FAQs

How do I know you’re the right therapist for me?

Finding the right therapist is so important … and it’s easier than you might think. Your therapist needs to be someone who understands you and your issues, someone you feel you could trust and with whom you feel a connection. If you’ve read this far, that’s probably already quite a good indication that you like what I have to say and the feel of my website. So why not give me a call on 07775 860043 and we can have a chat about how you think I could help you: speaking to me will give you a much better idea. It’s a good idea to speak to a few therapists so you know you’re making the right choice.

I would also stress the importance of the therapeutic environment, and I have deliberately chosen a space that is calm, and full of natural light and positive energy.

You can also be assured of complete discretion and confidentiality at all times, during treatment and after our sessions have finished. This is vital so that you are able to trust me implicitly and talk with complete openness and honesty about everything you are thinking and feeling. Therapeutic change requires client participation – it is not something I do “to” you: rather, it is something we work at together with me as your guide and support, and the level of your participation and willingness to change is of paramount importance to our success.

What if I’m really nervous beforehand?

It is completely natural to feel nervous when you’re about to do something you’ve never done before. Most clients feel like this, and they are usually surprised at how relaxed they feel by the end of our first session. We will always go at your pace and we won’t do any work until you are happy about going ahead.

I have undergone Cognitive Hypnotherapy myself many times with many different therapists and I always feel nervous. I like to think of it more as nervous excitement about the possibilities for change. I also know how incredible the experience can be and how relaxed and liberated you can feel during and after a session.

“If you want something you’ve never had, you’ve got to do something you’ve never done”

What does hypnosis feel like?

It’s a bit like daydreaming. A hypnotic trance is a safe and natural state that we all go in and out of many times during our day. You must know the feeling of being lost in a book and then coming to and realising where you are, or driving somewhere so automatically that you don’t know how you arrived at your destination: that’s what being in a trance state is. People experience it differently: some report a heightened sense of awareness and others feel pleasantly relaxed to the extent that they may drift off into their own thoughts from time to time. Overwhelmingly, though, clients find it a very relaxing experience and this feeling often continues after the session has finished.

Will I lose control?

A hypnotherapist has no control over you, and you cannot do anything you don’t want to during one of our sessions. You will be in control at all times, and in fact – if anything – you will be in a state of more heightened awareness than you are normally.

How long are the sessions?

Initial consultations are 90 minutes as I need to find out a lot of information in that first session. Subsequent sessions are 60 minutes.

How many sessions will I need?

This varies according to your issue and how deep-seated it is, and also to the amount of effort you are willing to put into the sessions themselves as well as into the time between our sessions. Because Cognitive Hypnotherapy treats the person rather than the issue, each client will have their own unique treatment plan, so it is difficult to say how long therapy will take.

But as a general guide I’d say that most people notice a significant difference in their behaviour and feelings within six sessions. I will always try to keep the therapy as brief as possible, whilst adhering to very high professional standards. My aim is to help you have the life you want in the shortest possible time frame that works for you.

How much do the sessions cost?

The initial 90-minute session costs £185 and the subsequent 60-minute sessions cost £165 each. The price includes email support between sessions, and your own bespoke downloadable recording of hypnotic suggestion to reinforce the work we are doing if I feel it would be appropriate for you.

Do you do packages of sessions?

No, because Cognitive Hypnotherapy is a relatively brief therapy compared with something like counselling. You may only need a couple of sessions, so I think it would be unethical to ask you to sign up for a course of, say, six sessions from the outset. We will just book one session at a time until you are happy you have achieved your goal.

What methods of payment do you accept?

Fees are payable on the day of the appointment, preferably by bank transfer, or by cash (please have the correct amount).

Do you have a cancellation policy?

Yes: please give me as much notice as possible of changes or cancellations as I often have a waiting list of people who could take the slot. If you book a session with me and cancel it with less than 48 hours notice the full fee will be charged, except in exceptional circumstances.

When can I have a session with you?

On Saturdays between 0900 and 1800.

How do I book a session?

You can phone 07775 860043 or email me via the Contact Me page. I like to have a chat with potential clients to make sure I’m the right therapist for you, so I can answer initial queries by email but we will make our first appointment by phone.