About hypnotherapy

You don't need to arrive knowing which approach you want. Tell me what you'd like help with and what you'd like to be different. I can explain the approaches and techniques that could suit you, so you can ask questions before we begin.

Yes. I draw on a variety of approaches and techniques rather than using one method for every person. Depending on what suits you, sessions can include suggestion, imagery, cognitive behavioural or curative approaches, Ericksonian methods, NLP or EFT.

Yes. What you need at the beginning might be different from what helps later. We talk about how you're getting on and what you'd like to focus on, and I tailor the work as we go.

Not necessarily. Two people who want help with confidence, for example, can have different experiences, worries and goals. I want to understand what confidence would look like in your life, rather than assume the same wording or technique suits everyone.

They are different techniques. NLP looks at patterns in thoughts, language and behaviour, while EFT involves tapping while focusing on a feeling or worry. I can draw on these alongside hypnotherapy where they're useful; they don't make every part of a session hypnosis.

No. A solution-focused question helps us explore how you'd like life to be. It doesn't mean every technique I use has to follow that approach. I draw on a wider range of methods, and we can discuss whether looking at earlier experiences would be helpful.

Some people prefer clear, straightforward language; others connect with an image, a story or a metaphor. I use these in ways that suit the person and the work we're doing. You can tell me what you find helpful and what doesn't appeal to you.

Yes. You don't have to enjoy stories or abstract images to talk to me about hypnotherapy. Let me know if you prefer clear, practical language. Understanding your preferences helps me choose the words and techniques I use with you.

You can tell me that you find visualising difficult. Imagery can also involve sounds, sensations or simply a sense of what something would be like. We can use other techniques too, so sessions don't have to depend on seeing a detailed picture in your mind.

Yes. Please tell me if a technique doesn't appeal to you or if there's something you'd like explained first. Your preferences matter, and the range of approaches I use gives us different ways to explore what you'd like to change.

You're welcome to ask what a technique involves and why I'm suggesting it. This guide gives an introduction to the different methods. In a session, we can relate that explanation to what you'd like help with and what feels comfortable for you.

Yes. You can ask me to explain a word, an exercise or something you've noticed. You don't need to keep a question to yourself because you think it might interrupt the session. Talking things through is part of making the work personal to you.

Think about something you could notice in everyday life: speaking up in a meeting, settling more easily at bedtime or responding differently to a familiar trigger. We can use those examples alongside scaling questions, rather than rely only on a broad label such as feeling better.

Tell me about the things that are troubling you and which matter most right now. We can discuss where to begin and what you'd like to focus on first. You don't have to decide on a separate hypnotherapy technique for every concern before getting in touch.

You can start with what feels difficult or what you wish were easier. Questions about an ordinary day, or what you'd notice if things improved, can help make that clearer. You don't need a perfectly worded goal before you contact me.

It gives us something concrete to talk about. Wanting to feel confident might mean enjoying a presentation, making a phone call or feeling comfortable socially. Describing your own example helps me understand what you want, and helps you notice changes that matter to you.

Yes. Self-hypnosis, a personalised recording and techniques such as anchoring can give you ways to practise between appointments. What you use will depend on the work we do together. We can discuss how to fit that practice into your day.

A recording gives you a way to listen again at home. A live appointment also gives us time to talk, ask questions and adapt the work to what's happening for you. The recording supports that ongoing work rather than providing the conversation and individual review itself.

With guided hypnosis, you follow someone's voice, either in a session or on a recording. Self-hypnosis means using techniques on your own. In our work together, I can help you become familiar with ways to relax and practise between sessions.

Listening isn't a test of remembering or following every word perfectly. Find a comfortable time when it's safe to relax and let yourself listen. If a recording brings up questions about your experience, tell me so we can talk about them at your next appointment.

Yes. You can bring a specific example, such as a presentation, meeting or difficult conversation. That helps us understand what happens for you and what you'd like to be different. Mental rehearsal, confidence work and other techniques can then be discussed in that context.

I offer appointments in the City of London, near Liverpool Street, and online via Zoom. You can get in touch to discuss the option that suits you. Both involve working with me, with time to talk about your goals and the approach we use.

My practice is at Longcroft House, 2–8 Victoria Avenue, London EC2M 4NS, near Liverpool Street. If you'd like to see me in person, contact me to discuss an appointment. Online sessions are also available if travelling to London doesn't suit you.

Choose somewhere private and comfortable where you can talk freely and relax without interruptions. Have your camera and headphones ready, and give yourself a few minutes to settle. My What to Expect page explains online appointments and preparation in more detail.

Feeling relaxed can be a welcome part of a session, but the changes you want in everyday life matter too. Tell me both how the session felt and what you notice afterwards. We can use that conversation to review your goals and how the work is progressing.

Yes. You're welcome to ask how I work, what a technique involves and what the research says. You don't have to pretend to be convinced. A conversation can help you decide whether you'd feel comfortable exploring hypnotherapy with me.

I can't promise an individual result or an exact number of sessions. We can talk about your circumstances, the changes you're hoping for and how we'll review progress. That gives you a clearer starting point than a guarantee that the same result will happen for everyone.

No. A study of brain activity during hypnosis answers a different question from a trial of a treatment for a particular difficulty. The Stanford study linked in the sources explores brain activity and connections during hypnosis; it doesn't test every technique described in this guide.

No. Research needs to be considered in relation to what was studied, who took part and the treatment used. The anxiety review in the sources is relevant to anxiety; it isn't evidence that every approach works for every concern mentioned on this website.

Qualifications tell you about a practitioner's training or assessed experience. Professional registration gives you another way to check their professional background and the standards they work to. You can ask me about my qualifications and registrations before deciding whether to book.

No. HPD stands for Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma. SQHP stands for Senior Qualification in Hypnotherapy Practice, from the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council. I hold both, alongside a BSc (Hons) in Psychology. My About Me page gives more detail about my background.

Yes. You can ask how confidentiality works and what its professional and legal limits are before sharing details. I explain these limits before we begin. You can also ask about how your information is handled if that would help you feel more comfortable.

You're welcome to ask for general information about my work or pass on my contact details. The person considering sessions should have the opportunity to ask their own questions and decide whether they want to take part. They can contact me directly when they're ready.

A brief outline of what you'd like help with, whether you'd prefer London or online appointments, and any questions you want to ask is a useful start. You don't need to send a detailed personal history in your first message.

Ask about training, professional registration, experience, how sessions work, fees and how progress is reviewed. You can also ask which approaches they use and how they choose between them. Feeling able to ask questions is a useful part of deciding who suits you.

No. People bring different concerns, circumstances and goals. I discuss your needs with you at the initial consultation and we review how things are going. Someone else's experience doesn't establish exactly how many sessions you will need.

Taking time to relax can feel good in itself. In hypnotherapy, we also have a particular change in mind and use suggestions or other techniques in that context. The conversation about what you'd like help with gives the hypnosis its therapeutic focus.

Tell me. You can ask for an explanation, different wording or a pause. It helps me to know how you're experiencing the session, rather than have you feel you must go along with something simply because I suggested it.

My Treatments page links to information about the different concerns I work with, including anxiety, sleep, confidence, fears and habits. This page explains hypnotherapy more broadly. You can also contact me if you're unsure which page is relevant to you.

Make a note of anything you'd like explained and what you'd hope to change in your own life. You can then contact me with those questions. My What to Expect page also explains the practical side of a first appointment, so you can make an informed decision.