be myself. I always just have the mentality, you Your vibe attracts your tribe. So Yeah. I might be right for 1 person.
Gary Johannes:I might write that one down.
Jodie Clayton:But Alright. I'll let you have that. But I think the more you are yourself, you will attract the right people. So
Gary Johannes:Yeah.
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. Like, some some days I go to work in my crocs and track to like, I just think
Gary Johannes:Yeah.
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. Just you attract the right people. And the more people you attract, they're gonna be more comfortable. And I think the more comfortable, you're gonna get better results. So I just be myself.
Gary Johannes:Totally agree. As a as a somebody who's much, much, much older than you, I do
Jodie Clayton:attract a
Gary Johannes:little bit. I do attract my type of client. And you'll you know, I'd never, like, I've got shorts on today, but I'm I'm I'm not seeing anybody who's a client today. My day today is very admin based. But we do attract you.
Gary Johannes:And I think when you first talked about coming on a course, I was really pleased that you're a a young woman who would, will will be available for people who like you for authenticity because not everybody wants to say an old fart like me. And you we've gotta have somebody for everyone, and I think that's so important. And that that tribe thing is really important. We're attracted to people like us, people by people like commonality. So we need to have that.
Gary Johannes:So I'm really pleased that you get that. So that's fantastic. So when you trained with CPHD, did you find there was plenty of support available for you? Because when I again, when I'm talking to people who are looking to come on to train, they'll go, problem is when I've trained before, it's been really difficult to be supported or get support. How did that how did you find that?
Gary Johannes:Not just from the lecturers and the mentors, but also from your peers.
Jodie Clayton:Honestly, I couldn't fault the program at all. And I think if I had the choice to do it again, I would just do it just just just to do it, just for the fun of it. And yeah, no. I really enjoyed it. And I met some, like, amazing people that I still talk to and see now, and I have sessions with them.
Jodie Clayton:I think, yeah, I think the support was I mean, I really enjoyed it. I used to look forward to those weekends training.
Gary Johannes:Good. And you find that ongoing since you've qualified, which is a couple years ago now?
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. The supervision. I really enjoy the supervision as well because I think even when you don't have questions, something always comes up that Yeah. This, yeah, ticks a box or helps you answer something else. Or if you get that information, you always find it only comes up in the next few weeks and sessions.
Jodie Clayton:You're like, oh, I I've got that now. But it's just nice to have that, like, community around you because it can get a bit lonely sometimes because when you are working from home, I live by myself, so it's just me talking to the dog sometimes. So it's nice to jump on a Zoom and have that just the chat, Get your serotonin, feel good.
Gary Johannes:Dog dogs are great, though. They always give you the answer. And you have a live answer.
Jodie Clayton:A
Gary Johannes:a CPHT in itself, do you I don't know if you've gone on to do any extra training or anything like that. Is that been available for you?
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. Yeah. I'm actually looking to jump on a hypnobirthing course. And I didn't get on the last one, but, yeah, I'm looking to do that one next.
Gary Johannes:Yeah. So you'll be doing hypnobirthing as well, which, again, so many people really like that, side of things. So if you were to pick out from your training one thing, what really stuck out, what really went I I know I've got the right course. Yeah. One thing on the training really stuck out for you.
Jodie Clayton:The one thing that stuck out. I just really enjoyed the neuroscience, everything, like, learning. Because I feel like not only did we learn how to be a therapist, you learn why people feel certain ways. It's like you've got the background information. Mhmm.
Jodie Clayton:So I think that, like, really supported I understood why I was doing certain things. But I think, like, some other, like, courses and stuff I've been on in the past, not even therapy related. Like, you'll get taught how to do something to just, like, relay a lesson or something, but you don't understand why you're doing it. Well, I think it taught me it's like the behind the scenes. I learned the behind the scenes so I could then go out and perform and know why I'm doing something.
Jodie Clayton:So Yeah. I'd say the neuroscience. Like, now I'm obsessed with neuroscience. I love a neuroscience podcast or anything like that.
Gary Johannes:Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. I'm not sure if you listen to my podcast.
Gary Johannes:So because it's, you know
Jodie Clayton:I've gotta subscribe.
Gary Johannes:What advice would you give to somebody who's now considering a hypnotherapy as a queer, whether they've had a hypnotherapy or not, but they're lacking, hypnotherapy as a potential.
Jodie Clayton:I would say definitely go and do a session yourself because I love it and I cannot fault it and it's the best thing I've done. But, yes, it's not for everyone, but I'm pretty sure you'll get results and you love it. But I would say go and do a session before you jump in. Mhmm. But I guarantee you'll probably love the course anyway, so maybe just go and jump in.
Jodie Clayton:Life's too short. Like, why would you go out
Gary Johannes:should they choose DPhD solution focused hypnotherapy over any other type of therapy?
Jodie Clayton:Because
Gary Johannes:And it's not fun. There's other stuff under the bus. It's like, why do what is it about solution focus they'll get?
Jodie Clayton:Because it will also change you as a person as well. Like, you get the support. I think you just learn everything you need to learn. It just ticks every single box.
Gary Johannes:Yeah. Yeah.
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. I sound yeah. I sound like a fan a super fan, but, honestly, it's the best it was the best decision I think I've made.
Gary Johannes:Wow. Thank you for that because I I saw some of your journey, so that's always amazing. I've got one more question for you before we finish, and it's not what I told you I'm gonna ask. It's one I've kept secret.
Jodie Clayton:Oh, man. Okay. Sounds a simple one.
Gary Johannes:Yes. I I and and and I although I've got a choice for 3, I always end up asking these questions, and I think it's all for me. It really tells me a lot about you. So if you could have hypnotherapy sessions, you could deliver hypnotherapy sessions for any historical figure. Who would it be and why?
Gary Johannes:Who would you love to be given hypnotherapy to? Oh. And why?
Jodie Clayton:Oh, that's a hard one. I think maybe someone who was high up in power that maybe didn't make good decisions. Well, yeah, I think well, that's a hard one, Gary. Why did you do that to me?
Gary Johannes:I know. Look at that. And anybody anybody who's ever been famous I mean, they could still be famous now. They don't have to be dead.
Jodie Clayton:I think possibly, like, someone who has a lot of
Gary Johannes:I need an exact person.
Jodie Clayton:Oh, oh, no. Okay. Wait. The pressure's on. Let me just take a breath.
Jodie Clayton:Maybe, like, a politician leader or something. I'm not gonna say names. I'm not good at all of this stuff.
Gary Johannes:Have to give a name. Okay.
Jodie Clayton:It's no other questions, Gary. I'm stunned.
Gary Johannes:So I thought that was the easy question, but you can ask a different question. If you if you wrote a book about your experiences as a hypnotherapist, what would the would the title be and why?
Jodie Clayton:It would be, ready to live my best life. Alright.
Gary Johannes:Because this is your book of you being a hypnotherapist.
Jodie Clayton:Yeah.
Gary Johannes:Yeah.
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. I just yeah. It's just ready to live my best life. For anyone who wants to read, if you're ready, it's also me. I'm ready to live my best life.
Jodie Clayton:I'm living it. It's just yeah. I think I don't know. It just changed so much. So
Gary Johannes:So this book would be showing other people how they can just be their best
Jodie Clayton:Yeah. And stop giving I can't say I can't the f word. Yeah. Stop
Gary Johannes:giving an
Jodie Clayton:f about
Gary Johannes:about what?
Jodie Clayton:About other people, just irrelevant things that just have no yeah.
Gary Johannes:Wow. So that we've got there in the end. So
Jodie Clayton:No more questions.
Gary Johannes:No more questions, please, sir. One more question.
Jodie Clayton:Okay.
Gary Johannes:How can people find you, get a hold of you?
Jodie Clayton:Okay. So I'm on
Gary Johannes:that last question.
Jodie Clayton:I I think I think I have the answers to some. So social media, I'm on Instagram. Quite active on that at the moment. Forward thinking dot s f h, solution for hypnotherapy. On Instagram, get a hold of me.
Jodie Clayton:I've got website, forward thinking hypnotherapy. You can find me there. Yep. I'm
Gary Johannes:just Okay.
Jodie Clayton:Pretty much. Yep. I've got I've got a number. I've got an email.
Gary Johannes:So if you, are happy people who can connect you through there, And, I'll put that all in the bio when I put this out on YouTube and on podcast so they can find you. Thank you so much for giving up a bit of your time on this very hot day today. And, and really enjoyed it. I was always doing these sessions, but you're always so, so positive. So that's always nice to be part of.
Gary Johannes:So thank you very much.
Jodie Clayton:No problem. Well, have a lovely day. Bye. Yeah. Speak soon.