I specifically use a type of hypnotherapy & psychotherapy called Solution Focused Therapy – which focuses on your preferred future.  We all know what we don’t want, but rarely do we consider what we do want.  My role is to guide you in identifying small, achievable changes you want to make that will help you achieve your preferred future.  Alternatively, I may help you cope so much better with something that you cannot change or have no control over.  For example, improving your coping abilities with anxiety, fear, stress and worries that might come with a serious illness, or a difficult relationship, or job.

I also support people who have specific phobia’s and those who wish to stop smoking.  With this treatment I may sometimes use elements of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP)

I am also qualified in self-hypnosis for pregnancy and childbirth (which is similar to Hypno-Birthing)

I am registered and regulated by the following regulatory bodies:

• Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists AfSFH)
• Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)

I must adhere to their strict code of conduct and ethics, including having a recognised qualification, the right insurance, regular ongoing training (Continual Professional Development) and having regular supervision with a regulated and qualified supervisor. To verify this, you can search for these association online and then search its members, alternatively, you can click on the links on my website which will take you directly to my profile on their pages.

We all experience the hypnotic state in our everyday lives. Have you ever driven home and not remembered anything about the journey, or been engrossed in a book and not been conscious of time passing? If so, you’ve been in a state of focused attention, not unlike the feeling of being hypnotised. During hypnosis you will be guided into a similar state so the beneficial suggestion can be directed towards your subconscious mind (which drives 90% of our behaviours).

Hypnosis is simply a state of focused attention. In this relaxed state, your mind is more responsive to suggestion. In a therapeutic setting, the suggestions (which are very positive), are designed to be beneficial to help you change unhelpful thought patterns. You can often hear everything that is being said whilst in a deeply relaxed and very pleasant and safe state. You could think of it like ‘guided daydreaming’.

Contrary to the image portrayed in films, books and the media, hypnosis does not involve the therapist taking control of your mind – no one can hypnotise you against your will. No-body can make you do anything you do not want to – your subconscious mind will simply reject any suggestion that is inappropriate for you. This is nothing like stage hypnosis. There are no swinging watches or looking into my eyes.

There are many different kinds of psychotherapy, all of which aim to help people overcome stress or emotional problems. Psychotherapy involves talking together to help clients overcome their difficulties. Psychotherapy is often referred to as a ‘talking treatment’.

Solution Focused Psychotherapy is future orientated. The type of psychotherapy I practice is Solution Focused therapy, and is designed to reduce anxiety and calm the mind. As the name suggests it focuses on solutions for the future, rather than analysing problems of the past. Provided you are willing and motivated to make changes to the way you think, the therapy can be highly effective in relieving the symptoms of anxiety and stress. Focusing on solutions means we do not dwell on problems. Instead we:

• acknowledge where you are currently
• identify where you want to be
• help you make the necessary changes (which is powerful when under hypnosis)

Solution Focused Psychotherapy avoids problem talk – it is not analytical/regressional

The type of psychotherapy I practice does not involve analysing painful memories from the past. If you have experienced unpleasant events, we acknowledge they have happened and help you get from where you are to where you want to be.

Hypnotherapy is a combination of psychotherapy and hypnosis. The psychotherapy itself is very beneficial and its effects are enhanced by the application of hypnosis, which enables the subconscious mind to make beneficial changes.

Hypnosis is a normal state or aroused, attentive and highly focused concentration – comparable to being so absorbed in a movie or book that one loses awareness of their surroundings. We all trance naturally many times a day. It does not matter if you are very light or deep in trance, the subconscious mind will be listening – even if you think you go to sleep. You do not have to consciously listen to what I say – the conscious mind often drifts off somewhere else, whilst the subconscious mind listens.

No, only that it helps you to control your own mind more effectively. In hypnosis, the subconscious takes on board all the positive information offered by the hypnotherapist. It is not sleep, it is focused attention. It is completely different from stage hypnosis.

Many people believe that hypnotherapy is sometime that is ‘done’ to them, that they explain their issue to to therapist who simply hypnotises their problem away, as if by magic. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a much more collaborative process and it is important to understand that change happens because you want it to and because you are prepared to take the necessary steps to allow it to happen.

The initial consultation is designed to assess what you want to achieve, how hypnotherapy can help you, to learn how the mind works, and understand how many sessions you are likely to need.

Subsequent hypnotherapy sessions involve much more than hypnosis. During the first part of each session we’ll talk about the progress you have made and I’ll be encouraging you to express yourself positively, focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on problems. We focus on what has been good or better over the past week.

I’ll help you imagine your preferred future, a future where you have a more useful perspective on the quality of your life. I’ll then guide you into a relaxed state of hypnosis so that we can consolidate what we have discussed. Each session is 1 hour.

This varies enormously and can only be estimated after your consultation and following a discussion about your goals and how you want hypnotherapy to help you. It usually takes about 3 weeks for the subconscious to start processing all the new information. Anxiety usually requires 8 to 10 sessions, depression 10 to 12 sessions, and phobias 4 to 6 sessions. Smoking is a one off 2 hour session (having had the initial consultation the week before). If clients utilise the tools they are given, especially by using the MP3 or CD EVERY NIGHT as they go to sleep – they can progress faster. Top up sessions are popular and can be offered any time after the main course is completed.

Some clients decide to come back once a month or so to maintain their progress.

It is usual and best practice to have a session weekly, especially over the first few weeks, until such improvement has been made and you are working well in the positive intellectual brain. Then the gap between sessions may go to 2 weekly, then 3, then monthly.

In the case of fear of flying, or being anxious about an upcoming event, it is best to start at least one month before the flight/event.

For pregnancy & childbirth – an average of 6 sessions is usual, ideally from early in the 2nd trimester (around 14 weeks), which are spread over the following few months.

No, just yourself. If you want to write down ‘what’s been good’ over the past week, and bring it along, that’s fine.

We talk about the good things and positive changes which have happened over the past week. I may teach you a useful tool for relaxation, eg a breathing and colour technique/mindfulness etc, with a handout to take home. We do a bit of revision about how the mind works. I use scaling to ascertain your improvement – which leads on to the miracle question. This helps you visualise a preferred future, starting with one small manageable step at a time which you come up with. Then you hop onto the couch for the wonderful part of hypnosis/deep relaxation, which addresses the subconscious mind into making the positive changes you have decided you wish to do. These sessions are positive, uplifting, safe and enjoyable.

Unfortunately some people are impatient for change, and as the brain takes around 3 weeks to upload new information under hypnosis and around 8 weeks to change the way the brain lays down new neural pathways. Anyone promising change in one session are not likely to understand how the brain works. Change requires energy, effort, motivation and commitment. You and I work as a team to help you to reach your goals. If you decide it is not for you, all I ask is for at least 48 hours notice so I am able to rebook your appointment.

If you provide less than 48 hours notice, the charge for that session (at half the rate) is still payable and if you cancel more than two appointments I will have to request that any future appointments are paid in full in advance to secure your appointment. This is a commitment between us both, and the treatment is unlikely to help if you are not committed to your appointments and the work we do together. This also protects stability relating to my income and business sustainability. If I need to rearrange a session I will let you know at my earliest opportunity. In extreme circumstances, I may choose to waiver the cancellation fee – eg severe disruptive weather conditions.

If I am subjected to abuse by you, or someone else acting in your interests, I may end our therapy with no notice.

By coming for this treatment, you agree to a commitment of weekly sessions at first, reducing to fortnightly and possibly 4-6 weekly, after mutual agreement. Your commitment to these sessions is essential and if you regularly fail to attend sessions, or regularly cancel and rearrange sessions, I will have a chat with you about whether this is something you are committed to. I do not believe in encouraging people to have sporadic sessions from the beginning as I know it is unlikely you will gain the benefits that come with weekly sessions. If you are not able to commit to weekly sessions at first then it is best to postpone treatment until you are able to commit to this.

Please pay by bank transfer if working online on zoom before each session. Please pay cash at the end of each session when face to face, or in advance of the session if paying by bank transfer.