Frequently Asked Questions about Hypnotherapy
Can you make me cluck like a chicken?
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Short answer: No!
Longer answer: You, the client, retain full awareness and control throughout the session. I cannot make you do anything that you wouldn't do if you were fully awake, aware and active.
You will feel deeply relaxed and you will drift and dream with your thoughts, but this is clinical hypnotherapy and very different from the showmanship of a stage hypnotist.
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Who do you treat?
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I treat people from age 8 to 80 plus!
I've had additional and specific training to treat children, including children with challenging behaviours and special educational needs. I hold an enhanced DBS certificate.
I work with adults of all ages, whatever chapter of life they are in, and whatever their goals are.
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What does the hypnotic state feel like?
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Short answer: Extremely relaxing!
Longer answer: If you are in my consulting room, you will be in a comfortable position in a comfortable chair, with any cushions or blankets you choose to have, or not have.
If I am seeing you over Zoom, you can be wherever you feel comfortable.
You can relax back with your eyes open or closed. You'll hear some relaxing music and me talking to you, guiding you through a visualisation which will help you physically relax. Being physically relaxed helps us mentally relax.
This state of mental relaxation is sometimes called 'trance' but trance is really very ordinary - we go into trance many times a day!
We are in a trance when we walk or run, read or watch TV, cook or bake, craft or clean, have a long shower, even when we drive. It's simply a state of gentle focused attention, except in clinical hypnotherapy the focus of that attention is on what I am saying to you.
When we finish the trance part of the session you'll initially feel very relaxed and then, quite quickly, very refreshed - many people say they feel as if they've had a power nap!
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What else happens in a session?
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The hypnosis or trance part of the session is actually in the latter half of our appointment. Before that I ask you some therapeutic questions and we talk. But, unlike other therapies, the questions I ask and what we talk about focus on discovering solutions that will help you achieve whatever goals you have in mind.
We don't dwell on the problem or delve into the past, because the latest neuroscientific research suggests that doing that is not conducive to people moving forward, healing and creating change.
Solution focused hypnotherapy uses the latest psychotherapeutic methods and techniques which are based on what advances in neuroimaging have taught us. Science has proven that we have neuroplasticity well into old age. In other words, we can change our grey matter! We can create new neural pathways and stop using old ones.
So, when we talk in the session I help you to keep on the track that will move you forward and create positive change.
The other thing that happens in a session is that I share knowledge with you, so that each session you build up greater understanding of how your mind works and how you can get back in control of your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. The brilliant thing is, you have this knowledge for the rest of your life!
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How many sessions would I need?
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Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a brief therapy. Unlike traditional psychotherapy and counselling, you won't need to see me for months or years of therapy.
Typically for stress, anxiety and depression we would see each other for eight to 12 sessions. Occasionally fewer or more are needed.
Phobias require three sessions and smoking just one appointment.
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How frequent should the sessions be?
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Ideally you would have your sessions at weekly intervals. It is usual for the final one or two sessions to be spread over longer intervals to ensure you are able to sustain for yourself the positive changes you are enjoying.
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How long is each session?
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Sessions last around 55 minutes.
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I'm undergoing other therapies - can I still have hypnotherapy?
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Yes. Solution focused hypnotherapy is not contraindicated (does not conflict with) any other therapies. Contact me if you would like to know more about the ideal approach to managing hypnotherapy along with other forms of therapy.
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Where are appointments held?
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Clinical hypnotherapy works very well online but you can also have treatment at my consulting room at the Centre of the Hills in Malvern.
