Advanced Practitioner John Wilkinson

John Wilkinson BSc., MSc., AP APM
Problematic Substance Use Practitioner
Utilising RTT ®

About me and my practice

I started to help people experiencing problematic drug use in 1999, with an NHS run arrest referral scheme, which provides access into treatment from police custody. For several years I was practicing in the criminal justice system, working in partnership with the Probation Service, HM Prison Service and with the police. This role expanded into working with the police on a targeted offender scheme, with people who had been identified as prolific offenders. A group of people traditionally viewed as challenging and difficult to help because of the complexity of offending behaviour, drug dependency and often trauma. Working in this area still influences my practice today, as it consolidated a fundamental belief that everybody can sustain change and improve their quality of life, irrespective of how stuck or hopeless they may feel. I also developed knowledge, skills and experience around problematic alcohol use when substance misuse services became integrated.

I spent nine years working in the charitable sector before returning to NHS substance misuse and now currently in community and in-patient mental health services, in the role of Dual Diagnosis Practitioner. That is, I work directly with people receiving a community or in-patient mental healthcare service and they are also experiencing problematic drug or alcohol use.

I completed my BSc (Hons) degree in psychology in 2001, returning to The University of Central Lancashire to gain a MSc in Forensic Psychology in 2008. I hold Advanced Practitioner status with Addiction Professionals (voluntary regulatory body) and I’m accountable to their Standards of Conduct and Ethics and requirement for continuous professional development. I have enhanced DBS clearance and insurance cover for private practice.

My approach is different

If you, or someone you know is experiencing problematic drug or alcohol use, I’m here to help and guide you through the change process so you achieve and maintain your recovery goals. I operate under the name of Cheshire Sobriety Clinic, and I have a unique approach to help you get to where you need to be. I address not only the problematic substance use but also explore and resolve the emotional cause of these difficulties by integrating RTT® into my treatment programme, freeing you from difficult experiences and emotions. Unfortunately, addressing and resolving the cause is often missing from many treatment programmes, and relapse is often inevitable in these circumstances.

What is RTT®?

RTT® is a hybrid form of hypnosis that was pioneered by the world-renowned Marisa Peer. It is a combination of the most beneficial aspects of hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and psychotherapy.

As the name suggests RTT® is designed to deliver rapid, highly effective and permanent results. In contrast to traditional forms of talking therapies that individuals may find themselves undertaking for several months or years. People are often left disillusioned, where the life changing results they want are elusive Many of the difficulties addressed with RTT® can often be resolved within 1-3 sessions depending on how complex the underlying issue is. Listening to a hypnotic audio recording over a 21-day period consolidates this dramatic shift. RTT® is such a powerful tool which is highly effective in reframing and changing your established response to difficult experiences and emotions on a subconscious level, so that they no longer cause distress. This effectively make substance use redundant by resolving the emotional cause, whilst safely addressing the dependency. I have also used RTT® successfully to treat cravings, to support long-term abstinence.

You will find a powerful first-hand account of a RTT® session and the results obtained found on the testimonials page of my website, which can be found here: https://www.cheshiresobrietyclinic.co.uk/Testimonials

Outline of offer

The process will initially start with a free 30-minute consultation, which I feel is important to establish confidence in my approach and ability to provide effective help. We will complete a brief assessment so I can better understand your circumstances and then we will negotiate and implement your solutions. For some people, this may be preparing for change, supporting and developing a structured reduction plan with a period of abstinence and resolving the controlled use versus abstinent dilemma, which is reflective of your reality. My approach is to help you find the missing psychological pieces of the jigsaw, master your emotional self-regulation and developing a better understanding of yourself. I will provide the knowledge and skills to allow for successful long-term self-management.

I can also provide an aftercare package to help establish long-term change and recovery, which I’ll be happy to discuss on request. In addition, where appropriate and requested, I will also welcome significant others, to help them develop their vital role in supporting their loved one’s recovery.

If this is an area of your life with which you or a loved one struggles, let’s spend a little time together where I will navigate you through the change process. I have often met people when they are experiencing high levels of distress and really struggling. Negative emotions such as embarrassment and fear, combined with physiological and psychological dependency all contribute to becoming stuck and get in the way of progress. All I ask, is that you give me the opportunity to see you at your best, as together, we can achieve great things.

Contact details

If you would like to discuss further how I can help, I can be contacted by email: [email protected] or you can call me on 01925 500385, where you can leave a message and I will return your call.