FAQs

Clients sometimes ask some of the questions below. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further queries that are not covered here.

What are the main advantages of choosing Hypno-CBT® Therapy?

First and foremost, Hypno-CBT® combines the most recommended psychotherapy (CBT) with the therapeutic benefits of Hypnotherapy in a therapy which is short term, not requiring you to get locked into lengthy time periods. Secondly, it is a therapy approved by the British Psychological Society.

It is an evidenced based therapy, which means it is based on the latest scientific research. CBT is the most recommended psychotherapy by The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the U.K and the most listed therapy on the American Psychological Association list of Empirically Validated Treatments in the USA. It is also approved by the British Medical Association for treatment of stress related disorders. Evidence shows that when Hypnotherapy and CBT are combined, the effectiveness of each is greatly enhanced. Evidence (NHS, England, Mental Health Ireland and A.P.A. America,) also shows that Mindfulness is an effective practical tool that people can use to promote personal health and well-being. Therefore, you can be sure that the psychological education, strategies and skills used are supported by scientific evidence of their efficacy.

Hypno-CBT is also a therapy which encourages you to reflect upon your personal values, act in accordance with them and extend compassion and acceptance to yourself and to others. Once we learn to accept ourselves, the opportunity for growth and change becomes significant.

Is what we discuss kept confidential?

I take your privacy with the utmost seriousness and comply with GDPR (protection of personal information). I am also registered with the ICO (data protection). Everything we discuss in sessions is strictly confidential between you and me.

How many sessions will I need?

Hypno- CBT Therapy is regarded as a ‘brief’ form of psychotherapy. Everyone is a unique individual and so your sessions are designed around your specific needs. Sometimes, issues can be significantly improved in around four sessions; others take longer.
As a guide, therapy would last for an average of six sessions including the initial consultation. For more complex issues, more sessions may be required. Sessions are generally weekly but can be arranged to suit your needs and lifestyle.
We will always discuss and agree a plan at the initial consultation and review it regularly as the therapy progresses, adapting as needed.

Can you tell me a bit more about Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is proven to be effective at helping with many issues, particularly stress, anxiety, sleep issues and in helping to bring about new habits. It’s a special way of using naturally occurring psychological and physiological states. Hypnotherapy involves total focussed attention on a particular idea. This allows you to focus in upon what it is that you want to achieve and bring about behaviour change.

Sometimes people may have seen comedy TV or stage hypnosis which can occasionally lead to misconceptions about ‘being made’ to do things or getting ‘stuck’ in hypnosis. Bear in mind, this stage hypnosis is just for entertainment. Clinical Hypnotherapy (as endorsed by the British Medical Association) bears no relation to this whatsoever. You are always totally in control of everything and remember everything. Clinical Hypnotherapy is 100% based on your needs and what you want to achieve.

Hypnotherapy generally involves a very relaxed state of mind (although this is not essential to hypnosis) and it is therefore a very pleasant experience. It is not a state of sleep or unconsciousness. It allows use to defuse from negative thoughts, self-talk and beliefs and fuse with more helpful ones to enable you live more effectively in the here and now. Clients often liken it to that happy, calm state between being asleep and being awake. Whilst you are in this pleasant state, you can mentally rehearse and practise new effective ways of thinking and behaving to bring about the changes you desire.

What happens on the initial discovery call?

You can contact me by filling in the ‘Contact Me’ form on this website. I will then respond to your enquiry, and we will arrange a mutually convenient time for a chat.

This chat has no fee and is without any obligation. It is our initial opportunity to connect with each other in a relaxed and informal way which feels comfortable for you. It can either be by phone call or by Zoom and generally lasts approximately twenty to thirty minutes. It allows us to get to know one another and it gives you the opportunity to explain what it is that you would like help with and what you would like to achieve. It gives me the opportunity to explain how I might be able to help you, a realistic explanation of the scope of therapeutic outcome and an initial indication of how many sessions might be required.

Countless clinical studies show that the most important factor in therapy, regardless of the type of therapy, is the relationship between client and therapist. The call allows you to check that I am the right therapist for your needs, and it gives you the chance to ask any questions. I can then give you an initial overall idea of how I can help you and how your therapy might progress. If you wish to go ahead, we will arrange your first session. I generally conduct sessions online on Zoom. Clients find that online therapy has considerable advantages, the most immediate one being the convenience of having their sessions in the relaxed comfort of their own home, with minimal disruption and without any need for travel and the opportunity to continue to relax afterwards without having to drive home. I also do face to face sessions in person. Clinical Research shows that both forms of therapy are equally effective.

What happens at the first session?

During this first session, we can really get to know one another. I will carry out an initial assessment and consultation to establish the nature of your issue. I will ask questions to enable us to start to build a detailed picture of the problem you want to deal with. This also gives you the chance to ask any questions that you may have. We always work collaboratively, and I always encourage an inquisitive approach on your part, where you feel comfortable, open to new learning and willing to share your thoughts and ideas. We will then look at how we can approach bringing about the changes you want to see.

From this assessment, we will then outline and agree the specific goals of the therapy, to enable you to bring about change. With your individualised plan in place and an understanding of how we can work together to achieve those goals, clients generally begin to feel the psychological benefits from this initial session. Clients typically say that they feel a real sense of renewed hope and a curiosity and excitement about moving forward. These gains are then built upon during subsequent sessions.

What happens in subsequent sessions?

From the very start of our work together, you are totally involved in the therapeutic process; you are therefore aware of the progress you are making between sessions. We will always start each session with a review of your progress, and we will always take a holistic approach to your needs. The sessions will involve a bespoke mixture of some of the following, tailored to your specific requirements to help you attain your goals.

Focused discussion
Structured questions
Problem Solving
Action planning
C.B.T exercises and techniques (such as examining thoughts, feelings and behaviours, noticing and examining thinking errors, Reframing,)
Skills training (such as breathwork, relaxation training, mindfulness, coping skills, role play, assertiveness training, problem solving training)
Imagery based techniques -focussing on Hypnotherapy.
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What are the advantages of Online Sessions?

Research shows that online therapy is as effective as face-to-face therapy, and that clients and therapists build strong relationships and achieve very successful outcomes.

Online therapy is a rapidly growing area, and in the busy lives that people typically lead it offers a host of benefits. First, it allows you to have your sessions in the comfort of your own home (maybe with a cup of your favourite hot drink) where you feel safe and secure. There are no travel times, costs, parking difficulties or sitting in waiting rooms. You are also not restricted to just finding a therapist near to where you live. Clients generally find that they can feel more relaxed with online sessions as they haven’t had the hassle of rushing to get to an appointment or the worry that they might be late. Some people can find that going to a new place can be daunting: all of this is avoided with online sessions. You know that you are in your comfortable space and that once the session is over, you can continue with whatever you will be doing next with minimal disruption.

Apart from the home environment, it can also be a huge benefit in the work environment. With access to a quiet private space, it allows clients the opportunity to have sessions within the working day, such as during a lunchtime where the hypnotherapy part of the session can provide much needed relaxation and clarity.

For people with very busy schedules, online therapy offers greater flexibility and I offer daytime, evening and weekend appointments.

Online therapy takes away any stress of attending therapy sessions, allowing you access to high quality therapy from a place which suits you and your lifestyle.

What do I need for online sessions?

It is very straightforward to do sessions online.

All you need is an iPad or tablet, or laptop/ desktop with a webcam and microphone. You can use your smart phone, but the small screen size can make it more difficult. You will need a secure and stable internet connection. You need somewhere comfortable to sit where you can relax and be seen and heard clearly. You need a space where you won’t be disturbed, and which will provide privacy.

I generally use Zoom for the sessions, and I will e-mail you a link for the first session. This link can then be used for all our subsequent sessions.

If it is the first time that you have used Zoom, we can talk through the process of downloading the software or I can send you an information page and we can arrange a test call to ensure everything is working. If you have any questions about any of the above, don’t hesitate to contact me.

What are the fees?

Initial Discovery Call (Approx. 20-30 mins) via phone call or zoom.

Free

First Assessment Session (Approx. 90 minute)

£60

Subsequent sessions (60 minutes)

£60 per session, with audio recordings to use between sessions included in price.

Special Packages:

Four Sessions (Initial Assessment Session plus three further sessions)-£195

Six Sessions-(Initial Assessment Session plus five further sessions)-£270

Please note that all audio recordings given for you to use between sessions are included in the prices.

Payment:

Payment via bank transfer or Revolut is required to secure our appointment. Payment details will be provided when booking your initial consultation.

Cancellations:

Life happens! and sometimes an appointment might need to be re-arranged. Please provide at least 24 hours notice of the start of the appointment so we can make an alternative arrangement.