Hypnotherapy is a form of guided therapy that uses relaxation techniques, verbal repetition and mental imagery to guide clients into a state of intense focus, similar to daydreaming or being absorbed in a book, where they are more open to positive suggestions. The purpose is to bring about positive changes in the way that the client thinks, feels and behaves. This helps the client overcome mental health issues, stop negative habits and improve self-confidence.
It is used to address a wide range of mental and physical health problems. These include anxiety and stress, phobias, low self-esteem, weight loss, OCD and PTSD, smoking cessation, chronic pain and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It can also help clients who have experienced profound change or loss, such as marriage breakdowns, a bereavement or a serious health condition.
Clients are sometimes concerned that they will “lose control” as the therapist guides them into a deeply relaxed trance state. This is simply not the case. The client is always in control, however deeply relaxed they become. You will be able to talk at all times if you wish to, and even bring the hypnotherapy to an immediate end, simply by opening your eyes.
The number of sessions varies depending on the individual, with the average being somewhere between 8 to 12 sessions. This is to ensure that the positive changes brought about are sustainable. Hypnotherapy is solution focused, looking forwards not backwards, and so the time spent in therapy is relatively short-term in comparison with all other talking therapies, such as counselling or analytical psychotherapy.
Hypnotherapy is about making positive changes in your health and well-being. The entire process is tailored specifically to your needs and focusses on bringing about the improvements you want to see. It works like this:
Call me directly or use a contact form to book an initial chat, where we can confirm whether hypnotherapy is right for you, and I can answer any preliminary questions. We can then book a first consultation.
This can be either in person or online, depending on your preference. I will be asking a lot of questions about you and the background relevant to your concerns. Everything discussed is confidential. We agree how future sessions will be structured.
In each session we will combine talking therapy with hypnosis to work on the specific issues that you seek to overcome. I use a variety of relaxation and visualisation techniques to achieve the changes you want. The process is complete when those positive changes are achieved. You leave the process feeling happier, calmer and in control.
Any client can have a face to face consultation with me in Hereford, if that is their preference. However, online hypnotherapy sessions are perfect for those who for reasons of convenience, distance, weather conditions, health or mobility issues, would otherwise struggle to get to me in person. The great news is that there is no difference in effectiveness.
This is because hypnotherapy is a talking therapy, so what matters is that we can hear each other and communicate freely. When we get to the point in the session where I start the hypnotherapy, I will be asking you to sit or lie comfortably and close your eyes. The therapy happens as you listen to my voice with your eyes fully closed.
If you are interested in trying online hypnotherapy, go to the Online Hypnotherapy page which explains the process more fully.
