Finding the root cause of your problem: is it necessary?

You may have heard it said that in order to understand and overcome your problem you need to first find the root cause.

And it sounds logical, doesn't it? After all, if something is broken, surely we need to trace it back to its origin to fix it?

Well - not necessarily!

Lasting change does not always depend on uncovering a single root cause - and in many cases, searching for one can actually slow your progress down. You may begin to ruminate on your problem, becoming further entrenched in misery as you try to figure it out - or worse - risk creating false memories.

Getting stuck in the past

Searching for a root cause can become something of an obssessive loop, and you may begin to ask your questions such as:

"Does this stem from my childhood?"

"Was it because of that relationship?"

"Is it something I've forgotten all about?"

"What if I'd done something different?"

All these thoughts do is unintentionally reinforce the idea that you can't change until you get it figured out. But what if change is possible for you right now, without needing to solve the entire puzzle of your past?

Why the root cause idea is misleading

The idea of a single root cause is appealing because it gives us a sense of certainty. It suggests that if we can just find the moment, the memory or the reason, the solutions will click into place.

But as humans we are complex creatures.

One way to understand this is to think about your life and your experiences as if they are the roots of a tree. A tree doesn't have just one root - it has a vast, complex network of roots beneath the surface. Some roots go deep, some are more shallow and some are intertwined.

There isn't always one cause

Our thoughts, biology, environments, relationships and life experiences are constantly interacting, which means the idea of identifying one neat cause can be incredibly difficult - and often impossible! Human behaviour is most often shaped by layers of experiences, rather than one single point of origin. This is why two people can go through the same traumatic experience and exhibit very different responses afterwards.

When I'm working with a client using hypnotherapy we don't go raking up the past or digging up memories that might be upsetting or re-traumatising. My style of hypnotherapy is future-focused and empowering; it works on the assumption that, with a little help to find them, you already have all the resources within you to overcome your problem fully.

A more empowering approach

When I work with you I will help you to:

• Understand how the problem is operating now

• Gently change the patterns that keep it going

• Help your mind learn new, more helpful responses

• Move you towards how you want to feel and live your life

So does the past matter at all?

Of course! Your experiences are part of you - they've shaped your life up to this present moment and offered you many opportunities to learn and grow. But they don't have to limit your future, and you don't have to trace every root to make the change you need. You just need to change how the program is running today!

So if you've ever felt frustrated because you can't figure out why you feel the way you do, just remember - it's because you are wonderfully human; complex, layered and shaped by countless influences!

You can still create change in your life and move forward - even without having all the answers. And I'd love to help you! Drop me a line today to book your discovery session - a free and friendly chat where you'll get to discover just how powerful your mind can be in helping you achieve the change you need.