How does Hypnotherapy work? Frequently asked questions

Hypnosis is a safe and natural way of using your mind to focus on the things you want to change or achieve. It’s a simple and effective way of using your attention and the power of your imagination to influence your feelings, thoughts and actions.  

Hypnosis is not  something to be scared of,  a form of mind control which  will make you do things you don’t want to do &/or leave you ‘stuck’ in a trance! 

Essentially, all hypnosis is  self hypnosis and you will remain aware and in control the whole time. You can’t be hypnotised unless you want to and you can always choose to bring yourself out of hypnosis at any time 

 The feeling of being in hypnosis is not actually "sleep", as you will  still  be aware of everything that is going on around  you.  However it's more like the feeling of daydreaming, when you are completely absorbed in your imagination.   

Everyone is different but most people agree that it's a lovely feeling because you are more relaxed  and calm than you've ever been before. 

If you'd just like to find out what hypnosis feels like, then please book in for a one-off  Hypnosis Experience session.  (See Useful Information for more details) 

Hypnotherapy can help you change the way you think, feel or behave - but only if you want it to! 

As your therapist , I play an important part in the process  by supporting and  guiding you with positive suggestions , but your participation  is crucial. You must want to accept the suggested ideas for change and use your imagination to vividly respond to these suggestions. 

However, don’t worry if you don’t have a very good imagination, as everyone can learn the skills of hypnosis. 

As well as  Hypnosis,  there are many other therapeutic techniques like Problem Solving, Assertiveness Training and Mindfulness  which can all play a part in your individual treatment plan.

Cognitive Behavioural  Hypnotherapy (CBH) is a proven and completely safe method of achieving change .  The only side effects are the beneficial ones of feeling more positive and relaxed afterwards.  

Hypnotherapy success depends on three things:

1. your willingness to participate
2. the trust/relationship between client and therapist
3. setting achievable goals. 

Almost everyone can be hypnotised and it doesn’t matter how deeply you go into hypnosis, as good results can be obtained even when you feel you were not deeply hypnotised.

N.B. Hypnotherapy may not be appropriate for those who have been diagnosed with severe long-term depression, psychosis, epilepsy and some breathing problems.  Issues like these will be addressed during the initial, free consultation phone call . 

This is a really important question to ask! 

The world of hypnotism/hypnotherapy can be quite confusing and the quality of therapy/therapists on offer, can vary wildly - but what's important is that you find the right therapist for you! Of course they should have the required qualifications/experience but the deciding factor should be whether the client (You) believes  they can trust and work with the therapist (Me), and vice versa. This therapeutic relationship is essential as it glues the whole process together, but you can usually get a good impression of  the potential respective compatibility during the initial, free phone call. 

In terms of my qualifications........Having spent 30+ years becoming an expert in my previous (TV ) career, I applied the same rigorous  due diligence when researching  where to train and which professional organisation to join. So, after a thorough survey of all the available options, I chose to study for a Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy with the UK College of Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy. 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a well-proven and effective approach and adding hypnosis into the mix , was a no-brainer for me.  UKCHH is the  premier Hypnotherapy college in the UK, with a global reputation, and a Level 5 Diploma is the highest qualification available.  The classroom training was complemented by practical , hands-on sessions with volunteer clients and the combination of both  academic theory and practical exercises, reassured me that this diploma would give me the necessary insights and experiences to confidently practice as a Hypnotherapist.

I am a member of the General Hypnotherapy Register and abide by their Code of Ethics.

Yes they are, but I can understand the worry that an online session won't be the same as a face-to-face one.  Actually online sessions have been shown to be equally effective and some people prefer them because they don't require any travel time to/from the consulting room.  Where you attend your sessions is down to your personal preference and appointment availability.  

However, online consultation have a few additional practical requirements such as making sure you have a quiet private place for the session, a reliable internet connection and ample battery power! 

I  can send you a checklist before we start and I am happy to talk you through the process in detail. 

I can see clients in person at the Cheshire Wellness Centre at Lymm Marina ( WA13 0SW).  This peaceful therapeutic centre is conveniently situated on the outskirts of Lymm, with plenty of free parking.  I do not book back-to-back appointments to ensure that my clients can arrive for their session and leave, in private.

Full details and directions will be emailed to you in advance of your first appointment.