Hypnotherapy is a very safe therapy using hypnosis to help you to make positive changes to habits, thought patterns and behaviours.

It is very powerful because it addresses the part of your mind over which you have no conscious control. That is why you will have found it difficult or impossible to make and maintain the changes you want to make by sheer force of will.

Your Questions Answered:

Is it safe? Will I lose control?

Hypnotherapy is very safe. You or your child will be treated by a professionally trained, Advanced Hypnotherapist. A state of hypnosis can be compared to a very enjoyable, deep relaxation, rather like day-dreaming. You will feel very peaceful, comfortable and relaxed, but you will maintain what we call 'critical awareness'. The idea of an 'altered state' in which you have no control at all is a stage myth!

What if I'm not sure you can help?

I will give you a free initial consultation, of 20-30 minutes, without any obligation to proceed any further with treatment. In this session I will ask you questions about your problem or condition, so that I can decide on an individual treatment plan for you. All information given to me is treated as strictly confidential.

For many problems one hypnotherapy session is enough. For others, such as healthy weight loss, addressing deeply compulsive behaviour, or serious trauma, you may need a series of sessions.

You will be able to ask me questions too. It is important that you feel at ease with your hypnotherapist and feel comfortable with the therapy offered to you.

Each hypnotherapy session lasts about 1 hour, with any subsequent sessions usually about one week apart.

Are there any side effects? Can I get stuck in a trance? Will I tell you my secrets? I don't think I can be hypnotised...

There are a great many misconceptions about hypnotherapy, mainly as a result of 'game for a laugh' stage and TV shows - and willing victims! Professional hypnotherapy is very different and it is extremely effective.

Anyone can be hypnotised IF they wish to be. No-one can be hypnotised against their will. Contrary to popular belief, you will not be 'asleep' and, because you remain in control the whole time, you can keep some information private, if you choose to do so.

The only 'side-effect' of therapy is that you will feel much calmer and more relaxed after treatment, but you will be able to drive home or go back to work without any problem at all. It is impossible to get stuck in a trance, and you can open your eyes at any time during the session, thus ending the session immediately.

What will I experience in a hypnotherapy session?

Firstly, I will give you a free half-hour consultation that will give you time to explain your problem to me and give me the information I need to consider an appropriate, individual therapy plan. Everything you tell me will be kept in the strictest confidence.

After the consultation, your first session will take about an hour. You will relax back into my very comfortable therapy chair and I will help you to relax down into a deep, hypnotic state. (This is very similar to the feeling you have just before you lose awareness in sleep - you are incredibly relaxed, drifting dreamily, but you would know if someone spoke to you.) It is often helpful for me to play very gentle, relaxing background music. This is optional.

Once you are in a 'trance' your conscious mind is so relaxed that I am able to give very positive, very helpful suggestions to your sub-conscious mind. Your sub-conscious has the power to make the changes you want, to alleviate symptoms or pain, and to replace unhelpful or outdated habits and patterns of thought. Where willpower (the conscious mind) has failed, the sub-conscious mind can help you to make permanent, healthy changes to your thinking, behaviour patterns and to your life. Even deeply emotional, serious, personal and traumatic events will be addressed carefully and effectively under hypnosis, where your mind has the power to heal and free you from problems of the past. You will gain new perspectives on your life and feel much more in control.

When I bring you back to full consciousness, you will feel relaxed and calm, but you will be able to drive or work safely. Often, I will make a free recording of the session so that you can listen to it at home to reinforce the very positive messages given to your subconscious.

Some clients may only need one session; others may need a series of sessions (for example weight loss, compulsive smoking or regression healing). We can discuss your needs in the initial free consultation.