About Me

About me

Gaynor Almond

Welcome!

I'm so honoured you're here

I’m Gaynor Almond, a trauma-informed Clinical Hypnotherapist (solution focused DSFH) and a psychotherapist, I live in Cheshire with my husband, our two daughters and our dog Coco. It's such an honour to do this work and I love practicing in solution focused ways that help people feel understood and supported, empowering my clients to regain emotional control over their lives.

When we are in a place of safety, connection, regulation and readiness, we have access to our "Thinking Brain" and we experience physical and psychological well-being

My background

Having previously trained as a Clinical Reflexologist in 2014, specialising in women's health and fertility, I have been a helper of people's physical, emotional and mental health for over 11 years. Continuing to support individuals and couples dealing with the emotional impact of sub-fertility, secondary infertility, IVF, and miscarriage.

For Hypnotherapy (in person) sessions in Stockton Heath, Warrington Juniper Clinic Book Now

Taking a whole health holistic approach, I have developed a deep understanding of the mind-body connection and how accumulated stress, unprocessed emotional pain and trauma, can impact our mental health and physiology. Like many trauma-informed practitioners, my own lived experiences have brought me to the trauma-healing space, I used to really struggle with social anxiety.

Why I decided to train as a Solution-Focused Hypnotherapist

I made the decision to train as a clinical hypnotherapist (solution focused) after attending a CPD held by Dr. Bessel van der Kol, the author of The Body Keeps the Score. He showed us MRI scans to demonstrate how trauma—both physical and psychological—rewires and physically alters the structure of the brain.

Specifically the amygdala (the fear centre fight, flight or freeze), striatum (responsible for reward and motivation, habit forming and decision making), and the hippocampus (which consolidates information from our short-term to long-term memory). Because trauma (defined as anything that overwhelms your ability to cope) interferes with the brain circuits and body transformations, impairing connectivity between the prefrontal cortex (PFC the rational centre) and the limbic system, leading to trauma-related vulnerability conditions, such as anxiety, depression and externalised aggression.

What he said next really stuck with me, it was something along the lines of 'what is more important than knowing what happened to you, is who was there for you'. This is such a solution-focused approach, as we heal in community, and digging up the past, revisiting painful memories, can be retraumatising. Because dwelling on negative aspects can hyper-activate the amygdala while reducing activity in the prefrontal cortex, imbedding negative neural pathways, because "neurons that fire together, wire together".

Modalities that help to "rewire the limbic system" in the brain, for "safety," through positive connections and new positive experiences, reshaping negative thought patterns for positive ones, and taking purposeful steps forward, helps to grow new neuralpathways, rewiring the brain. This is how we heal.

Solution-focused hypnotherapy is a "modern," evidence based therapy, that focuses on helping people picture the future they want, and guiding them to take small steps to achieve that.

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) is a future-focused modality that merges psychotherapy (solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)) with trance, to utilise neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to physically reorganise itself (change) by forming new neural connections.

I have found this modality to be a powerful tool to help my clients struggling with anxiety, depression, phobias, stress and addictive behaviours, to heal their nervous systems and break old ways of thinking, feeling & behaving, effectively “rewiring” their brain to support their desired changes. Without dwelling on the pain of the past.

As well as being a certified Solution Focused Clinical Hypnotherapist, I am also trained in Root-Cause Therapy, EMDR, Integrative Somatic Parts Work, and the Freedom Fertility Formula, incorporating elements of each modality into my therapeutic process. Focusing on the individual's needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

Interested in working with me but have some questions to ask? Click the link ENQUIRE HERE to arrange a free 15-minute initial chat..

In Person Hypnotherapy

Helping individuals discover and utilise their own strength to overcome challenges and make positive life changes, through a trauma-informed, solution focused approach.

Like many trauma-informed Practitioners, my own healing journey brought me to the trauma-healing space, a healing journey of learning and awareness, which I’m still very much committed to continuing. Meeting myself and others with compassion and understanding of the damaging imprints of unprocessed trauma, pain, unmet physical and emotional needs, can have on our psyche and physiology.

My background and commitment to ongoing education have equipped me with a comprehensive skill set to support individuals in their journey toward mental health and well-being.

Neuroscience tells us when you pay attention to the little glimmers in life, and positive future orientated thinking, it improves emotional resilience and dopamine activity. Literally rewiring your brain to notice the positive experiences around you through a process called neuroplasticity.

Training

Solution Focused Clinical Hypnotherapy & Psychotherapy (DSFH)
Root-Cause Therapy (RCT)
EMDR & Psychological Trauma (LSCCA)
Integrative Somatic Parts Work Certificate Level 1, 2 & 3 with Frances D. Booth (Embody Lab)
The Freedom Fertility Formula™ (psychological and emotional healing embedded in a life planning and accountability journey)
Regular supervision 6+ hours per year
Continued Professional Development training 15+ hours per year
Clinical Reflexology (CRM5), CNHC

CPD

Solution Focused Hypnotic Gastic Band
The Vagus Nerve Program (through a Polyvagal lense)
Energy Psychology (LCCH)
Inner Child Masterclass (LCCH)

Professional Membership

Registered full member of the National Council of Hypnotherapists (NCH)
Registered full member of the Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AFSFH)
Registered member of the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) - Reflexology & hypnotherapy
Fully insured & DBS Checked (certificate number: 001901803247)

Adhering to their strict Code of Conduct, Performance & Ethics.

I also hold a current enhanced DBS check which means I have been cleared to work with children and vulnerable adults as a Clinical Hypnotherapist.

Additionally I have a BA (Hons) Graphic Design and Illustration (2:1)

Surrey Institute of Art & Design, Epsom, Surrey. June 2004