About Hypnotherapy

What is hypnotherapy? How does hypnotherapy work?

Hypnotherapy isn’t what you might think. The ‘hypno’ part is similar to the ‘hypnopompic’ and ‘hypnogogic’ states - the states of consciousness we go into just after we wake up and just before we go to sleep. It’s a relaxed mental state where we’re a bit more imaginative.

It is very similar to guided meditation or mindfulness practices, but, one to one and with a therapeutic aim in mind. The relaxed mental state you’d access in some meditations might be the same, but in hypnotherapy, we’re using that mental state in a therapeutic way in service of your goals.

What it’s not, is a state where someone can make you do, think or feel something that you don’t want to. You’re completely aware and in control. It doesn’t involve any swinging of pocket-watches - I’ll lead you through a process of guided relaxation. It’s a gradual process - it’s not like flipping a switch.

You may find it relaxing and peaceful and you might find you are more easily able to make changes or imagine how to change things in your life, compared to your usual mental states.

It can be transformative for thoughts and behaviours which are habitual and automatic, as hypnotherapy accesses parts of the subconscious which are often difficult to access. Deep habits are often subconscious in this way, we act on ‘autopilot’. If you’re doing things that don’t work for you on autopilot and are struggling to change these habits, hypnotherapy can help.

Do I have to have symptoms of mental illness to benefit from hypnotherapy?

No. Hypnotherapy can be really helpful to achieve goals and move past limitations which are holding you back in life. It can help with symptoms of mental illness, but it can also help with any thought patterns or behaviours you’re feeling ‘stuck’ with, or which are making you unhappy, anything you want to move away from or move towards. See ‘Services’ for some of the issues I work with.

Does hypnotherapy involve medication?

No.

How often will I need to have hypnotherapy?

It depends on what you want to work with. Specific issues can sometimes be dealt with in a one-off session, perhaps with a follow up to make sure it has achieved the desired result and tweak as appropriate.

Is the service confidential and what does that mean?

Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to me and you can rest assured that all of the services offered here are completely confidential as required by my regulatory body UKCP.

The only exceptions are in a situation where I would legally be required to breach confidentiality. I will explain to you before or during our first session what these are.

For example, if you told me there was a risk of harm to a child or that you knew of planned terrorist activity, I would be under a legal obligation to breach confidentiality and tell the authorities.

About Psychotherapy

What is psychotherapy? How does psychotherapy work?

Psychotherapy is a broad term which covers a number of different talking therapies. I use an integrative approach, which means I draw from many different theories and techniques. See ‘My Approach’ for more details of the psychotherapy modalities I draw from in my practice.

Do I have to have symptoms of mental illness to benefit from psychotherapy?

No, as with hypnotherapy it can be helpful in all sorts of situations and with all sorts of concerns - see ‘Services’ for some of the issues I work with.

Does psychotherapy involve medication?

No.

What’s the difference between psychotherapy and counselling?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a slightly different process of training. For a therapist to practice psychotherapy in the UK they must be training with or registered with the UK Council of Psychotherapists. Counsellor is not a regulated term, so a counsellor doesn’t have to have a particular type of training, although many counsellors do.

How often will I need to have psychotherapy sessions?

Generally, people have sessions weekly, at the same time every week.

Can psychotherapy be done online / via a video call?

Yes, provided you have a stable internet connection and a private space at home where you feel comfortable.

Is the service confidential and what does that mean?

Confidentiality is of the utmost importance, and you can rest assured that all of the services offered here are completely confidential.

The only exceptions are in a situation where I would legally be required to breach confidentiality. I will explain to you before or during our first session what these are.

For example, if you told me there was a risk of harm to a child or that you knew of planned terrorist activity, I would be under a legal obligation to breach confidentiality and tell the authorities.