FAQs

Sessions are shaped around you or your child and move at a pace that feels comfortable and manageable. We begin by exploring what has brought you to therapy and what you would like to feel different.

Sessions may include conversation, practical strategies, reflection and, where appropriate, therapeutic techniques to support emotional regulation and confidence. There is no pressure to talk about anything before it feels right, and the focus is always on creating a safe and supportive space.

It is very natural to feel unsure when considering therapy, and many people take time to decide what feels right for them or their child. If you’re noticing ongoing worries, emotional distress, changes in behaviour, or that everyday situations are feeling harder to manage, therapy can offer a supportive place to explore this.

A free introductory call gives you the chance to talk things through, ask any questions, and get a sense of whether working together feels comfortable. This call offers a relaxed opportunity to see whether this feels like the right support for you or your child, with no pressure to commit.

No. Therapy is always paced carefully, and there is no expectation to talk about anything before it feels comfortable.

For children and young people especially, therapy may involve creative, practical or imaginative activities alongside conversation. The aim is to support expression in ways that feel natural and manageable, rather than overwhelming.

Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy involves talking and emotional support, much like counselling, while also offering a practical, present and future-focused approach.

It looks at how your thoughts, emotions and behaviours are affecting you now, and supports you to develop healthier ways of responding in the present and future.

Past experiences may be briefly explored where they help explain current patterns, but the focus is not on detailed exploration of the past.

Sessions combine conversation with practical strategies and focused attention, including hypnosis where appropriate. This approach supports confidence, emotional regulation and lasting change in a collaborative and supportive way.

Hypnosis is simply a calm, focused state of attention — a bit like being absorbed in a story or a daydream. You’re fully aware and in control, but the mind becomes quieter and more receptive.

Hypnosis is one of the tools used in CBH, alongside cognitive-behavioural techniques. Through hypnosis, the conscious mind (the thinking mind) relaxes, and the subconscious mind (where many of our habits, emotional reactions and learned patterns are stored) becomes more open and responsive. In this calmer state, it becomes easier to develop new ways of thinking, healthier reactions and supportive habits in a natural, steady way.

CBH is a collaborative process. I guide you through the steps of hypnosis, and you’re actively involved in the process. You stay aware and in control at every stage.

No, clinical hypnotherapy is nothing like what you see on stage or TV. There is no loss of control and nothing surprising or dramatic. In therapy, hypnosis feels more like gentle focus or guided daydreaming. You stay aware, comfortable and in control the whole time. The goal is simply to create a calm space where it is easier to focus on healthier and more helpful ideas.

Hypnosis is a calm and focused state of attention.

Typically, we begin by helping the mind and body settle, often using breathing, imagery or guided focus (sometimes called induction). As relaxation increases, attention naturally becomes more focused and distractions fade into the background, similar to being absorbed in a story or daydream (often referred to as deepening).

In this calm and focused state, we work with helpful ideas and therapeutic suggestions that support confidence, emotional regulation or changes in habits and responses (therapeutic suggestions). This part of the session is collaborative and moves at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

We then gently bring attention back to the room, so you finish the session feeling grounded, calm and clear (emerging). You remain aware and in control throughout the whole process.

Children experience hypnosis in a more imaginative and interactive way. They naturally focus through stories, favourite characters, drawing, creative activities or their own interests, and these are used as part of the process. Children may move around, talk, draw, keep their eyes open or hold a toy while they listen. All of this is completely normal.

In this way, therapeutic ideas are gently introduced through stories or imagery, helping children feel calmer, more confident and supported. Over time, this helps them build skills that support emotional regulation and make everyday challenges feel more manageable.

Yes. Hypnosis is a safe and calm state of focused attention. You stay aware and in control throughout, and we only use hypnosis when it feels comfortable and appropriate for you or your child.

Therapy can be helpful when children, teenagers or adults are experiencing anxiety, worries, low confidence, emotional overwhelm, school or exam stress, specific fears or phobias, or habits such as nail biting, thumb sucking or bedwetting. I also support people through periods of change or transition, and help build resilience and emotional skills.

This varies from person to person. Some people notice improvements quite quickly, while others benefit from a steadier pace. Children often respond well to imaginative and practical work, but sessions always move at a pace that feels safe and appropriate.

As a general guide, many clients work with me for around four to eight sessions, though this can vary depending on individual needs and circumstances.

Because Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy is a skills-based approach, small activities between sessions can help reinforce our work. These might include keeping a simple thought diary, practising a calming technique, trying a small behaviour experiment, or using brief self-hypnosis. These tasks are always agreed together and designed to feel manageable.

Yes. For younger children, having a parent nearby can help them feel settled and secure. As children grow older, some prefer a little more independence. We always talk this through together and decide what feels most supportive. Parents are included where helpful, and involvement is welcomed in a way that feels natural and appropriate.

Yes. What is shared in sessions is treated with care and kept confidential. When working with children, parents are kept appropriately informed, while also respecting the child’s privacy and growing independence.

Confidentiality would only need to be broken if there were concerns about someone’s safety or wellbeing, such as a risk of harm to the client or to others.

There are some conditions that I am not able to work with, as they require specialist knowledge and experience beyond my scope of practice. These include psychosis, personality disorders, complex trauma, addiction and epilepsy.

If Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy is not the most appropriate approach for you or your child, I will do my best to help guide you towards support that is better suited to your needs.