Frequently asked questions

Hypno - CBT is a combination of low intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques and evicence based hypnotherapy, it can also go by the name of cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy or CBH too. This powerful integration is proven to be more effective than using either approach on its own.  Everything I do is evidence-based and solution focused.  I work in a way that is collaborative and bespoke to you and your needs.   A lot of my work is really practical.  I want to help you learn more about yourself and to teach you skills and strategies you can take away from the therapy session and apply to a whole range of situations, benefit your whole life.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is based on the approach that our thoughts, feelings, behaviours are all connected.  By changing one we can alter the others.  CBT helps you identify negative patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving and how to replace them with more helpful ones.  Combine CBT with hypnosis and you have CBH. Research shows that hypnosis, in combination with CBT, can be more effective than CBT alone for many conditions.  The CBH approach I use also means therapy is completely designed around you and I take a  strong focus on teaching you skills and strategies to take away from the therapy session and apply to a whole range of situations and benefit your life as a whole. 

Sessions are relaxed, calm and led by your needs.   Our first session will include an in-depth assessment of your needs and goals from therapy and can last up to 90 minutes.

Subsequent sessions last 60 minutes and are usually a mix of talking, hypnosis, education, take away tasks and practical strategies to support you to build your own toolkit of methods you can use to support yourself as you move forward.

Be committed to regularly attend your sessions and have an open mind.  I work in a very collaborative way and your feedback and input in the process is important to me.  I will be guiding you towards your therapy goal but you'll be doing the work to get there.   

The number of sessions you require will depend on the changes you want to make in your life.  Making a positive change in your life doesn't happen overnight but if you're committed this type of therapy ususally generates positive results in a much shorter period than many other psychotherapeutic methods.  During our initial session I can get a feel for the changes you want to make and we can agree on an initial number of sessions to work towards your goal although I can also work longer term with clients too who prefer this too.

Our initial session will last somewhere between 60 and 90 minutes.  After that sessions are 60 minutes.  

Absolutely! You will have exactly the same therapy session whether you are with me in person or over zoom and online therapy is just as effective as in person. It comes down to your own personal preference.  Some people prefer working face to face and others prefer online, perhaps finding them easier to commit to and you can stay in the comfort of your own home.  It's totally your choice.

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is simply focused attention on an idea, you can use your imagination in a way that feels similar to daydreaming or getting lost in a good book meaning it is incredibly simple but very powerful.   It is not something I, as the therapist, do to you - it is something you willingly do yourself.  In this way all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. The experience of deep relaxation in hypnosis can be truly transformative. During hypnosis I’ll use positive suggestions or ideas help you guide your imagination, evoke positive emotions and mentally rehearse or explore new ways of thinking/behaving.  It is a very safe and does not involve entering into some sort of mystical 'trance'.  You’ll only be able to take on suggestions you are comfortable with and you can stop at any time.  I would definitely encourage everyone to give hypnotherapy a try, but if you're feeling unsure about it then all the therapy I do can also be undertaken without hyposis. 

What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is using hypnosis as a method to bring about positive therapeutic change.   Our sessions may begin with a chat, sometimes teach you different ways to manage your thoughts, feelings and actions.  We can then use hypnosis to support you to make these changes. Hypnosis is proven to be effective at helping with many issues, particularly useful for managing anxiety or stress, controlling pain, sleep problems, and conquering bad habits.   

Can I be 'stuck' in hypnosis after a session ends?

The simple answer is no. Even if our online session gets disconnected mid way due to any technical reasons, you will be able to bring yourself back to the room once you no longer hear my voice. Equally, once the hypnosis session ends, you will become once more fully in the here and now. Hypnosis is completely safe and no one has ever been ‘stuck’. 

Will I lose control during hypnotherapy?

No, during hypnotherapy you remain in control at all times and are free to come out of hypnosis at any point. It is a gentle, safe, respectful process.  You can stop any technique at any time; we will go at your pace, with you in control. 

No! Stage hypnosis is a performance aiming to wow the audiance, it's more like stage magic packed with illusions themed around hypnosis. Hypnotherapy is completely different as it is a form of therapy, therefore your wellbeing is the focus and purpose of the session and you'll certainly never be under the control of you therapist.   I've written an in depth blog post on this topic so have a look there if you're interested in learning more about the differences between hypnotherap and stage show hypnosis.

So you've decided to try online hypnotherapy? That's great! Different therapists use different providors, I tend to use Zoom for this and after your initial phone conultation you'll be sent a link to access your appointment. 

For our online appointments you'll need:
- You need a stable internet connection
- A device with video sharing capacity.

 A Zoom account is not required as you are joining an appointment as a participant. You can use a Zoom app on your phone but you don't need this either, you can just use your internet browser.   Before you're session I'll send you a link to access our session.  You can join our meeting using the link provided or by using the meet ID and following the on screen instructions. 

If you have a booking that you wish to cancel you must do so at least 24 hours in advance of the session. Cancellation after this will result in a late cancellation fee.

Your therapy sessions are a safe, non-judgemental space for you to talk completely freely about yourself.  I am bound by and a signatory to a set of ethics meaning all the information you share with me is confidential. I will never discuss or refer to your therapy with a third party unless it was relevant for certain circumstances, in which case this would only be with your express permission. 

There are certain legal exceptions to this, including where I deem there to be a risk of harm to a specific individual or if you have broken any laws.