Depression | Zack Polanski

Posts Tagged ‘Depression’

Time for Change

Saturday, January 7th, 2012

I love my job. I love working with people. It’s one of those jobs that even when I’m out socially, people inevitably have questions. They’re curious about my work – I’m curious about people in general and so I often find myself in chatty conversation about what it would be like to work together.

As I run training courses both in therapy and business communication skills all around the UK and Europe, I meet a lot of new people. And that’s a lot of curious people from a complete range of different backgrounds.

One aspect of my work that I really wanted to get across on my Website was the question I’m most frequently asked.

‘What happens in a Cognitive Hypnotherapy session?’

I’m not sure I’ve ever managed to explain it sufficently no matter how many years and edits the website can go through.

Sure, I could outline the basic format. We start with a conversation about what you’d like to change or improve in your life. Then, we’ll work through a therapeutic exercise together and the session will usually finish with some relaxation work.

This seems so vague though – and that’s the challenge. As the sessions are bespoke for the individual who comes to see me, no two sessions are the same.

There’s often overlaps – there’s certainly patterns and behaviours that some people repeat where i’ve seen many similar before. Yet, no matter how many clients I see and work with – there is always something new. And that’s what makes us so wonderful as human beings.
We don’t fit into a manual or a textbook. There isn’t a magic formula – it’s only through a process of engagement that is two ways that your life can really change.

I frequently get phone calls/emails ‘My friend came to see you and you did X and Y, will we do the same thing?’ And the most honest, congruent answer I can give is ‘I don’t know.’

It’s not until we’re in the therapy office, having a conversation in which you outline what you’d like to change and how you’d like it to be different – that I’ll be able to determine the best course of action that will help.

There’s not one magic formula for working with people with confidence issues or low self esteem, every phobia is different. Our anxiety or depressions are unique to us and we all cope with stress in different ways.

Cognitive Hypnotherapy takes the best elements of different therapies such as CBT, NLP, Pyschotherapy, Jungian Theory, Gestalt work and I find the right combination to get the most effective results at the fastest rate possible for you.

I believe strongly in a dialogue during our time together – to find out how you’re finding the experience both in and out of the therapy/coaching room during our work together.

So I’m still not there in explaining it quite as succinctly as I’d like – but I think we know why. It’s very much something that talking about can be limiting, but actually for the benefits – it’s there to be experienced.

Zack Polanski is a Cognitive Hypnotherapist and NLP Trainer working at 1 Harley Street, London. He works with a variety of issues ranging from building confidence to low self esteem.Dea ling with stress and anxiety, phobic reactions and performance improvement.
To find out more about his unique mix of formal therapy, a conversational style and hypnosis – please call on 07738088632 or email at info@zackpolanski.com

Tags: anxiety, Cognitive Hypnotherapy, confidence, Depression, Harley St, Harley Street, hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, London, NLP, Phobias, relaxation, self esteem, Stress, Therapy, UK
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Hemispheres

Thursday, October 6th, 2011

I tend not to recommend books on my blog as I get all sorts of requests from people asking me to link to their work. However, on this occasion, I’m happy to make an exception.

The Master and his Emissary by Ian Mcgilhurst.

To any therapist – I would suggest this book will vastly enhance the way that you work. I frequently get emails asking for suggestions, and for the forseeable future, I shall point people in this direction.

I do have a caveat here – that the book is heavy. It’s certainly not light reading and will require absolute engagement. When the lightbulbs do start to flicker though and jigsaw pieces fall into place, to mix metaphors, it really is a wonderful moment.

The basic premise of the book is about the hemispheric differences in our brain and how these are represented in society. Simplistically, in this blog, the left hemisphere representing logic, reason, specificity and more recently – our business/commerical brain.

The right hemisphere representing creativity, wholeness and an entry point into the wider world. The artistic brain.

Traditionally, there was a balance between the two hemispheres – with information entering through the right, being assessed by the left and returning to the right for consideration. This, the book argues, is the healthiest way in which our mind/brain can work and is conducive to a balanced existence.

Over the past hundred years, mainly since the industrial revolution, the left side of the brain has gradually crept up and placed it’s influence on our thinking. This has resulted in short sightnedness, unfettered individualism and a rise in selfish greed. The book goes on to wax lyrical about political philosophy and tracks the differences in our ‘culture’ through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Reformation – tying in with neuroscience and the different implications this can have in how we percieve our world.

For the therapist, frequently when we work with issues whether it be phobias, lack of confidence or self esteem, depression or anxiety – more often than not, the underlying problem is that of hemispheric dissonance (or in other terms, a misalignment between the conscious and the unconscious mind) – although the book is not targeted at therapists, it’s clear where the dots can be connected and the future of our industry can be percieved to outline where we would like to go next.

If anyone would like to discuss any areas of the book with me, I’m always more than happy to recieve correspondence – on info@Zackpolanski.com

Zack Polanski is a Cognitive Hypnotherapist working in Central London at 1 Harley Street. He works both as a therapist and delivers training programmes to companies. Specialising in issues around confidence and self esteem, Zack also works utilising hypnosis and NLP around issues of anxiety and depression. Get in contact on 07738086632.

Tags: anxiety, blog, book, brain, Central London, Cognitive Hypnotherapist, Depression, East London, Harley St, Harley Street, hypnosis, hypnotherapist, London, Mind, NLP, North London, Phobias, South London, Training, West London, Zack, Zack Polanski
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Ethics

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

In the work I do, as there often is in life,there’s often a real push and pull between what clients want and their willingness to get it.

I make it clear on the site – and always whenever people phone me for an appointment – that Cognitive Hypnotherapy is not a magic bullet. It’s not a miracle cure yet it can do incredibly, effective things and has helped countless amounts of people move on in their lives within that parameter.

Often it can look like magic,and change can more often than not feel effortless and people are amazed at the results – it does require work from the client, though. Or at least their attention and effort in bringing about the changes they want on an unconscious level.

This might make it sound a little less cool or sellable – I have no problem with that, though. It’’s honest; and it doesn’t take anything away from the fact that it’s still an incredible tool for change.

This isn’t unique to Cognitive Hypnotherapy. In other areas I have worked, studied and researched – whether it be more traditional modes like pyschotherapy, counselling or CBT – there’s often this parallel between really great results emerging not from the therapist,but the client. The therapist acts as a guide to reach the areas that the client didn’t even know were accessible previously.

This is particularly prevalent with something like ‘Stop Smoking.’ People phone me up and want a success rate percentage. That’s easy,I say. It’s 100% of the time when the person is committed to the work, and 0% of the time when they’re not. It sounds playful - I also think it’s fair, honest and ethical.

Cognitive Hypnotherapy is made up of truly effective principles and techniques to ensure that people get the result they want especially when it’s important to them. I don’t just not guarantee because it’s more ethical – I do it because it makes me life easier as well.

How? Well, I generally only want someone in the room with me during treatment who genuinely wants to make a change – and is willing to take responsibility for that change too. This is how truly transformational change happens.

Sometimes someone has the absolute desire to change but doesn’t quite believe it can happen – this is completely different again. If the desire is there, then we can find the how and we can move to engage and work together. The belief is helpful, but not necessary for a positive outcome.

And those positive outcomes when they’re met are often far and beyond what the individual thought could happen in such a relatively brief amount of time – and it’s lovely because they’ve always been met in an ethical way, which emphasised not the skill of the therapist alone, but the autonomy of the client and the inner resources available to them.

Zack Polanski is a Cognitive Hypnotherapist working at 1 Harley Street. He works with a variety of issues including confidence, self-esteem, phobias, smoking cessation, addictions, public speaking, PTSD and body disorders. Sessions must be booked 7 days in advance. Phone: 07738088632 or E-mail: info@zackpolanski.com

Tags: anxiety, body, Cognitive Hypnotherapy, confidence, Depression, esteem, hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, NLP, Zack Hypnotherapist, Zack Polanski
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Friday, August 19th, 2011

This week has been a really interesting week of working with people; From seeing people with phobias, to anxiety disorders, addictions, depression and obsessive behaviour.

Something that’s really struck me about the work I do with people is their bravery. There are very few universals in the clients that I see- and everyone is very unique and different- but there’s something deeply touching about people’s wants, needs and desires to change. Often when people have come to see me, they’ve given up in the past and that’s how they’ve let their problem(s)/issue(s) get to a level where they really desire to make a change or they’re so keen to improve their lives from the state they feel they’re already in- that they go at it with full force.

I was reflecting on this when I read a passage last night from Irvin Yalom’s “The Gift Of Therapy” and there was a short passage which really struck a chord;

“Heddeger spoke of two modes of existence; the everyday mode and the ontological mode. In the everyday mode we are consumed with and distracted by material surroundings- we are filled with wonderment about how things are in the world. In the ontological mode we are focused on being per se- that is , we are filled with wonderment that things are in the world. When we exist in the ontological mode- the realm beyond everyday concerns- we are in a state of particular readiness for personal change.”

The key phrase I believe is the latter. Clients don’t usually get through my door until they’re already ready to begin to make that personal change- and being ready to make a difference in any aspect of your life often requires bravery.

The Catch 22 is that i’m not wholly sure if it’s the bravery that creates readiness or vice versa or if actually they’re both just fueling along. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter- the important part is the decision. Are you ready, and indeed brave enough, to make changes in your life?

Zack Polanski is a Cognitive Hypnotherapist at 1 Harley Street, London. W1G 9QD

The Lewis Clinic is a clinic of hypnotherapists working from the centre of London at Harley St, but also includes many clients from North, South, East and West.

Tags: Addiction, behaviour, Cognitive, confidence, Depression, disorder, Harley St, Harley Street, hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, NLP, phobia, Polanski, Stress, Zack, Zack Polanski
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Versatility

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

I’m in a hotel room in Romsey – I’m working at the moment with a private corporate client over the next few weeks on rapport in the workplace. The pysche and wellbeing of the managing directors, the employees and how communication can be effective in the workplace.

I also work at several drama schools coaching actors 1-1 on things like confidence, performance anxiety or anything that might crop up in their personal lives (from depression to just wanting to be better at something.)

Similarly, I train therapists and practitioners, coach politicians and consult for various institutions (including a nightclub and a youth offending institution.)

My most common work is working with members of the public. Whether it’s preparing someone for their audition at drama school or working with someone who’s experienced trauma – 1 on 1 work is something I really enjoy.

I like to keep busy - people who know me are often bemused how many different hats this entails. I don’t really see it that way, though. For me – they’re all under one umbrella of working with people.

So why this blog? It’s not intended to be an advertisement for ‘Zack Polanski Hypnotherapy Services’ – it’s intended to suggest a wider point about versatility.

So often I meet people who feel really stuck in their lives, their relationships or their careers. They can’t see a way out or they feel really tied up in their story. Frequently, learning a new skill set is a big jump.

I’d still encourage people to do it sometimes, even if it’s a leap – yet in the meantime, you may not even have to move off the spot. Sometimes you can look at your feet, turn yourself around and just face in a different direction. This alternative perceptual position can be enough that you can begin to see new angles and ideas upon your perspective – something that can have seemed so difficult or impossible, can come within your reach.

As a therapist, a communicator, a philosopher, a mentor and a coach - guiding you to find that new position and encouraging you to take that leap is often my specialist area. I’d love to help.

Zack Polanski is a Cognitive Hypnotherapist at 1 Harley Street, London. W1G 9UD. 07738088632 or info@zackpolanski.com

Tags: anxiety, business, coach, Cognitive Hypnotherapist, confidence, Depression, drama school, Harley St, Hypnotherapy, mentor, performing, trauma, Zack, Zack Polanski
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Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

Wow. So it’s been a month of incredible weather which seems to be finishing off with a day or two of rain.

In both my private client work, various work with businesses and corporations and counselling at drama schools – i’ve noticed a real trend of reflectivity at this time of year. As we reach the half way point of 2011, people thinking about where they’ve come from since January and where they would like to be by December.

I’ve seen a variety of people for confidence issues, people who have previously been suffering from anxiety – and a few unusual phobias too. The common theme though has been that clients this month, even more than usual, have been in a place where they just feel stuck.

It’s interesting that idea of being ’stuck’ and how do we know when we are? It’s almost invariably a feeling. It might be an uncomfortable feeling in our stomach, or the heavy weighing down of our shoulders – something that just lets us know that not all is as it could be.

In many ways though – that feeling is helpful to us. It’s an excellent calibration mechanism between the start of treatment and the conclusion. It’s a good way of checking in with ourselves on how we’re feeling – the absence of the feeling of being stuck, or the replacement with an opposite feeling – just confirms that we’re starting to move on with our lives and find new choices.

It’s a little bit like the weather – we only notice the rain because it’s been so sunny or vice versa. It’s all news of difference.

So here’s the question – if you wanted news of difference in your life, how would you notice? What would it be? What differences would you be making from today?

And the most powerful question – how best can you being to implement those changes so you don’t have to feel stuck any longer?

Zack Polanski is a Cognitive Hypnotherapist working at 1 Harley Street. His work with NLP, Hypnosis and Pyschology is powerful in working with peoples confidence, anxiety, phobias, depression, self-esteem issues, relationships and coaching. You can call on 07738088632 or info@zackpolanski.com

Harley Street is just by Oxford Circus Tube and is accessible from North, South, East, West and Central London very easily.

Tags: anxiety, coaching, Depression, Harley St, Harley Street, hypnosis, hypnotherapist, NLP, Phobias, relationships, self esteem, Therapy, Zack, Zack Polanski
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The Pleasure/Pain Principle

Sunday, October 24th, 2010

This was an idea of Aristotle’s that I often find that I talk about with clients, and other therapists.

If the thought of philosophy or science usually makes you want to switch off- hold on there with me because it’s a really simple principle to grab hold of once you’ve heard it.

The idea is simply when we’re motivated to do something- we’re either moving towards something we want or moving away from something we don’t want. There’s been a lot of talk in Politics this month around the Government’s attitude towards Banks- whether to go for the stick or the carrot. Often they’re just deciding whether to help incentivise them or plonk sanctions on them.

It’s worth noticing that almost no one is solely motivated towards, and almost no one is solely motivated away from – they’re contextual. Where it can be useful though is if you’ve become stuck in a pattern for one particular context, it might be worth considering what other options could be available to you if you change your strategy.

Take two people, for example. Alex and Lee. They’re both pretty motivated people when it comes to working out and going to the gym- but they have completely different ways of doing it.

Alex goes to the gym by having a chart on his wall. On this chart, he ticks off how many bench presses he’s done and how many weight’s he’s lifted that week according to his 5×5 programme. Just ticking off the boxes is a huge thing to him, and he really enjoys seeing the progression. He’s really moving TOWARDS those goals that he wants to achieve.

Lee goes to the gym, in another way. She considers how overweight she’s going to look if she doesn’t go. She’s even got a picture of her from 5 years ago wehn she was really unhappy with her weight and she never wants to look like that again- she really wants to move AWAY from that side of her. Anything but that.

Now instinctively when we read these- we often want to consider ourselves TOWARDS people. Society has often moulded us to be positive and optimistic. Those things can be great; but again it’s contextual.

Take a Fireofficer for example. If Mark loves putting out fires and going in places just to rescue people. He loves that feeling of moving TOWARDS saving a life- it can be fantastic. What Mark really needs though for the safety of himself and the rest of the team is Lucy.

Lucy loves saving lives too- it’s why she does the job she chooses to do BUT she’s very good at spotting potential problems. She knows when to move AWAY from the building for the overall safety of everyone amd knows when to nip heroic acts in the bud and do whatever is necessary to be efficent, safe and caring all at the same time.

It’s interesting in the concept of business how towards people (i imagine like Richard Branson or Simon Cowell) are constantly moving towards things and coming up with new projects.

There are often stories of people though who are motivated by moving AWAY from esentially poverty. They come up with a fantastic plan, but then once they’ve made a successful business- they become complacent and self-sabotage it, almost. This is often usually because the criteria for the motivation has been removed from the situation.

And how is this relevant to therapy?

In Cognitive Hypnotherapy, we believe in working with the individual and their behaviours in the current moment. If your behaviour that’s unwanted, still has a positive intention- are you moving towards something you want different even pleasurable or are you moving away from something that’s going to be painful?

Either way, I’m happy to help and your intention is just one piece of the jigsaw. If you’d like to discuss any of these ideas or your personal circumstances, i’d be more than happy to chat to you on the phone (07738088632) or alternatively just drop me an e-mail (info@zackpolanski.com)

That Aristotle really knew his stuff.

Zack Polanski is a Cognitive Hypnotherapist working at The Lewis Clinic on 1 Harley Street. He is also an NLP Trainer having been trained by John Grinder, Carmen Bostic-St Claire and Michael Carroll. He works with a wide range of issues from smoking cessation to trauma, phobias, depression and confidence issues. Every individual is treated as just that- an individual and all work is confidential.

For Media Enquiries or actors/models/politicians, I am happy to liase initally through a recognised agent.

Tags: clinic, Cognitive Hypnotherapy, Depression, Harley St, Harley Street, hypnosis, NLP, Phobias, self esteem, smoking, Therapy, Zack Polanski
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

This week has been a really interesting week of working with people; From seeing people with phobias, to anxiety disorders, addictions, depression and obsessive behaviour.

I was reflecting on this when I read a passage last night from Irvin Yalom’s “The Gift Of Therapy” and there was a short passage which really struck a chord;

Zack Polanski is a Cognitive Hypnotherapist at 1 Harley Street, London. W1G 9QD

The Lewis Clinic is a clinic of hypnotherapists working from the centre of London at Harley St, but also includes many clients from North, South, East and West.

Tags: Change, Cognitive Hypnotherapy, confidence, Depression, Difference, East, Harley St, Harley Street, hypnotherapist, Hypnotherapists, North, phobia, South, Stop, West, Zack Polanski
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January 18th

Monday, January 18th, 2010

January 18th is statistically the most depressing day of the year.

Psychologist Cliff Arnall pinpointed the third Monday of January as the gloomiest day but is urging us not to give in to the blues.

He said: “I would encourage people to use the day as a springboard, to challenge the notion, for people to focus on the high quality things in their life.

“What is important are emotions, who you love and your friends. Look at the things you have, that money can’t buy, have some fun on the day.”

But it isn’t so materially based for everyone.

For other’s, it can be several factors all combined together: weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing our New Year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and the feeling of a need to take action.

Others blame the recession, for the idea of uncertainty.

As Tony Robbins says, everyone loves a surprise, right? Untrue. We love a surprise when we enjoy the result.
In life, we often enjoy certainty and the unpredictable.

So, what can you actually do?

I don’t necessarily subscribe to the school of thought called “Positive Thinking.” If there’s serious aspects of your life that aren’t working for you- then how about taking a different tag, that of authentic happiness?

Changing the things in our life that don’t work for us and having more of the stuff that does.

So, here’s my question; What can you do today, so that when you look back on January 18th 2011 and beyond- you can know that you really set your life on track in a direction that you want to go in?

—

Zack Polanski is a Cognitive Hypnotherapist for The Lewis Clinic at 1 Harley Street.

Working with a wide range of issues, he can be contacted on 07738088632 or by filling out the enquiry form at www.zackpolanski.com

Tags: Authentic Pyschology, Cognitive Hypnotherapy, Depression, Hypnotherapy, London, Positive Thinking, Recession, The Lewis Clinic, Zack, Zack Polanski
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