Human Spirit Blog: hypnotherapy, healing and spirituality

True Self vs False Self: Are you being authentic or faking your way through life?

Posted on 07/05/202607/05/2026 by Gav Roberts

Are you being true to yourself and others? Who is the real you? How do you know when you’re being authentic and when you’re not?

The idea of us having a True Self and a False Self was made popular in the 1960s by psychologist D.W. Winnicott but the subject has a far longer history.

In this post we’ll explore the differences between the True and False Selves. We’ll look into how they develop in our lives and, more importantly, we’ll cover 7 steps you can take to be more genuine in life, letting your True Self take centre stage once more.

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The Loyal Soldier: how to break free from your history

Posted on 15/05/202507/05/2026 by Gav Roberts

Do you keep sabotaging yourself and messing things up? Do you feel stuck in repeating patterns? And how about reacting to situations in the same old automatic way? If this is the case, your Loyal Soldier might well be responsible.

In this post we’ll look at a part of your psyche that has somehow gotten stuck on a specific behaviour pattern, rooted in the past.

We’ll find out how the Loyal Soldier develops and how – with the use of hypnosis – you can change the unconscious programming and experience real changes in your life.

Let’s find out how to make that happen…

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Teenage Mental Health Crisis: How To Get Your Teen Back On Track

Posted on 25/04/202417/06/2026 by Gav Roberts

Teenage mental health issues have reached crisis point. Anxiety, depression, self-harming, and anger issues have all increased since the pandemic.

Traditional counselling, such as that offered in schools, is failing to make an impact on kids’ wellbeing. There’s been a rise in incidents of school violence, diagnoses of ADHD and autism, and the amount of kids who simply can’t cope with the school system any more.

Indeed, over the last few years I’ve seen a massive spike in the number of kids and teens suffering from anxiety disorders like OCD, panic attacks, and emetophobia (fear of being sick). Not to mention self harm and suicide ideation.

In this post we’ll explore the lasting impact the pandemic has had on teenage mental health and what can be done about it. We’ll also look at the emerging evidence that shows the impact of screen addiction and Social Media on teenage mental health. And we’ll look at ways hypnotherapy can be used to help kids and teens manage anger, anxiety, and depression to help them get their lives back on track.

But first, a personal story…

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AI Therapy Versus Human Therapy. Which is Better?

Posted on 08/02/202425/02/2026 by Gav Roberts

AI therapy has seen a massive increase since the launch of Chat GPT. People the world over, especially teens and young adults, are pouring their hearts out to computer bots that somehow provide sound, therapeutic advice. Or does it?

Can AI therapy really deliver the goods? Are the days of the traditional counsellor or psychotherapist at an end?

In this post we’ll explore the differences between AI therapy and therapy with an actual human being and ask whether Articifial Intelligence can really help you feel better.

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Attention Deficit Disorder: 7 ways to reclaim your attention

Posted on 28/04/202323/04/2026 by Gav Roberts

Attention Deficit Disorder (and ADHD) is on the rise. If you struggle to concentrate, focus, or suffer from brain fog, you’re not alone. Millions of us are finding it more difficult to manage our attention mechanism. How has it got like this?

In this post I’ll explore some of the reasons why we’re losing our ability to focus (and the problems this causes). And I’ll offer 7 ways you can combat Attention Deficit Disorder (in yourself or your kids) without having to resort to the use of mind altering medications.

It’s time to reclaim your attention!

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Healing Poetry: how a poem can change your life for the better

Posted on 17/11/202206/03/2026 by Gav Roberts

Can the words written or spoken by a poet lead to real healing and transformation? Does a poem have the capacity to change something deep within? What actually happens when we fully engage with a poem?

In a recent therapy session with a client I was reminded of the healing power of poetry…

She arrived with a printed copy of the poem and read it to me with tears in her eyes. In just a few lines, the poem had captured where she was at in her life…and where she hoped to get to.

In this post we’ll look at how poetry has the capacity to touch and transform us at the core of our being.

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How To Help Your Kids Overcome Separation Anxiety

Posted on 09/09/202203/02/2026 by Gav Roberts

Separation anxiety disorder (or SAD for short) seems to be on the increase.

The pandemic seems to have raised general stress levels, no matter your demographic. We cling to a place of safety and security and what better place than at home with the people we love?

In this post I want to explore separation anxiety in children and teens and look at some of the things we can do as parents to help our kids develop independence and confidently enter the Big Wide World.

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What Is The Best Treatment For Phobias?

Posted on 11/08/202203/02/2026 by Gav Roberts

What is the best treatment for phobias? If you suffer from fear of flying, are terrified of spiders, or panic at the sight of wasps, cats or dogs, this blog post will help you find the best course of action to take.

There are over 300 recognised different phobias and in this post we’ll look at the best treatment for phobias, from medication to CBT and hypnotherapy.

Find out which is the best way to help you get your phobia under control and start to live a more normal life again…

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The Power of Story: How To Re-Write Your Life Script With Narrative Therapy

Posted on 10/06/202207/05/2026 by Gav Roberts

What is your personal myth? What is the story you live your life by? Does it serve you well or is it time for a better life script?

In a personal therapy session several years ago, I became all too aware of the power of story.

I remembered a story my mother had told me as a child. When I recounted this to my therapist, she looked me right in the eyes and said, “Your whole life is in that story…it might be time for a better version!”

I realised there and then that I had to change this ‘inner script’ that had governed my life since I was about 4 years old. So I went away and got to work.

And as the story changed, my life in the real world changed too. I’ll share that story with you in this post; how it had shaped my life and how – by changing it – I was able to break free.

So, let’s dive into the power of story and find out how stories can hold us captive or set us free.

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From Midlife Crisis To Opportunity: how to stay sane when your world falls apart

Posted on 07/04/202207/05/2026 by Gav Roberts

Are you going through a midlife crisis? Have you reached a stage in life where you’re beginning to question everything? Does it feel as if your life is falling apart – or soon could be?

From our mid thirties onwards, things begin to change. We start wondering about our career path, our relationships, life itself.

We begin to contemplate the ‘Big Questions of Life’: who am I? What is life all about? What gives my life meaning? Does my life have a purpose? Is this all there is?

In this blog post I’d like to share some of the things that have helped me journey through my middle years.

I hope some of what I say can help you if you’re going through what feels like a midlife crisis. Trust me, something good can emerge from the rubble…

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