I first joined The Samaritans in 1992 as a listening volunteer – something I am immensely proud to be part of. As listening volunteers we take calls from people who are in crisis; people who are lonely; people who are struggling and suffering. It really is a privilege to spend time talking and listening to callers, as for many, it is the first time they have been able to share with anyone what they are thinking and feeling.
They are giving us their trust, opening up about some of their deepest fears, pain and emotions. Listening volunteers work to create a genuine human connection and to “hold” that vulnerable person for however long the call may last.
As listening volunteers we are not trying to solve their problems. We do not judge. We do not give advice. We provide time and space for the caller to offload and perhaps reflect more widely about their situation. Sometimes the caller leaves the call feeling better and with a clearer idea of how they want to move forward. Often the callers want to move forward but don’t know how. There are times when the caller simply can’t see a solution at all.
The Samaritans has never been in greater demand than it is now. The pressures of modern life mean more people than ever are struggling. Listening is an immensely powerful tool, and learning to be a good listener is a truly valuable skill. I am now also involved in helping to train new volunteers to become effective listeners so they to can provide that vital human connection for people in distress.
Having the option to talk things through, to offload, is invaluable – but it is not the same as learning how to move forward, past the things that hold us back and cause such pain. Many mental health challenges can be supported and resolved. The impact of past traumas and abuse may be part of someones’s life story, but it does not have to define their future.
This is my motivation for becoming a Solution Focussed Hypnotherapist: to help people take the next step. When someone recognises they need support, I want to offer a way forward – by helping them understand how their mind works, how patterns of thinking are formed, and how those patterns can be changed. Through this understanding, clients can begin to rewire unhelpful thinking, take back control from past events and break the loops of negative thoughts that keep them stuck.
I am still a listening volunteer with Samaritans and value every contact.
However, when I am in my therapy space, I am able to do more than listen. I can empower. I can coach. I can support clients to learn and develop new ways of thinking that can free them from the past.
It never ceases to amaze me how much we cope with. How deeply past experiences and patterns can shape our lives. To support clients to move beyond what has held them back, and to move forward into something better, is not only possible – it is absolutely incredible.