What to expect from a hypnotherapy session

No. You can start with what feels difficult or what you wish were easier. We can talk about the changes you'd like to notice in everyday life. You don't need to know which technique you want or have the perfect explanation ready.

Yes, if that helps you feel prepared. A few notes about what you'd like help with, questions you'd like answered and what you hope will change can be useful. You don't need to write a detailed account or read from notes during hypnosis.

A brief outline of what you'd like help with is a useful starting point. You can ask about the appointment and how I work before deciding what else to share. There is time to discuss relevant background when we meet.

You can ask about my approach, qualifications, fees, appointment format and how progress is reviewed. If there's something about hypnosis that worries you, tell me. The About Hypnotherapy page also explains the different approaches and techniques I draw on.

My practice is at Longcroft House, 2–8 Victoria Avenue, London EC2M 4NS, near Liverpool Street. Contact me to discuss an appointment in London. If travelling doesn't suit you, I also offer online sessions via Zoom.

Please ask before booking if you have particular access or comfort requirements. That gives us the opportunity to discuss the arrangements you need. Online appointments are another option to talk through if attending the London practice would be difficult.

You don't need to study beforehand. Reading the About Hypnotherapy page can help if you want an introduction, but you can bring your questions to the appointment. We talk about what you're hoping for and I explain the work as we go.

Start with an example of when you notice it, or something you would like to feel easier. It might be a meeting, bedtime or a familiar habit. You don't need a clinical label or a polished explanation for us to begin a conversation.

Yes. Let me know if you prefer clear, practical language or if an example hasn't made sense to you. You can ask me to explain something differently. Understanding how you like to communicate helps me tailor the session.

No. Tell me what you'd like help with and I can explain the approaches and techniques that could fit. I draw on a variety of methods. You can ask what a technique involves or tell me if something doesn't appeal to you.

Tell me about the concerns that matter to you and which feel most pressing. We can talk about where to begin and what you'd like to focus on. That conversation helps us make the session relevant to your own circumstances.

Tell me when we meet. You might have thought of something else that's important, or a recent situation may have made your priorities clearer. We can talk about what you'd like to focus on rather than rely only on your original enquiry.

Yes. You can ask what an exercise involves and why I'm suggesting it. If you don't understand a word or an instruction, say so. Asking questions helps make the work a conversation rather than something you feel you must simply follow.

Not necessarily. I choose techniques to suit you and what you'd like help with. We also talk about how you're getting on. What we focus on can develop as the work progresses and you notice what is helpful in everyday life.

No. During hypnosis you can settle and listen. If there's something from our conversation you'd like to remember, we can talk about it before or afterwards. Your personalised recording also gives you a way to listen again at home.

Yes. Tell me if you would prefer different wording, an explanation or another way of approaching an exercise. You don't need to keep a preference to yourself. Knowing what feels useful to you helps me tailor the work.

You can tell me if you find picturing things difficult. Imagery can also involve sounds, sensations or simply a sense of what something would be like. There are other techniques too, so you don't need to produce a perfect picture in your mind.

Describe it in your own words. You might notice relaxation, a change in your sense of time, or something more ordinary than you expected. Your experience gives us something to talk about; it isn't a test with a correct description to memorise.

Make a note of it so we can discuss it. If you need to ask something before your next appointment, you can contact me. You don't have to remember every question during the session itself.

Notice small, everyday examples of how you're feeling and responding: what felt easier, what went well and what you'd like more help with. Those details can be useful when we review your progress, alongside how the appointment itself felt.

Your experience may be more gradual than that. Small changes can build session by session. Tell me what you notice, including anything that hasn't changed, so we can have a useful conversation about how you're getting on.

Yes. Tell me how you're feeling before we finish, especially if you feel sleepy or need a moment. It's useful to allow yourself time to get comfortable and gather your thoughts rather than feel you must rush away.

You can choose a time that fits your routine, when it's safe to relax with your eyes closed. Many people listen in bed. A routine that you can comfortably keep is more useful than worrying about finding a perfect time on the clock.

No. Keep it for a time when you can safely relax with your eyes closed, such as resting on the sofa or in bed. Don't use it while driving, operating machinery or doing anything that needs your full attention.

Choose a comfortable volume where you can hear my voice clearly without straining. Settle somewhere you can relax safely. If you have difficulty hearing the recording, let me know so we can discuss it.

No. Listening isn't a memory test. Settle comfortably and listen without trying to memorise every phrase. If something you hear raises a question about the work we're doing, make a note and bring it to our next conversation.

Tell me. We can talk about your routine and where listening could fit comfortably. It is useful for me to know what you're finding practical between appointments, so our conversation reflects your actual week.

You can if you find it useful. A few everyday examples of what went well, what felt easier and what you'd like to discuss can help you remember things. You don't need to keep a detailed diary or make it another pressure on your time.

You can return to your routine when you have a comfortable, safe opportunity. Bring up any difficulty fitting it in when we next talk. The recording is there to support the work between appointments, rather than become something you worry about getting perfect.

Tell me honestly. We can discuss what the week has been like, look at your goals and review the work. You don't need to find something positive to say just because you think that's what I want to hear.

We can talk about what's become important since we last met and what you'd like help with now. Sessions are tailored to you. Bringing an example from your week can help explain why you'd like to shift the focus.

Yes. Tell me about changes that are relevant to the work we're doing, such as a new pressure or a different goal. That helps keep the conversation and the session connected to what is happening in your life now.

Think about what you would notice in an ordinary situation: settling at bedtime, speaking in a meeting or responding differently to a trigger. We can use those examples alongside scaling questions, so progress has a meaning that is personal to you.

Yes, you can ask about the options and availability that suit you. I offer appointments in London and online via Zoom. Let me know your preference when arranging a session so we can discuss the practical details.

Check that your camera, microphone, headphones and internet connection are working and that your device has enough power. Choose a comfortable position where you can see the screen for our conversation. Preparing those practical details can help you settle without rushing.

Please discuss your device with me before the appointment. A laptop or tablet with a camera and headphones is the setup described in this guide. Letting me know what you have gives us time to talk through a workable arrangement.

Choose a private room, silence notifications and let anyone nearby know that you need some uninterrupted time. Have what you need within reach before we start. If an interruption does happen, tell me so we can pause and settle again.

A private room at work can be an option if you can talk freely, get comfortable and avoid interruptions. Think about whether other people could hear you and whether you have enough time before the room is needed again. Discuss your setup with me if you're unsure.

Ask me before sharing the details. You can discuss how confidentiality works, its limits and how your information is handled. Feeling able to ask those questions is part of deciding whether you're comfortable working with me.

My About Hypnotherapy page explains hypnosis and the different approaches and techniques I draw on. This page focuses on the practical experience of an appointment. You're welcome to contact me with questions about either before deciding to book.