Renee Buchanan
BA, Dip. Ed., DHP, MNRHP, LCA
- Hypno-psychotherapist /Counsellor
- Certified Fertility Therapist
- Personal and Professional Coach
Having spent many years in education, the last nine years as a headteacher, Renee studied hypnosis and psychotherapy resulting in her post graduate diploma in 2004.
Since then, the focus of much of her work has been studying and practising evidence based methods for the relief of stress, anxiety and getting more out of life.
She has taught many workshops and lectured to health professionals and others in the UK and abroad.
Her focus at the moment is helping support mental health and wellness over this challenging period. She has recently trained to teach .Breathe – a mindfulness course taught to 10-14 year olds.
The use of hypnotherapy to support fertility and conception
Each year many couples pursue treatments with the goal of being able to have a baby. Most consult conventional doctors and many undergo high-tech procedures such as IVF. Despite the progress that has been made on the area of “infertility”, the success rate for those who undergo these procedures appears to be around 25%. To boost this success rate and have the very best chance of conception, women are seeking out complementary treatments such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, homeopathy, chiropractic and mind/body approaches. One of the most powerful of these mind/body approaches is hypnotherapy.
WHY HYPNOTHERAPY?
As far back as 1999, in a study of 132 “infertile” women, counselling and hypnotherapy was found to increase a woman’s chance of conception to 42% (Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association1999 ). In a second study, published in 2000, 55% of previously infertile women who met regularly in a mind/body programme conceived, with 20% of the control group, who used no mind/body techniques, conceiving. (Fertility and Sterility 2000) We know that hypnosis affects certain parts of the brain which in turn affect the flow of hormones in the body. Dr Elizabeth Muir, a clinical psychologist working with hypnotherapy for fertility, believes that psychological issues around pregnancy are not sufficiently well addressed for many women with fertility problems.
WHAT WILL I EXPECT FROM THIS APPROACH?
During the first session, a full case history will be taken Ths will allow a personal treatment schedule to be compiled. At this session, a relaxation programme will be understaken using breathing and specific relaxation techniques. From then on, techniques including relaxation, self-hypnosis, visualisation and a cognitive approach will be incorporated into future sessions. A personalised CD may be prepared for you to listen to on a daily basis.
HOW OFTEN WILL I COME FOR SESSIONS?
This is entirely up to you. The first two sessions normally take place a week apart. After that, sessions may be every 2-3 weeks. Change can take time and change happens according to what you do in between sessions.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?
There is no rule to this. Change happens at different rates for different people. Many people “feel different” after three sessions. Changing your mindset changes how your body resonds. Much depends on your own commitment.
Lastly, the goal of this programme is not only for the woman to become pregnant, but rather to “enable her to attain personal empowerment. Only by doing so will she truly be able to let nature take its course. Through personal empowerment comes inner peace, the abilty to accept, appreciate and embrace life.” – Lynsi Eastburn, Founder of HynoBirthing Fertility Therapists Programme.