While Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) practitioners have long known from experience just how effective SFH can be, we haven’t had the formal studies to confirm this—until now.
The study
In 2021, Inspired to Change set out to fill this gap. They conducted a preliminary study involving 36 officers and staff from Northumbria Police. The participants were looking to address issues including anxiety, stress, depression, poor sleep, loss of confidence, public speaking, and fertility. Each participant received between 8 and 12 sessions of SFH.
The results were remarkable:
- 100% of participants showed improvement.
- 78% of participants recovered completely, showing no clinical symptoms.
- Participants experienced an 84% increase in life wellness scores, demonstrating significant improvement in overall wellbeing.
These results highlight the profound impact SFH can have, providing a compelling case for its broader adoption.
The study involved collecting both qualitative and quantitative data from participants, including measures of anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ9), wellness indicators, and feedback from therapists and police HR staff.
These outcomes are so outstanding that, when it came time to choose a hypnotherapy modality, they decisively affirmed my decision to train in SFH. I’m thrilled to be sharing them with you.
The background
Police officers face immense stress and mental health challenges. According to Police Care UK, a staggering 66% of the police workforce may have psychological or mental health issues, with 71% likely suffering from anxiety and depression. These issues lead to work absences which increase pressure on remaining staff, leading to even more stress.
Traditional therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are commonly used but have limitations. Research indicates that while CBT can reduce symptoms, over 50% of individuals do not experience significant improvement, and those who do often don’t see a corresponding increase in overall wellbeing.
Northumbria Police sought to explore new ways to support their staff, recognising that existing mental health support services weren’t being used effectively.
How did SFH achieve these results?
SFH combines the best of psychotherapy and hypnosis to create a structured, goal-oriented therapy. Unlike some traditional therapies that delve into past issues, SFH focuses on the present and future, helping individuals harness their strengths to overcome challenges. This approach has been particularly successful in treating anxiety, depression, stress, sleep issues, and confidence problems.
Benefits beyond the workplace
Participants noted that SFH not only improved their work-life but also had a positive ripple effect on their home and family life. Many reported better stress management, perspective, and resilience. The structured, logical, and positive nature of SFH sessions resonated with participants, leading them to share their newfound coping tools with colleagues.
The future of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy
The study underscores SFH’s potential in symptom reduction and enhancing wellbeing and resilience. Its structured approach facilitates quick engagement and results. Moving forward, there’s hope for more research into SFH’s role in preventive mental health care and trauma resolution, including PTSD recovery.
I look forward to sharing more studies with you as soon as they’re published!
