Obstacles – My Exceptional Life

Hypnotherapy for Sports Performance

Jessica 2025-10-03T13:24:31+00:00

Sharper Focus, Calmer Nerves, Better Results When it comes to performance, talent and training matter—but so do your thoughts. Nerves, doubt, overthinking, and fear of failure can derail even the best preparation. Hypnotherapy helps athletes quiet the noise, build laser-like focus, and access the calm, confident state where their skills show up reliably under pressure. Whether you’re chasing a personal best, returning from a wobble in form, or just want to feel steadier on competition day, hypnotherapy can give you practical mental tools to perform at your best. What is hypnotherapy (and what isn’t it)? Hypnotherapy is a guided, deeply relaxed [...]

Hypnotherapy for Sports Performance Jessica 2025-10-03T13:24:31+00:00

Fear of Needles (Trypanophobia):

Jessica 2025-10-03T13:08:17+00:00

Why It happens—and how hypnotherapy can help many people, needles aren’t just “a bit unpleasant.” They trigger a full-body alarm: racing heart, sweaty palms, dizziness, nausea, tears—or a complete shutdown. If that’s you, you are not alone. Around 10–20% of adults report significant fear of injections or blood tests, and for some it stops vital healthcare in its tracks. Good news: needle phobia is highly treatable. Hypnotherapy can help you update the fear response quickly and gently, so you can attend appointments calmly, make informed choices about your health, and get on with life. What needle phobia actually is: A learned, protective [...]

Fear of Needles (Trypanophobia): Jessica 2025-10-03T13:08:17+00:00

Neurodiversity & Mental Health: Why the Struggle Is Real—and How Therapy Can Help

Jessica 2025-09-25T13:05:12+00:00

If you’re neurodivergent (autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, dyspraxic, Tourette’s, or otherwise wired a little differently), you’re not “too much” or “too sensitive”—you’re wonderfully you. And yet, many neurodiverse people experience more anxiety, low mood, burnout, and overwhelm than their neurotypical peers. That isn’t a personal failing; it’s what happens when a brain with different needs must navigate a world designed for someone else. Let’s unpack why that gap exists—and how the right therapy can make life feel lighter, calmer, and more you. Why are mental health challenges more common in neurodivergent people? 1) Masking and camouflaging are exhausting. Many neurodivergent people learn [...]

Neurodiversity & Mental Health: Why the Struggle Is Real—and How Therapy Can Help Jessica 2025-09-25T13:05:12+00:00

Retirement, money and the mind

Jessica 2025-09-23T13:38:35+00:00

Retirement, Money and the Mind: Why Financial Planning Isn’t Just About Numbers When people hit their 40s, 50s and early 60s, Google search history starts to reveal something telling. We’re no longer asking, “How do I get on the housing ladder?” Instead, the most searched questions are about retirement planning, pensions, debt management, investment basics, budgeting for the future, and—let’s be honest—“will I ever feel financially secure?” As a psychologist who spends a lot of time supporting people in this stage of life, I know that financial planning is never just about spreadsheets and percentages. It’s about what those numbers mean. [...]

Retirement, money and the mind Jessica 2025-09-23T13:38:35+00:00

Dentistry

Jessica 2025-09-23T14:07:58+00:00

If you have a fear of dentists or needles then here is my story about how I went from fear to relaxation. Now: I have had crowns completed and lots of dentist work done without so much as flinching, in fact I find it all rather calming, here is my story. Once upon a time.... From childhood and having a horrendous dentist, think brown rotten teeth and not listening to me when i tried to communicate that what they did was painful to being an adult and taking my business card to a dentist appointment because I'd be shaking [...]

Dentistry Jessica 2025-09-23T14:07:58+00:00

Animal therapy

Jessica 2020-01-31T13:51:32+00:00

Animal Assisted therapy within My Exceptional setting involves therapy but with an animal present in the room that is used to add to the calm, safe atmosphere. Our animals are trained to stay calm and relaxed, to bring balance and a sense of security to the room to aid the person in their recovery. It is suitable for people who are comfortable with an animal presence and would benefit from having a positive animal energy. They can either be in the room, or available for reassuring cuddles. It is in addition to the therapy session and over time we plan [...]

Animal therapy Jessica 2020-01-31T13:51:32+00:00

My distraction list, helps with unhelpful thoughts and behaviours

Jessica 2020-01-31T13:51:32+00:00

One of my favourite methods to deal with negative emotions from sadness to anxiousness, anger to negative thoughts is a distraction, this can also be used to break a craving cycle for those trying to overcome habits or unhelpful behaviours My life is amazing in many ways, and I have lots to be thankful for yet I also find many times feeling down, sad, angry, jealous, and beating myself up. I won't go into detail as my friends read this blog and they've heard it many times before. ( You know who you are and thank you x) Occasionally I allow [...]

My distraction list, helps with unhelpful thoughts and behaviours Jessica 2020-01-31T13:51:32+00:00

Not your normal “run post”

Jessica 2020-01-31T13:51:32+00:00

Not some “check out how far I ran post”. For those who know me, know that I am the opposite of a natural runner. I am a shire horse made for pulling large weights slowly, not for floating elegantly across the pavements. Am I proud of myself for going for a run: yes Am I pleased with my speed? Yes ish. Time isn't what I care about, I made it round without stopping. My time was very slow but I never walked and I never gave up and goodness knows I wanted to. Here are some of the thoughts that went [...]

Not your normal “run post” Jessica 2020-01-31T13:51:32+00:00

Erectile Dysfunction

Jessica 2025-09-23T14:28:48+00:00

Erectile Dysfunction: Let’s Talk About It Erectile dysfunction (ED) is far more common than most people realise — yet it’s something many men suffer from in silence. Because it’s rarely spoken about, ED can leave men feeling isolated, embarrassed, or even ashamed. But here’s the truth: you’re not alone, and it’s absolutely something you can get help with. Why ED Happens ED can be caused by many different things — sometimes physical, sometimes emotional, sometimes a bit of both. Physical factors might include: Circulation problems or high blood pressure Side effects of medication Hormone changes Lifestyle habits like smoking, drinking, [...]

Erectile Dysfunction Jessica 2025-09-23T14:28:48+00:00

I am happy and fat!

Jessica 2020-01-31T13:51:32+00:00

“I’m happy being fat! “No truly I am look, I’m happy and cheerful, life and soul of the party, so what if I’m overweight, fat doesn’t equal miserable and I’m here to show people that’s it’s ok to be fat and happy. I’m beautiful and fat. Look how much energy I’ve got! I’m happy being fat and I wouldn’t want to be miserable and thin.” Yes I’m with you, I’m certainly not saying that fat and happy and energetic and beautiful isn’t possible but what if you could be healthier and happier and more energetic? [...]

I am happy and fat! Jessica 2020-01-31T13:51:32+00:00