Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cognitive Hypnotherapy?
Cognitive Hypnotherapy combines hypnotherapy with the most effective tools from other disciplines such as neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and positive psychology. Each person's issue is unique in terms of the way it affects their brain function and Cognitive Hypnotherapy works to offer a flexible model that can be tailored to each person's problem and their solution.
Most of our behaviour is programmed by our subconscious minds. The hypnotherapy involved means getting you deeply relaxed and using light hypnosis in order to access your subconscious. We can then use a range of techniques to work on negative memories and emotions surrounding your issue, before building a positive vision of what you want the future to look like.
How does hypnotherapy work?
Our minds contain our conscious and unconscious mind. Our conscious mind is concerned with everything we are actively aware of on a moment to moment basis. Our unconscious mind is concerned with stored memories and feelings. It helps us with automated tasks, such as walking, but negative thought patterns and habits also come from these automated thought loops within our unconscious minds.
Hypnotherapy works by guiding a person into a state of deep relaxation in order to more easily access the subconscious mind. In this state, different techniques can be used to try to break the links between past memories and behaviours and outcomes that we don't want and to make new links to thoughts and behaviours that we do want.
What happens during hypnotherapy? Will I remain aware of what is happening?
Hypnosis is the process of guiding a person into a state of deep relaxation where they will be in a light trance. A trance state is any time we are not using our conscious minds to be in the present moment. All of us experience these every day. For example, when we are driving and we arrive at our destination without knowing what we were thinking about.
During a hypnotherapy technique, you will listen to my voice as I guide you to become more and more relaxed. Many people find it easier to close their eyes. The trance does not need to be very deep in order for us to work with your subconscious mind. You will still be able to hear and respond to my voice and you will be aware of what you are saying, but you will be less aware of your external environment.
Who is hypnotherapy suitable for?
Hypnotherapy works well as a short-term therapy for targeted problems, although some clients may need longer term interventions. It is suitable for people with a wide variety of issues such as anxiety, fear, phobias, depression, stress, disordered eating, feeling 'stuck' in career or life, imposter syndrome, relationship issues, low self-esteem or self-confidence, insomnia or problems with sleep.
Who is hypnotherapy not suitable for?
Hypnotherapy is not suitable for people with epilepsy or a history of psychosis (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorder).
I cannot work with you if you are already seeing another therapist.
If you are pregnant, we may be able to work together depending on your issue. Our guidelines state to avoid working on deep trauma at this time, but that relaxation and positive visualisation techniques can be beneficial. Feel free to contact me to discuss this further.
How many sessions will I need?
Every client and every problem is unique. Most people will need a minimum of three sessions. If problems are more deep rooted we may work together for up to six sessions or even longer. Feel free to reach out for a free telephone call to discuss your issue and I will be able to give you more of an indication.
Do I need to prepare anything for my first session?
You do not need to prepare anything special for your first session. We will spend the time in a relaxed conversation, building up a picture of your issue and how it affects your brain and body when you are experiencing it. We will discuss how you would like to feel and how you would like your life to look, so you may wish to reflect on this beforehand. From the second session onwards, we will start to use hypnotic techniques tailored to your issue.