Therapist Biography - Cara Ostryn
Cara Ostryn - practicing in Ruislip in London
We've asked some of our therapists to tell you a little bit about themselves, their background before they trained with the IAPH, and their experience of the IAPH and its training.
Your main town(s)/cities(s) that you practice in:
Ruislip in London
What was your background before you trained to be a Pure Hypnoanalyst?:
Software Trainer and Recruitment Consultant for the design industry.
What made you choose a career in Pure Hypnoanalysis?:
Because I believe it is the best therapy in the world. It’s a job where I am truly helping people to make big changes in their lives and I really enjoy the freedom that being self employed brings.
Had you ever studied hypnotherapy / psychology / counseling etc before training with the IAPH?:
I have a Psychology Degree, a hypnotherapy diploma from another hypnotherapy organisation and various other certificates from other psychology and hypnosis courses.
If you had studied hypnotherapy / psychology / counseling etc before, how did our training and support compare to the others?:
I only really started to understand people, psychology and symptoms when I studied with the IAPH. Even after three years study on my psychology course, it didn’t really give me any particularly useful understanding or insight into why people have symptoms. The IAPH has supported me all the way through my studies and continues to support me as a full-time hypnotherapist. The IAPH is the only training organisation that teaches Pure Hypnoanalysis and I very rarely use any other sort of therapy on my clients because it is so successful.
What made you choose the IAPH Successful Hypnotherapy Diploma Course, as opposed to any of the others available?
I did originally study with another hypnotherapy organisation, but it fell far short of what the IAPH can offer, in two main ways: Firstly, it taught suggestion therapy and brief solution focussed therapy. Whilst at the time I hoped it was a good enough therapy to help people, after practicing it for a while, I found that the help I was giving my clients was generally only a quick fix and the results weren’t permanent. Secondly, there was a minimum amount of support after getting my diploma. With the IAPH I continued to get all the help and support I needed for building up and maintaining my business. I not only get all the help I need when It comes to clients and therapy, but also other issues such as websites, insurance and marketing.
How did you find the combination of home-study, and hands-on training seminars and workshops?
It was perfect for me as I was already working so I could study at my own pace. I really enjoy the seminars – they are always hugely informative and also a lot of fun. It’s great getting together with the other members of the organisation – there’s always an informal, relaxed feel to the seminars and conference.
Did you receive enough support and mentoring throughout your studies, or could you have done with more?
I received as much as I needed. I was always made to feel comfortable about asking questions.
Did you find it easy to use the online support forum, both for your questions/answers, and downloading the free video and audio lectures?
It’s brilliant! Everything I need to know is either already online, or else I will always get an answer to any questions shortly after posting them.
After passing the course, did you feel that you were adequately prepared for your own private practice, or did you need any extra help or support?
I was very well prepared.
How easy (or difficult) was it setting up your own hypnotherapy clinic, and starting to treat your own clients?
It was daunting to begin with but my confidence grew quickly. All IAPH members have the support of their own supervisor, they have peer support of friends they make in the organisation, and they have support from more experienced members from the forum. I wouldn’t have been able to do it on my own and I’m very grateful to the IAPH for all its support.
Now you are in practice full-time, what is life like as a busy hypnotherapist?
Well, I wouldn’t want to do any other job now - It’s incredibly rewarding. The best part my the job is when a client that I really like gets to the end of their therapy and I know that their life is going to be so much better and happier now. I can chose who I work with, where I work (five mins from home) and the hours that I want to work. I can also go on holiday when I want to. My only issue is that of working freelance – sometimes it can feel a little isolated – so I make sure that I keep in close contact with other friends in the organisation and try to have an active social life outside of work.
