About Us | Changeyourmind

Psychotherapy

Strategic Psychotherapy

Hypnotherapy

Clinical Hypnotherapy

Mindfulness

Meditation & Wellbeing

Nutrition

Gut and Brain Health

Welcome to the Change Your Mind Movement

Hello, I’m Chantel Ferguson, a dedicated Child Strategic Psychotherapist with a passion for helping children and their families navigate the complexities of emotional and behavioural challenges. With a compassionate approach, I specialise in creating tailored therapeutic interventions that empower young clients to overcome obstacles, build resilience, and achieve lasting positive change.

I use a combination of strategic and evidence-based techniques to address issues such as anxiety, depression, behavioural problems, trauma, and difficulties with social interactions. My work involves closely collaborating with children, their families, and other professionals to create a holistic, child-centred treatment plan that fosters both immediate relief and long-term growth.

Through empathetic listening and a deep understanding of child development, I aim to help children feel understood, supported, and capable of navigating life’s challenges with confidence and emotional strength. My goal is to build trust with my clients and provide them with tools they can use to thrive both in the therapy room and in the world around them.

If you are seeking support for your child or looking for guidance on how to best help yourself or family during difficult times, I am here to help guide you on that journey.

What is Strategic Psychotherapy

Strategic psychotherapy is a form of therapy that focuses on identifying and changing specific patterns of behavior, thoughts, and emotions that contribute to a client’s psychological difficulties. It is a goal-oriented, problem-solving approach that seeks to find effective interventions to address specific issues or problems the client is facing. The term "strategic" emphasizes the therapist’s use of purposeful, planned interventions designed to quickly bring about change, often by shifting how the client perceives and interacts with their problems.

Strategic psychotherapy has roots in strategic family therapy (developed by Jay Haley and others) and Brief Therapy(e.g., Ericksonian hypnosis, MRI model). The approach is characterized by the therapist’s active role in structuring and guiding the process to address immediate concerns, often by focusing on practical solutions rather than exploring deep underlying causes or long-term psychoanalysis.

Key Features of Strategic Psychotherapy

Focus on the Present and Problem-Solving:
Strategic therapy is primarily concerned with the present issue(s) the client is facing, rather than past experiences or in-depth exploration of unconscious processes. The therapist works with the client to identify specific problems, often in terms of unhelpful patterns of behavior, communication, or thinking.
Clear, Specific Goals:
The therapy process is highly goal-oriented. Goals are defined early on, and both the therapist and client work together to develop clear and achievable outcomes. The goals can be related to behavioural changes, cognitive shifts, or specific skills (e.g., improving communication in relationships).
Change-Oriented Interventions:
The interventions in strategic therapy are designed to produce change. These interventions are often brief and direct, aiming to disrupt maladaptive patterns and create new, functional ones. The therapist may use paradoxical interventions, assignments, or other techniques to encourage change.
Therapist as an Active Guide:
Unlike more traditional, non-directive approaches, the therapist in strategic psychotherapy plays a central, active role in shaping the course of therapy. This can involve offering specific advice, assigning homework, or even using strategic directives to encourage clients to behave differently (e.g., engaging in tasks they might avoid).
Brief, Focused Therapy:
Strategic psychotherapy is generally brief in nature. It aims to resolve the client’s presenting problems in a limited number of sessions (often 6–12), making it especially useful for individuals who want quick results or have a specific, solvable issue.
Use of Paradoxical Techniques:
One distinctive feature of strategic therapy is the use of paradoxical interventions. These techniques involve prescribing the very behavior the client is trying to change. The idea is that by encouraging the client to engage in the problematic behavior exaggeratedly or intentionally, they may experience dissonance or become more motivated to change. Examples include asking a client who is afraid of public speaking to purposely make mistakes during their speeches, or suggesting that a person with a controlling partner increase their controlling behaviors in a specific way. This disrupts the status quo and encourages new perspectives or responses.
Systemic Thinking:
In family or relational contexts, strategic therapy often takes a systems approach, where the therapist considers the entire family or relational system and how each member’s behaviour contributes to the problem. Interventions are designed to interrupt dysfunctional interactions and create new relational dynamics.
Focus on Behavior and Communication:
Strategic psychotherapy tends to focus on changing behaviours or communication patterns. In family therapy, for instance, it may involve altering how family members interact with one another or teaching them to use different communication techniques. In individual therapy, it may involve altering automatic thought patterns or specific behaviours that are maintaining the client’s difficulties.

What is Strategic Psychotherapy for ADHD

Strategic psychotherapy for ADHD is a focused, solution-oriented approach that helps individuals manage the symptoms of ADHD by developing practical skills and strategies to address attention, impulsivity, and executive functioning difficulties. By utilizing techniques such as behavioural shaping, task structuring, and paradoxical interventions, the therapy aims to create lasting behavioural changes and enhance the client's ability to function in everyday life. This approach is particularly beneficial for individuals looking for structured, time-limited interventions and is often used alongside other treatments like medication and behavioral therapy.

What is Clinical Hypnotherapy

Clinical hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that uses the techniques of hypnosis to help individuals address various psychological, emotional, and behavioral issues. It is a structured, goal-oriented intervention in which a trained therapist guides a client into a relaxed, focused state (often referred to as a trance) to facilitate positive change. During this trance state, individuals may become more open to suggestions, which can help them modify their thoughts, behaviors, or feelings.

Unlike what is often portrayed in movies, clinical hypnotherapy is not about mind control or "magical" influence. It is a collaborative, therapeutic process that relies on the client’s willingness and active participation to promote healing and growth. Hypnotherapy is typically used as part of a broader treatment plan for conditions like anxiety, stress, pain management, phobias, smoking cessation, and even in addressing chronic conditions.

Key Concepts of Clinical Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis and the Trance State
- Hypnosis is a natural, focused state of consciousness that lies somewhere between wakefulness and sleep. In this state, the mind is highly receptive to suggestions, and the individual may experience heightened concentration, relaxation, and reduced peripheral awareness.
- Trance refers to the state of focused attention that is induced during hypnosis. The depth of trance can vary, and it is typically a very relaxed and calm state of mind where the conscious mind takes a backseat, allowing the unconscious mind to be more accessible.
Therapeutic Process
- Induction: The therapist begins the session by guiding the client into a deeply relaxed state through progressive relaxation techniques, deep breathing, or focused attention. This process is called induction.
- Deepening: Once the client is in a relaxed state, the therapist may use further techniques to deepen the trance and enhance focus.
- Therapeutic Work: In the hypnotic state, the therapist may offer suggestions to the client that are designed to help with specific goals. These suggestions can be direct (e.g., "You will feel calm when you think about public speaking") or indirect (e.g., using metaphors or visualizations to guide the client toward a desired outcome).
- Awakening: At the end of the session, the therapist gradually brings the client back to full awareness, ensuring that they feel alert and refreshed.

What is Trauma Informed Therapy

Trauma-Informed Therapy is an approach to therapy that recognizes and responds to the impact of trauma on an individual’s life. It is grounded in the understanding that trauma can significantly affect an individual's mental, emotional, and physical well-being, and that treatment must be approached with sensitivity and care. The goal of trauma-informed therapy is not only to address the symptoms of trauma but also to create a safe, supportive environment where individuals can heal, reclaim control, and rebuild their sense of safety and trust.

Core Principles of Trauma-Informed Therapy

Trauma-informed therapy is rooted in six key principles that guide therapeutic practice and create a foundation for healing:

Safety:
A trauma-informed therapist prioritizes the creation of a safe and supportive environment, both physically and emotionally. Clients must feel that the space is free from judgment, threat, or harm. This safety is crucial for establishing trust and encouraging the client to explore and process their trauma.
- Physical Safety: Ensuring that the therapy room feels secure, private, and welcoming.
- Emotional Safety: Creating a space where clients can express themselves without fear of being judged or criticized.
Trustworthiness and Transparency:
Establishing a transparent relationship between the therapist and client is central to trauma-informed therapy. This means being open and clear about the therapy process, goals, and expectations. Trust is developed through consistency, clear communication, and reliability.
- The therapist should explain the therapeutic process and their role, ensuring the client feels informed and comfortable.
- Informed Consent: Clients should understand what’s happening during therapy, what the goals are, and what methods will be used.
Peer Support:
Peer support and social connections are often emphasized in trauma-informed care. This may not always mean group therapy, but it can include creating opportunities for clients to connect with others who have experienced similar challenges or trauma.
- Peer support fosters validation and normalization, helping clients feel less isolated in their experiences.
Collaboration and Empowerment:
Trauma-informed therapy emphasizes the importance of collaboration between therapist and client. The therapist encourages active participation in the treatment process and emphasizes the client’s autonomy and ability to make choices.
- The therapist listens carefully to the client’s needs, preferences, and goals, empowering them to take an active role in their recovery.
- Strengths-Based: The therapist focuses on the client's strengths and resilience, fostering empowerment and self-efficacy.
Cultural, Historical, and Gender Sensitivity:
A trauma-informed therapist understands the importance of cultural, historical, and gender-related factors in shaping an individual's experience of trauma. It’s crucial to recognize and honor the client’s cultural background, identities, and experiences.
- Therapists should be aware of how culture and gender can affect both the experience and expression of trauma.
- It’s important to consider any historical or systemic factors (e.g., racism, oppression) that may have contributed to or been compounded by the trauma.
Resilience and Strengths-Focused:
Trauma-informed therapy focuses on resilience and strengths, rather than on just the trauma itself. It encourages clients to recognize and build upon their inner resources, coping skills, and support systems.
- Helping clients recognize their capacity for healing and growth is a critical part of the process.
- A strengths-based approach highlights the client’s ability to cope and adapt, even in difficult circumstances.

The Impact of Trauma

Trauma can be caused by a variety of experiences, such as abuse, neglect, violence, accidents, natural disasters, loss, or any experience where a person feels intensely threatened or unsafe. Trauma can affect individuals differently based on their personal history, resources, and support systems.

Goals of Trauma-Informed Therapy

Safety and Stabilization:
The first step in trauma-informed therapy is ensuring that the individual feels safe. This may involve teaching coping mechanisms, grounding techniques, and self-regulation strategies to help the person manage anxiety and emotional dysregulation.
Processing Trauma:
Once safety has been established, the therapist can help the individual process the traumatic event(s) in a way that allows them to understand and integrate the experience, rather than continuing to relive it. This may involve techniques like narrative therapy, cognitive restructuring, or exposure therapy, depending on the therapeutic approach.
Building Resilience and Coping Skills:
The therapist helps the client rebuild their sense of self and develop healthier coping strategies. This may involve learning new ways of thinking, problem-solving, or interacting with others that are empowering and adaptive.
Restoring a Sense of Control:
Trauma can often make people feel helpless or powerless. Trauma-informed therapy aims to restore a sense of agency, helping individuals regain control over their lives, choices, and healing process. This may involve decision-making exercises or techniques that encourage self-efficacy.
Improving Relationships and Social Connections:
Trauma can damage trust and make it difficult to form or maintain healthy relationships. Therapy often includes support for rebuilding trust and improving social connections, whether with family, friends, or community.

Training &

Qualifications

I have completed a diverse range of specialised training and certifications in counselling, therapy, and mental health. This includes Strategic Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy through the Australian Institute of Applied Psychology, as well as certifications in Nutrition for Mental Health, Non-pharmacological Interventions for ADHD, and Child Psychology.

I have also trained in Mindfulness Meditation (Ziva Meditation NYC), Time-Based Therapy, and Schema Therapy for Chronic Axis 1 Disorders (Schema Therapy Australia). Further, I am a Practitioner of Neurolinguistic Programming (Australian Institute of Applied Psychology) and hold a Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapyfrom Reading University. I have also gained expertise in Mindfulness for Peak Performance (Monash University), Youth Suicide Prevention & Safety Planning, and Suicide Prevention Strategic Planning.

My professional development also includes an Introduction to Neurosequential Theory, the Classroom WISE: Well-being Strategies for Educators certification, and certification as a Trauma-Informed Coach (The Centre for Healing). This broad and diverse training equips me with a holistic, integrative approach to supporting mental and emotional well-being across various client needs.

I am currently pursuing a double bachelor's degree in Psychological Science and Counselling at university, which allows me to deepen my understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of mental health. This program provides me with a comprehensive foundation in psychological theories, research methods, and therapeutic practices while also equipping me with the skills necessary to support individuals through counselling techniques.