Driving anxiety
Life was stressful, work manic and to add to my load I desperately wanted to pass my driving test. But each time I got behind the wheel I experienced panic attacks . . . not good. Being a practical person I decided that I needed a 'quick fix' and was convinced that hypnotism was the ideal solution to the problem. Which is where Jonathan came in.
During our very first conversation Jonathan mentioned that when problems (like my panic attacks) manifest and prevent us from moving forward, this is simply an opportunity to look beyond the symptoms and take some time to get to know ourselves better in order to discard beliefs or behaviour that are no longer useful. This approach must have struck a chord with me as a year later I'm still seeing him . . . and oh what a year!
With the help of Jonathan's unique approach incorporating counselling with NLP, EMDR, EFT, Kinesiology and surprisingly little hypnotherapy(!), I am managing to address a number of issues which have prevented me from living my life to the full. Because I have the opportunity to explore them in such a safe and supportive environment, the process hasn't been as scary or as painful as I thought it was going to be. The work with Jonathan has helped me so much, particularly as the treatment in each session is altered to suit my priority need each time we meet.
Although life is still stressful and far too busy, my approach to relating to certain situations and people has changed for the better – certain issues are just no longer a problem. As a result I feel much more empowered to start to live my life for me.
Oh . . . and I did pass that driving test – panic free! A.A.
An 'ex-chocoholic'
I’ve lost a stone, and had no chocolate since the session. I’m the envy of my friends. I’ve been spreading the world. It's all down to you.
Boyfriend problems
Thank u so much for the wonderful job u did on me yesterday, I really do feel much better . . . I started to observe my behaviour and body reaction like u suggested . . . I was getting very panicky in case he wouldn't turn up . . . I didn't have any tight feeling in my chest or abdo, like previously, then or now . . .
I did feel very sad because now I know for sure I'm going to leave him. It was this realisation, this acceptance of the situation that made me feel sad, it wasn't a sadness that hurt very much, it was something else, I don't know what it was (I seem to rem. u mentioning the word acceptance). M.A.
Ex-smokers
Firstly i would like to thank you very much for the hypnotherapy session. I found the experience really interesting and very relaxing. You said to email you to let you know my progress. Well, for the first time in 7 years, i have gone 3 weeks and 1 day without having a cigarette! It's amazing and i am extremely grateful that you have been able to help me do this.
I did, however, have one slip up 2 days after the session after a few glasses of wine and being around smokers. But i only had a couple of drags which thankfully made me feel sick and dizzy! There really isn't anything nice about a cigarette. But, being a bit tipsy made me less strong to resist one so i am now more prepared when i have a drink as i know that this is when i'm more likely to have one and just think to myself 'why have one? It's not nice and you're doing so well so don't spoil it!'
Even though the real 'craving' feeling is absent, i could 'fancy' from time to time (more so in the first week of giving up). This only happens when i think about smoking or i am not busy doing something. This was probably because my body was still in the habit on having one at certain times of my day. But because the feeling of 'needing' one isn't there, i don't have one. This feeling of 'fancying' one diminishes by the day, to the point now where i don't need to do something in place of when i'd usually have one as i just don't think about having one.
I'm really determined to keep this up, not only for the obvious health reasons, but to prove something to people i know and to myself that i can do it.
I'm sure this is coming as no surprise to you, but it's really amazing me!! I can't believe i'm officially a non smoker, it's fantastic. I don't think anyone else can believe it either, and i think i'm driving some of my smoker friends crazy! As they were in the same mind set as me when i was a smoker. That is, if only someone could wave a wand and i would be a non smoker just like that.
I hope you are well and it was lovely to meet you. If any of my friends decide that they too would like help quitting, i'm quite positive they will be calling you.
Thank you once again and i'm keeping my fingers crossed that i remain a non smoker for life! A.
I came to see you on Monday afternoon and you asked me to email you and let you know how it was going . . . well – I'm not smoking, don't want to and am feeling generally pretty good! I am experiencing some withdrawal symptoms but they are very muffled and don't seem to have any connection to wanting to smoke to get rid of them, which is a bit strange but great! I feel sure it's going to stick.
Our session has given me lots to think about – or rather not think about! I had trouble accessing my feelings when we were talking about the past and the future – well in general – and would like to try and get more in touch with my subconcious and see what it's up to! (what I'm up to??) Also, I now question every word I use – an interesting effect!
When I've had time to digest the stuff that came up this time, I would like to come for another session. It's pointed out some things that I know are problematic and should address – now I have some idea of how that could be done – that's exciting if a bit daunting! S.M.
I had an appointment with you the day there was the fire. You asked me to keep in touch so Im emailing to let you know that it has now been a month since I had a cigarette! I did have one drag a couple of days ago but that was just really to see if i still liked it, and i dont, it was horrible. I never thought I would manage to stop and I wanted to thank you very much for your help. I cant see me starting again and im really pleased because i feel so much better. Thank you ever so much for your help. I hope your pleased to hear how Im doing. Thanks again. C.
I came and saw you a couple of weeks ago now to help me stop smoking – I am pleased to say everything is going fine, I have no desire to smoke and have not even be tempted.
The Blackwall tunnel is no longer a stressful experience, so thank you. I have a friend who would like to know if you do similar sessions about dieting and weight loss – perhaps you could let me know. J.N.
Thank you Jonathan, not smoked since last Saturday. Still have cravings but now can very easily cope with them. S.P.
Really I cannot thank you enough for the great mental and physical sense of relief that follows giving up smoking; your motivation is superb and surely all your clients write kind letters of thanks. S.
Negative emotional states
For many years, I had received counselling for numerous issues, ranging from poor self-confidence, anger, depression and general feelings of futility and unhappiness. Despite the skill and dedication of the therapists, I gained little relief from these severely negative emotional states. I felt that I had run out of hope, and that the progress I had made would be the best I could ever hope for.
How wrong I was.
I met Jonathan by a recommendation from a close friend and I went open-minded to see him, although sceptical of what I may find.
What I found was not just a therapist, but a genuine healer – complete with a repository of sophisticated, gentle but astonishingly effective therapeutic techniques. Every session I left feeling not just transiently better, but incredibly I found that these previously intractable negative states had been resolved, transformed and healed – permanently.
For example, in one session, Jonathan’s delicate but breathtaking skill had succeeded in completely transforming a strong tendency of mine to fall into utter despair and self-hatred at any small feedback. Several months later, I can fully appreciate the depth and consistency of this change.
I believe that Jonathan Livingstone is a genuine master of his craft. His application of these remarkably powerful therapeutic methods, combined with his gentle wisdom, sincere compassion and a profound understanding of what makes us human, has given me great relief and transformed relentlessly negative and undesirable emotional pain into peace and happiness.
I cannot overstate how much I recommended Jonathan and continue to offer my sincere thanks for healing me of many years of misery, anguish and torment. P.
Fear of flying - specifically turbulence (after a single session)
It was turbulence all the way. I wasn't happy, but I wasn't terrified. Thank you very much. D.M.
Pressure
Just a quick note to let you know how well I'm doing! Noticed that with the next clients I had in after our session that I felt no pressure at all - magic :-) I'm feeling great and thanks so much for your help!
By the way, Charlotte thinks you're pretty awesome as well . . . she's still waiting for all her anger to come back as it disappeared so quickly & she's finding it difficult to get her head around that - but she keeps saying how her attitude has changed enormously and she's feeling so much better about it all. Well done!!! L.
Discomfort
I came and saw you for a couple of sessions to help me become more comfortable with being a therapist. I am pleased to say I now have 3 to 4 clients every Saturday. Thank you! T.
Exam anxiety
Last session I really travelled a long way. Today I feel happier than I've felt since I was nine. Thank you. M.
Depression
I just wanted to say a very big thank you for everything you have helped me with. You are a very kind and talented man, and i appreciate the time you took to help me with my problems. It's strange somehow, i dont really feel much different, and yet i suppose i am from when i started the treatment, i seem more positive for certain and I thank you so much for that . . .
I just wanted to let you know that i appreciate everything you have done, sometimes people can give advice, and/or help in medical or emotional ways, but every so often you meet someone really genuine and i feel that is you. I wish you well and i will certainly recommend you to anyone i feel needs your help, please keep well and safe until we speak again. D.