No, we will spend time together working out which approach will be best for you. Everyone is unique; therefore, a tailored/individual approach works best.

Clinical Hypnotherapy and Human Givens Psychotherapy are described as Brief, Solution-focused therapies. Clients rarely require more than 6 sessions. Often 3-4 sessions can be enough for a lasting, positive change. My sessions are usually an hour.

Clients may have one area of their lives where they need help, or the problem may have multiple causes. I use a combination of proven, psychotherapeutic skills to help clients regain control, get their needs met in a more balanced way, and develop their innate resources. Sessions are solution-focused and start with the formation of an achievable and meaningful goal. I often use guided imagery and relaxation techniques in my Psychotherapy sessions. Hypnotherapy can be done seated or lying down. A relaxed state is induced, and I work with the client’s unconscious mind to assist in making positive changes to behaviours, thoughts and emotions.

The term ‘psychotherapy’ covers a wide range of approaches and methods which range from one-to-one talking sessions, to therapies that use techniques such as role-play, art, music or dance. Psychotherapists work with individuals, couples, families or groups whose members share similar problems. Psychotherapy can be provided for adolescents and children, as well as adults. The psychotherapy approach I work with, is called The Human Givens. It draws upon findings from neurobiology and psychology regarding what we need to lead physically, mentally and emotionally healthy lives. It’s an organising idea that starts with the law of living organisms, which states that to survive all animals need to eat, drink, breath, sleep and require shelter and warmth for survival. We accept these are givens. Psychologists throughout the ages, have also determined that we have other nutritional needs which are emotional rather than physical. These include a need for security, attention, connection to others, control, status and the sense that our lives are meaningful. How well our innate needs are met determines many aspects of our personality and how we develop physically and emotionally, as well as how well we do in life. If our needs are met in a balanced way, we feel physically, emotionally and mentally healthy. If our needs are not being met in balance, we can feel frustrated, angry and stressed. This can then lead to the development of anxiety disorders, depression and addictions.

The word hypno comes from the Greek work for ‘sleep,’ and hypnosis is reported to be one of the oldest healing techniques in the world. From the sleep temples of Egypt, through the histories of ancient Greece and Rome, forms of hypnotherapy have been used. Hypnosis is a naturally occurring phenomenon and is often referred to as a trance-like state. We experience this relaxed state many times a day, sometimes just for a fleeting moment as we daydream or for longer if we are engrossed in a good book or film! In 1955 the British Medical Association endorsed the practice of hypnosis in Medical School education, and it has since become a valued addition to conventional medical and psychotherapeutic treatment. Hypnotherapy sees the mind as having two distinct parts, the conscious and subconscious (unconscious) mind. The conscious mind is the thinking, analytical part of the mind, responsible for our literacy, numeracy and rational thinking. The subconscious mind governs our creativity, imagination, emotions, memories, behaviour and attitudes. This is the part of the mind experienced when we are daydreaming. Hypnotherapy uses this relaxed, yet highly focused state to gain access to the subconscious mind, where suggestions are more powerfully acted upon. Another advantage of using this relaxed state for therapy, is that often we feel dissociated (distanced) from what we are experiencing, so there is less chance of feeling re-traumatised by memories or experiencing panic when dealing with a phobia. This is one of the reasons why despite training to use other techniques I often find myself favouring hypnotherapy.

Most people can be hypnotised, but for everyone the experience will be different. Some people can achieve a very deep trance quickly, whilst others only achieve a light trance throughout. This doesn’t mean that therapy is any less effective, but practice does seem to be the key. Most sessions begin with a lesson in self-hypnosis, a powerful tool which can be used by clients at home to reinforce therapy (and practice relaxation).

Although the experience will differ from person to person and even session to session, most people report feeling very relaxed, tranquil and calm. Time seems to pass by very quickly and even after waking the feeling of relaxation can often last for a few hours (or even days in some cases).

In most cases you will be able to hear what is being said by the therapist. Occasionally you may drift away into your own thoughts, but your attention will come and go. Hypnotherapy is very different to stage hypnosis. Therapy is a partnership, and the client and therapist work together to achieve a positive outcome. Clients will only respond to suggestions that are appropriate to them and all good therapists will be registered with a professional body such as the CNHC, BSCH or GHR who ensure that therapists work to a strict code of ethics.