Q. What is hypnotherapy?

A. Hypnotherapy is a form of complementary therapy that utilises the power of positive suggestion to bring about subconscious change to our thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

The process itself aims to alter our state of consciousness in a way that relaxes the conscious part of the mind while simultaneously stimulating and focussing the subconscious part. This heightened state of awareness – reached using skilled relaxation techniques – allows the therapist to then make appropriate suggestions.

 

Q. When might hypnotherapy be useful?

A. Hypnotherapy is widely endorsed as a treatment for habit breaking, stress-related issues and for a range of long-term conditions, and in recent years has been gaining steam in the medical world after a recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recognised hypnotherapy as a treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

While more concrete evidence is needed to support the use of hypnosis in additional areas as an alternative to conventional medicine, many have found the process has been incredibly effective either when used in tandem with traditional treatment or when used independently after other avenues have been exhausted.

 

Q. Are there different types of hypnotherapy?

A. Deciding you’re ready to try hypnotherapy is only the tip of the iceberg; hypnotherapy is an incredible tool, that can be used in many different ways.

There are many different approaches and techniques used by hypnotherapy professionals.

 

Q. Does everyone respond to hypnotherapy?

A. Hypnosis has the capacity to work for the majority of individuals but some are more susceptible to suggestions than others. The most important thing to remember is that you must be fully committed to the process and feel that you can place your trust in your hypnotherapist. It’s also important to keep an open mind, as any scepticism may subconsciously dampen your susceptibility.

 

Q. Are hypnotherapists regulated?

A. As it stands hypnotherapists are not currently regulated in the UK. However all our therapists are well trained and insured.

 

Q. What will happen in a hypnotherapy session?

A. There will be an initial consultation, generally lasting around one hour and usually involving several elements:

• A discussion about your requirements and goals.
• Gathering personal information such as sleeping patterns, lifestyle information, medical symptoms or medication, any treatments involving other healthcare providers.
• An explanation of how the hypnotherapy process will work.
• Practical details such as cost, cancellation policy, how many sessions might be needed.

In the subsequent session the practical application of clinical hypnosis can then begin. While delivery will differ from therapist to therapist and each will explain how the process will work, the following popular session structure may give you an idea of what to expect:

• A welcome chat to encourage comfort and relaxation.
• Induction – the hypnotherapist will then lead you into a state of deep physical and mental relaxation.
• Once deeply relaxed, the hypnotherapist can then begin ‘change work’ using techniques and approaches discussed and agreed to help you towards your goals.
• Once the ‘change work’ is complete, the hypnotherapist will begin the transition to wakefulness, in which you are gradually brought out of your trance.
• Time for any questions you may have and a summary of the session and any progress made thus far.

 

Q. How regularly will I see my hypnotherapist?

A. How regularly you see your hypnotherapist will be something you will decide on together. Initially, you may decide you wish to meet on a weekly basis, but depending on improvements and how you feel, you may choose to then see them more or less frequently.

 

Q. How many sessions of hypnotherapy will I need?

A. The duration of therapy will really be dependant on your circumstances and the reason for which you are seeking hypnosis. If you are seeking hypnosis for a one off service such as smoking cessation for example, many hypnotherapists will deliver hypnotherapy in a single session of up to two hours. Other issues however, may better suit a longer-term approach with regular weekly sessions. Your hypnotherapist will let you know how many sessions they feel you might need when you start therapy, and will be flexible when it comes to decreasing or extending the number of sessions to correlate with your progress and needs.

 

Q. How long will hypnotherapy sessions last?

A. Again this is really dependant on both your hypnotherapist and your circumstances. One off services such as smoking cessation or gastric band hypnotherapy can last around two hours, while a general hypnotherapy session will usually take 50 – 60 minutes.

 

Q. How much does hypnotherapy cost?

A. When it comes to general private hypnotherapy sessions – we charge £80 Per Hour.

Services such as smoking cessation and gastric band hypnotherapy have package prices which we will inform you of upon request.

 

Q. Can I get hypnotherapy on the NHS?

A. Access to hypnotherapy on the NHS is incredibly limited and while you can discuss the option with your healthcare provider, it is not widely available.

 

Q. Can I get free hypnotherapy?

A. It is not widely available on the NHS, however, will offer low cost sessions/concessionary rates for students or those on a low income so do get in touch to see what we can offer you.

 

Q. Is hypnotherapy for children safe?

A. Hypnotherapy for children and young people is considered highly effective and is completely safe. Children tend to respond very well to hypnosis as they are naturally quite imaginative and use their subconscious minds a great deal more than adults do. Hypnotherapy can help to address a number of issues commonly experienced in childhood, including exam nerves, sleep problems, bed-wetting, fears, eating disorders and low self-esteem.

 

Q. How can I train to become a hypnotherapist?

A. Making the decision to become a hypnotherapist can quickly turn from exciting to overwhelming when you discover the amount of training courses available. To help you shift back to excitement, we offer compleate training courses tailored to you.

Please contact us for further info.

 

More questions?

If you have a question we haven’t covered in our FAQs, feel free to get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.