Frequently Asked Questions

What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring altered state of conscious awareness. You have 2 minds – the conscious (the logical, rational mind) and the subconscious (the creative mind that maintains your body and is home to your emotions and memories).

During hypnosis the conscious mind becomes relaxed (the hypnotic state), best described as a day dreaming state, similar to the time just before going to sleep or just after waking up. During that relaxed dream like state, the subconscious mind is receptive to positive therapeutic suggestions, so is able to respond creatively to desired change.

By inducing a relaxed state of mind you can gain access to the greater subconscious resources in order to solve a whole range of physical, psychological and emotional conditions and enhance a greater sense of purpose and well-being.

What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the process of inducing hypnosis to access the subconscious mind in order to make suggestions to an individual to help change previous programming and conditioning, enabling rapid and permanent changes to take place. Hypnotherapy is like a voyage of self-discovery helping you to find the answers that you are searching for and enabling you to set yourself free to enjoy your life to the full. Unlike other therapies, hypnotherapy is a relatively quick therapy; all you need is the commitment and motivation to achieve your goals.

How does it differ from other therapies?
During hypnosis the client is in contact with the subconscious mind, your emotions and memories or behavioural problems. Most other forms of therapy are carried out at a conscious level, and the will power of the conscious mind is small against that of a learnt response from the past.

Problems can occur when a behaviour pattern is form in response to a situation that has occurred in the past. As a person develops and the situation changes the behaviour response sometimes doesn't change. As hypnotherapy can change that behaviour response on a subconscious level, the possibility are endless.

Why and how it works
All behaviour is unconscious. For example, you breathe unconsciously, you walk without any conscious consideration of how too and have many other unconscious movements totally out of our conscious awareness. As our subconscious mind is the domain of all our behaviours, emotions and memories, it is therefore the subconscious mind that can create lasting changes in those areas. During the hypnotic state, the resourcefulness and creativity of the subconscious mind is stimulated. When in trance the subconscious mind is encouraged to facilitate change in patterns of thinking and behaviour.

What will I experience during hypnosis?
If you’ve ever been wrapped up in a good book, a film at the cinema or a soothing piece of music, then you’ve experienced hypnotic trance. Perhaps you’ve driven from A to B and have no conscious recollection of the journey. That’s trance. These experiences happen throughout the day; you’re familiar with them and enjoy them.

During the hypnotherapy session, clients often experience a deep form of relaxation with a sense of awareness. It is during this state of altered awareness that clients can access their unconscious resources to create change for themselves.

Can I be made to do things against my will?
No, in hypnosis you can't be made to do anything you don't want to do. Hypnosis is a voluntary state and the client is always in control, remaining fully alert and aware throughout the entire session and is able can wake from this state at any time.

Can anyone be hypnotised?
Yes, providing the person wants to be hypnotised.

Will I be asleep?
No - you will be aware of what is going on all the time. Most people remain aware throughout the session and will not only hear the hypnotherapist but also other noises and sounds from in and around the environment and will just feel very relaxed and safe.

What is the conscious mind?

• the conscious mind is rational thinking, analytical, provoked by thought
• it is the part that works within our awareness
  
• collects, analyses and passes information on to the subconscious mind
  
• its language is words
  
• sequential thoughts
  
• tries to understand a problem

What is the subconscious mind?

• the subconscious mind consists of all our experiences and memories, self-image and imagination
  
• it is the part of the mind which we are unaware
  
• it is childlike in acceptance, emotional, illogical
  
• its language is metaphor and symbols
  
• random thoughts
  
• uses images and feelings
  
• knows solutions

How does hypnotherapy differ from stage hypnosis?
Stage hypnotism is out to entertain others; it's five minutes of fame with agreement from the participating audience.

How many sessions will I need?
It depends upon the condition being treated but on average three or four sessions. The initial consultation will determine the likely number of sessions required.

Is it confidential?
Yes, absolutely. I see all my clients on a one to one basis and client confidentiality is assured at all times.

What is the cost of each session?
The cost of an individual session is approximately £60 and includes a CD to reinforce the therapy. However, please call for latest prices as they are subject to change. Each client is also taught how to undertake self hypnosis.