FAQ

Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis and various therapeutic techniques to address and resolve issues by working with the subconscious mind. It can help with strengthening confidence and self-belief, creating a sense of happiness and contentment, and foster holistic wellness by addressing physical and mental health.

Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation and focussed attention, also known as hypnotic trance. In this state, your subconscious mind is open to suggestions allowing for rapid change of unwanted patterns of behaviour, thinking, and feeling.

When going into trace, you go into an altered state of consciousness where you are likely to experience theta brainwaves. You feel deeply relaxed and typically experience pleasant feelings. The trance state allows a therapist to effectively perform change work by communicating directly with your subconscious mind.

Our brain is an archive of all our past experiences. This is immensely valuable for knowledge, but it can keep us stuck in the past if we let it run on autopilot, i.e. our subconscious mind. To break free from the cycle of negative thoughts, limiting beliefs and outdated behaviours, we have to use techniques that can change our subconscious programming, for example, hypnotherapy.

Our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are 95% unconscious, and only 5% conscious. Bringing about positive change is therefore most effective by working in the subconscious mind. As a combination of hypnosis and therapeutic techniques, hypnotherapy allows us to bypass the critical, conscious mind, so that we can change our subconscious programming.

Most people can be hypnotised by a skilled hypnotherapist, using their primary sensory modality, for example, visual or auditory, as well as using their preferred way of relaxation. Your willingness, trust, and commitment to change will also influence the experience.

Hypnotherapy can be used to change unwanted patterns of behaviour, thinking, and feeling, including issues like self-doubt, grief, anxiety, fear, smoking, and insomnia. It can also help with your physical wellbeing, including pain management, healing after surgery or injury, fertility and lactation, and weight loss.

Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation, so being hypnotised often feels very pleasant. Hypnotherapy also uses visualisation allowing you to experience positive emotions, making you feel happy and at ease.

Almost everyone can visualise: If you can close your eyes and describe what your front door looks like and how it opens, you can visualise. That’s enough. In addition, visualisation is only one technique used in hypnotherapy. Several effective techniques rely on other senses like hearing, feeling, and even smell or taste.

Depending on the depth of trance, some people remain aware of their surroundings and can recall what happened during a session. Others, will remember only parts of the session. It is therefore important to find a hypnotherapist you trust to act on your behalf and in your interest.

Your subconscious mind will only allow you to go to a level of trance that is right for you and only accept suggestions that are beneficial to you. If you feel uncomfortable to a point where you want to stop, you have the option to return to full waking consciousness at any point in time. This means that you remain in control at all times.

The number of sessions varies depending on your goals and response to hypnotherapy. Some people see improvements in the first session, while others may require multiple sessions. While not strictly necessary, repetition and reinforcement is beneficial to long-term success.

Your first session will be a consultation to understand your motivation and goals. In the consultation, I will also explain the process and answer any questions you might have. Every session thereafter will begin with a check-in to help me understand your current situation and potential challenges and finish with hypnosis.

Hypnosis is a state of relaxation and focussed attention. Once your attention is no longer focussed, you will naturally come out of the hypnotic trance on your own. If you were not guided to return to normal waking consciousness, you would either come back after a few minutes or go to sleep and wake up eventually.

While hypnotherapy can be beneficial for many people, there are certain situations and conditions where it may not be appropriate including epilepsy, untreated medical conditions, schizophrenia, severe depression, or other psychotic disorders. Hypnotherapy should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment. If unsure, consult with your medical or mental health professional to recommend appropriate treatment.