FAQs

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) explores how your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes affect your feelings and actions. Whilst some exploration of your past and what has led to your current difficulties can be helpful, CBT very much emphasises the present, focusing on the here and now, helping you to develop more effective ways of coping with life.

CBT is the most evidence based form of psychological therapy available. It is the treatment of choice for anxiety and depression and its effectiveness is supported by a huge number of research studies.

What is perhaps less well known is that hypnotherapy also has a very extensive evidence base. By helping you to focus your attention, you become responsive to what is being suggested and you can make quick and powerful changes to your thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

When CBT and hypnotherapy are used together, the results have been shown to be even more effective and longer lasting than either treatment by itself.

Together we will explore the link between how the way you think (about yourself, others and the world around you) impacts on your feelings, emotions and behaviours. We use hypnosis to practice thinking and behaving in new, more helpful ways.

Hypnosis is not like being asleep nor is it an altered state of consciousness.

Using imagery, hypnotic language and metaphors, I will guide you into a deep state of relaxation. This enables you to focus your attention on what is being suggested to you and respond to these suggestions in a way that is beneficial for you and your goals for therapy.

Most people are aware of everything that is being said and done during hypnosis. You can come out of hypnosis whenever you want to simply by opening your eyes.

People experience hypnosis differently, for example some may feel more sleepy than normal, others may find they are more absorbed in their imagination. Most people find it deeply relaxing and enjoyable!

Your therapy plan will be tailored to you, and we will discuss in the first session how this will look. The number of sessions required will depend on the nature of your issue, how long you have had it and what you want to achieve in therapy. We will review progress regularly.

As a rough guide, the average length of treatment tends to be between 6 and 8 sessions. This is much shorter than other forms of therapy, including CBT on its own, which averages 6-20 sessions.

The simple answer is no! Hypnosis is completely safe, when delivered by a qualified hypnotherapist. Nobody has ever become ‘stuck’ in hypnosis.

The suggestions that I make to you will be positive in nature and linked to the goals for therapy that we have set. You have complete control as to whether you chose to accept these suggestions and you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.

Relaxation does not come easily to many of us! Our busy lives and never-ending to-do lists can make the very idea of relaxing seem like a distant dream let alone actually knowing how to do it.

Relaxation forms part of almost all of my therapy plans. It is absolutely a skill that can be learnt and developed over time. I guide clients through deep relaxation sessions as well as teaching quick techniques that can be used in moments of anxiety or stress.

So if you are someone who finds your mind wanders constantly and you can struggle to stay focused, please don’t be put off – this will be part of the work that we do together.

Clinical hypnotherapy is nothing like stage hypnosis, which is primarily used to entertain an audience. Unhelpfully, it can foster misconceptions about hypnotherapy and prevent people from experiencing its benefits. Take what you see on television with a generous pinch of salt!

Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for a wide range of subclinical issues (see Services page for more information).

If I do not feel hypnotherapy would be a suitable treatment for you, I will do my best to signpost you to other providers or avenues to explore.

Hypnotherapy is not suitable for severe mental health issues. I cannot provide emergency input, in these cases please consult your GP or A&E services.

Hypnotherapy is a powerful, effective and rapid therapy for addressing a wide range of issues and most people can benefit from it.

People sometimes worry that they can’t be hypnotised but actually it is a skill – everyone can learn to respond and with practice you can get better at it.

Hypnosis is not magical, nor is it something that happens to you. It requires your co-operation and participation. The skill is in being able to think and imagine along with the suggestion.

We will agree a plan for the work that we will do together and that you will do between sessions. The research shows that doing this homework leads to quicker and more powerful gains.

Research shows talking therapy is as effective online as in person.

Many people prefer to be in the comfort of their own home at a time that suits them and so opt for online therapy.

For this format, it is important you have a safe, comfortable and confidential space free from distractions. Working technology, including a stable internet connection and camera on your PC or laptop is also important.

If you would like to discuss whether online or in-person is better for you, please get in touch.

With your permission, I will record the hypnosis element of a therapy session. This will then be shared with you afterwards to practice in your own time.