Many people who contact me have never experienced hypnosis before. They often wonder whether they’ll be in control, what hypnosis feels like, whether they’ll need to talk about difficult experiences, and what actually happens during a session.
Here are some of the questions I’m asked most often.
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy combines talking therapy with hypnosis to help you make changes in the way you think, feel or respond.
Sometimes we know logically that we want to change, but still find ourselves repeating the same old patterns. Hypnosis gives us another way of working with some of those automatic responses.
Hypnosis itself is a completely natural state, similar to the feeling of being absorbed in a book or film, daydreaming or drifting between sleep and wakefulness. Hypnotherapy makes purposeful use of this natural ability to help you focus inwardly and work towards change.
What happens in a hypnotherapy session?
We’ll start by talking about what’s been going on and what you’d like to change. I’ll then guide you into hypnosis and use therapeutic techniques suited to you and what we’re working on.
You don’t need any previous experience of hypnosis, and there’s nothing special you need to do to prepare.
Sessions are available in person at my therapy room in Maidstone or online, depending on what suits you best and each session is…..?
Will I be asleep during hypnosis?
No.
Although we tend to think of hypnosis as something unusual, it’s actually a completely natural state. Think about those moments when you’re drifting off to sleep, waking up in the morning, daydreaming or completely absorbed in a book or film.
During hypnosis, you remain aware of what’s happening around you. You can hear me, respond to me and remain part of the process throughout.
Will I be in control?
Yes.
One of the biggest misconceptions about hypnosis is that it’s something that’s done to you.
That’s not how I work.
I can guide you into hypnosis, but I’m the facilitator. You remain aware of what’s happening, and you won’t suddenly do or say something you don’t want to.
It’s something we do together.
Do I have to tell you everything?
No.
You only ever need to tell me what you feel comfortable sharing.
I don’t necessarily need your entire life history or every detail of something you’ve experienced. What I need to understand is what’s causing you a problem now and, ideally, what you’d like to change.
We work at your pace.
What does hypnosis feel like?
There’s no single answer because everyone experiences hypnosis a little differently.
Sometimes you might feel deeply relaxed and absorbed. Another time you may feel lighter, more aware of the room around you or as though you could open your eyes at any moment.
That’s absolutely fine.
You don’t have to be in a really deep state of hypnosis for hypnotherapy to be effective.
What if I can’t visualise?
That’s fine too.
Some people see vivid pictures, while others have a vague impression, notice feelings or sounds, or simply know what I’m describing without actually “seeing” it.
Not being able to visualise clearly doesn’t mean hypnotherapy won’t work for you. We work with the way your mind works.
Will I have to revisit painful experiences?
Not necessarily.
Sometimes people worry that therapy means reliving difficult experiences in great detail. That’s not how I work.
If something from the past is still affecting how you feel or respond today, we may choose to work with it, but we don’t need every detail of what happened. The focus is on helping you change what’s affecting you now.
How many sessions will I need?
Everyone is different.
Some people notice changes quite quickly. Other things take a little longer.
There’s no prize for getting there fastest.
I work with clients over a package of sessions because it gives us time to get to know each other, helps you become comfortable with hypnosis and allows us to build on the work as it develops.
Can hypnotherapy work through online 1:1 sessions?
Absolutely.
Some people enjoy coming to my therapy room in Maidstone and having a space away from everyday life. Others prefer the comfort and convenience of online sessions.
What matters much more than where we are is the relationship we build and your involvement in the process.
Taking the first step
If you’re curious about whether hypnotherapy could help you, the first step is simply a conversation.
I offer a free, no-obligation consultation where we can talk about what’s going on, what you’d like to change and whether my approach feels right for you.
