Dr Trevor Hadfield GP, Family Physician/Psychotherapist

After being a GP principal for thirty years, I have now partially retired to focus on this more specialised practice. I have postgraduate training in paediatrics, obstetrics, gynaecology, family planning, sexual health and psychotherapy.

My main interest is those many illnesses and health problems that:

• still have no medical explanation, such as ME, chronic fatigue, unexplained chronic pain.
• seem to be complicated by underlying emotional conflict , such as IBS, indigestion, migraine, chronic pain, anorexia, bulimia, involve habits such as smoking/overeating, psychosexual problems, post-traumatic stress, spiritual conflict.

In other words those parts of health care that the NHS does not necessarily reach!

As a doctor, my experience has confirmed the research finding that a high proportion of people who present to their doctor never have their illness explained even after full investigation. In other illnesses where we have been able to make a diagnosis, it is clear that effective treatment is beyond tablets or surgery. Often, a person in this situation is frustrated because the illness stops them getting on with life, and they desperately want to do something for themselves.

How do I do it?

My practice involves a different approach to medical diagnosis. It is called empathometrics. I presented this at the Royal Society of Medicine, and we teach it to doctors each year in Birmingham. It was featured in The Times, and forms part of a current Channel 4 documentary. It uses techniques that originated in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). These are simple, fun, not painful, and can allow you to feel back in charge. This can be quite a relief. Treatment can then be in liaison with your own GP/ specialist, and your own medication.

Get in touch with me