About Me
Hi, I'm Una.
My firm belief is that every individual should be treated with humanity and respect, no matter what.
When I announced my impending change in from my successful career in International Senior Management, towards Cognitive Hypnotherapy, one particular comment stuck in my mind: “you were born to do it… even as a teenager you had some magic knack to get to the crux of things.” What Cognitive Hypnotherapy gave me, was how to quickly, effectively and permanently reframe those “things” when I found that crux.
My life has included ups, downs, successes, failures, great joys, great pain, magical surprises and my share of disappointments. However, in the process, I have learned not only about the world around me and the people in it, but also about myself and why I continuously kept bouncing back to the patterns of old. When I look back to the crippling self-doubt, the disconnection, the feelings of unworthiness, insecurity and the deep loneliness that I often felt, I now, as a therapist, and after helping so many people, realise how many of my own clients come to me from a similar position. They are experiencing those feelings despite what the outside world may see as a life full of confidence, individuality and success. Having someone to help make sense of the journey back to a happy and fulfilled existence lightens the load, making that road so much smoother, quicker and easier to navigate.
I instinctively understand people and their individual uniqueness and want to play my part in helping them deal with the things that are holding them back. My attitude throughout my entire career, whether it be a technical, logical, procedural or human issue, is that a wall is simply an obstacle. In my experience, if those involved really want to surpass the wall enough, there is always a way. It is the resilience to keep trying that sets people who succeed apart from others.
Hindsight would indeed be helpful; however, it would change who we are and that doesn’t appeal to me. What appeals to me is reframing the negative effects and beliefs that people carry around, so that they can live free and proud.
I’ve had quite a journey myself and it was that journey that eventually, following the big adjustments that motherhood, and especially motherhood as a single parent, brought me to The Quest Institute and Cognitive Hypnotherapy. I had reached the point of awareness, understanding and objectivity, forgiveness, and hindsight regarding my life and my patterns of behaviour, but I couldn’t seem to effectively change how I felt. Finally, not only was there a system that could enable me to reframe the negative experiences and memories from my past in order to live free of their indictments, but I also found a framework in which to do the type of work I truly thrive in. I have always been a fixer – both within a technical/operational remit at work, and also within the personnel/pastoral care arena. But I previously lacked the tools to really affect change in such a quick, logical, effective and long-lasting way, which is what Cognitive Hypnotherapy has given me.
As much as my life hasn’t followed the path I thought it would as a child, I would not change a single day, as I am happy and proud of the me that I am today and excited about the me that I will continue growing into tomorrow.
We are all work in progress 🙂
Start your journey with a free consultation.
Training, Qualifications & Experience
I am a member of QCHPA and the NHC and bound by their Code of Ethics
Awarded by The Quest Institute, the founding organisation of Cognitive Hypnotherapy.
Verified by the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the HPD is accredited by the NCFE. This is the only independently accredited professional qualification for Hypnotherapy available in the UK.
Feedback & Reviews
I’m delighted when clients contact me to share their experience of us working together. Below you will find a small selection of feedback
Male, 55, UK
“Having very recently been signed off work by a doctor due to suffering from stress and anxiety, I decided, at the age of 55, to use this valuable time off to try and address these thoughts and feelings I was experiencing through hypnotherapy, which I felt worked for me many years ago.
I must confess, I was a little sceptical, as I wasn’t completely sure if the previous lady I visited, had hypnotised me, albeit I felt it did help me overcome a commitment phobia I had at the time.
I found Una on-line and was immediately put at ease by her pleasant tone over the phone, her immediate understanding of my situation, and her willingness to help and discuss my predicament completely FOC prior to any professional engagement.
I was initially concerned with the thought of conducting sessions over Zoom, however, through a combination of the preparatory work I was given, which helped identify situations and circumstances in my past, that I hadn’t, until now, given much consideration too, and Una’s innate ability to make you feel very relaxed, I was feeling much calmer within an hour, knowing I had her support and a further two sessions to go.
In short, I extended my initial three sessions, which Una felt would be sufficient to address my work-related issues, by a further three sessions, to help address something in my life I hadn’t originally thought to discuss, but once the genie was out of the bottle, it felt right.
During this period, with my newfound confidence, I not only gave notice to my current employer, but also attended a couple of interviews on-line and secured a new role at a new company.
I listen to the recordings from our sessions as often as I can, and truly believe that they have and will continue to help me overcome stressful situations that will undoubtedly arise both in my new role and in my family life.
I also have the comfort of knowing that in the event I need assistance in the future, I have someone in Una I can not only reach out too, but more importantly, understands me very well and knows how to help.
I would highly recommend reaching out to Una if you’re in need of assistance or simply a reset, because not all illnesses are physical.“
Male, 13, UK
“My 13year old son had been suffering from severe headaches for a number of months, which was having a significant impact on his education and ability to do everyday things. He had turned from a happy, social, do anything child to a bed bound pained child who did not have the energy to participate in everyday life. Visits to the Doctors, hospitals and whatever else we could come up with did not have any impact, not even the various medications prescribed. After reading a book on pain management I concluded we needed to try to get his brain to take control and “turn down” the pain dial, so searched the web for hypnotherapists.
I made contact with Una and immediately felt at ease as I talked through the issues, (I felt listened to and that my opinions mattered). She talked through how she would approach helping my son in a language that was very easy to understand and I could connect with. Making a connection is something that Una does very well, she spent the time to research how best to communicate with my son and I found him talking to Una as a good friend instead of an awkward therapy session.
Having the option to have the meetings online was perfect for my IT loving child. Initial nerves were soon overcome as he was engaged in conversation about subjects he loved to talk about. Other than hearing him chatter away happily I do not know what went on but got the sense that he was taking everything seriously and had a sense of purpose and positivity.
Una would follow up with me to convey the progress being made and develop ideas on how to make further connections with my son and how I could support the process. My sons sessions were confidential and this confidence was not broken, but Una also understood the need, as a parent, to be involved and support the process. As we developed ideas it was great to see my son engage and make changes to his lifestyle – even to this day after being headache free for 3 months he is still doing an activity suggested by Una.
I now have my happy, do anything child back but also know that should we experience any further challenges, as my teenage son develops into a man, he has someone to help and coach him to be mentally strong so he can be the best he can be.“
Female, 52, UK
“It wasn’t until I began seeing Una that I realised I was possibly still acting as a ‘victim’ of my childhood. Not only is Una a very skilled therapist, she is calm and relaxed with a warm disposition. Her authenticity is genuine. She is a truly kind, caring and extremely able therapist“
Free yourself and become the best version of you.
My personal journey
I am the daughter of a Spanish bohemian artist father and a British, supremely gifted, free-spirited mother. I was born and brought up on a secluded valley in Southern Spain and home schooled until the age of nearly eleven, at which time my mother, three suitcases, three children and my guitar made the journey by coach to our new life in the UK. Much of my time in Spain was spent having adventures in the mountain or the river and tending to the animals. In social or cultural terms, I don’t remember a time when I felt that I truly fitted in. It was only much later in life that I realised that not being ‘normal’ is in fact a great gift.
Thus, lateral thought and resilience were born extremely early. We were experience rich, but cash poor, so after coming to the UK I had all sorts of jobs from the age of twelve; restaurants, nightclubs, door-to-door selling, and call centre work, to name but a few.
After University I worked my way up to Director of Operations for a B2B and B2C international organisation, responsible for teams around the world. This also included overall responsibility for the Pastoral Care of all staff worldwide. Most of my time was spent working in and directly mentoring people from South Africa, Israel, Australia, Mauritius, Spain and various South American and European countries to name but a few.
It was this area that really enthused me. I excelled when faced with finding a solution to an interpersonal, intercultural, operational or software limitation that seemed impossible, but I was personally fed far more when helping individuals grow and free themselves from their own limitations, whether imposed by family, society, culture, gender or more often themselves.
However, it wasn't easy...
Whilst excelling and seemingly thriving, I also struggled a lot. When I look back at all the opportunities, personally and professionally that I wasted or sabotaged for myself, I really do feel an urge to help others in the same or similar position. I think that as a highly able, highly functioning and much respected professional, it is often very difficult to acknowledge the need for a helping hand. Even when that need has been acknowledged, and help has been sought, so many professionals qualified to help have never actually had personal experience in Senior Management, the corporate world or even of working with different cultures. This makes finding the “right person” extremely difficult.
Looking back, I only ever really trusted myself, however I see now that I could have really done with a “me of now” at so many stages, just to get me focused along the way and avoid or better steer some of my many bumps. I am extremely lucky as I was forced to learn resilience very young so I have somehow always found a way; even with my “stuff”. I have kept on my tortuous road to get to the place I am today and although, like everybody else, I am work in progress, I am extremely proud of who I am.
But I’m sure I could have reached that place a lot sooner and with more ease had I had better tools along the way to help solidify my foundations. I know there must be so many others who are highly functioning human beings and outwardly look poised, self-assured, confident, successful, but are actually crying inside.
So what have I learned and how can I use it to help you?
I have lived my entire life with the mantra that every problem has a solution and a wall is just an obstacle. To this day I would say that on the whole, this mantra holds true. I would say the same about therapy.
A human being, and crucially our brains, are not made of stone. Our brains are constantly adapting, learning and evolving. With enough will and the right support, change is always possible regardless of what we have been through or are going through. Just like with software, we can reprogram our brains and we can train ourselves to adopt a new normal, which is free from old unwelcome behaviours and constraints.
Through our work, and obviously taking into account other important factors, my services primarily help deal with the emotional aspects interfering with your life, be it professionally, personally, socially, or even within yourself. Only once we stop being hijacked by our emotions and our anxieties we can relax, be happy, effectively communicate, grow, succeed and achieve the outcome we desire.
No one should feel like they don't have a voice.
A conversation won't cost you anything and may just save you a lot.
Need Advice?
A problem shared is a problem halved. Sometimes all it takes is a little impartial advice from someone not directly linked to your life and who is trained to help. Even if I am not the right person for you, I might know someone who is.
Una Murga offers English or Spanish Cognitive Hypnotherapy and Coaching in Buckinghamshire and online.