Talking with Kerry Seymour, Inspired to Change

As some of you know, Kerry Seymour, from Inspired To Change runs the Solution Focused Hypnotherapy coaching programmes we offer to carers.

So I thought it was about time we found out a little more about her.

Tell me more about what you do.

I am a Clinical Solution Focused Hypnotherapist, and work with people helping them to understand how their brain works so they can really get it working with them rather than against them.

In general, no one teaches us how our brain works, do they? But it’s quite a complicated bit of kit and we just make it up as we go along. Sometimes that works fine and sometimes when we have those stressful periods it can go a little bit wrong, or we can get a stuck. Understanding how our brain works puts us back in control, especially when in stressful situations.

As well as running the group for the Carers Collective, I also work 1-2-1 with people helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and overwhelm whilst booting confidence and self-esteem, so they can create the life they want and love.

Tell me 5 things about you

• I am a Psychology graduate and used to work in forensic mental health services.

• I am an ex-military wife (my husband left the military in 2016), and we have lived in various places across the UK and spent a year in Cyprus, which was lovely. This gave me a huge appreciation of managing the change and uncertainty that comes with military life.

• I am a mum of two, a boy and a girl aged 6 and 9 (plus our furbaby greyhound, Bugsy).

• I enjoy crafting, especially knitting and crochet.

• I am a BIG Harry Potter fan and I have recently got the kids into it too.

Why did you become a clinical hypnotherapist?

At university I originally wanted to be a clinical psychologist but after graduating my work detoured into research and quality improvement. I then took a four-year career break to have my babies.

In 2017, I started my own business, offering support to health and wellbeing providers and practitioners. During that time, I came across Solution Focused Hypnotherapy. I didn’t even realise it was a thing until that point, which is a shame because I now know it would have really helped when I had post-natal depression.

I gradually met more hypnotherapists and found out a bit more about it and how it works. It was when I found myself reading the CPHT website that I realised it was what I wanted to do.

It ticked all the boxes; and I made quite a quick decision. I joined the course and have not looked back. From learning about how the brain works to working with people to really help them get their life back on track, it’s been exactly what I wanted it to be.

How long was the training?

I joined the course in March 2020. It’s 10 months’ training, and a level 4 diploma. We practice as hypnotherapists from month three, so we get experience right from the beginning - learning by doing. At month seven, we could launch our own practices, so when I graduated in month 10, I had quite a lot of client experience under my belt already.

Have you had experience of being a carer?

Yes, in 2014 my mum passed away from terminal cancer. The few weeks leading up to that, I was part of her palliative care team along with my sister and aunt who had just qualified as a nurse. She passed away at home, which was her wish. 

My daughter was two at the time, so I was also caring for her. It was challenging managing both and giving attention and focus to my toddler and the caring role.

It was only for a short amount of time, but I could really see how it impacted my stress levels. We were dealing with a lot of uncertainly every day, not knowing if it was going to be the last. Plus, seeing a loved one in that situation is challenging to say the least.

Do you remember how we met?

Yes, we met at a networking event in North Somerset. We have a mutual contact in Tamsin Garrie, who is your coach and my colleague. We had a 1-2-1 and really connected on the solution focused message and the positive impact that can have.

What made you decide to work with me?

Just that vision you have of supporting carers really spoke to me. 

The health system in general is quite problem focused, which perhaps it needs to be to a certain extent, which can often create feelings of frustrations, overwhelm and hopelessness. Being able to offer a different type of support for carers, a solution focused perspective, was absolutely something I wanted to be involved with. I was more than happy to offer my time to provide solution focused support and brain education to give carers back control, build their resilience and create positive change in their life.

Tell me more about Inspired To Change?

Inspired To Change is a UK wide clinical hypnotherapy organisation and we all practice Solution Focused Hypotrophy specifically. It was founded by Gary Johannes, launched Inspired To Change just over 10 years ago with the aim of changing how mental health is treated. 

The Inspired To Change team work both online or face to face delivering 1-2-1 and group sessions, as we do for Carers Collective. We also deliver mental health training workshops to organisations so that they can support their staff to manage stress and boost their resilience and performance. 

Tell me about your own set up and how you work

My corner of the Inspired To Change world is in Weston Super Mare, in North Somerset. I work exclusively online with clients after really seeing the effectiveness of solution focused Hypnotherapy delivered over Zoom as a student. Seeing the positive outcomes blew my mind - so I stayed online as it fits with my life and clients who don’t have to worry about travel and parking. I think it helps that they can be in the comfort of their own home too.

How can people find you?

You can find me on the Inspired To Change website.

Or get in touch via Facebook.

If you want to discover how this can work for you or find out more, you can book in for a free 1 hour consultation. I will ask what you would like help with as well as what you would like to achieve. I’ll also explain how your brain works, why you’re experiencing a particular issue as well as how you can start to take steps forward.

For some this hour gives them all they need, while others choose to work together, over an average of 6-12 session, to really get things back on track and create lasting change.