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 Frequently Asked Questions
Is there anything that hypnotherapy can’t help with?
Anything that is made worse by stress can be improved by hypnotherapy, such as losing weight, managing anger, overcoming stress, stopping smoking or other addictions, dealing with depression and insomnia plus many more.
How quickly will I improve?
Some people have an instantaneous improvement, others take more time. You improve at the rate at which your subconscious mind is comfortable – even if your conscious mind wants results now! Over the years we have developed ways of protecting ourselves which have the effect of masking our true thoughts and feelings. Therapy will help to uncover these which means that you can expect to experience a number of reactions at different stages in the process, some of which will be positive and some will be negative. This may leave you with feelings of vulnerability as you move closer to achieving your goal. However it is necessary to stay with this in order to move on. The way out is through!
It is also important to note that it is completely natural for your levels of motivation to vary throughout the therapy. You may make very quick progress in some sessions but seemingly little progress in others. This may leave you feeling dispirited. It is important to persevere because it is usually a sign that true gains are about to be made. The way out is through!
The most common question I am asked is how many sessions are needed. This is very difficult to answer since everybody is different. I work as quickly as your subconscious is comfortable. There are a number of factors which can affect the number of sessions you have: the number of conditions being treated; the severity of the problem; the complexity of the history; the length of gaps between treatments. Having said that, some of my most complicated cases have been completed very quickly. It is very individual because we are all very individual. If you decide to work on new issues, this too will extend the treatment time.
To get the quickest results, have regular appointments, do any homework set diligently, follow the simple instructions in the session, and keep your answers brief. Some people need to talk things through. Whilst this is fine, it does mean that results take longer.
It is important that, in deciding to undergo therapy, you are able to commit to the sessions so that you can complete treatment.
What will a session consist of?
The first session is always a very thorough consultation where we look at the various aspects of your life and how they might be contributing to your problem. Depending on your history and how you express yourself, there may or may not be enough time to do hypnotherapy in the first session. Usually the answers I need can be quite brief, but some people like to offload and I respect that if it is a need, and I correct it if it is a misunderstanding. Most people find the session therapeutic and often cathartic. Sometimes in the first or second session I will conduct a bioenergetic assessment which will help balance your system and prepare you for our work. The next session will depend on what you report – every session is different and I respond to what is needed in the moment. This is a very tailored process so that you get the very best benefit. Sessions may include CBT, EMDR, nutritional guidelines, coaching, energy therapies, hypnotherapy or Asyra Pro.
Is it like mind control?
One of the common misconceptions is that you are “under the control of the hypnotherapist”. All I do is help you achieve what you want for yourself. You can’t be forced to do anything you don’t want to do or say anything you don’t want to say. In addition, you have freewill and choice – I don’t take this choice away from you. You can only be supported in your own choice.
Can you get stuck in hypnosis?
It isn’t possible to become stuck in hypnosis, just as it isn’t possible to become stuck in sleep. At the end of the hypnotherapy session you will gently be emerged. If, in the extremely unlikely event that something were to happen to me during the session, you would simply emerge on your own, just as you would wake up out of a nap or a daydream naturally.
Can everyone be hypnotised?
Anyone from the age of around 5 with at least a normal level of intelligence who wants to be can be hypnotised. Some people need more practice than others, but everyone can be hypnotised. However, you cannot be hypnotised against your will, so your willing co-operation is essential.
What does it feel like?
It is a perfectly natural experience, like the state you experience when driving and can’t remember the journey. Your conscious mind has been thinking about your day whilst the subconscious mind takes care of the driving. It feels perfectly natural. You are not transported into a third dimension and will be aware of what is happening.
Everyone experiences it differently, but most people simply feel as though they have their eyes shut, and are able to hear everything that goes on around them. Nothing more than that. Others feel a tremendous sense of relaxation, yet others feel tingly or numb, heavy or light. Or all of the above. Or none of them. Some people have busy thoughts going around their mind. That’s fine because it is only the conscious mind doing what it does best. The subconscious is listening to the suggestions given.
The secret is not to expect a particular experience, not to try to relax, not to try to listen, or to try not to listen, simply allow it to happen in whichever way it occurs for you. Most people are surprised that, whilst they didn’t feel hypnotised, they still got the results they wanted. There are so many false myths about what hypnosis feels like, but it is really very natural!
How do I know it will work?
The success of the therapy will depend very much on your own motivation – you must be prepared and want to change. A popular misconception is that the therapist creates the change for you. The reality is that I facilitate that change and that your openness, co-operation and commitment are absolutely vital to a successful outcome. Change doesn’t happen to you but through you. It is a way of helping you regain control.
Will I remember what happened?
Most people can hear everything that happens in the session (even their own conscious thoughts) but may forget parts of it afterwards – just as we do with other things in life.
What if I want to cough or sneeze?
If you needed to cough, sneeze (or scratch your nose or whatever) you can and you will still be in hypnosis. If you needed a comfort break, you would ask and emerge, have your break and then come back to the session. It’s that simple.
How easy is it?
All you need to do to be hypnotised, is follow the simple instructions you are given and just allow events to take their natural course. Some people make it more complicated by anticipating what is needed, or in judging their responses before speaking, but this interferes with the subconscious process and means that more sessions will be needed. Best just to allow things to happen naturally. The subconscious mind is very powerful and has all the answers you need – your job is to let it.
How is it different to stage hypnosis?
People often think that hypnotherapy will be a magic cure where someone can make them do anything without any effort on their part – just like the stage shows. And sometimes it is. However, the only similarity with a stage show is that they both use the state of hypnosis. A stage show uses this state for entertainment. All individuals who participate do so of their own free will. The engagement is momentary. There is no emotional agenda involved – just fun. With hypnotherapy, this can involve working on problems which have often existed for years, through layers of self-awareness, possibly vulnerability and denial. Even resistance. If there was no resistance you would have been able to resolve the problem on your own. Through working with your subconscious mind together, it is easier to overcome these barriers, developing new ways of being so that you can live the life you want.
Do I have to have hypnosis?
No, I work with people in a number of ways. Some people just come to me for health issues and I will work on that using the Asyra Pro, or they may just want coaching or someone to offload to. Or I might use one of my other techniques such as EMDR, CBT, nutritional guidelines or energy therapies. This is a highly individualised process.
Why do you combine hypnotherapy with coaching and wellness?
Because I believe that the body affects the mind and the mind affects the body. By working on both, you are able to get the best possible results. I use bio-energetics, holistic nutrition and Body Talk to help your body to achieve balance and health.
Through using the Asyra Pro TM it is possible to balance the adrenals, appendix, arteries and veins, bladder, nervous system, colon, skin, ears, eyes, sinuses, gallbladder, heart, hypothalamus, joints, kidneys, intestines, liver, lungs, lymphatics, pancreas, pineal gland, reproductive organs, skin, spleen, stomach, teeth, thyroid and urinary tract, as well as the emotions. It additionally produces homeopathic remedies which are tailor-made to your specific needs.
Coaching works wonderfully to ascertain your goals and help you move towards them, building on your existing resources and discovering new ones. I have a background in executive coaching, but it works just as well with people who have never worked in the corporate world.
How do I make an appointment?
Email me on tricia@pw-hypnotherapy.co.uk, stating your problem and availability. Or call me on 0845 130 0854.
Availability:
Byfleet Village : Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Harley Street: Thursdays
Evenings available. Occasional Saturday clinics also available.
What if I don’t want to commit just yet?
I offer a free telephone consultation so that you can see how my work can help you overcome your problem. I also offer 30 minutes, free and no obligation as part of your first appointment so that you are comfortable that it is the right thing for you before committing to the full session.
However, once therapy starts, your commitment is absolutely essential. This is a partnership where I help you. I can’t live the change for you. Sticking to a program of change is important as well so that we have momentum and build on our work each session.
I can’t afford sessions. What can I do?
Therapy is an investment in yourself which will be paid back many times over. Sometimes there are tangible savings which easily cover the cost – such as the money you will save on chocolates, junk food, alcohol and lattees when you lose weight or are distracting yourself from your problem with food and alcohol (being overweight can be very expensive!), or from stopping smoking. However, some people can’t afford sessions. An option is to pay by credit card where payments can be spread to suit you.
If this is not an option for you, there are a range of hypnotherapy CDs and self-help books available for this purpose. Whilst it is not the same as receiving 1:1 therapy, it does produce good results if you are motivated and persistent. Like an exercise bike, you have to use them to benefit from them! Go to the Shop to find out more.
Another option is to have the sessions spread out. This is not ideal since it is helpful to build momentum from one session to another. A way around this is to be very, very diligent with the homework and support the work with a CD and a workbook. This will keep you on track and help you manage the costs.
Also, some people opt to learn 7th Path ® Self Hypnosis which is like doing therapy in the privacy of your own mind. It takes longer and it is only for everyday problems, but it is good and effective. This can be learnt on a 1:1 or group basis. Other courses are also available.
I do offer a discount to anyone on income support on production of supporting paperwork. In addition, I occasionally run group therapy sessions where there are sufficient numbers.
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