TFL Therapies

TFL Therapies

Psychology⎢Mental Health ⎢Sports | Performance

Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnosis

REDUCING PAIN — HYPNOSIS — SPORTS HYPNOSIS — PHOBIAS

TFL Therapies

With over 20 years of experience as a hypnotherapist and over 18 as an applied psychologist working in adult mental health in the NHS, I’m very well placed to help with your issues. My approach is a combination of the best parts of the NHS recommended treatments for various conditions along with the use of hypnosis to enhance the effects of these.

I’ll help you take a broad look at all the factors that affect how you feel and together we’ll work on the most helpful changes and techniques that can give you the skills to make better choices moving forward.

Much of my work focuses on helping people deal with anxiety whether that is general anxiety, phobias, or more difficult anxieties such as trauma or OCD. Using a psychological approach combined with hypnosis has led to progress for many clients helping them change how they think, change behaviors and ultimately improve their quality of life. I also help a lot of clients learn how to manage chronic pain more effectively with hypnosis. I have worked with individuals and teams so numbers aren’t an issue.

I also work with sportspeople and others who may have performance anxiety and confidence issues. The combined psychological/hypnosis approach is particularly effective for these.

Want to know more?

Feel free to look around my website to find out more and if you have any questions let me know. Get in touch now, click here.

I am also registered at Hypnotherapy Directory and can be found here.

I am also fully insured by Towergate.

Have a look at some of the services I offer below. When you want to chat, get in touch via the contact form here for a no-obligation short discovery session to answer all your questions.

The best way I can help is to make sure we cover all the things you want to know. To do that we don’t want to rush therapy; we need to commit and take the time and space to get it as right as we can. To do that, I offer packages rather than single sessions generally although that is available if appropriate.

Pain, two sessions: £300

Anxiety/low mood/other, four sessions: £600

Sports/Performance (actors, singers, dancers), four sessions: £600 though this can vary depending on the level of experience and whether amateur or professional. Contact to discuss.

BRAINSPOTTING

In 2020 I began training in Brainspotting. There are roughly 20,000 practitioners of this technique around the world but most people haven’t heard of it. It’s a technique that helps resolve emotional difficulties that we can’t really get access to through traditional cognitive-based techniques. It works by accessing the limbic system in the subcortex of your brain rather than the thoughts in the more logical, recently developed part of the brain.

It can be used for almost anything from anxiety to pain control to trauma to sports performance to acting/singing performance.

We start by finding where emotions might be held in the body. We then identify through various means where the equivalent spot in the brain is for that emotion. Through a process of focused mindfulness, the emotion can then be released. Sometimes this needs to go through several layers of experiences or traumas to be resolved. It can be a very powerful technique that gets to the source of an issue rather than being stuck at a cognitive level.

For me, the important part of the process is the connection with the person I am working with. Being held safely and given space to process emotions is vital for clients to be able to move through these difficulties, challenges, and traumas.

If you would like to find out more about this powerful technique please get in touch for a chat.

REDUCING PAIN

Pain is a signal from your brain and no matter how long you’ve had it your brain can hold on to it. There are several ways of dealing with pain, such as medication, exercise and even general well-being, but what your brain needs is rewiring. Living with pain can affect your mood and stress levels. By rewiring your brain together we can reduce or remove those old pain messages.

Everyone needs pain signals, it’s necessary for survival, so NEW pain is necessary, but when that pain then decides it’s going to stay with you it then becomes an OLD pain.

I can help with sciatica, restless leg syndrome, back pain, old injury pain and chronic pain, including pain from Arthritis and Fibromyalgia.

HYPNOSIS

Hypnosis is an evidence-based method of managing habits including helping with weight loss and stopping smoking.

It’s particularly useful for dealing with anxieties including phobias.

If you have any questions about using hypnosis to help manage your life or you want help and advice on psychotherapy for more in-depth problems then drop me a line at info@tfltherapies.com or fill in our form in the Contact Me section.

SPORTS HYPNOSIS

When working with sports clients there are several things we can look at doing such as managing tension and developing relaxation skills; using visualisation to create better images of performance; finding ways to increase energy and motivation; increasing arousal level and getting into the zone; deal with distractions; deal with injury concerns; develop inner strength, confidence, and mental toughness. We will use psychological techniques as well as hypnosis to get the results you want.

PHOBIAS

“Phobias aren’t real”, I hear this a lot. Not because it’s true but because that’s what other people tell phobia sufferers. For someone who does have a phobia, it’s all too real. A spider phobia, a fear of loud noises, a fear of heights. And if you live in Fife, maybe a fear of crossing the Forth Road Bridge. Once I had a client who had a fear of the number seven. Not thirteen, but seven. Whatever the cause of the fear, the result is the same: dread, panic, terror, a compulsion to escape or avoid the cause.

For real phobics, they know that what they’re scared of isn’t logical. But it’s not about logic, it’s about emotion. Trying to be logical, or worse other people trying to convince them with logic, just doesn’t help. Although the stimulus for the fear may not make sense to them or others, the symptoms themselves are genuine and often very disturbing and disruptive to the sufferer. Some people think it’s funny to mock someone with what looks like a silly or bizarre fear or even do this to ‘help’ them get better. That doesn’t work. What does work is going to a therapist who can show them how to deal with their emotions and take control.

I am a member of The British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis. Society can be viewed here

Don’t take my word for it. Split into categories below are some of the comments from clients about the work we’ve done together. Here is what my clients say. Please fill in my contact form and we can start chatting about your unique situation, click here.

Anxiety/Fears/Phobias what my clients say

“Before contacting Alan, I had crippling anxiety about going on nights out or even going somewhere fancy/nice. I felt silly and wrong to get help as I felt I was taking up time to someone in a more vulnerable position, as to the outside I had everything sorted job, home, relationship yet still unhappy. Alan’s understanding nature helped me to become the master of my own mind and shape my perception of my myself and future and made me feel valued. Alan’s knowledge and resources helped me get out of a rabbit hole. I have taken steps to better my mind and body for the future. That “self-care” shouldn’t be about being materialistic or “treat yourself” binge eating, it’s more training my mind to be kind to myself and take care of myself inside and out. I recommend Alan to anyone and everyone & to seek help no matter how silly you feel.” ANON

“Alan was recommended to me by a friend for my fear of flying.  Very early on in the session, I knew he was the man to help me conquer my fear.  Not only was I calm on my next flight but I actually enjoyed it!………. a massive difference! Two holidays booked now for next year and no anxiety about flying. thanks again!!” RS

“I have had a fear of flying for at least 10 years; I went to see Alan because I no longer wanted that fear to stop me from doing things. The session was really friendly and relaxed with Alan taking the time to find out about my fear and what I wanted to achieve.  As soon as the session was over I felt better. I now feel like I have the steps in place to make flying a normal part of my life.” JM

“Don’t feel anxious or fearful any longer, give this a try! My fear/anxiety of flying was greatly reduced, and my fear was massive. The actual points of fear were addressed and that was such a help. Alan is such a great guy for putting you at ease. You’ll wish you’d tackled it years ago. Lots of the relaxation methods I’ll be using in the long term as I found them so simple but they really worked. Give it a go!” JB

“After suffering anxiety and not driving dual carriageways for 2 and half years I went to see Alan. I am pleased to say after just two sessions I have just accomplished driving the A92. Something I didn’t think I’d ever do! Thank you, Alan, you are truly amazing!” CM

“Saw Alan’s Relaxation course advertised on Facebook and did the 2 sessions. Absolutely brilliant. The relaxation and self-hypnosis are amazing. Helping me deal with some stressful situations and feeling more confident about coping. Have booked another 2 sessions for August. Thoroughly recommended.” EM

“Had my first session with Alan last Thursday to try and conquer my fear of big motorways, even as a passenger I’m very anxious. Went to Glasgow on Saturday as a passenger and didn’t feel at all anxious so I’ll be doing the drive myself after our next session. It’s held me back and made me feel a bit silly so glad I decided to book in and put my fear behind me!” SM

Pain what my clients say

“I went to see Alan after being in tremendous pain for 5 months and being more or less housebound waiting for hospital appointments. A friend suggested Hypnosis and recommended Alan so with nothing to lose I made an appointment. I was sceptical and went in with no expectations but I left with much reduced pain and a spring in my step!” PW

“Thanks again Alan for your help today in relieving my back pain. 10 mins and woosh it was down from a pain level of 7 to a 2, who would have known it would be that quick! Very happy indeed x” KS

“Had a great session with Alan. Very easy man to talk to and is a great listener. I have been suffering from pains in my back and left leg for quite a while, and his advice and therapy techniques definitely had an immediate positive effect.” GR

“Alan was great. Very welcoming and understanding. It certainly calmed right down by the end of the session and Alan took the time to ensure I was as comfortable as I could be before I left. I went in with double crutches and walked out without them albeit unsteady. I think the pain took the three days to leave as it was so intense on arrival. Alan also messaged me the very next day to ask how I was and gave me further advice and was happy to do a follow up session. If you suffer with chronic pain I would highly recommend this technique as it really has helped me. Huge thanks to Alan.” KR

“I have suffered from chronic back pain for 20 years which has a huge impact on my quality of life. I’m really limited in the activities I can do with my kids.  I have seen doctors, physios, chiropractors, attended pain clinics and live with the knowledge that my pain can’t be fixed, just managed with painkillers and exercise. It really gets me down. I went to see Alan Freeburn today feeling tense, sore and uncomfortable and I left feeling light, relaxed, flexible and amazingly pain free! I can’t recommend Alan highly enough if chronic pain is getting you down.” DM

“Alan recently helped me with some pain management in my lower back. To be honest I was quite skeptical at first that it would actually help. I was silly to be skeptical because it really, really did work. The methods he taught me continue to work weeks later. Alan is a great guy too and extremely knowledgeable and easy to chat too. Highly recommend!” RK

“Thanks for seeing me today Alan! My back and hip have been very painful over the past couple of years and at times the pain can really get me down. After our session today, the pain has gone in my hip and my back is feeling so much better. I feel much more positive now that my pain will resolve and not hold me back from enjoying the activities I enjoy doing. I have also felt so much more energetic today than I have felt in a very long time. Thank you so much.” JB

Sports Mindset what my clients say

Loved my session with Alan Freeburn last night.  What a great guy spending the time to come to my home and work with me.  We did some hypnotherapy work on dulling down the pain receptors in my unconscious mind.  I felt great when I woke up this morning and jogged round the park with the dog! 
Mindset and psychological training isn’t for people who are sick, it’s for anyone striving to be better.  I encourage anyone with an open mind to get in touch with Alan, I certainly will be!  Fergus (ex rugby player and coach)

“My 15-year-old son has been having confidence issues after a few injuries and a couple of unpleasant experiences, which had been affecting his performance at football. After only 2 sessions with Alan, I see a huge difference in his football and his confidence overall. He has made my son feel totally at ease which is not an easy task with a teenager!! His sessions have been 5 stars and I can’t thank him enough for what he has done for him.  Alan thank you so much.” KC

I asked Alan to work with my 17-year-old son to enhance his Judo. His coach would often say with a bit of confidence he could do well in judo. He would often lose his first fight at competitions and it was put down to a lack of confidence. At a competition representing Scotland, he won 5 fights and the team won gold. He is looking forward to working with Alan again in the near future. Thanks, Alan.” AD

“After suffering a bad injury whilst playing for a professional football club my confidence and frame of mind towards football took a massive dent, I looked for some advice to get me back to feeling confident in my own abilities. I contacted Alan at TFL sports to see if he could help. After speaking to him this helped me believe in myself again and also get focused on what I wanted to achieve. This was to get back to playing and enjoying football the way I used to. I would like to thank Alan and also say to anyone with troubles big or small to contact him and get advice.” CF

“Had a good friend that highly recommended Alan and had nothing but good things to say so I thought it give it a try. Alan has helped me with so much over such a short space of time, helped me completely refocus and motivate myself again. Made me aware of how to build confidence and feel positive about (professional) football again and bring back my enjoyment of the game.” EF

Creative Performance

ACTOR
After just a few sessions with Alan, I’ve noticed a tremendous difference in my personal and professional life. By helping me work through different blocks, we have already begun to expand my mindset and self-belief. It’s been somewhat revelatory.

Alan lulls you into a sense of calm and relaxation right from the offset, so you begin each session in the best place, to allow self-discovery and growth. Highly professional and knowledgeable throughout, he clearly explains the processes, which I found incredibly interesting, and allowed me to switch off from the logical and allow whatever emotional and subconscious practice we were looking at happen naturally.

Despite only working digitally, Alan’s ability to adapt to this new platform is remarkable, and I don’t believe i am missing out on any part of the process as a result.

Cannot recommend enough, no matter your background. I’m more confident, full of self-belief and hugely excited to where the next steps in my life may lead, thanks to the support I’ve had from TFL Therapies. CO

ACTOR
Alan quickly puts you at ease and allows you to explore any blocks you are experiencing with your craft. His method of Brainspotting has allowed me the brain space to unravel these blocks and really focus on what feels like a positive way to move through them. He works with you to analyse what is happening within the Brainspotting and to acknowledge any breakthroughs. I am looking forward to being able to put what we have worked on into practice. 

This has been a difficult time for the performance industry and I would really recommend Alan and this technique to anyone feeling that they have blocks to work through to make sure that they are mentally and physically ready as our industry opens up again. KM

CONTACT TFL THERAPIES

TFL Therapies is a Dunfermline and West Fife-based psychotherapy and hypnosis practice. I specialise in helping people deal with anxiety, stress, phobias, and confidence-related issues. I also offer a sports mindset and hypnosis service to assist amateur and professional sportspeople to deal with confidence, focus on goals and prepare for competitions and events. Contact me below:

For further information please email info@TFLtherapies.com

or leave a message on 01383 252040 or 07480 059 117.

Please note, this is not an emergency service. If you are in crisis, please call NHS 24 on 111, Samaritans on 116 123 or Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 (open Mon-Thur 6pm – 2am, Weekends 6pm – 6am).