Frequently Asked Questions
What is a typical session?
…so this is how it works...
- If you are interested, fill in the e mail form and I will respond to you as soon as I can.
- We will set up a time for our free initial 20 minutes phone conversation . Feel free to ask any questions that come to mind and I will be happy to answer them within the allotted time. If we are both happy to move forward, we can set up an initial assessment session. I might forward some forms to you via e mail that you can fill in and bring to the initial session. Please ensure that for cases like pain management and insomnia, your GP has ruled out other possible medical conditions.
- An initial session ideally lasts for 1 hour and 30 minutes as we need to obtain as much information as possible . This might also include signing a contract, filling additional health forms and completing questionnaires. At this stage, if I feel that your condition is more severe than what I can safely treat, I will do my best to refer you to another therapist. If I feel that I can help you, we will collaborate with each other to clarify goals and make a possible treatment plan. We will determine how many sessions we will need to meet our end goals. This could range from a minimum of 6-12 sessions. If you feel you are ready to deal with past traumas, we will include EMDR sessions and \Inner Child Therapy, once I have stabilized you
Subsequent sessions would generally be around an hour. A typical session might follow this pattern:
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- Checking current condition and reviewing progress
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- Mutually agreeing agenda for current session
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- Reviewing homework results
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- Working through different CBT/Mindfulness/ACT coping techniques/followed by a hypnosis session which reinforces positive gains. Later sessions might include trauma work like EMDR and Inner Child Therapy.
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- Agree next stage of between- session tasks including listening to hypnosis tapes.
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- Wrap up with feedback on current session.
Who is in control during the sessions?
You are! Hypnotherapy is nothing like stage hypnosis and you are always in control of the process, taking the suggestions that suit you and ignoring the ones you don't want to take onboard.
Will I go into a trance?
You will go into a very pleasant state of deep relaxation but no one will be able to make you do what you don't want to do.
Does Hypnotherapy work for everyone?
It only works for people who are motivated to change. Remember, you are in control of your own mind and no one can make you do what you don't want to do.
Can I get stuck in hypnosis?
No you will not. But I will still emerge you gently from hypnosis and it would be advisable that you don't drive for the next 10 minutes or so.
Are my sessions confidential?
Yes the sessions are entirely confidential. We sign a confidentiality contract before starting your therapy. The only exceptions are when the records are required by a court of law.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a type of therapy that helps people recover from distressing life experiences. It uses many forms of bilateral stimulation to help process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact. Essentially, it aims to 'unglue' these memory loops and allow the brain to reprocess them in a healthier way.
I use EMDR not only to treat PTSD (big T traumas like sexual or physical abuse, accidents,surviving war or natural disasters) but little t traumas as well, that result in personality traits like perfectionism, lack of self esteem, people pleasing, anger issues or extreme passivity.
EMDR is also used to find the origin of an emotion or a trigger that is affecting your present (and your relationships) negatively. Rationally, you cannot figure out why you behave the way you do when this state comes over you. This approach is especially effective when treating addictions whether it is food, alcohol, smoking or drugs.
Can I be hypnotized online?
Yes, you can definitely go into hypnosis online. The session will run in exactly the same way and you will not even have to travel. Most sessions are run via Zoom so it would be useful to have a Zoom app. I will send you a meeting ID and password before the session and we can 'meet' at an appointed time. Please do ensure that you are not disturbed during the session.
