Hi. I’m Linda. I was a registered nurse for over 30 years, and then I trained as a counsellor, hypnotherapist and coach. I love the world of therapy, as it brings together many aspects of well-being, encompassing the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of treatment.
Over the years, science has broken us down into parts to study specific aspects of the mind and body in more depth, but now I believe it is time to see the person as a whole again.
This is one reason I chose to pursue a career as a therapist.
Throughout my career, each year has brought a deeper understanding and compassion for people, along with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference.
Life is too short not to pursue what you love.
This is my story of how I moved into the therapy world.
My first job
At the age of sixteen, I left school and worked at a company called Free Film Service for a couple of months. There were lots of businesses around at that time, as people didn’t have flash cameras on their phones to take amazing pictures with. Instead, people used cameras with film or disposable cameras. This was why there were film factories where films were developed and then sent back to their owners.
This job was okay, but I knew I wouldn’t stay there, as my ambition was to become a nurse.
My first therapy job
At sixteen, I became a cadet nurse. This was a pre-registered nurse position, where I worked two days a week at college, gaining additional qualifications, and three days in a hospital to acquire new knowledge and skills in healthcare. I worked at the Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Taplow, near Maidenhead. (The hospital has since closed, as that was over 50 years ago!)
In this job, I learnt about the importance of hard work, working as a team, and the special skills of empathy that some nurses use with patients.
I also learnt a lot about the running of a hospital and the various departments and wards that serve the local community.
Working as a nurse
I did go on to train as a nurse and worked in many areas, but I loved working in ophthalmology the most. Not only did I practice ophthalmic nursing, but I also went on to teach ophthalmic nursing.
I remember the emotional and physical pain when someone went through the windscreen and lost both eyes before the seatbelt laws.
As a nurse, I wanted to provide much more than my role typically allowed me to do.
I recognised the importance of good communication and how people perceive things from a different perspective, depending on their knowledge, skills, and beliefs.
I understood empathy.
I did this job to help people in a very personal way.
However, to progress, I have always acknowledged the importance of acquiring more knowledge and skills, so I have consistently pursued further studies. Therapy became my focus.
I’m a lifelong learner.
Working as a nurse also provided the things that most people want from a job, i.e., financial stability, friendship, learning, and a sense of purpose for getting up in the morning.
Moving to counselling
While working as a nurse, I also decided to train as a counsellor, as I wanted to improve my communication skills. I recall that patients, their relatives, and other staff members enjoyed talking to me.
Counselling involves so much more than talking. In fact, good counsellors are great at listening.
I noticed how counsellors could make a difference in people’s lives. But there was a continuum of counsellors. Some did the job, while others excelled at the human-to-human connection that helped people transform their lives.
My listening skills were invaluable when I became a Patient Advice and Liaison Service manager in a hospital. Understanding the person’s concerns was crucial.
I also did this counselling job to make a difference.
But an advanced diploma in counselling and psychotherapy gave me more than new counselling skills, I also learnt about hypnotherapy.
Reflecting on my therapy journey
I believe every job is built on the foundation of the previous one.
Effective communication, particularly active listening, has been crucial in facilitating mental and physical healing.
Counselling provided me with many ways to approach a person’s problems and find solutions. It also taught me how to deal with my problems.
But it was my experience as a young woman that triggered my belief in hypnosis, and then client experiences that continued to confirm things.
When I was in my early thirties, I got urticaria. This is a skin condition. I visited my doctor several times, and he suspected an allergy; however, we were unable to identify the specific cause.
As the problem continued, I asked to see a dermatologist. This doctor was much older, and he asked me about my busy lifestyle. He didn’t examine my skin, but miraculously, my skin problem cleared up within a few days and never returned.
It’s only when I trained as a hypnotherapist that I realised what was going on. This doctor was using hypnotic techniques when he was talking to me.
Since then, I have had a tooth filled without anaesthetic, and at a hypnosis training pain management session, I had a needle pushed through the skin on my arm and didn’t feel a thing.
I do this job with hypnotherapy because I know that it helps in fewer sessions than counselling.
Furthermore, it can help people with so many problems, such as stress and anxiety issues, fears and phobias, building confidence and self-esteem, sports performance, and even second language learning.
Finally, there are many reasons why I love my job. My therapy work gives me purpose. It gives me satisfaction and is now an essential part of my life. It helps people in amazing ways, and I can apply all the skills I have acquired from hypnotherapy, counselling, coaching, and nursing to empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
Now I also teach, supervise and write to pass on my learning.
Do you love your job?
Have you found something that makes your job the best job for you?
To learn more about my therapy work, please schedule a complimentary initial consultation through my website, Awaken the Change.
