Press and media clippings
Severn Sound radio
Interview
In September 2006 Richard was interviewed by Kate Justice
of Severn Sound radio (Gloucestershire) as part of their
news feature on insomnia and sleep problems. You can read
or listen to these short news clips here.
Newsclip #1 Kate:"We could be on the verge of a sleep deprivation epidemic according to health experts. Nearly a fifth of adults in Gloucestershire admit to having trouble getting enough 'shut eye' at night...but then drop off at the wrong moment. Cheltenham hypnotherapist Richard Parsons says it often happens because we've got too much on our minds..." Richard:"Insomnia is an obsessional symptom which means that it tends to affect people that are a little bit obsessional themselves...I don't mean that in a negative way, I just mean it's the kind of person that tends to 'brood' over things, worries about things, it's like their head is a bit of a hamster wheel turning things over again and again, and what's happening is the brain or psyche just isn't switching off when they go to bed..."  Newsclip #2 Kate:"We've been looking into ways to help solve the problem (of insomnia), and I went to the Cheltenham Hypnotherapy Clinc...so you're going to hypnotise me now, tell me what I should be expecting..." Richard: "Hypnosis is a state of relaxation, you're not going to be in a trance, you're not going to be 'under' or asleep or anything like that - there are lots of misconceptions about hypnosis that you're going to run around Kate and do silly things but actually the reality of therapy is that it's very very deeply relaxing, it's a lovely pleasant feeling..." Kate:"So will I be aware of everything that's going on?" Richard:"Absolutely. Totally consciously awake, as awake as you are now." Kate:"...and will you use a watch on a chain or...?" Richard:"I don't use a watch actually, a lot of people are really disappointed they kind of look for a swinging watch when they come in!" Kate:"...and what about tonight can I expect to have a better night's sleep?" Richard:"You will have the deepest sleep that you will have had for a long long time!" Kate:"Well that was yesterday, even being a bit of a skeptic I have to admit I did feel relaxed and yes I DID sleep better last night!"
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| Grapevine Magazine
Interview
Amanda Chandler interviews Cheltenham HypnotherapistLocal professional hypnotherapist Richard Parsons, based in the centre of Cheltenham, is an expert in helping people to quit smoking with hypnosis. I wanted to find out more and visited him at his Cheltenham offices. Richard immediately made me feel at ease. Collecting me personally from his reception area (as he does for all his clients to protect their privacy), Richard wasn't what I expected. Not a quirky, wild-haired older man, but a quietly spoken, extremely approachable, warm, friendly and relaxed person - with a very positive outlook on life. I was fascinated as Richard explained his methods to me: Grapevine: What is hypnotherapy? Richard: "Hypnotherapy is best described as the use of hypnosis as a therapy for well-being. It has been used successfully for hundreds of years. Contrary to popular belief you do not fall asleep, you remain fully in control and stay wonderfully deeply relaxed. It is safe, relaxing and comfortable." Grapevine: When can hypnotherapy be used? Richard: "Most of my clients seek help for problems such as help to stop smoking, anxiety, fear of going to the toilet, sexual problems such as premature ejeculation, phobias, depression, ocd, shy bladder, blushing, fear of being sick,or lack of confidence. Grapevine: Many people will want to give up smoking this year - what method do you use, and why? Richard: "My approach to get people to stop smoking is completely different to every other method such as patches, gum, willpower or just cutting down. Smoking is all about stress and reward. My clients are surprised when I say that I actually believe smoking is a fantastic habit - where else could you get a short term fix 20 times a day when you feel stressed or bored? If you have a hard day you smoking and you feel better. It's a treat - you get through a task, and then you treat yourself to a cigarette. I explain to clients why that it is harder to give up smoking using patches or willpower alone because there is no obvious reward or incentive to give up. The health benefits of stopping, although real, just do not seem immediate enough. My job is to replace smokers' reward with a substitute one. This is done with positive hypnotic suggestions so that the smoker really does feel calmer, more confident and more relaxed. Client feedback reveals that people are even calmer, more content and happier than they were in situations where they used to smoke!" Grapevine: Can everyone be hypnotised? Richard: "Yes, everyone can in fact achieve a hypnotic state of mind even those non-believers! In therapy it is just about being wonderfully relaxed...a very gentle, warm, deep calmness. I reduce peoples' fears by explaining hypnosis fully before anything takes place." Grapevine: I notice the comfy chair in the corner - when is this used? Richard: "Once I have spoken to my clients and taken time to get to know them a little, I then ask them to sit in the comfy chair and put on the headphones. I find clients can relax really quickly when they hear my voice speaking to them through these. It allows them to totally focus on what I am saying free from any distractions or noise from the street." For more information on Richard's hypnotherapy methods or for an appointment at his Cheltenham Hypnotherapy Clinic e-mail richard@richardparsons.net |
Gloucestershire Echo feature 2002
Relax and let positive thoughts calm
you
Hypnotherapy can help with a wide range of problems. Reader
Pauline Clamp gave it a go and told Nick Henderson how she
got on...Meet the reader
Retired midwife Pauline had never tried hypnotherapy before
and awaited her appointment with a little trepidation. She
said "I believe in alternative treatments and regularly use
magnetic therapy for my arthritis. But I felt slightly skeptical
and nervous about hypnotherapy. The only hypnotism I've seen
has been on television and I don't want to be made to do silly
things."Hypnotherapy Treatment
The first job of hypnotherapist Richard Parsons, who welcomed
Pauline to his clinic at Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre
on Suffolk Road, Cheltenham, was to dispel a few myths about
hypnotherapy.Richard said: "Most people are a little nervy when they arrive for the first time. Hypnosis is often viewed in negative way. People say 'I don't want anyone delving into my mind' but that's not what we do. Hypnosis is a form of deep relaxation. People don't fall asleep, they are awake throughout and will remember everything that is said." Hypnotherapy can help with a variety of symptoms, from lack of confidence, stress and breaking habits to migraines, insomnia and chronic fatigue. Many of these require a course of several sessions and deep-seated problems may call for hypnoanalysis. Richard said he could improve Pauline's confidence and relaxation within a one hour appointment by using some simple techniques called suggestion therapy. He said: "Once Pauline had relaxed, the next stage was to induce her into hypnosis, which sounds scary but it's no more than talking to the person while their eyes are shut and asking them to imagine various things." Pauline was encouraged to imagine comfortable scenarios with the common theme of downward movement. She pictured herself walking slowly down a hill towards a river and lowering herself into a warm sunken bath. Richard said: "Another technique was asking Pauline to count from 10 to 0, with each number she feels herself becoming more calm. It's a little like daydreaming - you can open your eyes but you can't be bothered. The feeling is meant to be lazy and pleasant. In this state of calm Pauline would be more receptive to my words." "People's inner thoughts are generally quite negative - 'I can't do that' or 'I'm not very good' - without them realising. In hypnosis these thoughts can be replaced with positive affirmations. I make positive suggestions which the person is more able to take on board. I told her how much healthier and better she would feel afterwards. To bring her back I count slowly upwards." Richard said people often confuse hypnotherapy with the hypnotism they see on television. "I would be offended if someone called me a hypnotist. That's a performance whereas hypnotherapy is an accepted treatment. It is becoming increasingly popular as people look towards complimentary medicine for answers." For more information contact richard@richardparsons.net  Pauline's verdict
Pauline said her hypnotherapy session was a complete success."I went in with a complete open mind and was very impressed. I lay down on the bed with my eyes closed and listened to him. It was so relaxing. I felt myself drifting into calmness, although I never felt like falling asleep. I was aware of relaxing my muscles and my breathing." "I could always hear his voice and the situations were always cheerful and sunny. sinking into the warm bath was wonderful - I didn't want to get out." "He said I would be more positive and confident when I came to and I definitely felt energised. It was as if I'd had a very refreshing sleep. Once I got home, I started doing jobs around the house that I'd been putting off for ages. Tidying up and putting things away in boxes." "Afterwards I slept until 10am the next day which is late for me. If there was a time in my life when I felt stressed, I would go back for hypnotherapy." Gloucestershire Echo: Body and Soul Section 17/12/2002 |
Beckham isn't the only one!
Richard Parsons says Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder isn't so rare. The Cheltenham based
hypnotherapist says he see two or three people a week compared
with one four years ago. He thinks footballer David Beckham's
admission that he suffers from the condition has encouraged
people to get help. He says sufferers often feel embarrassed
and ashamed of it.The 32 year old sees people with a variety of obsessions at the Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre in Suffolk Road, Cheltenham. They include counting rituals and checking things repeatedly such as locks and doors. Other symptoms include being obsessive about catching diseases or jealousy and worrying. Most of his patients are between 18 and 40 years of age. He said: "I tend to find that OCD affects perfectionists. They tend to be highly strung already and the symptoms get stronger when the person is under stress." Gloucestershire Echo, Friday 14th April 2006 |
