Frequently Asked Questions

Hypnosis - Hypnotherapy - Psychotherapy - Online Therapy

What do you mean by ‘Solution-focused therapy’?

It really is exactly what it says on the tin! Modern psychotherapy and hypnotherapy focus on where you are at the moment and where you would like to be. Together we form a therapeutic alliance and collaborate to find a way forward to get you where you want to be. We do not use any type of regression and there is no need to go over the causes of your presenting issues. Put simply, the solutions to your issues are in the future – not in the past, so why dwell on it?

Everyone has questions they would like answering when it comes to therapy. I have listed many of the frequently asked question below which will hopefully help you to make an informed choice about the type of therapy I offer. Please remember you can book a no-obligation 20 minute 'Discovery-Call' and ask any questions you have in person face-to-face via zoom or over the telephone if you prefer.

What do you mean by sub-conscious? Does it really exist?

In a nutshell, your sub-conscious mind is everything that your brain is doing, that you are not consciously thinking about. Your sub-conscious mind is the one that controls any action you undertake without thinking about consciously.

Try this for an example. Have you ever attempted a crossword and cannot think of a particular answer? You put the crossword down, forget about it consciously and get on with your day. Three hours later the answer suddenly springs to your conscious mind!  Your sub-conscious mind has been working in the background sifting through your ‘hard-drive’ of information to find the answer, even though you had consciously forgotten about it. This is a perfect example of how your subconscious mind is working away in the background constantly. Now, consider for one moment the obvious advantages of over-writing any unhelpful subconscious traits. It is your subconscious mind that holds your beliefs and behaviours and your automated responses. As a professional clinical hypnotherapist I can talk to your subconscious to help you change deep rooted limiting beliefs. Some people like to think of it as overwriting your subconscious software and increasing your bandwidth.

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis/hypnotherapy is different for everyone. The hypnotic trance state is frequently described as similar to being in a daydream – not quite asleep – not quite awake. It is an altered state of awareness where you are still in control. Depending on the depth of trance you reach you will become less aware of your surroundings and more fully absorbed in the actual therapy. A really good way to describe the hypnotic state is to think about that time of night when you are just about to drop off to sleep, so you are not quite awake and not quite asleep, but are aware of your surroundings. As a registered clinical hypnotherapist I can carefully guide you into this state and ensure that you are in a pleasant and relaxed state of focused awareness in readiness for the hypnotherapeutic part of the session.

It is this part of the session that allows me to embed positive suggestions within the subconscious mind of the client, this is to reinforce all the talking therapy from the beginning of the session. You remain in complete control at all times and can bring yourself out of hypnosis at any time simply by counting up from 1 to 5 and opening your eyes.

What will happen during a session?

Free 20 minute 'Discovery Call':

This is your opportunity to meet with me face-to-face on zoom, or if you prefer by telephone call. You can ask any questions you have about solution-focused hypnotherapy and psychotherapy. We can discuss your issues briefly and then you can make a decision, in your own time as to whether or not you would like to go ahed with therapy. There is no cost for this service and no-obligation whatsoever. 

Initial consultation session:

During the first formal session I will take down various details from you and gather as much information from you as possible so that I can formulate and agree a treatment plan with you. I will also give you an explanation of how the brain works and show you how this relates to your presenting issues. I will explain how we can suffer in the way that we do in terms of mental wellbeing, and what we can do about it. I will finish the session off with a short trance/relaxation to give you a taster of just how relaxing and empowering hypnotherapy can be. This will ensure that you leave the consultation feeling positive, refreshed and relaxed, ready to face the rest of your day.

Ongoing Sessions:

Further sessions are tailored to your specific requirements. Typically, the first half of the session will consist of talking therapy where we discuss your improvements to date and where you are going in the future. We will work together to help you find and develop your own solutions to your presenting issues and get you to where you want to be. I will typically explain the nuts-and-bolts science behind your particular issues which can empower you to deal with them. After all if you understand the reasons for a particular mindset or way of thinking it can empower you to take control of it. The second half of each session will involve hypnotic trance. This daydream like state is not only relaxing and refreshing for both the body and mind, but it also allows me to speak directly to your subconscious mind and reinforce all the talking therapy.

Mental Massage Session:

These are one-hour ‘top-up’ sessions available to previous therapy clients who may feel they will benefit from a ‘top-up’ every month or so, to keep them at their best-self. These sessions are extremely relaxing and are tailored to the needs of the individual client.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

Everyone is different, so everyone’s needs are different. Most clients report feeling more positive and heading in the right direction after the very first consultation session and leave feeling relaxed, refreshed and full of positivity.

As a general rule most clients get to where they want to be after around 8 to 12 further sessions, which is very quick compared to many other types of psychotherapy. However, this is entirely up to you. Many clients want to retain this optimum level and decide to have a session every month or so after the end of the initial treatment programme. The important thing is that you, as a client are the one who decides when their therapy has reached its’ natural conclusion.

How much will it cost?

My pricing structure is open and transparent and is designed to get you where you want to be in the shortest possible time.

I offer all prospective clients a free of charge 20 minute no-obligation ‘discovery’ call, where you can ask any questions about therapy and decide for yourself if you would like to proceed with therapy. All subsequent sessions are charged at £90 each and are payable in advance when you book your appointment. I will also provide you with various audio recordings to listen to in between sessions which form a vital part of the therapy, these recordings are supplied at no extra charge.

For weight loss and management clients I have a specially devised programme which consists of 6 x sessions in total and includes a series of audio recordings to listen to inbetween sessions. The total cost for this is £397.00. You can find out further information on my specialist weight loss/management programme here.

Are you qualified to practice hypnotherapy & psychotherapy?

Most definitely! I have been awarded the Diploma in Hypnotherapeutic Practice by the National Council of Hypnotherapy which is regarded at the gold standard throughout the profession. I also have a diploma in solution-focused hypnotherapy and psychotherapy and a diploma in NLP. I hold several professional accreditations and am registered with the Board of Modern Psychotherapy, the National Council of Hypnotherapists, the Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists and am registered with the CNHC for hypnotherapy which means I can accept paid referrals from NHS GP’s and professionals. I also hold a current enhanced DBS check which means I have been cleared to work with children and vulnerable adults. You can check out all of my credentials by clicking on any of the links at the bottom of this page.

Is this a form of ‘Brainwashing’?

No – definitely not.

Hypnosis cannot make you do anything that goes against your moral compass or personal beliefs. The hypnosis part of each session merely reinforces all the talking therapy we do beforehand. Quite simply by creating an artificial REM state (which in its’ simplest form is all hypnosis is) I will be able to talk to your subconscious mind and help you to overwrite unhelpful ways of thinking. Your subconscious mind will then readily accept the positive way forward and positive suggestions we have already talked about and agreed upon in the talking part of your session. So, far from 'brainwashing' you - clinical hypnotherapy actually empowers you. You remain in complete control at all times.

Will I lose control?

No – not at all.

Forget anything you may have seen in the movies or on TV. Hypnosis is not about mind-control, and you cannot be made to do anything by hypnosis that goes against your moral compass. Everyone experiences hypnosis differently, however you will not at any time lose any type of control. Far from losing control, hypnosis actually empowers you to develop mental strategies and to alter your thought processes so that you can achieve what you have decided you would like to achieve from your therapy.

Can I get stuck in hypnosis?

No – Absolutely not.

Again, such suggestions are perpetuated by films and TV. It is not possible to get stuck in hypnosis. The worst thing that can possibly happen during hypnosis is that you are so totally relaxed you fall into a blissful sleep. There is no such thing as being ‘stuck’ in hypnosis.

Will I reveal my innermost secrets?

No – Never!

Again, this type of common myth comes from fictitious portrayals of hypnosis in films and on TV. Hypnosis is often described as a state of blissful relaxation. Your mind is focused on everything the therapist is saying to you and you are more amenable to the positive suggestions made by the therapist throughout the session whilst you are in this relaxed state.

Thinking about therapy and still have questions?

Then why not book your free 20 minute @Discovery-Call' with me at a time to suit you. Simply choose a date then time from the calendar below and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Book your free 20 minute discovery call with me at a time to suit you

Simply choose one of the available dates below and then choose from the available times

I look forward to hearing from you