Connell and Fox Coaching

Our approach and how the groups work

What is your approach to stress reduction?
Our approach is based around reducing stress through increased awareness. Awareness of our personal triggers of the stress response, and our reactions to those triggers, be it physical, emotional or behavioural. Greater awareness gives us more choices in how we might act, and helps us to re-gain control, rather than just re-acting to people and situations and getting caught up in a cycle that only leads to more stress and tension. We teach powerful proven techniques such as relaxation and breathing methods, and cognitive techniques, which again are based on increasing awareness.

An equally important part of our approach is allowing our participants the space to talk about their experiences of stress and anxiety. This often helps to lessen the sense of isolation that many people feel, which also has the effect of reducing stress.

What makes your courses and workshops different?
We use a combination of modern cognitive techniques, mindfulness meditation and relaxation techniques that we and our participants find very effective in not only reducing stress, but improving quality and enjoyment of life. We offer dual facilitation and feel that our combined backgrounds in the mental health, therapeutic and training fields, and our personal experience of using and benefiting from the techniques we teach mean that we bring a unique and authentic approach to what we offer.

What sort of people attend your courses and workshops?
From businessmen to bus drivers, and students to secretaries. Stress and anxiety affects so many people our groups are quite a cross section of the community. We have found that the overall process underlying anxiety is the same regardless of age, gender, background or occupation.

How many people are in a group?
Group sizes vary but on average around 12.

What does your 'Introduction to Stress Reduction' Workshops entail?
Our one-day workshop offers an opportunity to discover how you become stressed, and to learn simple techniques to overcome reduce stress and enhance wellbeing. The day includes teaching, practice and exercises designed to reduce stress through mindfulness, relaxation and cognitive techniques. We then recommend you go on to attend our 10 week course to cultivate these skills further and bring about deeper change. We also encourage you to purchase one of our relaxation cds to practice with at home. We provide handouts on subjects covered and refreshments.

What am I required to do if I attend your course?
There are a number of printed handouts for you to read and some simple exercises to complete at home, but they don’t amount to more than 10 minutes a week. We do strongly encourage you to practice the relaxation exercises or listen to the CD each day as regular practice is the fastest way to improve and get the most from the course.

I am going on holiday after the course starts - will it matter if I miss two sessions?
We would advise you to attend as many sessions as possible but we realise this is not always possible and our courses are designed with this in mind. We provide handouts to re-cap material covered in sessions, and part of the course is home practice. So if you do miss one or two sessions, it will not stop you benefitting from the course. We do ask that, wherever possible, you let us know in advance if you are unable to attend a session.

I am anxious about being in a group; will the course still work for me?
Yes. Most of the people who sign up are anxious about being in a group, this is quite natural. From the feedback we have received, most people also find that being part of a supportive group of people who are going through similar experiences extremely helpful, and that they usually lose their fear when they realise they are in a safe environment. As group facilitators, we personally make every effort to put people at their ease and encourage people to share their anxieties, in an informal and often relaxed atmosphere.

Will I have to speak and reveal personal details about myself in the group?
No. There is no requirement to reveal personal information about yourself. How much you reveal and to whom is left entirely up to you. Any personal information you choose to share in the group also remains confidential. In our experience, as the weeks go by people do get to know each other and often make friends, and as they feel safer they naturally talk more and find this helpful. We have often noticed that people who said little or nothing during the first few weeks of the course are among the more talkative by the end.

Who the course is for

Can your course help people with panic attacks?
Yes. We teach some powerful techniques that are specifically for panic attacks, which have helped many people. The whole course is also geared towards reducing overall anxiety levels and if you bring your anxiety level down it becomes less likely that you will have panic attacks. Many people also find that they learn how to recognise the signs of a panic attack earlier using the techniques we teach and therefore become able to stop their panic attacks before they start.

I have a very stressful job, a demanding family life and little time for myself – how can the course help me?
These are very common problems in modern life, but the course can help in several ways. Many people find that just coming to the weekly group sessions, where they have time for themselves and feel supported and listened to, helps to relieve their stress. Although life can be demanding at times, and it is understandable that we become stressed, with practice we can learn to change our reaction to the challenges we face.

I have been a anxious person and a worrier all my life – is it too late to change now?
No. We have seen people who have suffered with anxiety for over 40 years make amazing changes during the course. Insomnia suffers get their best sleep in years. Even lifelong worriers find that they are no longer bothered by many of the thoughts that used to make them anxious.

I get aggressive and angry when I am under pressure - is this normal?
Yes it is, when experiencing stress and anxiety people either tend to avoid, withdraw and back away from people or situations, or else they go on the attack and aggressively engage others. On the course you will learn to become aware of your reactions, to slow down and choose to react differently if you wish to.

I suffer from physical health problems like Irritable Bowel Syndrome and high blood pressure – how can a course related to mental health help me?
Our physical and mental health are so closely linked as to be virtually inseparable. As you will learn on the course, what we do with our minds directly affects what happens in our bodies, and many so-called physical problems such as IBS or high blood pressure are related to stress. Learning how to reduce your stress can have many positive benefits on your physical and mental health.

My partner says that when I’m under stress I become really controlling, can you help with this?
Yes, the need to be in control is another typical way that we use to try to regulate our anxiety levels. This need for control eventually upsets our relationships both at work and at home. On the course you will learn how to relax and reduce your anxiety levels and this means you won’t need to control others to feel secure.

I have a diagnosed mental health condition – will the course be right for me?
Today there are so many diagnosed conditions that most of us could get a label of some kind. If you have a mental health condition please contact us and we will advise you.

Will the course conflict with my personal counselling/psychotherapy?
No. The methods and techniques you will learn will enhance your work in personal counselling/psychotherapy.

Practicalities

I don’t have much money – can I get a fee reduction?
Each course is individually priced as the cost of hiring premises varies considerably. Wherever possible we allow a few places on each course at a concessionary rate for those who are unwaged. Places are limited so please contact us for further details as soon as possible.

Can I pay by instalments?
If necessary you may pay a deposit with the remainder payable at the first session.

Do I get money back if I don’t attend a session?
No, as we ask for the fee upfront and we still have to cover our costs.

After the course finishes

Once the course is finished is there any ongoing support?
Yes. We provide an ongoing weekly relaxation practice group for graduates and we organise a follow up session a few months after the end of the course. We are also looking at setting up an online message board.

Can I keep the CD after the course?
Yes you can and we encourage you to go on using it.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us