The Yips

The yips can affect golfers, darts players and other sports people, causing a sudden loss of control over an action that was previously automatic. Anxiety, over-thinking, excessive self-monitoring and fear of failure can all contribute to the problem. I have had considerable success helping people overcome performance anxiety and the yips using a combination of psychotherapy, hypnotherapy and techniques associated with behaviour therapy.

For golfers, the yips may affect putting, chipping or other parts of the game. A golfer may suddenly find that the hands tighten, the club jerks or the stroke becomes difficult to initiate naturally. Psychotherapy and hypnosis can help reduce performance anxiety and restore a more relaxed, automatic style of play, allowing the golfer to regain confidence and return to a state of flow.

In darts, one of the most frustrating manifestations is being unable to release the dart. The player may find that the hand hesitates or seems to lock, despite knowing exactly how the dart should be thrown. Treatment can address the anxiety and conscious control that may have become associated with the release, helping the natural throwing action to return.

I work with clients in person and online, using an individual approach that may include psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, relaxation, behavioural techniques, graded exposure, attentional strategies and methods designed to reduce excessive self-monitoring.

Psychotherapy for the yips | Hypnotherapy for the yips | Golf yips | Darts yips | Performance anxiety | Sports performance | Behaviour therapy | Flow

David Kraft PhD

Former President, Section of Hypnosis & Psychosomatic Medicine, Royal Society of Medicine

Registered UKCP Psychotherapist

BSCAH Trainer

Addresses

0207 467 8564 (General Enquiries)

07946 579645 (Work Mobile)

Back to Hypnotherapy Glossary