Psychotherapist and hypnotherapist Angela Brown explores the challenges of starting out in her profession

Welcome to Professional Opinions, the series exploring the mental health and wellbeing landscape in 2023 through a collection of interviews with professionals from the Happiful directories.

This time, we’re speaking to Hypnotherapy Directory member Angela Brown about regulation and the growing demand for wellbeing support.

Angela is a psychotherapist and solution-focused hypnotherapist, working with clients who have experienced trauma, have sleep difficulties, disordered eating, anxiety, IBS, depression, OCD and exam nerves. She uses scientifically backed methods to support her clients, and has just won Most Uplifting Psychotherapist & Hypnotherapist at the GHP Mental Health Awards.

So, what’s her professional opinion?

Hi Angela! Why did you decide to join your profession?

My daughter was successfully treated for arachnophobia in 2016.

Since you began, what have you found to be the most surprising thing about the work you do?

The clients never cease to amaze me with an abundance of skills and resources which they soon start to tap into again, and the speed of their recovery.

What do you like about your profession?

Everything. Honestly, I wouldn't change a thing.

What are some of the challenges that come with your line of work?

When starting out, the challenges were greater – and the dreaded 'I don't know' answer could be troublesome. But with time and practice, 'I don't know' can often be an excellent first draft of a brilliant answer whilst the brain thinks things through.

How do you address some of the challenges that you face?

Pause and have a sip of water. It’s very important to hear and follow the client's language.

The clients never cease to amaze me with an abundance of skills

What do you think could be done to improve the profession for you and for others?

I really think there should be a regulatory body. Very often, I have clients who have been through so many different types of counselling before they are recommended to me, and it seems crazy that it is not recognised by some regulating bodies. This means people cannot make insurance claims through us, despite the fact that there have been hundreds of meta-analyses showing how effective the treatment is, it has been featured in the New Scientist, and it is recommended by NICE for IBS. So, I hope that this will happen in the near future.

What do you see being some of the major challenges your profession will face in the next 10 years? How do you think the way you will operate may change?

I can only see demand increasing, unless the NHS puts significant funding into mental health. The waiting list for CAMS is currently 18 months.

What advice would you give to others in the profession?

When starting out, stick with it – it takes a while for the business to grow, I would say a few years. Do lots of CPDs and always have supervision, it is invaluable.

Angela Brown

Clinical Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist member of AsFSH (2017), CHS Medical Hypnotherapy Diploma (2018), Brief Therapist, IARTT Practitioner (2018), Member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy, CBTi for Insomnia Practitioner (2020).

Find out more about Angela and connect with her on Hypnotherapy Directory.

The Happiful directories are Counselling Directory, Life Coach Directory, Hypnotherapy Directory, Therapy Directory, and Nutritionist Resource. Find out more, and start your journey with us.