Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the right type of therapy can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out alone. During your free initial consultation, we'll talk about what's bringing you to therapy, your goals, and any previous experiences you've had. Together, we'll decide whether counselling, EMDR therapy, hypnotherapy, or a combination of approaches is the best fit for your needs.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Every person is unique, and the therapy you receive should be too.

Hypnotherapy is a safe, natural and evidence-based therapeutic approach that uses guided relaxation and focused attention to help access the subconscious mind. In this deeply relaxed state, you remain aware and in control while becoming more open to positive therapeutic change.

Many of the thoughts, beliefs and behaviours that shape our lives operate below our conscious awareness. Hypnotherapy helps identify and address these underlying patterns, making it easier to overcome emotional blocks, change unhelpful habits and develop healthier ways of thinking and responding.

Hypnotherapy can be effective for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, stress, low confidence, fears and phobias, smoking cessation, weight management, emotional wellbeing and trauma. It can be used as a standalone therapy or alongside counselling and EMDR, depending on your individual needs and goals.

Every session is tailored to you, creating a calm, supportive environment where you can relax, feel safe and begin making meaningful, lasting changes.

Starting therapy can feel daunting, especially if it's your first time. My aim is to create a safe, welcoming and non-judgemental space where you can feel comfortable being yourself.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. We'll talk about what has brought you to therapy, your current challenges, what you hope to achieve, and answer any questions you may have. Together, we'll agree on the best approach for your needs, whether that's counselling, EMDR therapy, hypnotherapy or a combination of therapies.

Each session is tailored to you. Some sessions may focus on talking things through, helping you gain insight and understanding, while others may involve practical techniques, EMDR processing or hypnotherapy to support deeper change. We work at a pace that feels safe and comfortable, and you're always in control of the process.

There is no pressure to share anything before you're ready. Therapy is your space to be heard, understood and supported as you work towards the changes that matter most to you.

 Hypnotherapy can be an effective way of supporting a wide range of emotional, psychological and behavioural difficulties. By working with the subconscious mind, it can help you understand and change the thoughts, beliefs and habits that may be holding you back.

Hypnotherapy may help with:

• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Stress and overwhelm
• Low confidence and self-esteem
• Fears and phobias
• Smoking cessation
• Weight management and emotional eating
• Sleep difficulties and insomnia
• Trauma and PTSD (where appropriate)
• Grief and loss
• Relationship challenges
• Unwanted habits and behaviours
• Motivation and performance
• Health anxiety
• Chronic pain management (alongside medical care)
• Exam nerves and public speaking
• Relaxation and emotional wellbeing

Every person is unique, which is why no two sessions are the same. Following a free initial consultation, we'll discuss your goals and determine whether hypnotherapy is the right approach for you. In some cases, a combination of counselling, EMDR therapy and hypnotherapy may provide the most effective support.

No. 

This is one of the biggest myths about hypnosis.

During hypnotherapy, you remain aware of what is happening around you and stay in complete control throughout the session. Hypnosis is simply a state of deep relaxation and focused attention, similar to becoming absorbed in a good book or daydreaming.

You cannot be made to do, say or believe anything against your wishes or values. At any point, you can choose to speak, move, open your eyes or end the session if you want to.

As a qualified hypnotherapist, my role is to guide and support you in a safe, professional and collaborative way. Hypnotherapy isn't about losing control—it's about helping you gain greater control over your thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

Many people leave a session feeling calm, relaxed and refreshed, while also feeling more confident and empowered to make positive changes in their lives.

Thought Field Therapy (TFT) is a gentle, evidence-informed technique that helps reduce emotional distress by combining focused thoughts with light tapping on specific acupressure points on the body. It is based on the idea that emotional upset can disrupt the body's energy system, and that tapping while focusing on a particular issue can help calm the nervous system and reduce emotional intensity.

TFT can be helpful for a range of concerns, including anxiety, stress, fears and phobias, trauma, grief, low confidence, performance anxiety and overwhelming emotions. Many people notice a reduction in distress within a short period, allowing them to think more clearly and respond more calmly to challenging situations.

TFT can be used as a standalone approach or alongside counselling, EMDR therapy or hypnotherapy as part of a personalised treatment plan. Every session is tailored to your individual needs, helping you feel safe, supported and in control throughout the process.

If you're unsure whether Thought Field Therapy is right for you, we can discuss your goals during your free initial consultation and explore the approach that best meets your needs.

The number of sessions varies from person to person and depends on what you're looking to achieve. Some people come for support with a specific issue and find that a small number of sessions is enough, while others choose longer-term therapy to explore more complex or longstanding difficulties.

During your free initial consultation, we'll discuss what has brought you to therapy, your goals and the most appropriate approach for your needs. Together, we'll review your progress regularly and ensure your therapy continues to meet your goals.

There is no pressure to commit to a set number of sessions. Therapy is tailored to you, and we work at a pace that feels comfortable and supportive. Whether you're looking for short-term, solution-focused support or longer-term therapeutic work, we'll create a plan that is right for you.

Hypnotherapy works by guiding you into a state of deep relaxation and focused attention, allowing you to access the subconscious mind. This is the part of the mind where many of our habits, beliefs, emotions and automatic responses are stored.

When we're relaxed, the mind is often more receptive to exploring and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours. During hypnotherapy, we work together to understand what may be keeping you stuck and introduce positive, healthier ways of thinking, feeling and responding.

You remain fully aware and in control throughout the session. Hypnosis isn't about being asleep or losing control—it's about creating the right conditions for your mind to make meaningful and lasting changes.

Depending on your goals, hypnotherapy may involve relaxation techniques, guided imagery, positive suggestions or hypnoanalysis to explore and resolve the underlying causes of an issue. Every session is tailored to your individual needs, helping you move towards greater confidence, emotional wellbeing and positive change.

Hypnotherapy can be highly effective for many people, particularly when combined with a willingness to engage in the therapeutic process and make positive changes outside of sessions. Success depends on several factors, including the issue being addressed, your individual goals, and your commitment to the process.

Research has shown hypnotherapy can be beneficial for concerns such as anxiety, stress, fears and phobias, smoking cessation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), pain management, and certain unwanted habits. Many clients also find it helps improve confidence, emotional wellbeing and resilience.

Every person responds differently, which is why I take a personalised approach to therapy. During your free initial consultation, we'll discuss your goals and recommend the most appropriate treatment for your needs. In some cases, hypnotherapy alone may be the best option, while for others, combining it with counselling or EMDR therapy can provide the most effective and lasting results.

While no therapy can guarantee outcomes, many people experience meaningful and positive changes through hypnotherapy, helping them move forward with greater confidence, clarity and control.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps the brain process and heal from distressing or traumatic experiences that may have become "stuck." Rather than simply talking about difficult memories, EMDR helps the brain reprocess them so they no longer carry the same emotional intensity or impact on your daily life.

During an EMDR session, you'll be guided to briefly focus on a specific memory while using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping or alternating sounds. This process supports the brain's natural ability to process information, allowing distressing memories to become less overwhelming and more like something that happened in the past rather than something you're continually reliving.

EMDR follows a structured eight-phase approach, ensuring you have the coping skills and emotional resources needed before processing difficult memories. Therapy moves at a pace that feels safe and comfortable, and you remain fully aware and in control throughout the session.

EMDR is widely recognised as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD, but it can also help with anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, grief, low self-esteem, childhood experiences and other situations where past events continue to affect how you think, feel or respond today.

Every treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs, helping you process the past, reduce emotional distress and move forward with greater confidence and resilience.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is one of the most researched and effective therapies for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is recommended by organisations such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for the treatment of trauma.

EMDR can also be highly effective for a range of other difficulties, including anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, grief, low self-esteem and distressing life experiences that continue to impact your daily life.

Many people notice a reduction in emotional distress after EMDR, finding that difficult memories become less overwhelming and no longer trigger the same emotional or physical reactions. While the memories remain, they often feel more like events from the past rather than something that continues to affect the present.

Every person is different, and the success of EMDR depends on factors such as your individual experiences, current circumstances and treatment goals. During your initial consultation, we'll discuss whether EMDR is the most appropriate approach for you or whether another therapy—or a combination of therapies such as counselling and hypnotherapy—would better meet your needs.

Although no therapy can guarantee specific outcomes, EMDR has helped millions of people worldwide recover from trauma and regain confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing.