21/06/2010
Nervous drivers encouraged to see local hypnotist
by Hannah McLaverty-Williamson
Nervous drivers in Bolton are being encouraged to conquer their driving fears, using the help of a local hypnotherapist.
Stan Holt of Bradford Park Drive, has been a hypnotherapist for the past six years and has been using hypnotherapy to help motorists overcome their driving phobia.
He told The Bolton News: "Sometimes these situations become more serious and people develop fears and phobias. Some drivers avoid certain roads, motorway driving and going over bridges or through tunnels.
"Hypnotherapy is able to help people in stressful situations to get rid of their fears and stress."
Clinical hypnotherapy is proving to be an increasing popular method used by those wanting to overcome fears or phobias such as flying, public speaking, dentists and of course driving. The treatment helps the person relax, which enables the hypnotherapist to talk to the area of the brain that causes nervous disorders, fears and phobias.
Mr Holt was a lecturer in European Studies at Oldham College. He retired in 1999 before retraining for his diploma in hypnotherapy. Aged 13 he visited a hypnotherapy who he claims 'changed his life'.
"I became very interested in hypnosis at the time but, of course, young people were not taken seriously in those days. When I retired, I took it up as an interest originally and decided to do it professionally later."
Mr Holt has helped several people deal with their driving fears, this includes one driver who had a fear of driving on the motorway, another who didn't like driving through tunnels and one person who did not like driving up hills.
"People come to me wanting help with their issue so they are interested in what I have to say. I take an holistic approach which includes confidence building, dealing with the particular issue and teaching the client techniques for dealing with stress," he said.
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