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What if “I’m not good enough” is just an old story your mind forgot to update? In this episode, Meredith McCarthy explains how hypnotherapy helps you rewrite that script.

In this Talk Time episode, clinical hypnotherapist Meredith McCarthy from Wellington, New Zealand, explores how hypnotherapy can help people break free from the deeply ingrained belief, “I’m not good enough.”

Meredith explains how these limiting beliefs often start in childhood, then quietly shape our choices, confidence, and opportunities as adults. She shows how hypnotherapy uses focused attention, direct suggestion, and the natural hypnotic state of imagination to help you challenge old mental “newsreels” and create a new internal narrative.

You’ll learn:

• How beliefs like “I’m not good enough” form and get reinforced over time
• Why imagining your future success is already a light state of hypnosis
• How precise, empowering language can shift your mindset
• Why hypnotherapy is such a powerful tool for changing entrenched thought patterns

If you are ready to move from “I’m not good enough” to “I am good enough, and I’m doing it,” this episode offers a grounded, practical way to start thinking differently.

To learn more about Meredith’s 1,000-hour Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy, visit:
www.nzach.ac.nz

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Welcome to Talk Time with Meredith McCarthy, founder of the New Zealand Academy of Clinical Hypnotherapy (NZACH) and President of the New Zealand Association of Professional Hypnotherapists (NZAPH).

In this episode, Meredith explores unconscious bias in clinical hypnotherapy — what it looks like in a client session, how it can quietly shape our choices, and what every therapist or student needs to know to avoid it.

Learn how to:

• Recognise your own unconscious filters and projections
• Stay out of “fix-it mode”
• Use curiosity to create genuine connection and insight
• Maintain ethical boundaries and professional sensitivity
• Reflect and grow through clinical supervision

Whether you’re already practising or considering a career in hypnotherapy, this talk will help you deepen your self-awareness and elevate your practice.

✨ Interested in training with Meredith?
Discover NZACH’s Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy — an online, comprehensive qualification designed to build confidence and skill.
👉 www.nzach.ac.nz

🕓 Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
00:30 – What is unconscious bias?
02:10 – Common traps for new hypnotherapists
05:00 – The power of curiosity and holding space
08:00 – When to take it to supervision
09:30 – Training opportunities with NZACH

🎧 Subscribe for more Talk Time episodes every Wednesday at 7 AM NZT
and join a community of conscious, compassionate hypnotherapists.

#Hypnotherapy #NZACH #MeredithMcCarthy #UnconsciousBias #EthicalPractice #ClinicalHypnotherapy #TherapistTraining #Supervision #NZAPH

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Talk Time with Meredith McCarthy | NLP: Aiming for Excellence, Not Average

Hello and welcome! In today’s Talk Time, I dive into one of my favourite Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) concepts — modelling excellence.

Have you ever noticed how some people just seem to excel effortlessly? It’s not luck — it’s strategy. NLP teaches us to study what successful people do and “copy-paste” those patterns into our own lives. Whether it’s learning a new skill, improving communication, or reshaping your mindset, this episode will help you start thinking like someone who aims for excellence, not average.

I’ll share my own story from boarding school — how observing high achievers transformed me from a struggling student into a confident learner — and how a tennis coach helped me understand the power of precise modelling. You’ll see how this same principle applies to any area of life you want to master.

🌟 What You’ll Learn

• What Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) really means
• How your VACOG system (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, Olfactory, Gustatory) filters experience
• Why we distort, delete, and generalise information — and how to change it
• How to model excellence in learning, communication, and success
• Real-life examples of mindset breakthroughs through modelling

💬 Join the Conversation

If this resonates, drop a comment below — what area of life are you ready to model excellence in?

🎓 Learn More

Ready to rewire and reprogram your mind with NLP and hypnosis?
Visit 👉 www.nzach.ac.nz
— The New Zealand Academy of Clinical Hypnotherapy.
I’d love to be your guide as you explore the power of the mind.

🔔 Subscribe for More

Join me each week for Talk Time — real conversations about hypnosis, NLP, mindset, and transformation.
Subscribe now and turn on the bell 🔔 so you never miss an episode.

📌 Keywords (for YouTube SEO)

neuro linguistic programming, NLP New Zealand, modelling excellence, self improvement, mindset training, personal growth, hypnosis NZ, hypnotherapy education, NZACH, Meredith McCarthy, Talk Time podcast, NLP techniques, subconscious mind, reprogram your mind, aim for excellence, self mastery

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Kia ora, I’m Meredith McCarthy, a Clinical Hypnotherapist based in Wellington, New Zealand.
In this heartfelt episode, I open up about my recent experience caring for my elderly mother and how it reminded me of the importance of slowing down, accepting support, and finding calm in life’s most stressful moments.

If you’ve ever had your world turned upside down by an unexpected event — the phone call that changes everything — this Talk Time is for you. Together, we’ll explore:
✨ How to manage extreme stress one moment at a time
✨ Why community and connection are so vital when life gets tough
✨ Simple ways to support your nervous system through breathing, stillness, and reflection
✨ The power of self-hypnosis and guided relaxation to restore balance

I also share how listening to hypnotic and meditative recordings helped both me and my mum find peace through the chaos — a reminder that healing can happen even in the hardest of times.

🌸 Take a moment for yourself today — breathe, be still, and know you’re not alone.

If you found this episode comforting or relatable, please:
👍 Like the video
💬 Share your experience in the comments
🔔 Subscribe to join our growing community of learners and healers

🎓 Want to learn how hypnotherapy works or train to become a Clinical Hypnotherapist?
Visit www.nzach.ac.nz
to explore our professional training options at the New Zealand Academy of Clinical Hypnotherapy (NZACH).

#StressRelief #Hypnotherapy #MeredithMcCarthy #Mindfulness #SelfHypnosis #EmotionalHealing #NewZealand #MentalHealth #AnxietyRelief #NZACH #TalkTime #CopingWithStress #Resilience #HealingJourney

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Welcome to Talk Time with Meredith McCarthy.
This guided meditation invites you into a deeply restorative state using mindful breathing, gentle eye-blink relaxation, a descending staircase visualisation, and a soothing white-light practice. It’s designed to calm the nervous system, soften physical tension, and reconnect you with a steady, peaceful centre.

Safety first: Please do not listen while driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that requires your full attention. Choose a quiet, comfortable space where you can sit or lie down undisturbed.

What you’ll experience

• Slow, mindful breathing to settle the body and quiet the mind
• A gentle eye-fixation and countdown to deepen relaxation
• A guided step-down visualisation into a safe, open, welcoming space
• White-light imagery to soothe and uplift mind, body, and spirit
• An expansive heart-centred practice of connection, love, and peace
• A calm return to full alertness, bringing clarity and ease into your day

How to use this meditation

• Listen with headphones if you can for a more immersive experience.
• Repeat daily (or nightly) to strengthen your relaxation response.
• If you drift off—that’s okay. Your subconscious mind absorbs what it needs.
• After the final count up, take your time before standing to avoid light-headedness.

Benefits you may notice

• Reduced stress and sympathetic arousal
• Easier sleep onset and deeper rest
• A felt sense of inner steadiness, self-compassion, and clarity
• Gentle release of muscle tension and mental overactivityChapters (update times after you upload)

00:00 Welcome & safety reminder
00:30 Settling the body & breath awareness
02:10 Allowing relaxation to deepen with each exhale
04:00 Eye-fixation & gentle blink countdown (10 → 1)
06:30 Stairway visualisation into a calm, open space (10 → 1)
09:10 White-light healing & heart-centred expansion
13:40 Integrating calm, clarity, and inner strength
15:30 Count up to wakefulness (1 → 3) & closing

About Meredith

I’m Meredith McCarthy, NZAPH Registered Clinical Hypnotherapist and founder of the New Zealand Academy of Clinical Hypnotherapy (NZACH). I’ve supported thousands of clients over 30+ years with practical, compassionate mind-body tools that help people calm, heal, and thrive.

• Website: www.meredithmccarthy.com
  
  
• NZACH: www.nzach.ac.nz
  
  
• Book an initial 90-minute session: https://www.meredithmccarthy.com/book-online
  
  

Important notes (NZ & ASA-aligned)

• This video offers general wellness support and is not a substitute for medical or mental-health care.
• If you have a diagnosed condition or concerns about symptoms, please consult a qualified health professional.
• Use responsibly: listen only in safe contexts where relaxation and drowsiness are appropriate.

If you found this helpful

Please like, subscribe, and share to support more free resources. Comment below with what you noticed after listening—your insights help others.

guided meditation, relaxation, white light meditation, deep breathing, mindfulness, hypnotherapy, New Zealand hypnotherapist, nervous system regulation, stress relief, sleep meditation, inner peace, calm mind, body scan, countdown relaxation, stairway visualisation, NZACH, Meredith McCarthy

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Kia ora — I’m Meredith McCarthy. Welcome to NZACH Talk Time.
This guided meditation helps your body relax deeply while training your mind to practise single-pointed focus. Using a gentle body-scan and the pebble-and-pond imagery, you’ll release tension, calm racing thoughts, and reconnect with the quiet wisdom inside you.

What this practice will help with:
• Deep physical relaxation (head, jaw, spine, hips and legs)
• Reducing stress, overwhelm and mental chatter
• Improving single-pointed attention and mindful presence
• Supporting restful sleep and nervous-system recovery
• Reconnecting with inner guidance — hearing that gentle “divine whisper”

How to use this video:
• Find a comfortable, safe place to sit or lie down.
• Use headphones for better immersion.
• If you need to fall asleep, let the meditation play; if you prefer to stay awake, practise gentle listening.
• This meditation is suitable for beginners and experienced meditators.

Timestamps
0:00 Welcome & gentle breathing
0:45 Body relaxation — head to toes
4:10 Eye focus and progressive blinking technique
6:00 Pebble & pond visualisation (mindfulness practice)
14:30 Closing — return, deepen, or drift to sleep

If you found this helpful, please like, comment, and subscribe — it helps others find these practices too. Share below how you felt after the practice or what you’d like next.

More from NZACH:
Website / Bookings: https://www.nzach.ac.nz

My private practice & bookings: https://www.meredithmccarthy.com/book-online

Contact: [email protected]
 | +64 27 699 3950

Disclaimer: This meditation is a relaxation and mindfulness practice — not a substitute for medical or mental-health care. If you have concerns about your mental health or are experiencing severe symptoms, please seek professional help.

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Welcome back to Talk Time with Meredith McCarthy. I’m a Clinical Hypnotherapist based in Wellington, New Zealand, with over 30 years of experience, and every week I share practical insights into the art and science of clinical hypnotherapy.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about double binds — a classic Ericksonian language pattern that helps bypass resistance and create cooperation in a gentle, ethical way. Double binds give clients the freedom of choice, while both choices naturally lead toward positive change.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What double binds are and why they work so effectively in hypnotherapy
• How to use double binds to bypass resistance and guide clients into trance
• Clinical examples: “You can close your eyes now, or in a moment…”
• Everyday examples: “Would you like one sugar or two?”
• How to apply double binds ethically to create empowerment and change

Key Takeaways

• Double binds redirect resistance into collaboration
• They create freedom through choice while moving toward the desired outcome
• This technique is subtle, ethical, and simple to integrate into everyday conversations
• A classic Ericksonian tool, still powerful in modern hypnotherapy practice

If you’d like to study advanced hypnotherapy techniques, explore the NZACH 1000-hour Diploma Programme: www.nzach.ac.nz

I’d love to hear from you: Have you noticed double binds in everyday conversations, or used them in your own practice? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this Talk Time, please like, share, and subscribe — it really helps the channel grow and reach more people interested in hypnotherapy and the power of language.

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Welcome to Talk Time with Meredith McCarthy. I’m a Clinical Hypnotherapist based in Wellington, New Zealand, with over 30 years of experience helping people unlock the power of the subconscious mind.

In today’s episode, we explore two of the most powerful hypnotic language patterns: The Yes Set and Agreement Frames. These simple yet transformative techniques help you build rapport, bypass resistance, and guide clients toward lasting change.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• History of the Yes Set – from Aristotle’s rhetoric, to Émile Coué’s affirmations, to Milton Erickson’s conversational hypnosis, to modern NLP
• What a Yes Set is – how small agreements create momentum toward bigger shifts
• Practical hypnotherapy examples for anxiety, smoking cessation, and sleep
• Agreement Frames – how to handle objections without confrontation and reframe them into positive momentum
• Practice tips – using Yes Sets in daily conversations to strengthen your skills

Key Takeaways

• Yes Sets create internal momentum by stacking agreement
• Agreement Frames validate resistance and redirect it into positive change
• These techniques are subtle, ethical, and powerful when used with care
• Both tools are timeless — from Aristotle to Erickson to modern hypnotherapy practice

Want to learn more about advanced hypnotherapy techniques?
Explore the NZACH 1000-hour Diploma Programme: www.nzach.ac.nz

I’d love to hear from you: Have you noticed Yes Sets or Agreement Frames in everyday life — in therapy, teaching, or even sales? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you found this video helpful, please like, share, and subscribe. It really helps this channel grow and spread the word about the power of clinical hypnotherapy.

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Welcome back to Talk Time with Meredith McCarthy – I’m a Clinical Hypnotherapist based in Wellington, New Zealand with over 30 years of experience. In this series, we’re exploring hypnotic language patterns that help bypass resistance and guide the subconscious mind toward healing and change.

Today’s episode is all about embedded commands — subtle suggestions hidden inside ordinary sentences. Also known as “planting seeds of change,” embedded commands are a powerful way of helping clients shift their inner dialogue, let go of resistance, and embrace new possibilities.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What embedded commands are and why they work with the subconscious
• How to use tone, pauses, and gestures as non-verbal markers
• Why embedded commands bypass resistance and feel natural to the client
• How to stack commands to build momentum and lasting change
• Everyday hypnotherapy examples for:
  • Sleep: “…you might just drift into deep, natural sleep.”
  • Confidence: “Each time you speak, you’ll notice yourself feeling stronger and more capable.”
  • Anxiety: “…you can remember to breathe calmly and let go.”

Key Takeaways:

• Embedded commands are suggestions woven into natural language.
• They bypass resistance because they don’t feel like “commands.”
• Tone, pauses, gestures, and rhythm make them more effective.
• Think of them as seeds planted in the subconscious — nurtured into growth over time.

 Interested in becoming a Clinical Hypnotherapist?
Discover the NZACH 1000-hour Diploma Programme: https://www.nzach.ac.nz/

💬 What embedded commands have you noticed in everyday conversation — or used with clients? Share in the comments, I’d love to hear from you.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe — it really helps this channel reach more people who want to learn about the power of hypnotherapy.

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Welcome to Talk Time with Meredith McCarthy – Clinical Hypnotherapist, educator, and founder of the New Zealand Academy of Clinical Hypnotherapy (NZACH).

In this episode, we explore the hypnotic power of presuppositions — subtle language patterns that bypass resistance and assume success is already happening. Instead of asking if change will occur, presuppositions shift the focus to when and how. This simple linguistic shift creates powerful results in hypnotherapy and everyday communication.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What presuppositions are and why they work with the subconscious mind
• How presuppositions bypass resistance by embedding assumptions of success
• Ordinary phrasing vs. presupposed phrasing — clear side-by-side examples
• Practical hypnotherapy applications for anxiety, sleep, smoking cessation, and confidence
• How to stack presuppositions to layer positive change
• Practice tips for reframing client goals into presuppositions that create momentum

Practical Examples Covered:

• Ordinary: “Do you think you’ll feel less anxious?” → Presupposition: “When you notice yourself feeling calmer…”
• Ordinary: “You might relax.” → Presupposition: “As you relax more deeply now…”
• Ordinary: “If you succeed in this exam…” → Presupposition: “When you succeed in this exam, you’ll feel proud of yourself.”
• Ordinary: “You could feel confident.” → Presupposition: “Each time you speak, you’ll notice confidence growing.”

Key Takeaways:

• Presuppositions assume positive change is already unfolding.
• They shift the focus from if change will happen → when and how it happens.
• Simple tweaks in phrasing can profoundly influence outcomes.
• With practice, you can weave presuppositions into natural conversation for deep subconscious impact.

📌 Want to learn advanced hypnotherapy techniques?
Explore the NZACH 1000-hour Diploma Programme: www.nzach.ac.nz

💬 I’d love to hear from you: How do you use presuppositions in your sessions, teaching, or everyday conversations? Share in the comments!

If you found this helpful, like, subscribe, and share — it really supports the channel and helps more people discover the power of clinical hypnotherapy.