Q: Can I be hypnotised?
A: Hypnosis is a very natural state that we all go into several times a day. You know how it is when you are driving and you are so engrossed in your thoughts that you miss your turning and can't remember if the traffic lights were red or green or you are watching TV and you don't even notice that someone has walked in the room. That is hypnosis/day dreaming/trance and anyone who is intelligent enough to follow the therapist's voice and suggestions, can be hypnotised - even animals have been hypnotised - if in doubt, google it!
Q: What will hypnosis feel like?
A: Hypnosis feels differently for each individual but for most, it feels relaxing and calming. Sometimes people feel heavy, sometimes they feel like they are floating. Some may see colours there are some who don't feel anything at all but that doesn't mean that they are not in hypnosis.
Q: How does hypnosis work?
A: Most of our emotional issues are triggered by memories and behavioural responses to things that happened in childhood and these are stored in the subconscious mind. We need to access the subconscious mind to reprogram these out of date and unwanted behaviour patterns but the conscious mind does not want us to interfere in it's data bank - the subconscious mind (90%+ of the capacity of the mind). So, we need to distract the conscious mind so that we can slide unnoticed into the subconscious mind. For more information, watch the explanatory video of the welcome page of the website.
Q: Is it a permanent solution?
A: Reprogramming of established and ingrained patterns of behaviour can take from 1 - 30 times of hearing a suggestion for a new behaviour in hypnosis to actually effect change. We see clients who quit smoking after 1 single session and others who may need 2 or 3 sessions and to listen to the recordings for several weeks for the new behaviour to become automatic. We give all our clients recordings of their hypnosis to listen to in their own time to ensure that the therapy is a permanent solution for them.
Q: What can I expect from a session?
A: The first time you come for a session, you may quite understandably be feeling anxious about what is about to take place. So, when you first meet with one of our therapists, you will be given a chance to settle down in the environment, whether that is face to face or via Zoom so that you feel reassured and calm. We will then spend as much time as is needed to discover what the issues are that you are facing, when they started, any relevant background history, how the issues make you feel, what impact they are having on your life and how you would like to feel instead. We will then use whatever techniques we have, including maybe NLP techniques, CBT techniques and Hypnosis to help bring about the change you seek.
Q: Is it 100% confidential?
A: Absolutely! Nothing that you share with us will ever leave the room unless we are bound by law to do so for your safety or the safety of others (this has never happened in the 12+ years of Anna being a therapist!). Your case notes will be filed away in secure storage between sessions and will not be discussed with anyone else. This confidentiality agreement works both ways as sometimes, we may share our own experiences with you which again, should not be divulged outside of the therapy environment.
Q: What if it doesn't work?
A: In the very rare case when therapy has not been effective, we will offer you a free session to see how the issue/goal can be addressed in a different way and to ensure that there are no underlying triggers that were not disclosed during the initial session(s).
Q: How quickly will I see results?
A: I have had clients who have left after one session having achieved what they wanted and for others it may take 3 or 4 sessions. It often depends upon the depth of the issue and the willingness of the client to open up and allow change to take place. Hypnotherapy is not a long term therapy like psychiatry where people see their 'shrink' for years on end. If I can't help someone in 3 - 4 sessions, then I have to consider whether I am the right therapist for this client and maybe refer them onto someone else. This seldom happens. We do sometimes have clients who want to continue to see us on a regular basis, some once a month, some once a year, just to touch bases and keep on track, which is lovely and very good for our confidence! When we have helped someone to trust us and open up to us, and then turn their lives around, it is hard to just say goodbye and not wonder how they are getting on in the future.
Q: Will the therapist be able to control my mind?
A: No. The subconscious mind will reject anything that is not for your benefit. When you see stage hypnotists getting people to cluck like chickens and eat their shoes, thinking they are made of chocolate, the trance state is only very momentary and usually, the people have popped out of hypnosis and are just going along with it rather than face the embarrassment of being asked to leave the stage.
Q: Will I reveal my darkest secrets in hypnosis?
A: No. Whilst we may try to get you to go back to past memories to uncover the cause of an unwanted behaviour pattern, if you don't want to reveal something you prefer not to share, you are still in control enough not to do so. You are not in a coma - you are in a trance but very much still in control.
