Frequently Asked Questions

Hypnotherapy is a process of using hypnosis to interact with both the subconscious and conscious mind in order to effect positive changes. There are many different styles and methods to hypnotherapy. What remains in common is that the client has a strong desire to change, is put into a more relaxing and focused state and that language and visualisation is used to facilitate the therapy.

Hypnotherapy may not be used in every session. It is dependent on the person and the situation. Other methods such as counselling, stress management or NLP may be utilized.

In short, yes. Trance is normal, natural and common. It is something you will have experienced on varied levels before. Watching TV, driving on autopilot, getting lost in a book or even just losing yourself looking into the distance; these are examples where you yourself will have experienced a level of trance or hypnotism.

For hypnotherapy, what is required is a very low level of trance. You will be relaxed but aware. The majority of therapy for most issues will only need this light level of hypnosis. Only for more drastic issues such as having a ‘gastric band’ implemented would longer sessions and deeper levels be required.

Make sure that they have qualifications for what they are doing. Trust is a fundamental part of hypnotherapy, as you and the therapist will need a good working relationship for the best results.

Don’t go for anyone you feel is pushing you, or makes any claim to guarantee results. Your therapy is centred around you, not them.

Ultimately, go with your gut feeling.

Anyone can have hypnotherapy so long as they are willing. Hypnotherapy is a useful tool, like a bicycle. It cannot do the pedalling for you.

There are a few people who can just completely relax very deeply and quickly with little prompting. These people receive the same treatment as everyone else so it does not matter to the rest of us who may take a while to unwind.

The reason why therapists find self-hypnosis so important is because it’s about giving you the tools to help yourself.

It’s about giving you empowerment to help your problems in life. Where there is a positive change the idea is to keep that change for good.

Television and stage hypnotists paint a poor picture on the reality of what it is like.

Chances are you will be aware of everything that happened and be able to remember all of it. This will certainly be the case if that is what you want to happen. If you decide to drift off then that will be completely your choice. You are likely to come out of it feeling relaxed, refreshed and geared towards making that change.

Serious psychiatric or mental health problems will not be treated and will usually be referred to a qualified psychiatrist. Medical problems with the physical body should be seen by a physician and therapy should not be used to mask any pain which has not been checked by a GP. Drug addiction and serious alcohol issues also cannot be treated.

The initial session will most likely be the therapist and you discussing together your problem and your hopes for change (whether it be to feel less stressed, stop a habit, overcome a fear or phobia, lose weight or whatever). Together you formulate a plan on exactly how to tackle the issue and how long it may take.

You will then be given a very easy, light chance to relax and experience hypnosis.

This first session is fundamental to the therapy as it gives the therapist an accurate picture of the issue and helps you to begin the process together.

No. Therapy and stage hypnotists are completely different. You will not be asked to do anything other than relax and listen. Nothing can be done against your will and nor would it be. Nothing will be done which does not help achieve the things you want.

You will have complete control at all times during the therapy. You will be able to hear everything that goes on during a session. Step by step the process will be explained to you with the therapy tailored to your needs, which you specify.

Therapy is different for everyone. The typical reason for failure is that the person did not truly want to change. Therapy requires putting a little bit of faith and trust in the therapist that they want to do right by you. It then requires working together to help create effective treatment.

Counselling is where different methods are employed to help overcome the problem. It will be a one-on-one personal talk and tailored towards you and your issues.

Most of the time therapy will include a mixture of both counselling and hypnosis.

No. There are no dangers for this type of therapy. The therapist will make sure you leave the session as awake and alert as you came in – usually more so.

Your personal information and anything disclosed will remain between yourself and the therapist only. We take confidentiality very seriously and want you to feel completely comfortable in knowing that your information will remain secure.

The only exception to this being the disclosure of a crime or criminal intent which is perceived to be potentially harmful to the client or others.

There are no guarantees. Each person and their reasons behind therapy are different. The therapist will work to the best of their abilities to help you.

Hypnosis has many benefits. The main idea behind hypnosis is that your subconscious and conscious mind will align in making your decision to change for the better. Aside from this, some love the opportunity to really relax and take a break from the business of life. Ideally the secondary benefit will be that you will begin to live a happier and healthier life.

No! It is in everyone’s interest that you receive the best quality therapy and that together we help fix the problem for good as soon as practical.

This is why your therapist will work with you at the start to make sure there are no surprises and certainly no hidden fees.

We value our work on honesty and integrity. If it ever came to it that a person was consistently seeing us with no improvement, then they would be referred onto a different type of therapy in the hopes of getting that successful result.