The autumn season can be an important time to engage with prospective clients who might be interested in seeking help.
The summer often sees people delaying big decisions until after the holidays have finished. September allows for a gentle period of reflection and a chance to look at ways to move forward in key aspects of life.
Using your website and social media messaging to re-affirm the value of the free, initial consultation can really help to provide a positive sense of direction for the future.
And, even if the client doesn’t engage in any follow-up appointments, you can feel a sense of accomplishment in the knowledge you’ve been able to impart to them.
The news is currently dominated by the ‘cost of living’ crisis which will be having a huge impact on people’s stress levels across the country.
We can help by providing a calm and safe environment for regular clients who might use the therapy room as a key ‘anchor point’ to help them through the week.
That all important FREE initial consultation can make a big difference for someone who wants to learn a bit more about how their brain works and the types of change they can embrace to help themselves to move forward.
We can provide FREE signposting to perspective clients and, of course, to existing customers. The NBMP website has an exceptionally thorough and comprehensive list of organisations which can help someone through a complex array of issues.
Uploading a regular ‘vlog’ onto your website or social media space can be a great way to impart ‘tips’ for self-improvement and development. It’s something which can be FREE at the point of access for someone who might be struggling.
‘Tuning in’ to a regular on-line vlog can give someone that crucial bit of reassurance that there is an expert out there who is willing to listen – and to help.
Vlogs are useful for the client as they can ‘meet’ you ahead of the first appointment. It allows you to be approachable, friendly and professional.
They’re inexpensive to produce as you can use a laptop or smartphone camera to record your thoughts before uploading them.
The key to a good mini video presentation is to make sure that your background is clean and tidy. Perhaps think about using natural light in your favour to avoid shadows.
Making your own monthly newsletter can also be a productive tool to help you to get your message ‘out there.’
There are lots of free newsletter production tools which you can access. We use the excellent team at Mail Chimp to distribute our information.
Having the opportunity for someone to sign up to a newsletter is a great first step in starting to cultivate the therapeutic alliance.
It means there’s no commitment for them to contact you, and, of course, they can opt out at any time.
Newsletters can be quick and fun to write. A chance to inspire someone. An opportunity for them to get to know you.
If you upload the newsletter onto your website then Google might recognise your production of fresh content which, in turn, can help with the organic growth of your site.
Newsletters might further help someone to engage in a more positive form of media as much of our news consumption can see print and broadcasters focus on the more downbeat aspects of life.
Our approach allows us to reflect on moments of happiness which can be small but may also provide positive energy for someone reading our content. As Milton Erickson said, ‘What is easiest to see is often overlooked.’
September is the month where we tend to start to see major contrasts in our weather and some people may start to experience SAD (Seasonally Affective Disorder).
SAD happens when days start to become shorter and is often classed as a medical condition. So, in very simple parlance, less daylight means less Vitamin D being produced which results in less serotonin being created.
Hypnotherapy can make a difference as the therapy is designed to boost serotonin levels, and, as such, help someone who may be struggling with SAD.
As in many areas of our work, we are trained to be able to work alongside and engage with a client’s GP as and when it’s appropriate for us to do so.
Speaking with your supervisor can be useful as they can provide guidance on how to further help someone who might be struggling.
And, of course, it’s equally important to ensure we are engaging in a bit of TLC for ourselves too!
We hope you have an amazing month.
