FAQs

These are the questions I am regularly asked and, if you are considering hypnosis, what you should know. If you have any other questions or would like further explanation, please contact me.

WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?

Hypnosis is simply deep relaxation which allows you to become very focussed. It is a completely natural state which most people experience every day, for those few minutes each morning while waking up, or while daydreaming or immersed in a book or film. The ability to relax at will is a skill most people have forgotten, but anyone can learn to do it. This is called self-hypnosis and shows that hypnosis is not something that is done to you – it is something you learn to do for yourself. All my clients are trained in self-hypnosis.

When relaxation through hypnosis is enhanced with suggestions to achieve a specific positive outcome, it is called hypnotherapy. For simple issues, an expert therapist will be able to train you to be able to do this for yourself too but, usually, the therapist will guide you through the initial sessions to get you going. For more complex issues, the therapist’s expertise is likely to be required.

CAN ANYONE BE HYPNOTISED?

Yes, as long as they want to be. It is impossible to hypnotise somebody against their will. As with any skill, some people will be naturally better at it than others, but everyone can learn to do it. Your level of natural ability is called, not surprisingly, “hypnotisability” and this will affect the level and speed of benefit you can expect.

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?

This is impossible to say because people will have different issues to address which will have different severity and complexity, and clients will have different levels of natural ability at hypnosis. Someone who is very tense through stress may take longer to become expert than someone who just wants to quit smoking. An experienced therapist will be able to give you a good indication from your initial consultation. Clinical sessions are based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, and home visits are available by special arrangement.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

This will usually depend on the number of sessions required but sometimes, with simple issues like smoking, a fixed price is offered, regardless of the number of sessions. The therapist can afford to do this because of the high rate of success. As a guide, even a highly qualified and experienced therapist is unlikely to charge more for their time than the average plumber. Remember, you are looking for a change that will transform your life, forever. So, when choosing a therapist, get the best, not the cheapest.

WILL IT WORK FOR ME?

An experienced therapist will get a good idea of the likelihood of a successful outcome from your initial consultation, which should always be free of charge. If a therapist seeks to charge you for your first meeting, find another therapist. It is in no-one’s interests to have a disappointed client. For the therapist, the best referrals are through word of mouth, so a good one will not want to waste their time or your money. Do not be offended if the therapist declines to accept you as a client – it will be for good reasons, which will be explained, and it has cost you nothing. Equally, you should meet the therapist to assure yourself that you are comfortable to proceed.

WILL I LOSE CONTROL?

No, this cannot happen. You will be completely aware of every aspect of the session – you will still hear the traffic going past outside and everything that is said. If the therapist says anything that is not helpful, you will automatically just ignore or reject it. You will not be immobilised – if your nose itches, just scratch it, and if the fire alarm goes off, you will probably be the first one out the door. You cannot be made to say, or do, anything you don’t want to. You are in control of the whole process, from start to finish.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Yes, you will generally become more confident, relaxed and assertive, and being more relaxed will probably help you to sleep better.

ARE RESULTS GUARANTEED?

No, this is not possible. The therapist will try to maximise your prospects of success for the reasons already given, but ultimately, you control what you do. A therapist can no more guarantee success than a driving instructor can guarantee that you will pass your driving test.

IS IT CONFIDENTIAL?

Absolutely, you need to feel able to discuss anything you want. Your information will not be shared with anyone (eg your GP) without your express written permission. Remember that you will remain in control of what you say and do, so if there is anything you prefer not to discuss, that’s fine.

CAN I GET HYPNOSIS ON THE NHS?

The effectiveness of hypnosis is recognised by the NHS and has been approved for use through the NHS for certain conditions (eg IBS). However, practitioners are few and far between so, unless you are very lucky with your postcode, the answer is probably no.