The word critical in academic works really means being thoughtful, questioning, and not taking things at face value, and understanding the different approaches to research and trials and considering how this influences the results and the implications.

So let us start right at the beginning of your course, and at the start of these academic studies.

These notes will look at how to start using your thinking reading and writing with a critical mindset. It will do that by starting right at the beginning by asking questions.

There are six major questions used to help plan and two developmental questions (Fig. 1) that are asked regularly when tackling an academic task, what ever that task may be, writing; planning a strategy; a project or even taking notes.

Finding the answer to these questions will help to keep you alert and critical. It may be helpful to new students to apply this concept to your course notes; guides and of course your study guide.

Fig. 1

LCCH Course Handbooks and study guides are a fundamental source of assistance to you. They include what you will be expected to do, and give you guidance on how to achieve it, but they are not a template. They will also give you information about time scales and deadlines.

Your approach to your studies begins when you are given your notes and handbooks. Read all of them carefully, and make a note of the information you need for all access to the virtual learning environments online. The virtual learning will facilitate your research, and comprises of online search engines such as ScienceDirect,  UWL's Blackboard e-environment and their online library services.

Your first tasks, essay or assignment as a student.

The first three questions in Fig. 1, help you to determine the task you have been given. What exactly do you have to do? It can be useful to set it out on paper in your own way. If you enjoy graphics, mind maps are a useful tool. Others prefer list making, whilst others prefer tables. Whatever works for you is best but start by planning your strategy.

Below are the things you need to consider from the above questions: what?, why? and who?.

What exactly do you need to produce?

What style? Essay? Case Study?

Have you been given guidance in your notes?

How long? Word count?

What % of your total marks does the task count for?

What is the subject essay title?

Why are you expected to write this?

External Reasons - the learning outcomes (given in your handbook study guide) you are expected to achieve.

Internal Reasons - Your own personal reasons for studying this course.

Who are you writing it for, who will read it?

Your tutors lecturers are your first audience. What have they already told you they want to see in your work?

Do you have an other audience, will your work be read by others who may not have specialist knowledge?

Most essays do not specify your audience or reader so you should address your essay to someone with similar experience and knowledge of the general subject as yourself, but who has not yet studied this specific subject area. This means you will cover the basics of the particular subject without omitting the basics. You should use an academic scientific style. Writing in the third person, and using a formal; factual; evidence based approach. This will also help you avoid talking up, or using language designed to impress, or talking down in an informal casual overly descriptive fashion.

Discuss your work on the level, using clear language. Use clean simple sentences and paragraphs properly. Remember, one sentence does not normally constitute a paragraph. Check your writing, read what you have written, even when taking notes ensure you can make sense of what was important and relevant so that you can use it to best effect in your essay later.

The how to do it - an action plan

Ask yourself the following questions:

How do I write this task up? What guidance have you been given in your study guide and handbooks?

What have you been told about referencing? The LCCH and UWL use the Harvard referencing system. NO OTHER SYSTEM SHOULD BE USED.

When is the deadline for the final essay / case study? How will you balance your studies as you work towards your deadline, with you job, social life, family demands, etc?

Where will you find all the information you need? How much of your essay is easy to find? How much do you need to research yourself? How much time do you need to find this and appraise it, then utilise it.

As you consider these questions notice that there are two more in Fig 1: So What? and What's Next?.

Even as you complete this planning stage, the questions in your mind should be after all of this study has been undertaken, what next? What has it shown? What difference does it make?

So what? What was the point of all that study, what did you learn? How did it change your thinking and how did it inform you? How will it help you in the future? This is the stuff of true science: as you look at what you have discovered, new questions should be close by! 

What next? Where do you go from here? Where does this study take you where does what you have learned take your questions and thinking or is it just the beginning of realizing there are so many more questions to ask?

A few good ideas to help you right from the start are:

1. Plan
2. Use your diary - block out study time, research/ reading time, writing time.
3. Stick to it.
4. Breakdown your tasks
5. Review your progress regularly
6. Keep your tutor informed (don't expect them to read your whole essay the night before it is due in or to mark it) but your tutor can help guide you.
7. Remember your tutor may not be examining your work, although they may have understood what you meant, and know you understand the subject. Your examiners have no insight into you, it will be your words and the presentation and style of those words alone, that will convey your understanding of the subject, and will be marked.
8. Write a to do list and check them off as you complete them.
9. Read and re read your work before you submit it.

It has been a privilege to work in Palliative Care for almost 25 years at Thames Hospicecare. I started all those years ago as an auxiliary nurse then trained in various complementary therapies and helped to set up the clinical complementary therapy service. For the last seven years I have managed a team of therapists, the service and its developments. I also developed an educational programme for therapists wanting to gain clinical experience in cancer care and have taught complementary therapies at a local college.

I am lucky that my role is very diverse it includes patients with life limiting illness, such as Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone and Parkinson Disease. I also treat patients diagnosed with breast cancer. This can be anything from newly diagnosed, to coping with side effects from chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments to coping with life after treatments are complete. In addition I also treat bereaved relatives who are referred to the Out Patient Clinic.

I have always been interested in visualisation and have included these techniques when working with patients or clients for anxiety, improving sleep pattern or imagining the immune system increasing those white healthy cells during chemotherapy treatments. Although these techniques seemed to have a beneficial effect I always thought that there was something missing, I wanted to be able to do more. My training in complementary therapies gave me a fair understanding of the conscious and unconscious mind. But it wasn't until I read an article about Clinical Hypnotherapy that I realised this was what I was looking for. So this was how I came to find myself studying with LCCH and completing the Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Hypnotherapy.

So now it was time for me to put into practice my training. A little daunting to say the least; but I was lucky that we already had a reputable and effective clinical complementary therapy service in place. So I set about developing a proposal to implement Clinical Hypnotherapy into the existing service as an adjunct to medical and nursing care to support management, coping strategies and the quality of life of people with cancer, other life limiting illness and bereavement.

This meant developing an assessment tool to determine the needs of the patient/client whilst at the same time identifying any risks or contra-indications to hypnotherapy. Individualised treatment plans are agreed with the patient/client to record and evaluate each session to ensure effectiveness and impact. It was important to develop appropriate paperwork such as patient consent forms, GP letters informing of treatment, written information for patients, as well as researching appropriate hypnotherapy techniques. It seemed at the time the preparation work required was endless but from past experience I know that it is time well spent to have everything in place before you start, therefore providing a professional, safe and effective clinical service.

The proposal incorporates a 6 month review to include patient views and outcomes. A Visual Analogue Scale is used to assess the impact on each individual need prior to initial treatment and following treatment or at subsequent appointments to ascertain ongoing impact from the individual's point of view. A patient/client satisfaction survey form was developed to be completed after all treatments to ascertain their thoughts related to the service. The aim of the review will be to consider any incidents, complaints or commendations alongside the patient outcome measures and general qualitative data from patient satisfaction surveys.

So far the results have been really promising, in the last few months I have treated patients with good effect for anticipatory nausea, sleep disturbances and anxiety. Preparing patients for planned surgery (mastectomy) has been very beneficial and many have reported positive and quick recovery times. In

addition a Hypnotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural therapy assessment and pain programme has also been developed and implemented with good effect.

I also treat patients following completion of their cancer treatment but who are now experiencing low self esteem. They are fearful that cancer treatments are completed, What now? What if the cancer comes back? They don't know what is a "normal" life anymore and are worried about the future. Drawing on their own inner strengths, courage, and achievements and teaching coping strategies seems to give them the confidence and strength to move forward along the path of recovery.

I believe that Clinical Hypnosis with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has provided an effective therapeutic intervention for those experiencing cancer and other life limiting illness.

Dear Friends,

A very Happy New Year to you all!

There is no way to minimise the challenges of the last few years, it's been really tough for all of us, but we are hopefully finally beginning to see the "green shoots" emerge. In the last 12 months we have had 4 doctors train with us - 2 anaesthetists', 1 consultant and 1 psychiatrist. This is surely good for all of us and the reputation of hypnotherapy in Scotland. These professionals talk to their colleagues and our reputation goes from strength to strength, something you may want to mention in your 'sales pitch' to prospective clients.

On that note, I need HELP! Are you interested in updating /refreshing your skills by repeating (free of charge) either a Certificate or Diploma (now PgCert). Everyone who does it says it is a marvellous opportunity and they are really glad they did it. It does wonders for the confidence, it's a great way to pat-it forward, and you learn loads you missed first time around. Why not give us a call now to book on?!

We enclose a booking form (Click here to download) for Step by Step in April (28/29th)! Its self explanatory and places are limited to 15 as Angela is running it from her home, and promises to be a great weekend.

If you are looking for support and guidance on the road, some networking with other therapists and to re-commit to your practise, remember Angela runs a Graduate Supervision Night on Wednesday evenings 6.30pm - 8pm (£25) every 6-8 weeks from the Harvest Clinic. We ask you to commit to attending 6 sessions per year so we have an idea of numbers, but we are flexible on that.

The Practitioner course will begin on 23rd June (8 weekends). If you are considering, let us know as it was cancelled last year because we need to have minimum numbers, 3 weeks before to book lecturers and accommodations. (even post dated cheques and deposit are fine if clearly marked as such). It's a great course and expands your skills to Quantum Therapy, EMDR, Alcohol and Drugs, Sexual Abuse, Psycho- Sexual amongst many other subjects. (Check our LCCH website for details)

As usual our Reiki training programme rolls on. So many students have told us how beneficial and complementary they have found the skills both personally and professionally in their work as hypnotherapists. All trainings are run from Angela's home, and are relaxing, inspiring and enlightening.

We have a Reiki 1 on 31st March/1st April and a Reiki 2 on 26th/27th May.

Angela teaches Glaswegian Reiki - none of your "flaky pie in the sky" nonsense, and as usual incorporates down to earth common sense and humour in the delivery. Why not join us , open your mind, and your heart, no exams or assignments involved! All you need to do is call the clinic and we can fill out a booking form for you (0141 333 0878) and then you just need to post in a deposit (easy payment plan of post dated cheques available in both courses to suit).

Finally, 2012 is a momentous time to be alive, big changes happening as we move into the time of rebirth and transformation of the old systems of power, authority and control to community, spirituality and self responsibility. I truly believe more and more people will be looking at new ways of self discovery and health and looking for support on that journey, we should be prepared for that shift from conventional to spirituality. Two suestions (1) do you use the techniques on yourself in preparation for that shift or are you caught up in negativity, doom and gloom? (2) How are you spreading the word about what we can offer, whether you stand directly to benefit form that or not? Dig deep, spread the word to everyone you have access to and start you self hypnosis or personal therapy programme today?

Love,  

Angela and all at the Harvest Clinic

My voluntary placement at the Brompton Hospital started in February 2010 where I have been primarily dealing with patients diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension, but also with various other cardio-vascular conditions.

During my first article, published in the LCCH newsletter in March 2011, I explained some of the interventions as well as individual challenges some patients might be facing during the therapy. Now, I would like to share with you two testimonials which were authorised.

My first client KB

When I met KB, she was preparing for the cardiac operation which she felt disturbed about. She described her mental state as hopeless.

Her defined goal was to develop a more positive perception of this upcoming event and especially the convalescence period, which she was particularly depressed about. She also felt anxious in regards to her perception of pain after the surgery.  

We discussed the potential alternatives that she could adapt prior to the operation as well as after the event and then we assessed more specific goals. KB confirmed that she would like to feel more rational as well as accepting in regards to the operation, but also the healing post-operative process.  

I helped KB identify her most pressing unhealthy negative beliefs regarding this event, and then discussed and tested new alternative ways of thinking that would be more flexible and helpful to KB. Hypnosis was used to utilise already challenged perceptions.

I have also employed Parts Therapy to talk to the part which was manifesting irrational beliefs.  

This is KB's testimonial:

"I have been affected greatly by my sessions with Jana. She has shown me the way how to address my problems and I am grateful for her assistance. I have been also given the means to combat any fears. The most important result of my sessions with Jana is the fact that I gained confidence to go into the operation without the fear that had previously weighed me down."

My second client HR

HR felt highly anxious due to her condition - Congenital Heart disease. She also presented with needle phobia.  

Her two defined goals were to decrease her health anxiety as well as rationalise her perception of needles.  

HR wanted to begin with phobia cessation due to her upcoming surgery check ups. I used a technique called Fast Phobia Cure, which led to rapid results. We identified and challenged HR's unhealthy negative beliefs as well as tested and integrated her alternative healthy negative beliefs regarding her health and needles via hypnotherapy.   

HR reported in our third session that she was able to communicate her feelings better, which helped her to react to challenging situations more constructively. She also confessed that she did not feel like a passive victim anymore whilst in the hospital or even in her domestic environment.  

HR reported in the fourth session that she had a medical procedure that improved her ability to breath. She also confessed that she would not have the strength to undergo this procedure without the therapeutic support she had received during the past three sessions.. In fact she added that she felt proud of herself for challenging her perceptions that helped her to feel healthily concerned about her health, but not anxious.  

St Georges Hospital 

Oncology 

by Feisal Umar 

 

Improving the Cancer Experience (ICE) is a group of patients, carers and family members based at St Georges Hospital, who meet regularly and discuss a wide range of issues that directly affect patients with cancer. They use their experiences to help make a difference to the care provided at the hospital.

 

Feisal has been invited to give a presentation at the next ICE meeting to discuss the benefits of using clinical hypnotherapy to help patients cope better with their treatment. Medical personnel including the Macmillan team have been invited to the meeting.

 

ICE works closely with health professionals and cancer patients to help develop services, and review policies and procedures in the treatment of cancer to further improve the level of care for the patients. It is hoped that St Georges Hospital and LCCH will enter a long-term collaboration at the end of this trial period. 

Ernest Bevin College
Sports Hypnosis

by George Nahlis

Mark Smith the Head Coach says:

"A player is now emerging with a outstanding mindset and work rate which is great to work. He has taken over top spot in the School and shows no signs of just being a big fish in a small pond.

He was neck and neck with the junior number 6 in England last week and he has two and a half more years in this age group.

I am now planning to send him to France in the summer for 5 weeks training with a professional club 6 hours per day.

I feel he would benefit with a one to one with you as there are mental things he needs to work on which involves calming himself down when the pressure is on - he gets too pumped and sometimes doesn't see the opening chances due to tension creeping in.

Some new players are now also coming through and still 4 or 5 of the old players are training regularly"

Competition  Update - to the end of 2011

Mark told me it is always a whirlwind of highs and lows at these events, and it would be great to get LCCH motivation coaches along to one at some point in the near future.

Mark wants to instil more team spirit ethic, knowing how it can be such a powerful motivator in team matches.

At one event last year performance wise they were always up against it, playing generally a bit above their level. They did ok getting some unexpected wins. Mark said "Losses didn't affect their willingness to keep fighting though which was good to see."

Mark still believe they can do better just by changing their mindsets and having more togetherness as a squad.  Self belief and confidence of their own abilities always appears to be greater among their opponents than our players.  Some players showed new depths not seen before.  

Competition preparation

It is all about mindset and individual self-belief. Somehow the players are going to have to blast through the idea that they are up against bigger opposition, and appreciate the power of being in a squad. They have to get that feeling that they can puff their chests out and really take control of the competition and their individual game. I think they have to learn to "rate" each other as players, and encourage and support each other more. They need competition toughness and pride.

Eight players participated in one session. This session was more about preparation for competition and so we focussed on immediate preparation, challenging competition scenarios and triggers and anchoring for positive mental and physical boost. There was a quick check on whether they had been working on their goals, and a review of previous sessions regarding  the need to practice mental preparation techniques.

Some aspects also covered included how players could extend "best day" performance into weekends competition and developing and allowing a balance between tension/relaxation and alertness/focussed concentration. We covered more detailed mental game play approaches and suggested a post-match diary or log book to discuss with Coach.

The session was well received and we worked with a former table tennis England number 1 and European player.

Football

We have also provided hints and tips for use with a school football team

We were asked by a local therapist the best approach to give a children's football team with regard to some group hypnotherapy to help their motivation and morale.

As they are 9 and 10 years old, informed consent will be gained and their parents will be asked to stay for the session too.

Bill Frost: EMDR and NLP Phobia/Aversion Software for Therapists (PC / Mac)   

Mike Cornish is a postgraduate student at the University of Hertfordshire studying for his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He is conducting a research project into the impact of homophobia on psychological distress. He is inviting anyone aged 18 years and over, who identifies themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual to participate in this study.

Benefits if this research

Data is collected in the form of an online survey and the answers will contribute to the expansion of our knowledge of the impact of homophobia on psychological distress. Contribution may also help guide the development of interventions and programmes targeted at gay, lesbian and bi-sexual individuals in order to minimise the psychological distress following an experience of homophobia.

The survey can be found by clicking here 

Loves Executioner and Other Tales of Psychotherapy

by Irvin Yalom

Penguin Books

1989 

Reviewed by Michelle Hague    

(My thanks to Ross for recommending it.)