RClifford, Author at R Clifford Cognitive Hypnotherapy

Image of a scared child with a shadow of a monster on the wall behind her. Reparenting Your Inner child therapy with Rowenna Clifford. Find out how inner child work heals childhood trauma.

22 March 2026

The Hidden Effects of Childhood Trauma

The Hidden Effects of Childhood Trauma and How Inner Child Work Can Help You Heal By R Clifford Hypnotherapy and Inner Child Therapy London Book a free consultation Growing up in a dysfunctional home can leave you feeling poorly equipped to deal with life. The hidden effects of childhood trauma leave emotional scars on your nervous system that can be difficult to identify. When people come to me for help with emotional problems in their adult lives, they often tell me that they don’t understand why they feel the way they do. Most of my clients report having had a good, or at least good enough, childhood and many have been successful in other areas of their lives. But so often they struggle with low self-esteem and repeated patterns in relationships that they can’t seem to break free of. They wouldn’t think of their problems as stemming back to childhood trauma. But this is where the hidden effects of childhood trauma show up and sabotage your life. In this article, we’ll explore how inner child healing works, why it’s effective, and how it can create lasting emotional change. How inner child therapy helps Take the Attachment Style Quiz Discover Your Attachment Style The Effects of Childhood Trauma on Attachment As a child, your attachment system is shaped by the level of nurturing, support, connection and emotional availability you receive from your caregivers. If you grew up with parents who struggled with their own emotional regulation issues, were stressed, anxious, angry or dismissive a lot of the time, the nervous system of a child experiences this as frightening, unsafe, abandonment or rejection. This is what we call “attachment trauma”, or “relational trauma”, and it leaves deep emotional imprints on your “attachment blueprint” for life. And if you experienced more extreme levels of abuse or neglect in childhood, the intensity of your trauma symptoms in later life will be greater too. TYPES OF INNER CHILD How Childhood Trauma Affects Adult Life The hidden effects of childhood trauma can show up in many ways, including: Anxiety and overthinking Low self-esteem or self-doubt Fear of abandonment or rejection Difficulty trusting others People-pleasing or lack of boundaries Uncontrolled anger, rage or emotional outbursts Feeling unsafe in settings that logically you know are safe These patterns are not personality flaws — they are adaptive responses that developed in childhood to help you cope with uncertainty or inconsistent support. Inner child work helps you understand and heal these patterns at their root and giving you the tools to repair unmet childhood needs. Read on to learn more about how inner child work heals childhood trauma and how you can work with me. Book a free call with me How Inner Child Work Helps Undo The Effects of Childhood Trauma 1. It Identifies the Root Cause Rather than just managing symptoms, inner child work goes deeper. By revisiting early experiences in a safe and supported way, you can uncover the original moments where beliefs and emotional wounds were formed. In my work, we also focus on developing your internal nurturing parent to support your inner child parts. This allows us to create new responses to early life experiences, changing the way your mind accesses memories and how your nervous system reacts. This is key for healing trauma at its source — not just coping with it. 2. It Reprocesses Stored Emotions Childhood trauma often leaves emotions “frozen” in time. Inner child healing allows you to: Feel emotions that were suppressed Express what couldn’t be expressed at the time Release emotional pain safely This process helps the nervous system update and recognise that the threat is no longer present. And that you have the resources to support yourself now in ways you didn’t at the time. 3. It Rewrites Limiting Beliefs Many core beliefs are formed in childhood, such as: “I’m not good enough” “I’m not safe” “I don’t matter” “I’m unlovable” Through inner child work, these beliefs can be challenged and replaced with healthier, more empowering ones. 4. It Builds Self-Compassion One of the most powerful aspects of inner child healing is learning to relate to yourself with kindness rather than criticism. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?” You begin to ask, “What happened to me that made me behave this way?” This shift alone can be deeply transformative. It signals the start of releasing shame and developing compassionate curiosity and self-forgiveness. 5. It Strengthens Emotional Regulation As you heal unresolved wounds, emotional triggers become less intense. You may notice: Greater calm in stressful situations Improved connection and expression in relationships More confidence in setting boundaries A natural shift to kinder self-talk This is because your nervous system is no longer in a state of heightened protection or self-blame. Want to Learn More About Inner Child Therapy? If you’d like to learn more about Inner Child Therapy and how it heals childhood trauma, you can find out more on my Inner Child Therapy page. Find out how Inner Child Therapy can help Why Inner Child Work Is So Effective Inner child therapy helps heal childhood trauma so well because it engages both the conscious and subconscious mind as well as dealing directly with the nervous system. Approaches such as hypnotherapy, visualisation, and guided therapeutic techniques allow access to deeper emotional layers where trauma is stored. This makes it especially effective for people who feel stuck or have not been able to move forward with talking therapies alone. Signs You May Benefit from Inner Child Healing You might benefit from inner child work if you: Feel emotionally triggered in relationships Struggle with self-worth or confidence Experience recurring patterns you can’t break Have a history of childhood trauma or neglect Feel disconnected from yourself or your emotions Can Inner Child Work Be Done Alone? While some inner child exercises can be done independently, working with a trained therapist can provide: A safe and supportive environment Guidance through deeper emotional processing Techniques tailored to your specific experiences This is

26 February 2026

Reparenting Your Inner Child

Reparenting Your Inner Child How to Heal Emotional Wounds and Rewire Your Attachment System Book a free call Reparenting your inner child may sound like an abstract idea, but if you’ve ever felt like there’s a sad, lonely or hurting child inside you, this could be exactly what you need. We all have emotionally challenging experiences in childhood, along with moments of feeling rejected, scorned or abandoned. However, if these experiences are left unrepaired or happen too frequently, they can leave emotional wounds that shape how you feel about yourself and relationships in later life. Childhood emotional wounds are like scars on your psyche that store painful beliefs about your worth and safety with others. They are imprints in your memory that get activated (“triggered”) later in life, often by loved ones or situations that feel similar. What’s more, they cause reactions that can feel very out of character for your usual “adult self” and can sabotage you from finding happiness and success in life. In this article, I’m going to explain what childhood attachment wounds are, how they show up in your life and relationships, and how you can heal them by reparenting your inner child. What Are Unmet Needs? An unmet need in childhood is any emotional, physical or intellectual need that went overlooked, denied or ignored in early life. It is normal for these things to happen intermittently in childhood, and no parents are going to get it right all the time. But if your needs are consistently dismissed, rejected or unnoticed, this can lead the child to find maladaptive ways of coping or relieving painful emotions. As children, we depend on caregivers to help us feel: Safe Loved Accepted Comforted when distressed Encouraged and valued When these needs aren’t consistently met, a younger part of us can become stuck in survival patterns such as: Anxiety or emotional overwhelm Fear of abandonment People-pleasing Avoidance or emotional shutdown Perfectionism Feeling “too much” or “not enough” Uncontrolled rage or misplaced anger Addictive behaviours or self-harm You may have learned that it was hopeless to ask for help or that love just wasn’t available to you. Maybe you were shamed for having needs and made to feel “weak”, “stupid” or a “nuisance”. You might have learned to shut down and deny your needs as a result or become anxious about people rejecting or abandoning you if your needs are “too much”. Unmet needs from childhood can drive you to do all sorts of things in attempts to self-sooth that can also show up in your adult life. Ever reached for the cookie jar when feeling sad? Shut down or lashed out with rage when feeling hurt or vulnerable? Or even turned to alcohol, drugs, sex or gambling etc. when feeling shame, anger or loneliness? These are just some signs your inner child is seeking ways to numb or mask the pain of unmet needs. And the more painful the childhood wound, the more extreme these reactions and behaviours are in later life. Learn how inner child therapy can help What Does Reparenting Your Inner Child Mean? Inner child reparenting is a way of giving yourself the emotional care, safety and support that you may not have received when growing up. Like I said before, no parents are perfect, and they don’t need to be. But if there was a lack of repairing emotional harm or a sense that nurturance was often unavailable, it can crystalise painful beliefs in a child such as “I’m not good enough”, “I’m unlovable”, “I’m bad/shameful/undeserving” etc. This doesn’t always mean you weren’t loved or cared for; it is often because our parents were struggling with their own emotional challenges or trauma. But the effect on the child still leaves a scar. And the more extreme the abuse is, the bigger the emotional scar is left behind. Reparenting yourself is like filling in the gaps that your parents couldn’t meet, for whatever reason. It is a way to show up for yourself that you wish someone had done for you in early life. It isn’t always easy at first and you may even resist the idea of doing it… after all, you may have had to grow up too soon to begin with if your parents couldn’t show up. But the good news is… It’s never too late to give your inner child what they needed, and there is always a way to heal unmet needs. Take my attachment style quiz How Inner Child Wounds Show Up in Adult Life Many of my clients come to therapy believing their problem is anxiety, relationship issues, or low confidence. But underneath, there’s often a younger part carrying a much older story. For example… Read Mariah’s Story Mariah (name changed for confidentiality) came to me for therapy because she felt intense panic whenever her partner became distant. Even small changes in his tone would trigger overwhelming anxiety. Some weekends spent together she felt safe and assured by his presence, but as soon as he left, she would question every interaction they’d had. When we explored this gently, she realised the feeling wasn’t about her partner at all. It was the same fear she experienced as a child when her emotionally unavailable mother would withdraw. Her inner child wasn’t being “too needy”. She was still desperate to feel safe and loved unconditionally. Because her nervous system was primed to feel unsafe in relationships and that love could be taken away suddenly. She constantly sought reassurance from her partner. This left her feeling “too much” and “suffocating”, reenforcing old beliefs that she would be abandoned. Once we started the process of helping Mariah meet her inner child’s emotional needs herself, her anxiety around her partner reduced dramatically. Instead of seeking reassurance externally, she learned how to soothe and reassure herself. She was then able to show up more secure and authentically as a result. This is the power of inner child work, and you can do this too! Sound

Woman crying alone on the bathroom floor, heal your abandonment issues with inner child therapy

25 November 2025

Inner Child Therapy for Abandonment Issues

How Abandonment Trauma Sabotaged My Relationships Until I Found Inner Child Therapy How Inner Child Therapy Can Heal Abandonment Issues and Stop The Cycle of Rejection! Book a Free Discovery Call Fears of abandonment in relationships could be a sign of inner child wounds, and if you have abandonment issues, you might relate to feeling like this… You finally met someone you really liked, and everything seemed like it was going well. They texted you every day and made you feel special. Your heart sang with every “good morning” or “good night” message… your dreams were coming true and you couldn’t stop thinking about them. Then suddenly… you get a gnawing feeling in your gut that something is wrong, but you don’t know why. You’re sensing changes in their behaviour but you’re doubting yourself… is it just your fear of abandonment or are their texts getting less frequent and colder? You sense they’re pulling away and you’re beginning to spiral. Searching for answers, you think about everything you could have said or done to “put them off”. You start obsessively checking their social media, looking for signs that they’ve found someone else, desperate to know if they still want you. Checking your phone up every few minutes, your heart pounds with every notification, hoping the next one will be them. You want to message them (again) and ask what’s going on, but you fear it’s too much. The pain of not knowing becomes unbearable. You’re confused and heartbroken. The fear sets in… it’s happened again. The Pain of Rejection Can Be Unbearable When You have Abandonment Trauma What happens next – you fall into a painful shame spiral, feeling desperate and out of control, you can’t stop crying. You agonise over everything you fear is wrong with you, beating yourself up for being so “pathetic”, “ugly”, “uninteresting” or any other “not enough-ness”. You feel stupid for thinking anyone like them could want you. In your desperation you think up all kinds of ways to try and get them back or hurt them. It just doesn’t seem fair and you don’t understand what happened to push them away. I know exactly how painful rejection can feel when your abandonment trauma is triggered, because I’ve been there myself. When you have a deep fear of abandonment, it can feel like a huge void of emptiness in your chest, or as thought the world is caving in around you. The desperation to “make things right”, or get them to come back and love you, can make you feel crazy and out of control. It can drive you to do things you would never normally do, and it can push people further away when they feel the intensity of your clinging to them. After it becomes clear that they’ve gone for good, often by blocking you and banning you from their home, it can feel like the only solution is to shut down your heart and give up on love forever. But that is not the answer… and there is a better way!! I also know this because I’ve found this too. Learn more about inner child therapy Read on to learn how I help people heal abandonment issues with Inner Child Therapy If you can relate to the scenario above then you’re not alone. These feelings can often be traced back to early childhood experiences where important emotional needs were not met. This can leave you repeating the same relationship patterns over again, feeling triggered into fear of rejection in moments of conflict. As an experienced Hypnotherapist in London, I specialise in inner child therapy for abandonment issues, helping people uncover and heal the root causes of fears and low self-worth. Using powerful guided hypnosis techniques, it is possible to heal those fears and build healthy self-esteem in relationships. This helps to create a sense of safety in yourself so that no matter how people treat you, you know you are worthy and will be okay. And the best thing is, when you heal your sense of worth you will be attracted to healthier, more secure people too! You’ll stop trying to be something you’re not and stop trying to make unavailable people want you. And, you’ll be able to spot the signs of unavailability or unhealthy attachment in others, before you get attached! When you know you are loveable just the way you are, you’ll stop blaming yourself for every hurtful way anyone else treats you. You can feel safe in your body when conflict arises because you know that your needs are important. You’ll know that a disagreement doesn’t mean they’ll stop loving you. It finally becomes okay to not be “perfect” – because you realise there’s no such thing! Book Your Free 30 Minute Call So how do abandonment issues develop in the first place? Every child needs emotional connection, safety, love and consistency so they can thrive; however, when these needs are not met, even unintentionally, a child may internalise feelings of rejection, fear and being unworthy of love. These early experiences can leave behind what we often call “abandonment wounds” or “attachment injuries”, which are like deep emotional scars that imprint on the child’s psyche. These can cause us to internalise beliefs of not being good enough or being defective in some way, triggering negative self-worth and difficulty in relationships later in life. Some things that can cause abandonment wounds include: Emotionally unavailable caregivers Divorce, separation or loss of a parent Neglect, either emotional or physical Parental addiction or mental illness Being sent away to boarding school, foster care or lengthy hospital stays Inconsistent caregiving or unpredictability in the home Even subtle experiences can have a lasting effect, for example, a parent who is physically present but emotionally unavailable due to their own stressful circumstances, may unintentionally communicate to a child that they are not valued. Similarly, inconsistent caregiving can make a child unsure whether their needs will be met, which further plants the seeds of

Image of a statue hand with chain around it. Blog post on how Codependency affects relationships by Rowenna Clifford

10 March 2025

What is Codependency? Its Silent Stranglehold and Heart-Wrenching Toll on Relationships

The term “codependency”, is a bit of a buzz word these days, along with other attachment labels, but what is codependency?. This article attempts to answer this by drawing on the perspectives of some known experts in this field. Here we’ll explore the definition of codependency, its characteristics and how it can affect both personal and interpersonal growth. I’ll also share some useful strategies and support systems for overcoming it. Defining Codependency Codependency, is a form of emotional immaturity which results in dysfunctional attachment strategies and behavioural patterns in relationships. It is usually characterised by unconscious attempts to create a sense of emotional safety by being desperately in need of, or needed by, the other person. The term codependency, was recently re-defined in the DSM-5 as “developmental immaturity”, as it has its roots in attachment trauma or emotional manipulation during childhood. It usually manifests in adult relationships as a set of maladaptive coping strategies in response to emotional dysregulation. This creates a power dynamic, where one person is either perceived, or perceives themselves, as less than, or better than the other. It often involves one person being overly focussed on the needs and feelings of their partner above themselves. Which, among other issues, causes unhealthy expectations, over-reliance and sometimes and an abuse of power. This dynamic can create a situation where both people take on an unhealthy “role” within the relationship, which subconsciously enable each other to stay stuck. Stephen Karpman, an American Psychiatrist, demonstrated these roles with his development of the “drama triangle”, in 1968. Using this model, he showed how these dysfunctional roles create power dynamics which rely on each other to maintain their identity. The Karpman Drama Triangle Karpman, broke these roles down into 3 categories: The Victim The Persecutor The Rescuer These roles can be enacted in many ways and are usually shrouded in (often subconscious) manipulative behaviour, which can be difficult to spot at first glance. These kinds of dynamics are not limited to romantic relationships either, they can develop in friendships, family and even pet owners! The main characteristic of a codependent relationship, is that one enables the other. Often without realising it, each develops a dependency on the other in order to maintain their identity within the relationship. How Codependency Affects Relationships Even though they usually set out with good intentions, codependent partners keep each other emotionally stuck. The “rescuer” keeps the “victim” from finding their autonomy, being able to stand on their own two feet and resolve or improve their situation. On the other hand, the over-reliance of the “victim”, props up the ego of the “rescuer”, but usually results in them feeling emotionally drained, overwhelmed and trapped. At this point the rescuer can often become a “persecutor”, as their resentment towards the “victim” builds. However, these dynamics can be fluid and complex and do not always result in one person staying in one position on the triangle. It is quite possible for a victim to also be a persecutor for example, and a rescuer/persecutor can also take on the role of victim at times. It is also common for a “victim” type, to fall prey to a dangerous “persecutor” type (someone who is emotionally or otherwise abusive) from the start, as the imbalance in self-esteem are a perfect match for each other (in a negative way!). Codependency and Developmental Immaturity Pia Melody, a leading authority on the concept and treatment of codependency, was one of the first to define this condition as “developmental immaturity”. She describes it as: “A persistent reliance on and attempts to control external factors, like others’ thoughts and actions, to manage emotions and gain self-worth, often stemming from past abusive situations”. According to Pia Melody’s work, there are 5 key areas that codependecny/development immaturity can manifest: Difficulty experiencing appropriate levels of self-esteem (either feeling less-than, or better-than others or depending on others for external validation) Struggles with setting and maintaining healthy boundaries An inability to own and express one’s reality Difficulties identifying and meeting their own needs and wants Struggles with moderating or containing emotions (some examples of this are “oversharing” inappropriately, emotionally manipulating others, walling off/over-containing information or emotions, control issues etc.) You can find out more about Pia Melody and her work with The Meadows here. Some Key Characteristics of Codependency Poor Boundaries: Codependents often struggle to maintain healthy boundaries. They may feel responsible for other people’s emotions and reactions, leading to a lack of self-identity. People-Pleasing: A common trait of codependency is the constant desire to please others. This might involve sacrificing personal needs or desires to gain approval or avoid conflict. Fear of Abandonment: Many codependent individuals have a profound fear of being abandoned, which can drive them to tolerate unhealthy behaviours in their partners. Low Self-Esteem: Codependency often stems from low self-esteem, where individuals feel unworthy or inadequate, leading them to seek validation through their relationships. Control Issues: In an attempt to maintain their relationship, codependents might engage in controlling behaviours, trying to manage their partner’s actions and decisions. How Codependency Develops in Family Dynamics Codependency is usually the result of early life attachment issues, stemming from dysfunctional parenting dynamics. Some examples of the effects of dysfunctional parenting: Parents who are overly involved in their children’s lives can lead to enmeshment, a lack of independence, or a sense of needing to please or support the parent/s emotionally. Parents who are consistently rejecting or abandoning can lead the child to become hyper-vigilant to rejection, emotionally “walled off”, hyper-independent or needless and wantless. When parents rely on their children for mental and emotional support (i.e. for long-term illness, breakdowns in relationships, mental health issues or addictions etc), this reverses the roles in the parent-child dynamic. This can lead the child to feel like an adult yet without the proper resources to cope with the responsibilities of being one. It can manifest later in life as an over-giver or over-doer in relationships, taking on more responsibility than their share. It can often lead to

18 August 2022

Hypnotherapy for Anger Management

Do you ever feel so angry that you fear you’ll lose control? Do you throw a fit over small mistakes? If so, anger is making your life complicated. Thankfully, there are many ways to improve your anger issues. One of the emerging ones is hypnotherapy for anger management. Read on to learn more about having anger management issues and how you can start solving them! Are you having anger issues? Feeling anger from time to time is perfectly normal. For some of us, though, it can become debilitating. It puts a strain on our relationships, jobs and self-esteem. We might not even realise that we have anger issues because we feel justified in our actions or put the blame on others. But accepting that we have a problem is the first step towards a more peaceful life! So, how can you tell if your anger is perfectly normal or over the top? Here are some common signs of anger management issues. Your anger has led you to: Violence towards others Breaking the law Intentionally damaging property or breaking things Feeling completely out of control Worrying about what you might do Very frequent arguments with loved ones Feeling angry and tense almost all the time Raging about small mistakes If this sounds familiar, it’s time to think about what you can do to get your anger under control. Tips to deal with anger Besides complicating your social and working life, living in anger can lead to mental and physical health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety and depression. This is because anger sends your body into a “fight-or-flight” response. You’re pumped with adrenaline which keeps you on your toes. While this is useful when you’re fighting off a tiger or a robber, it gives you no real advantage in everyday life. When you’re raging because a driver didn’t let you into their lane, you’re just stressing yourself out. If you’re often angry, your body is in a permanent state of stress. And that’s exhausting! So, here are some tips that can help you get started with your anger management. 1. Understand your triggers Start by noticing when you’re getting angry. What situations, people or conversations push you off the edge? Take notes and reflect on situations to try to determine how they escalate. Write down everything that seems important. After a while, you’ll notice some things over and over again – those are the patterns that are emerging. And there you’ll find your triggers! Maybe you lose your temper every time you feel bossed around. Or perhaps you feel like exploding every time your spouse leaves the dirty dishes lying around (again!) or when your assistant brings you the wrong coffee. The triggers can be many and are unique for each person. But once you know what they are, you can be prepared. 2. Take some space When a trigger situation happens – pause! Take some time and space to take a step back and decide on how you’ll react. This lets you think about the best way to proceed. You can do this by taking deep breaths, counting to 10, listening to calming music or distracting yourself and directing your energy into a healthier outlet. And if you start feeling like you’re losing control, remove yourself from the situation. Just leave. Come back when you cool off. Photo by Kelvin Valerio – Pexels 3. Prepare for difficult conversations Some conversations might be particularly challenging or triggering for you. Try to plan ahead so it’s easier to navigate the situation. Think about what you might say, take some notes and practise beforehand. Consider the most probable triggers you might run into and think about what you’ll do then. Prepare relaxation or distraction techniques to use if you start losing your temper. Good preparation will help you stay in control, even when it gets difficult. 4. Ask for help The path to healthy anger management is rarely straightforward. It can be challenging to make a change, especially if anger outbursts have been your normal for a while. That’s why asking for professional help is often the most efficient way of making long term progress. A professional can guide you, provide advice, encourage you on a bad day and talk things through with you. Hypnotherapy for anger management treatment has been gaining popularity for a while now! Many people have found it effective for their anger issues. Hypnotherapy for anger management Hypnotherapy puts you into a relaxed state. The body “falls asleep” but the mind stays awake and present. This allows your hypnotherapist to lead you on a journey to your subconscious mind. There, you can find the root cause of your anger issues. Certain past events or the way you were treated might’ve shaped a system of damaging beliefs about life and yourself. And that’s a fertile ground for anger management issues. Perhaps you were treated unjustly or like you didn’t matter. Maybe anger was the only acceptable emotion in the family or you were a target of abuse and ridicule. Again, the causes can be many. Hypnotherapy for anger management helps you understand your behaviour. It gives you the tools to change your negative thought patterns and shed light on your triggers. When you understand why you get so upset, you open up the space for empathy and healing. Your hypnotherapist will guide you with gentle words and will suggest different ways of acting when you feel your anger coming up. They can also teach you relaxation techniques you can apply in your everyday life. The aim is that, after some time, you feel calmer and more relaxed generally, but also when faced with triggers. If you want to learn more about hypnotherapy for anger management, book a free consultation with me!

11 August 2022

Hypnotherapy for Gambling Addiction

When you feel the rush and euphoria of gambling coursing through your veins, it can be hard to stop. You’re yearning for just one more throw of the dice because maybe, just maybe, the next time will be your big win – the one that will solve all your problems… That’s how you get stuck in the vicious circle of gambling addiction. Unfortunately, the deck is stacked against you. No casino would be profitable if it were otherwise. And the habit is genuinely expensive. So, what does gambling addiction look like and is there a way out? What does gambling addiction look like? Just like any other addiction, gambling can take over your life. You only remember the rare wins and the euphoria, so you’ll do anything to feel that way again. And the more money you lose, the more obsessed you become with gaining it back. The stakes are sky-high and the need to win swallows you whole. It starts quite innocently. Maybe you buy a weekly lottery ticket, place a bet on a horse or play some poker. Anticipation of the result matches your excitement! And perhaps you get lucky early on and win a decent sum. So, you go back for more. But the innocent habit becomes a real issue when you can’t seem to stop even if the odds aren’t that great. You stop doing it for fun and instead feel compelled to gamble some more. When you start gambling more than you can afford and go into debt, that’s when you’ve lost all control over your addiction. And you’ve probably lost the trust of your loved ones along the way. Some people realise they have a problem and ask for help early enough. But others get to the point of losing everything – their job, money, family and even their home – before they recognise they need help. Here are a few signs that can help you detect if you have a gambling addiction: You’ve lost interest in other activities you used to enjoy You can’t stop thinking about gambling You lie to others (and yourself) about your gambling You need to borrow money, skip paying bills or go into debt to finance your habit You’re neglecting your family, work and personal needs You’re arguing a lot with your loved ones You need to raise the stakes to get the same rush You feel irritable, anxious and ‘on edge’ all the time You always tell yourself you’ll stop, but you never do Healing gambling addiction can be challenging. But wherever you are in your journey, just know that there is hope. There is a way out. Talking therapies are a common approach since there is no pill for gambling. Hypnotherapy for gambling addiction is one of the more successful approaches. Hypnotherapy for gambling addiction Hypnotherapy leads you into a relaxed state of mind where you’re able to access your unconscious mind. With the help of your hypnotherapist, you can search for and identify the root cause of your addiction, as well as transform the thoughts and behaviour patterns that encourage your addiction. It’s a deep dive into your own psychology. But there’s a caveat: you have to want to change your behaviour. You need to accept and admit to yourself that you have a problem. Otherwise, the therapy most likely won’t be successful. Because of what we’ve seen in films, we often perceive hypnosis as a state where others control us and tell us what to think and how to behave. But the reality is nowhere near that. There is no magic trick. A hypnotherapist is only a guide who helps you navigate the labyrinths of your subconscious. But it is you who has to do all the heavy lifting. And you have to be willing to do the hard work. To face your fears and past experiences that shaped you. To learn about your triggers and practise new ways of reacting to them. To face the truth of your addiction. If you’re ready to do that, then hypnotherapy can help you dismantle your craving and replace it with something more positive. You can gain back control over your life. It’s a process and a journey, but one well worth taking! If you’re interested in learning more about how hypnotherapy for gambling addiction can help you, book free consultations with me. I offer hypnotherapy in London or online and would be glad to help you out on your journey to healing!