Frequently Asked Questions

The majority of treatments will take place over two or more approximately 50 minute consultations. More complex problems may require several consultations, as a guideline, I advise patients to budget for between 3 and 6 consultations; progress is continually assessed during treatment. All initial consultations start with the taking of a detailed case history usually followed by a short hypnosis session. Smoking cessation can be carried out in a single 1½ hour consultation if desired but I prefer to offer a two session approach to this therapy. In most cases you will not be asked to pay for any more than the current session and are free to, but may be ill-advised to, discontinue treatment at any time subject to sufficient notice being given as detailed in the terms and conditions. An exception to this is two session smoking cessation therapy when the full fee is payable on the first consultation.

Is Hypnotherapy Guaranteed to Cure Me?

Hypnotherapy is beneficial for many complaints and disorders and its positive effects were officially recognised by the British Medical Association in 1955 and the American Medical Association in 1958; the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended its use for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Hypnosis works with the subject rather than 'on them', working towards the benefit of the patient with respect to the condition which is the focus of the treatment. Different disorders produce different outcomes, some patients' problem may be completely relieved whilst others may be made more acceptable to them allowing them to live a fuller and more enjoyable life. So, like other therapies, the outcome is usually positive but a cure is never guaranteed.

Is Hypnotherapy Expensive?

That is a matter of opinion, I operate in the private sector so charge a fee for each consultation. However, you can rest assured that Hypnotherapy is affordable to most people and the benefit that can be gained from it compared to the number of appointments normally needed is such that the cost is justified. My consultation fee is comparable, on a pro rata basis with respect to time, to many other therapies and reflects both the quality and the brevity of the treatment.

Hypnotherapy is termed a 'brief therapy' meaning that, compared to some other therapies, patients can be expected to reach their goal faster, usually in weeks rather than months or years. With the exception of smoking therapy, you will only be charged for the current consultation so you will remain in control of the cost. Please don't hesitate to ring, you will not be placed under any obligation. I am not the cheapest Clinical Hypnotherapist in the area, but do you really want the cheapest when it comes to helping you with your problem(s)? This is especially true as most people will only ever visit a hypnotherapist once in their life.

I am listed in the NHS Directory of Complementary and Alternative Practitioners for Lancaster and Preston; your GP or consultant may agree to refer you; if so, I have registered this practice so that I can be paid directly from the NHS.

Can I get Treament on the NHS?

There is little likelihood of getting treatment through the NHS even though its effectiveness as a therapy was officially recognised by the British Medical Association in 1955 and by the American Medical Association in 1958.

Your GP or other health professional may suggest hypnotherapy or EMDR but are most unlikely to offer to fund it. There is no reason why the NHS cannot fund treatment, it buys in services from a wide range of sources. If you ask for treatment and are refused you can adapt this draft letter from the NHS Trusts Association  (opens as a Word document) and submit it to your local NHS Trust to ask why treatment was being refused. It is probable that in some cases hypnotherapy treatment would eliminate or significantly reduce the need for expensive drugs so saving money. If you suffer from IBS then you may wish to argue that the National institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends hypnotherapy as a treatment option Advisory Document on IBS from NIHCE.

How Can I Find A Competent Hypnotherapist?

Hypnotherapy is currently unregulated in the UK meaning that anyone can set up as a Clinical Hypnotherapist regardless of the training, if any, that they have received. I have met one who was issued with a certificate after a single weekend course.

Even with specialist knowledge of the subject it can be difficult to ascertain the competence of a Hypnotherapist or the quality of their training. In making your selection do not be afraid to ask for information about them or to contact their professional body to confirm their status. If any Hypnotherapist is evasive, fails to answer your questions, refuses to do so or cannot give a proper account of their qualfications and the training that led to their award then exercise caution; my details are fully checkable via the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis (BSCH)

This link will take you to the BSCH's information about choosing a "Finding a Good Hypnotherapist"

What is EMDR?

EMDR is short for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, a technique that was developed in the late 1980s.

It is a non-hypnotic technique that allows disturbing memories to be reprocessed so that they become much less troublesome. It does not remove memories but changes the emotions attached to them so that they become more comfortable. Events that respond well to EMDR include assaults of any kind, accidents, witnessing traumatic events, abuse and phobias and the treatment is of great use for those in the emergency or military services and others who are exposed to traumatic scenes and situations

I use EMDR in conjunction with hypnotherapy so that different aspects of a problem can be tackled in a more comprehensive way. Not every patient will receive EMDR treatment; like all my therapy, each patient is treated as an individual and their treatment is tailored according to their individual needs.

Is Hypnotherapy Safe?

You will not suffer any ill effects from being hypnotised by a competent and qualified hypnotherapist. You will not fail to wake up nor undergo any personality change unless the condition being treated has been causing an effect on the personality which then returns to normal. My practice is part of a network that draws on the experience and knowledge of each of its members to ensure that best practice is always applied. In the event that I believe that hypnosis is inadvisable in a particular case or at a particular time you will be so advised and only that session will be charged for. Fees and Cancellation

Confidentiality                            

As a full member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis (BSCH) I am bound by their ethical conditions. These conditions protect both the patient and the therapist and help to ensure that you receive the best and most suitable treatment or range of treatments available. To view this practice's statement on confidentiality click here

One feature of hypnotherapy is that, as the problem and solution are within the patient, some specific aspects of the problem may not need to be communicated to the therapist.

From time to time I make recordings of sessions, these remain confidential and are used to allow me to periodically re-assess consultations, you will be asked for your agreement before a recording is made.

Myths and Misconceptions

Novelists, film producers and the public at large have been fascinated by the idea of mind control by evil-intentioned hypnotists. Most have heard of Svengali brought to life in George du Maurier's novel "Trilby" published in 1894 and which gave rise to a legend.

This and other tales such as that of Rasputin helped to generate a public perception that concentrated on the negative use of hypnosis and many of those same misguided attitudes and opinions are still held by some today. The truth is that the taking over of the subject's mind by the hypnotist will not happen, neither are long-term trances possible under hypnosis; the subject's willingness and co-operation are always required.

Again, contrary to popular belief, therapy does not always involve regressing the patient to their earlier life. In fact, in most cases, other hypnotic procedures are preferable in the first instance. Nor will you fail to re-awaken when asked to do so at the end of the consultation.