Hypnotherapy FAQs
If you have any questions about hypnotherapy or hypnosis not listed here, please feel free to get in touch
What will happen during my hypnotherapy session?
During your FREE Initial Consultation, I will gather some information from you and you’ll have a chance to discuss your current challenges in more detail.
We will discuss how you want things to be at the end of your course of treatment so that we have a goal to focus on together. I’ll talk you through some of the science behind how the mind works and also give you some information about your condition or situation.
The first half of each session is designed to help you put the principles of neuroplasticity into practice. We will also talk about the science of stress and fight-flight if relevant. You will learn how to activate different parts of your brain and balance your neurochemistry naturally and effectively. You are welcome to take notes.
These techniques are layered and help you build momentum throughout several sessions. You will discover your power to create lasting change in your life. The skills you learn will form part of a ‘toolkit’, which you can use for the rest of your life, in many different situations.
Sometimes, and always with your permission, we may use other helpful psychotherapeutic and coaching techniques which I have trained in, if they will be beneficial to your goals.
The second half of the session is where you get to relax in a chair or on your bed. I will guide you into a gentle hypnotic trance. This is where your conscious and subconscious mind can join together and become best friends.
The hypnosis will be similar to a daydream-like state where your mind can take on helpful therapeutic metaphors and new strategies for life.
You will also receive a FREE hypnosis MP3, which you can listen to every night in between sessions and continue to safely create changes in the brain.
You can also email me any questions you may have in between your hypnosis sessions. I will be happy to help you and make suggestions via email.
Can I have just one session?
Some hypnotherapists offer just one or two sessions but the results can be a bit hit and miss. This is because change and deep learning doesn’t always happen that quickly – it takes a while for the brain to learn that the new way of doing things is ‘safe’ and for it to become the default.
For example, if I offered just one or two weight-loss sessions, the client may lose weight initially, or develop an aversion to chocolate, but then if their stress levels went up they may revert back to their old eating patterns.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapists like myself would always much rather help you bring down your stress levels (and learn to manage it yourself), whilst helping you make intellectual decisions about food instead of default emotional ones.
Plus every session during the hypnosis part, we work on confidence, which should leave you feeling fantastic. The brain learns with repetition and investing in more than one or two sessions is going to help you much more in the long run.
How do online hypnotherapy sessions work?
Online hypnotherapy sessions are a convenient way of accessing the help you need. It’s secure and private and you don’t have to suddenly wake up and get in the car after your session!
Your first step is to book a FREE Initial Consultation. Get in touch here, or call me on 07848 830182 to arrange a good time. I will then send you a Zoom link and we can have a chat and plan a good way forward if you choose to continue with accessing help.
Next, I will send you an invoice for the sessions you have chosen to book. Once this is paid, you will get a Zoom link for your first session. You will get a new Zoom link for each session (the day before) as it is easy for emails and links to get lost over the course of a few weeks.
You will need a working webcam and microphone to take part in your online hypnotherapy sessions. Most laptops have these as standard, but please do check they work before your session to avoid any problems. You can access your session via the link I will send you, and you do not need to download or pay for any software yourself.
Please make sure you are somewhere that you can lie down comfortably, or you can sit in a comfortable chair if you prefer. It is a good idea to find somewhere in the house away from other people and distractions so that you can fully focus on your online hypnotherapy session. Background noise is fine, you will tune out of it during your hypnosis session!
If you like you can drift into sleep or deep relaxation after your session. Alternatively, if you have commitments, I can bring you out of the trance state so you’re ready for the next part of your day.
How long are online hypnotherapy sessions?
Your online hypnotherapy session will last approximately 60 - 90 minutes.
Your FREE Initial Consultation will take approximately 20-30 minutes.
What information do you need beforehand?
Before your FREE Initial Consultation, I ask that you fill out a form to tell me a little bit more about your situation. The questions on the form are designed to give me the information I need to help you in the best way possible.
I will also need details of any medications you are taking and relevant medical history. All information is treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Can I gift some sessions to a friend?
Of course. This can be a great way of treating someone you care about to the help they need. Please make sure your friend is willing first though!
How do I book my hypnotherapy sessions?
Please call 07848 830 182 or go to this page to book your FREE Initial Consultation. Here we can discuss your situation in more detail and you can find out how hypnotherapy could help you.
Do I have to talk to my hypnotherapist?
At the beginning of each session, we will have a chat and I will ask you some questions. These help you to reflect on how things are going outside of therapy and help you to create new, positive changes.
When you go into hypnosis later on, you will not need to talk. Solution Focused Hypnotherapists do not regress you back in time or ask you questions when you are in hypnosis or trance. You do not need to worry that you will say something, or bring up a bad memory.
What does hypnosis feel like?
Since 2017, I’ve worked with lots and lots of people, and they have all felt relaxed when in hypnosis, even if they were nervous initially. Most people report that hypnosis feels like deep waves of relaxation sweeping over them. Sometimes they can hear the words I use and sometimes they drift off, thinking about other things (the brain is sifting, sorting and problem-solving when this occurs during hypnosis).
Some people stay in a very light trance and some people go deeper. If I notice you drifting off too deep into a sleep I will bring you back up into a lighter trance if required. The depth of trance doesn’t have any relevance as far as allowing the brain to absorb positive suggestions is concerned, so you do not need to worry.
Everyone can go into a trance state and actually, it’s something that occurs naturally with everyone, every single day. It’s the brain’s ‘downtime’ (but the brain is actually very busy as the subconscious mind runs the show – like when we get sucked into a movie or are driving along a road and suddenly realise that we can’t remember half the journey!).
You can read about some of my clients’ experiences with hypnotherapy here.
How many hypnosis sessions will I need?
It depends on your situation. Clients who have weekly hypnotherapy sessions and fully commit to the process always see better results in less time.
I can give you more of an idea after your FREE Initial Consultation. Previous clients with conditions such as anxiety, depression and insomnia have tended to see significant changes within 6 -8 sessions, and have embedded change into their life after 10-12 sessions.
Weight loss can take a little longer and some things such as phobias can be resolved after 3-4 sessions.
It’s also worth noting that you will not be ‘receiving’ hypnotherapy, but proactively learning new coping mechanisms that you can use for the rest of your life.
It is a worthwhile investment if you have been struggling for a long time.
What is your payment and cancellation policy?
All sessions must be fully paid for in advance and there are no refunds (however we can move your session to another date with 48 hours’ notice). This is to ensure you are fully committed to the process and avoid people taking up slots that other people could use. Once you decide to become a client, you will be invoiced via PayPal.
Do you offer discounts?
I offer discounts for block bookings. Please refer to the pricing page.
Are there any side effects to hypnotherapy?
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is very positive and future-focused! It’s highly, highly unlikely that you will feel any negative side effects.
Occasionally people are teary but this is not down to the hypnotherapy - stopping and taking time for yourself when you have a busy, stressful life can feel quite strange if you’re not used to it. Even someone asking you how you are may bring up emotions. Don’t worry, we have a fabulous set of tools to help you feel better if this happens.
Everyone always reports feeling very relaxed and positive after their sessions. The side effects of a course of online hypnotherapy may be: Feeling more confident, feeling motivated, improved sleep, feeling positive and happy much more often, and feeling less stressed!
Do you work with children?
I do not offer online hypnotherapy sessions for children I’m afraid, but you are welcome to download my FREE relaxing hypnosis MP3 to help them de-stress. I do offer one-off advice sessions for parents, where I can discuss conditions, the stress response, fight-flight, neuroplasticity, and neurotransmitters and offer strategies which may help you to help them.
Please contact me if you would like to book a parent support session.
What exactly is solution focused hypnotherapy?
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy differs from other forms of hypnotherapy as it uses elements of other psychotherapeutic techniques. Sessions are not focused on the client’s problem, which may sound like a strange way of doing things.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is interested in building up the client’s confidence and self-belief, whilst bringing down stress levels, changing thinking patterns and habits and moving towards new goals.
The effect is cumulative and change occurs in the brain as new patterns of behaviour are created and ‘saved’ in the brain. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy works in a relatively short space of time, compared to other psychotherapeutic techniques like counselling. Generally, a client will need between 8 -12 sessions to create new habits and new thinking patterns that last.
Some rapid hypnotherapy techniques work well for people, but often the problem comes back before long as the brain hasn’t had time to create new changes and learn how to work more effectively.
In contrast, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy ‘wires’ new habits and beliefs in and helps you to take action towards your ‘best self’ - this ensures that everything your brain is learning during our sessions together gets set into place as the new normal way of operating.
Do you run group hypnotherapy sessions?
Yes. Group hypnotherapy can be very effective at managing stress levels. Please follow my Instagram and Facebook pages to see upcoming group sessions. They will be held in person in Cornwall, UK. I also offer meditation classes and other related workshops from time to time.