Kay Cook New Horizons Hypnotherapy

About me

The mind and our reactions to our thoughts have long since fascinated me. I studied this subject informally on and off culminating in my decision to train as a therapist.

I wanted to learn a therapeutic technique which was not only fast and effective but which concentrated more on how people fulfilled their potential rather than why they sometimes do not (although this is important too). I also wanted to learn a therapy which would further my understanding of and respect for the innate instincts underlying human behaviour.

I chose to undertake hypnotherapy training at the Clifton Practice in Bristol (CPHT) which is an independently accredited centre of excellence in hypnotherapy and psychotherapy training incorporating Brief Solution Focused Therapy.

An enduring interest of mine has been sport and outdoor pursuits. Over the years I have enjoyed swimming, tennis, archery and hiking as a participant and watched athletics and tennis extensively. It was whilst participating in archery that I first became aware of hypnosis in sport. Although I was only a good club archer myself I was in contact with members of the British Archery Team some of whom had used hypnosis in their preparations. My participation in archery taught me how learning to focus the mind can make a difference which will extend itself throughout other areas of life. In hypnotherapy we utilise the capacity of the mind to focus and discipline itself which has important implications in sport and in life.

I would be delighted to help you achieve your sporting potential. If your sport is one of which I have no personal experience I look forward to learning from you the physical skills you need to perfect. I then apply my skills to releasing negative self beliefs and increasing your motivation and concentration together with helping you to “rehearse” the skills and responses needed.

There is a significant body of scientific evidence supporting the concept that using visualisation to “practice” a skill enables that skill to be performed with greater ease, at a higher level and with greater probability of accurate replication. This knowledge has important implications for those who consistently perform below par when it really matters or who feel they do not quite fulfil their potential whether in sport or any other field of endeavour.

My personal philosophy has been greatly informed by the information I have synthesised from both my own life experience and the books and, lectures I have enjoyed over the years. The following writers/teachers have had a strong influence upon my thinking and have inspired me hugely:-

Human Givens by Joe Griffin (Research Psychologist with graduate and postgraduate degrees from the LSE and Ivan Tyrrell (Principal of Mind and Director of the European Therapy Studies Institute)
Primal Health by Dr Michel Odent (Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Surgeon) - "Radical" thinker in the field of mind-body reactance and the generation of health and fulfilment)
Trancework by Michael D Yapko (PhD, Clinical Psychologist)
Warriors, Settlers and Nomads by Terence Watts (Fellow of the Hypnotherapy Research Society)
Radical Knowing and Radical Nature by Christian de Quincey PhD – Professor of Consciousness Studies at John F Kennedy University
Numerous books by Dr Deepak Chopra (Endocrinologist by training) but particularly Synchronicity, Quantum Health and The Book of Secrets
States of Consciousness by Professor Charles T Tart PhD
Realms of the Human Unconsciousness by Stanislav Grof MD
The Rebirth of Nature: The Greening of Science and God; A Sense of Being Stared At by Rupert Sheldrake (Biologist and Research Fellow at Cambridge University)
The Brain Story by Susan Greenfield CBE
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (freedom fighter and former President of South Africa)