Frequently Asked Questions

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have a question that is not answered below.

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is the guidance of a person into a trance state for an agreed purpose: for him / her to take responsibility with direction to get better.

A trance state is an altered state of consciousness. Everybody experiences trance throughout the day. For instance, when you drive a familiar journey and suddenly realise you have reached your destination but cannot remember how. That is a trance state.

Daydreaming is also a trance state.
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Can anyone be hypnotised?

Yes, anyone can be hypnotised as long as they want to be. In addition, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. My role is to guide you to achieve this. And as hypnosis is a form of trance, and daydreaming is a form of trance, everyone has been through a form of hypnosis.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me about any questions or concerns about hypnosis. I want to make sure that you are comfortable and that the therapy is at your pace.
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Will I lose control in any way?

No, absolutely not, you will remain in control at all times. A hypnotherapist has no control over anybody. In fact, hypnosis is a heightened state of awareness where it is possible for your conscious mind to be aware of more things. Also, you cannot be made to do anything during hypnosis or afterwards that is against your will or principles. And as I am a professionally qualified and insured hypnotherapist, as well as a member of organisations that govern hypnotherapists, I want to ensure that you are looked after and treated in a friendly, professional and ethical way.

There is a big distinction between stage hypnosis which is for audience entertainment and hypnotherapy. The volunteers for stage hypnosis are usually extroverts who are happy to entertain and do as the hypnotist suggests so not to disappoint the audience.

Hypnosis in therapy is the guidance towards your improvement, goals and solutions to any problems that may exist.
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Are you a member of a professional body?

Yes, I am a member of both the National Council of Hypnotherapists (NCH), which is a non-profit making organisation and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), which is the UK regulator for complementary therapists. They are both dedicated to keeping the standards of the profession at the highest level.
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What do the letters after your name mean?

HPD: Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma – recognised nationally and assessed independently by the NCFE. This qualification is the bench mark to practice hypnotherapy at a high professional standard.

DipCHyp: Diploma in Cognitive Hypnotherapy – I achieved this after graduation from the Quest Institute in London.

NLP (MPrac): Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming – I also achieved this, through further training, with the Quest Institute.

MNCH (reg): Registered Member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy – the NCH is one of the leading governing bodies, also non-profit making, of professional standards for hypnotherapists in the UK.
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How long is a session?

Other than for smoking and vaping cessation, a session is typically seventy-five minutes long, apart from the first which is ninety minutes. However, I allow ninety minutes for sessions and therefore if a session goes over seventy-five minutes in order to benefit you, then there is no extra charge. The two smoking or vaping cessation sessions are typically two hours each in length.
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How many sessions will I need?

Cognitive Hypnotherapy treats the person and not ‘the label’ that has been given. Therefore all clients receive a unique treatment plan, which is best discussed in the first session. This form of therapy utilises the latest scientific understandings of how the brain works and the most effective cognitive behavioural techniques to provide an effective treatment in a short amount of time – as little as four to six sessions. I also tend to see clients who have come for help with their studying for about the same number of sessions.

Also, I want to make sure that you are treated in the best possible way in the shortest time possible and to make the permanent changes you need so that you can get on with the life you want.
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How much does a session cost?

Except for smoking and vaping cessation, I charge £125 for each session. My fee to help stop smoking or vaping is £250 for each of the two sessions.
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Do you offer a guarantee?

As you know, there are no guarantees in life.  But those who are in control of their life are those most likely to reap the reward of success.  Hypnotherapy is about passing control back to the client, who has to take responsibility for seeking success.  That success is achieved by our working together to identify and remove the blocks in your life that prevent you taking control.  So, whilst there is no magic wand to wave, your commitment and determination to resolve your problems will enable me to assist you to regain the control that you seek.  My guarantee to you is that I will endeavour to do my best to help you.
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What happens in a session?

The first session is about getting to know you and how I can help you. I will also explain about the involvement of the conscious and the unconscious mind and their role in your problems / issues. A variety of techniques will be used such as visualisations, which can be extremely effective and to prime ‘unconsciously task’ the mind, for instance, to see and then fulfil the future you want to have. Sometimes you will experience a light trance state (such as daydreaming) which can be a very relaxing or energising experience. I really believe that therapy is an effort between client and therapist, and therefore I will teach you techniques that you can use on your own whenever you want or need to. If appropriate, after a session, I will make you a bespoke recording of hypnotic suggestion for you to listen to at home. I may also provide you with extra information for your benefit, if necessary.
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Is Cognitive Hypnotherapy Safe?

Hypnosis is a 100% natural state and therefore is safe. Everybody goes in and out of a form of hypnosis several times a day. It is impossible to become stuck in hypnosis (trance) and the client is always in control. You can even chose to open your eyes whenever you want to. The worst thing that can happen is that you become too comfortable and fall asleep.
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Can I drive after hypnosis?

As hypnosis is a natural occurring state that happens to everybody through the day, there should be no reason why you are not able to drive.
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How is your approach different to others?

Cognitive Hypnotherapy differs from Traditional Hypnotherapy because all treatments are bespoke to the client’s needs. All hypnotic suggestions are tailored to the client and not read from a book. Furthermore, this form of therapy utilises the best of other therapies such as Neuro-Lingustic Programming and Emotional Freedom Technique to suit the client.

In regards to my role as a learning coach, I can combine Cognitive Hypnotherapy if appropriate, i.e. a fear of exams, success, failure, etc.
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What is a learning coach?

Please see the page How I Can Help You to answer this question.
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What does it feel like to experience hypnosis?

Please click on the play button to watch the video from the National Council of Hypnotherapists of a client discussing her experience of being hypnotised.


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