FAQs & Common Misconceptions

What is a session like?

Ideally we start with a discovery call - preferably on video so we can see each other - where you will have the opportunity to discuss your reasons for wanting to try hypnotherapy, give some background on your issue(s), ask me questions and basically for us both to see if it's a good fit. And if it is, we'll get you booked in for a first session.

I prefer to work online and will do the sessions via video link as well. This way you can seamlessly work it into your schedule without any travelling and you'll feel nice and comfortable in your own space at home, helping you relax deeply.

Then, during the actual trance part of the session you'll be asked to get comfortable, either on a comfy chair or propped up with some pillows on your bed. I will then help you to relax by gently guiding you into hypnosis and the only thing you need to do is follow my instruction, relax and listen. I will then use whatever technique I find suitable for your issue and work with your subconcious mind to gently help untangle it for you. More often than not you won't be asked any questions or prompted to speak during trance, I prefer to keep your mind focused on the session without any need for you to "do" anything.

When I'm finished with the hypnosis I will count you back into an alert state again and you'll open your eyes feeling renewed and refreshed.

We'll then briefly talk about the session and discuss any questions/comments you may have and then I'll let you get on with your day!

What does it cost?

I currently charge £95 per session. The initial consultation call is free of charge.

What are the most common things hypnotherapy (& NLP) can help with?

• Addictions, e.g. smoking, alcohol, sugar
• Phobias or fears, e.g. spiders, snakes, needles, dentist visits, flying, heights, claustrophobia, agoraphobia...
• Type 1 & 2 Insomnia
• Confidence issues like public speaking & stage fright
• General Anxiety or worry
• Increased focus during Exams & Tests
• Procrastination, lack of focus & productivity
• Stress management
• Sexual performance, e.g. premature ejacuation
• IBS
• Migraines
• Chronic pain & inflammation management
• Auto-immune conditions exacerbated by stress
• Finding the root cause of past issues

Do I really have to tell you the issue?

Preferably, as that gives me more information to go on - I'm here to help you, and everything you say is safe with me. But the beauty of hypnotherapy is that I can also figure out clever ways to speak to your subconcious mind and coax it towards change without knowing the full issue.

If you don't feel fully ready to share what's on your mind yet, no problem. I can tailor a session for you without having to know all the details. However the more information you are able to give me, the more tailored and effective it will be.

Will I see results right away?

It all depends on what you're coming to me for, as it's very individual. I won't claim you'll be 'cured' of eveything after one session and see results right away - although it is absolutely possible that that will happen to you. Generally fears & phobias tend to be the quickest ones to fix.

Oftentimes though, you'll start seeing results after a few days, or you might look at yourself a few months after the session and realise how much you've changed. Hypnosis is like planting a little seed for change and your subconcious mind may need some time to 'rearrange' things for you, and take some time to let that seed grow.

I always set up a session so that your subconscious mind keeps reinforcing the changes too, ensuring they become even stronger during the week(s) after the session.

How many sessions will I need?

Generally 1-3, for one particular issue. It all depends on the results from your initial session. I'll always do my utmost to try to help you in 2 sessions: one main session and one to reinforce the first. Sometimes we'll want to tackle it from different angles though and book in another session or two afterwards.

Regardless, my aim here is to help you fix your issue. Not keep you coming back to me and rely on constant "maintenance".

Will I remember the session?

Yes, you will - most of it, anyway. There's a common misconception that you'll be completely out of it during a session and wake up an hour later with no recollection of what happened. That's not the case, most sessions don't requre that deep a trance to be effective. During trance you will be more right-brain dominant where your percecption of linear time is slightly altered however, usually a session will feel very quick even though it might have been closer to an hour. It's kind of like a dream or a deep meditatative state - you can remember the overall 'theme' but likely not all of the details.

Can I get stuck in hypnosis?

Short answer: No. You can’t get stuck. The state of hypnosis is a state where you go naturally multiple times a day anyway - without any help. Usually you don't get stuck in sleep, do you? As you're here reading this I'm pretty certain you got out just fine this morning.

Hypnotherapists are just a bunch of weirdos

Hypnotherapists are either creeps who thrive on controlling other people (usually men wearing purple brocade vests and black nail polish), pompous Americans who enjoy talking at people on stage or Shamans in tie-dye hareem trousers. Right?!

Well I certainly thought that, so you’re not alone. And yes, there are these people out there. There are all kinds of people out there, that’s what makes life fun. There will be practitioners that are right for you, and there will be practitioners that are not. Just know there’s a good match for you if you start looking for it.

I’m not going to try to convince you that that person is ME, necessarily - I think you know if it is. Always trust your gut on these things. Check reviews. Check credentials. Check their websites, if that feels right too. But know that there are many good-hearted, pragmatic, funny, insightful, skilled, knowledgeable practitioners out there. I have worked with many of them myself! Don’t let yourself be put off by the ones that you might judge. They were never meant for you anyway. Find the ones that are.

Hypnotherapy is dangerous

On the contrary, it’s actually pretty healthy for you. It helps you relax and get access to your inner knowledge and the resources you need to make long-lasting, natural change in your life. You’re also accessing networks in your brain that have been proven to reduce anxiety and spark creativity over time. Pretty ideal if you ask me!

Let me say this though - YES you can visit old memories. YES you CAN unearth things you might have repressed. BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO. Being brave and fully digging into the past, to see it and feel it fully in order to be able to release the grip it has on you - can be incredibly therapeutic. But it’s not an approach that works on everybody, and there will be moments when it doesn’t feel good. I wouldn’t say it’s dangerous per se, but it’s not always gentle. It is completely up to you what you feel comfortable with, don’t ever let a practitioner talk you into anything that you don’t feel good about. A skilled practitioner can hold your hand through a past healing process and ensure you feel safe the whole time. The key here is that you feel safe with THE PERSON, not just the process.

Both practitioner and client need to do their part to ensure this happens though - the practitioner needs to work ethically and ensure they have the right insurance and are tied to credible associations to prove their commitment to excellence and professionalism in their chosen field(s). But it’s vitally important that you as client is honest about your condition(s), your potential medication and reason for the session as well. By being open and honest with each other, you put the right foundation in place for some beautiful healing together.

If any abreactions should happen during a session, which is rare, a skilled practitioner will know exactly what to do to calm you down and reduce the distress quickly.

Hypnotherapists have magical telepathic/spiritual powers

I mean, I wish! Hypnotherapy (i.e. getting people into a trance state, and then skillfully know what to do when they’re in that state) is something you can learn. Anyone can learn hypnosis if they acquire the right skillset. It also helps if you’re a genuine, caring, human being with empathy and integrity. As much as the skill is important - the rapport, the trust and the safety you build with a client is where the “magic” is. Being a good human is hard to just get from a book.

Hypnosis is mind control

No. We can’t do anything that’s completely against your will and moral compass.

Sure, there are sneaky ways we can get your subconscious mind to listen to us, but it’s all in your best interest, and you never have to action anything that doesn’t feel inherently right for you.

But not even the most skilled hypnotist have been able to get die-hard Arsenal fans to start chanting another team’s anthem. That’s too deep rooted even for them ;)

Stage Hypnosis is fake

Stage hypnosis shows are absolutely real - they are merely a different, very specialized form of hypnosis. There’s just very little therapeutic benefit to getting someone to twirl around like a ballerina or cluck like a chicken. But to say it’s all fake discredits the incredibly skilled stage hypnotists, and the power of hypnosis in general. Yes, they are very good at getting people into a trance state, but - most importantly - at doing clever suggestibility tests to see who in the audience are up for being ‘show ponies’ for a while, and who’s naturally more inclined to act on these types of suggestions. They would never pick anyone who wouldn’t want to get up on stage.