FAQ about working with me

Free initial consultation

At this time we discuss your needs and I explain what we will be doing and we agree upon the right course of action for you. This is also a good time for you to make sure that you are comfortable with me, as I believe that is a key factor for fast effective change. We can meet for 20 minutes or talk over the phone, whatever is best for you.

It is important that this change is something you really want and that you are not being pushed into it by another person, if you are, let me know upfront so we can explore all of the reasons for change and ensure that you are getting what is best for you.

Types of therapy

During your session I use a whole range of therapies and techniques to allow me to home in on the ones that work best for you. If there is a specific therapy that you only wish to use, please let me know before the session commences, however, in reality, it is not important that you understand the types of therapy – as I will guide you through every step of the way.

Number of sessions required

Some problems can be addressed in 1 or 2 sessions, however, others may take between 2 & 8 sessions (my business statistics report that my average is 4.2 sessions per client) We will discuss this in more detail at the initial consultation, typically, I leave one week between sessions, but this is only a guide and I can accommodate your specific needs. You have my commitment to treat you in the minimum amount of time, but in a process that is right for you.

Session lengths

Depending on your needs I offer 3 types of session and my fees can be found here.

• 1½ Hour Session – This is my preferred session length for regular change work, it allows us to explore more options and gives you time to relax more fully. It also reduces the number of sessions required if travel or finding time is an issue.

• 1 Hour Session – This session is good for those people who have time limitations or who tire easily.

• 3 Hour Break Through Session – This session is focused on working with phobias, where we can work on your feelings, then test the results too. For example, if you had a driving fear, I would diminish your anxiety and then actually go out with you to test that you are getting the results that you desire. These longer sessions are very powerful when exploring self awareness and developing goals to change your life. (see more information on life coaching)

Can sessions be held in my house?

Not usually – Except for cases of extreme anxiety (agoraphobia) or disability.  In these instances I will need to charge for the extra time it will take for me to travel to and from your location. Please note that in cases where anxiety are limiting your ability to travel we will focus on getting to my office as one of the methods of recovery – once I explain how I do this, it all makes sense and is quite compelling.

Can you work with me at locations that make me fearful?

As part of helping clients to overcome fear and anxiety I often travel with them in cars, trains, buses etc. to cafes and restaurants, shopping centres – so they know they can reconnect to these experiences that in the past overwhelmed them. This is often taken as a half day therapy session and is a powerful way to take the previous therapy work and truly apply it.

Cancellations

Any cancellations without 24 hours prior notice will be charged at the full session price.

Confidentiality

All notes, recordings or any information taken during any session will be treated with the utmost confidence and security at ALL times. You can read my Privacy Policy and my Terms and Conditions.

What techniques do you use?

I use a range of techniques, dependant on your needs; I will use the most appropriate combination to find the fastest and most effective change in you.

• Hypnotherapy
• NLP
• EFT
• Timeline Therapy
• Character Profiling
• Goal Setting
• Developing Values and Beliefs
• Understanding emotions and how the mind works

I am very serious about helping people to get the change they are looking for so I provide a whole range of worksheets as homework to get you moving in the right direction sooner.

Do you provide CD’s or MP3’s

All my clients have access to my Client Area where there is over 15 hours of free hypnosis recordings to download and listen to.

How much of what you do is hypnotherapy based?

Hypnotic or hypnosis interventions are used about 20% of the time and I like to end each session with a calm relaxing hypnotic metaphoric story that helps to reinforce the work we do. My experience is that hypnotherapy is a very good tool for closing the door (in your mind) after we have discovered and vented the presenting issues, then it powerfully cements new behaviours and emotional responses into place.

What does Hypnosis feel like?

People usually experience hypnosis as a very pleasant and relaxing sensation. You are seated with your eyes closed and just listen to me talking; some people have described the feeling as very relaxing and similar to the time just before you awake in the morning – half awake and half asleep. You are in complete control and can open your eyes at anytime if you wanted to.

Hypnosis is a period of self reflection where you focus inwards and let go of all the external distractions in your life – this internal focus allows us to connect with your unconscious mind, where many problems often reside.

In hypnosis how much control do I have?

As you relax, you remain in complete control of your actions, you can come out of hypnosis at any time you choose and your unconscious mind will not allow you to do anything that is in anyway inappropriate for you. This is not stage hypnosis it is gentle permissive therapeutic hypnosis where you are always in control.

Can I get stuck in a hypnotic state?

No.

Are there any side effects?

No, only positive changes towards the outcomes that you desire and a wonderful relaxed feeling.

Does hypnotherapy really work?

Below is a recent study of various psychological approaches and their overall success rates. A survey of psychotherapy literature by Alfred A. Barrios, Ph.D. revealed the following recovery rates: – source: American Health Magazine

• Psychoanalysis: 38% recovery after 600 sessions
• Behaviour Therapy: 72% recovery after 22 sessions
• Hypnotherapy 93% Recovery after 6 sessions

How safe is hypnosis?

Hypnotherapy is completely safe; it is natural and works with the mind in the same way that the mind naturally functions. It is also recognised and regularly used by the National Health Service. More than just being safe, hypnosis is demonstrably effective at bringing about change, and has been shown to improve the function of the immune system and the digestive system and lead to more restful, recuperative sleep.

Hypnosis versus hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis is the art of getting you into a calm relaxed state and it’s quite easy to do – Hypnotherapy is what you do with the unconscious mind once you are in that calm state, to facilitate changes in behaviour and update any old outdated beliefs – this is where experience and knowledge really count and where the real change work is done.

How can I change my attitudes?

I think it all starts in your head, people have a good attitude or they have a gloomy attitude and people with a good attitude can overcome any difficulty. People seem to get into difficulty because they don’t plan well, they don’t think about living in the future. They seem to focus on the past or the present. Truth is, if you are going to live a long life you want all of it to be happy and the best way to get that is to have a plan.

And the best thing to plan with is your mind – you need to think about what your life is like today, what it will be like in a year’s time, what are the ramifications of what you are currently doing? It’s one thing to look for a new job and quite another to look for a new job that you would really like, and sadly most people don’t do this.

We should be continuously refreshing our plans, making sure we are doing what we want to do, taking care of our children the way we want to and are heading in the right economic direction, because just sticking your head in the sand and hoping, is just not going to work.

What we should do is plan further ahead, plan how to make our life a better place. Christiaan Barnard who did the first heart transplant, said that he did it hundreds of times in his mind before he actually performed the operations. And that’s the good thing about having a brain; you can run through many scenarios, you can wonder what it would be like to have this job, or that job. You could go out and get some training, maybe, work two jobs for a while or study at night, this is normal for students, however, there is no reason why you can’t do this when you are in your 30’s or 40’s so that in the long run, you end up having a much better life.

Whenever you hit bad times you have a choice, you can say “Oh this is so horrible” or you can say “There’s a lesson to be learned here.” And the lesson is, you don’t want to feel this way again and you should make sure you are heading in the right direction. Its one thing to plod your way out of difficulty and it’s quite another to come racing out on the way to something good.

Many famous people have lost their fortunes or their companies and just came right back – because they had a good attitude about life – they saw that there is always an opportunity – “This is a rare and unprecedented opportunity” was their mantra “This is a rare and unprecedented opportunity to build a better life.” So, rehearse around and around in your own mind until you can see a new direction, and remember, you can stop anything except a person with a good attitude.

What about spirituality?

There comes a point in personal development and therapy where there are no more answers, you can’t just say “do this and you will feel xyz…” – at this point some people realise that a new paradigm is required if they want to live their life in a way that makes them feel free and happy. To me, that’s what spirituality is, a way of living that is kind and thoughtful – yet trusts that things will unfold in a positive way and if they don’t, well, I’ll still be alright and perhaps the less good things need to happen in context of the bigger picture.

I come from a scientific background and for many years struggled with the concept of spirituality and the many diverse ways of trying to understand what spirituality is. I am not a religious person nor do I subscribe to mystics or clairvoyants. However, on my own long journey I have found a balance that I am comfortable with, I would call it spiritual (with a small s) – I’m NOT into crystals, angels and tree hugging (but I’m OK with those who are) and have come to realise that there are tangible elements out there that transcend logical conscious descriptions.

By not restricting your mind to the limits of Newtonian logic, you allow new concepts to become open for investigation. My personal experience and results from working with many clients has led me to firmly believe that inner calmness, self love and confidence come from stopping the voices in our mind and not believing what they say -  realising that they are not us (big step I know! But possible) and that they cause a whole load of unnecessary emotional suffering.

Many of the fields I studied left me shaking my head, whilst others seemed too good to be true. Personally, the jury is out on how many of these ethereal spiritual concepts work, however,  I found that if you take the good bits from each (even if it is only used as a sensible concept) you can construct a way of being that makes sense and more importantly, leaves you feeling really calm and good on the inside – and surely, that’s what it’s all about.

If you are interested I can share my findings with you – Of course, I can only talk about what worked for me – but it did work!

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

No – but if you are currently receiving medical treatment for the complaint or a related complaint, I may request that you obtain permission from your doctor.

What about self hypnosis?

If you wish I can teach you methods of self hypnosis for stress relief and anxiety control.

British Medical Journal and hypnosis

“There is good evidence from randomised controlled trials that both hypnosis and relaxation techniques can reduce anxiety…. They are also effective for panic disorders and insomnia….A systematic review has found that hypnosis enhances the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy for conditions such as phobia, obesity, and anxiety.”

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