Different Mental Health Tools And What They Do:

Tools that are used by Irena-Marie Makowska

BWRT (BrainWorking Recursive Therapy)

How it works: BWRT targets the brain’s automatic response system, helping to rewire deeply ingrained patterns before they trigger by intercepting thought processes at the neural level. BWRT allows you to replace unwanted thoughts, feelings and behaviours with healthier responses. It is also an safe process for phobia, PTSD and other trauma as it can be contentless.
Conscious or Subconscious? Subconscious – It works at the level of instinctive reactions before they reach conscious awareness.
Form: Short-term, structured intervention focused on rapid change in neural pathways.

Clinical Hypnotherapy

How it works: Hypnotherapy guides you into a deeply relaxed state where your subconscious is more open to positive suggestions and reprogramming. It helps to change habits, reduce cravings, and reinforce self-control by working directly with the deepest layers of belief and behaviour. It works on controlling pain levels and helps improve the immune system. Also used with trauma.
Conscious or Subconscious? Subconscious – It bypasses the critical thinking part of the brain to implant new, healthier behaviours.
Form: Guided trance work to rewire subconscious beliefs.

NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)

How it works: NLP helps restructure thought patterns and behaviours using language and visualization techniques. It teaches the brain to create new, positive associations instead of old, harmful ones.
Conscious or Subconscious? Both – It starts at the conscious level with techniques like reframing and anchoring but aims to influence the subconscious over time.
Form: Practical exercises and mental techniques designed for long-term behavioural shifts.

Cognitive Reframing

How it works: This is a conscious thought process that helps shift negative or limiting beliefs into more empowering ones. For example, instead of thinking, “I need alcohol to have fun,” you reframe it to, “I can enjoy life without substances.”
Conscious or Subconscious? Conscious – It’s an active, logical process that changes the way you perceive situations.
Form: Talk-based strategy often used in therapy or self-help exercises.

Anchoring (NLP Technique)

How it works: Anchoring uses sensory triggers (like touch, sound, or visualization) to create instant positive emotional states. For example, pressing your fingers together while thinking of a strong, confident moment can help you access that feeling instantly during a trigger i.e. a craving, anxious moment etc
Conscious or Subconscious? Both – The anchor is consciously created, but once established, it triggers a subconscious emotional response automatically.
Form: Practical self-regulation technique for emotional and behavioural control.

Counselling

How it works: Counselling provides a safe space to explore emotions, challenges, and thought patterns with the support of a trained therapist. It helps individuals process experiences, gain clarity, and develop coping strategies. Unlike more structured therapies like BWRT or NLP, counselling focuses on self-exploration and emotional healing.
Conscious or Subconscious? Primarily conscious – Although deeper emotional insights can influence the subconscious over time.
Form: Talk therapy that supports emotional expression and personal growth.

Note: Counselling is good however over time simply talking is not resolving the problem at a deeper or root level.

Mindset Shift

How it works: A mindset shift is a gradual change in perspective that alters how you approach life, challenges, and personal growth. It helps people move from a place of feeling powerless to feeling in control.
Conscious or Subconscious? Mostly conscious – But with practice, these new thought patterns can become deeply ingrained in the subconscious.
Form: Long-term perspective shift through therapy, self-development, and practice.

Coaching

How it works: Coaching is goal-oriented and action-based, helping individuals move forward by identifying strengths, setting clear objectives, and developing strategies for success. Unlike therapy, which often explores the past, coaching focuses on the present and future, empowering clients to create change.
Conscious or Subconscious? Primarily conscious – Coaching works by bringing awareness to behaviours and mindset while reinforcing long-term habits.
Form: Structured guidance and accountability for personal and professional growth.

BWRT Coaching is different because it combines therapy (rewiring negative patterns that block change) before moving onto conscious goal setting.

Important note: Change can only occur if you WANT it. You are the one in control, your therapist is only a guide helping you achieve your goal/s.

It is also important to understand that under any form of therapeutic work, both conscious and subconscious, your brain is always listening and on guard – so if any suggestions do NOT align with your morals, values, goals etc - it will not be accepted by your brain. YOU ARE IN CONTROL.

What to expect:

Consultation over phone. Tends to be 30 to 40 minutes. Discuss issues and what you want to achieve. Questions and answers. Decide if you wish to go ahead, if yes, then
Payment prior to first meeting
Sessions are agreed at four upfront and if any additional sessions (maximum tends to be six to eight) payment is prior to each follow on session. If a phobia, these are generally two sessions. Fear is more complex, so it is often four to six.
Session one to four we follow a process that is tailored to you. Discuss if any further work needs to be done.
At the end of the agreed period, we discuss what back-up processes need to be implemented. What toolkit you need to help you day-2-day and any personalised audio recordings

Information comes in to our Reptilian brain (this is where BWRT takes place), there is no value judgement. Neural maps then travel through the Limbic brain, gathering all sort of relevant information, emotions, memories, learning etc, then the neural maps travel into conscious awareness - our Neo-Cortex.

Brief Overview of the Different Therapies

Different types of therapies and what they do