Hypnotherapy FAQs

Hypnotherapy can support a wide range of issues, including:

• Anxiety and stress
• Low mood
• Smoking cessation
• Phobias and fears
• Confidence and self-esteem
• Sleep problems
• Overthinking
• Habits and unwanted behaviours
• OCD
• ADHD

If you’re unsure whether hypnotherapy is right for your situation, booking a free consultation is the best first step.

Yes. Hypnotherapy is particularly effective for anxiety and stress-related issues.

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy works by:

• Reducing overactivity in the “fight or flight” response
• Strengthening the rational, problem-solving areas of the brain
• Building confidence and emotional resilience
• Interrupting negative thought patterns

Rather than analysing the past in detail, we focus on helping your brain move forward in a calmer, more resourceful way.

Hypnosis (sometimes called trance) is a natural state of focused attention and relaxation. Most people describe it as:

• Feeling calm and deeply relaxed
• Being absorbed in their thoughts
• Similar to daydreaming
• Like the moments just before falling asleep
• A sense of mental quiet or stillness

You are not unconscious. You can hear everything being said and remain fully in control.

Some people feel physically heavy and relaxed. Others simply feel calm and focused. There is no “right” way to experience hypnosis. The depth of relaxation varies from person to person, and deeper does not mean more effective.

The goal is not to “go under,” but to create a state where your mind is more open to positive change.

Read more about What Happens In The Mind During Hypnosis.

Yes. Hypnotherapy is considered safe when practiced by a qualified and experienced professional. It is:

• Non-invasive
• Drug-free
• Collaborative
• Based on natural brain processes

You remain in control throughout the session. Choosing a therapist registered with a recognised professional body ensures ethical and professional standards are upheld.

No, you will not lose control.

You remain aware of your surroundings and cannot be made to do anything against your will or values. Hypnosis is not mind control. It is a state of focused relaxation where you are actively participating in the process.

If at any point you wanted to open your eyes or move, you could.

Read more about Hypnotherapy Myths & Misconceptions.

Most clients remember their session clearly. Some describe it as feeling dreamlike or deeply relaxed.

Even if parts feel hazy, this does not affect the effectiveness of the therapy. The goal is positive change, not achieving a particular “depth” of trance.

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) combines:

• Solution Focused Brief Therapy
• Neuroscience and brain-based education
• Clinical hypnosis

Rather than analysing problems in depth, we focus on:

• What you want instead
• Your strengths and resources
• Practical steps forward

This approach is grounded in research around neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new neural pathways and change patterns of thinking.

Read an in-depth article on Solution Focused Hypnotherapy.

Traditional talk therapy often explores past experiences and the origins of difficulties.

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy focuses more on:

• Present strengths
• Future goals
• Practical behavioural change
• Reducing anxiety at a neurological level

It can be used as a standalone therapy or alongside counselling, CBT or medication (where appropriate).

Yes. Hypnotherapy can be very effective for phobias, particularly specific or single-event phobias (such as flying, needles, spiders or public speaking).

Phobias are learned fear responses stored in the brain’s threat system. Hypnotherapy works by:

• Reducing the intensity of the fear response
• Helping the brain reprocess the trigger safely
• Strengthening rational, calm responses
• Rewiring unhelpful associations through neuroplasticity

Many simple phobias respond within around 3–4 sessions. Complex trauma-related fears may require a different or more integrated therapeutic approach.

The aim is not to force you to “face your fear,” but to help your nervous system feel safer so the trigger no longer produces the same automatic reaction.

Most people can enter hypnosis, as it is a natural state we experience daily (for example, daydreaming or becoming absorbed in a task).

You do not need to be “good” at relaxing or visualising. Hypnosis is guided and adapted to your individual style.

Willingness and collaboration are far more important than “going deep.”

In most cases: yes. Hypnotherapy can be supportive for people with a history of anxiety, depression or stress-related issues.

However, certain complex or severe mental health conditions may require additional medical support. In some cases, your therapist may ask to liaise with your GP or healthcare provider.

Your safety and wellbeing are always the priority.

Many clients experience lasting change.

Hypnotherapy works by strengthening new neural pathways and healthier patterns of thinking. The more these patterns are reinforced (both in and between sessions), the more sustainable the change.

The ultimate aim is to equip you with tools and understanding so you can maintain progress independently.

Yes. Hypnosis is not sleep or unconsciousness.

Most people feel calm and clear afterwards. If you feel particularly relaxed, you may choose to sit for a few minutes before driving, but there are no restrictions.

Yes. There is a growing body of research supporting the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for specific issues.

For example, a 2022 a preliminary study by Inspired to Change examined the effectiveness of SFH among Officers and Staff in Northumbria Police. Of those who completed 8-12 sessions:

• 100% were getting better as a result of therapy
• 78% recovered completely
• 84% average increase in Life wellness score

Clinical hypnosis has been studied in relation to: anxiety and stress, IBS and gut-related conditions, chronic pain, phobias, and sleep problems. Research suggests hypnosis can help regulate the nervous system, reduce overactivity in the stress response, and strengthen new neural pathways through neuroplasticity. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy also draws on established psychological approaches such as Solution Focused Brief Therapy and modern neuroscience.

While hypnotherapy is not a replacement for medical treatment, it is widely recognised as a complementary therapeutic approach.

Yes, online hypnotherapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions.

Hypnosis does not depend on physical presence. What matters is focused attention and guided relaxation, both of which work very well over secure video platforms.

Many clients find online sessions:

• More convenient
• Easier to fit into busy schedules
• More comfortable in their own environment

As long as you have a quiet, private space and a stable internet connection, online Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can deliver the same benefits as face-to-face work.

Your first session is designed to help you understand how hypnotherapy works and to clarify what you would like to change. This is what you can expect:

• We’ll talk about your goals for hypnotherapy in more detail.
• I’ll ask some follow-up questions to make sure we have a complete picture.
• I’ll explain how the process will work, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.

You will never be put “on the spot,” and there is no pressure to share more than you feel comfortable with.

Book your free initial consultation.