Frequently asked questions
Clients often have the same questions and concerns, so I have answered below some of the questions you might have about therapy.
If you still have questions or would like to discuss anything more please do not hesitate to contact me. Your initial consultation will also allow enough time for you to ask as many questions as you like.
Where do you provide therapy from?
I offer hypnotherapy from my therapy office based in in Surbiton, Surrey.
I also offer hypnotherapy online, via video conferencing software. When you book an online session with me, you will receive a link to Zoom to access our session during the scheduled time.
Please note I am unable to work online with clients if dialling in from outside of England, United Kingdom. This includes where you might be in another country for short periods, such as holidays. This is because I do not hold the relevant insurance for overseas remote therapy, as well as international laws which may apply to remote therapy.
Which online platform do you use?
Our online therapy sessions are conducted via Zoom which is an encrypted service. You will be provided a personalised link and password for our sessions.
Here is a guide on how to use Zoom
Alternatively, we may also use Google Meet for our sessions in the event of technical difficulties. All Google Meet meetings are encrypted by default and password protected.
Here is a guide on how to use Google Meet
Do you work with couples, families or children?
I only work with adult clients, age eighteen or over. I do not work with children, couples or families.
Do you take clients in the Access to Work scheme?
Yes, I work with clients within the Access to Work scheme. For details on eligibility, please see https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/eligibility
During the hypnosis, will I still be in control?
Yes, you will remain completely in control. Hypnotherapy is very different to 'stage hypnosis' and whilst being in trance you are fully aware and in control of yourself. Should you need to become alert at any point during the session you can open your eyes and be fully awake.
What if I'm not hypnotisable?
It may be surprising to hear, but all of us go in and out of trance states throughout the day (just think about times when you've zoned out in front of the tv, or in a lecture, or scrolling social media). We often don't realise that we have drifted into a light trance in our daily life, so hypnosis something you already can do! You might also drift deeper on different days, and this is normal.
How many sessions will I need?
I am trained in solution-focussed therapy, meaning that I work with you to find the most cost-efficient route into working through the issue with you. The marvellous thing about hypnosis is that working with the unconscious helps us get to root of the issue quickly, which saves a lot of 'surface-level talking time.
As a general guide it's common to have between 6-9 sessions for getting to know you, exploring issues and working with the unconscious. The amount of sessions you will need will depend on your issue and your specific needs.
You don't promise to fix issues within a number of sessions. Why not?
I personally do not set session number goals with clients, or promise clients that I will 'cure a phobia in one 60-minute session', because it puts undue pressure on the sessions. At worst those types of quick-fix hypnosis sessions can lead to short-term fixes, without properly resolving what is going on underneath.
Instead, I build a tailored approach around you, so that together we can work towards lasting changes.
Are our sessions confidential?
Hypnotherapy is highly confidential and is carried out within strict professional boundaries. Confidentiality will be strictly upheld in line with The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) code of ethics, the NSTT code of ethics, and the UK legal requirements.
There are exceptions where confidentiality does not apply, such as where withholding information means I would breach the codes of ethics or the law, for example in the case of disclosure concerning acts of terrorism, vulnerable adult or child protection issues, drug trafficking, and other issues, confidentiality will be breached and such disclosures will be passed onto the relevant authority without delay. Due consideration should be exercised before disclosing anything of a previously unreported criminal nature, as I am obligated to contact relevant authorities. In such exceptional circumstances, including where there is concern for your wellbeing or that of others, I will usually discuss this with you where possible.
Please see the Client Therapy Agreement and Therapy Privacy Policy for full details on confidentiality.
I am guided by the UK-GDPR and Data Protection Act in terms of my record keeping systems. As I process sensitive data and special category data, in order to work together I will require you to sign a copy of the Therapy Privacy Policy, to show that you understand and consent to how your data will be collected and processed.
Please see the Therapy Privacy Policy for full details of how our session notes are recorded and stored.
Do you offer crisis support between sessions?
I do not offer a crisis support service in between sessions, and usually I ask that all contact takes place within session times. You are very welcome to discuss with me if you feel you need contact between sessions.
If you need to cancel or change an appointment, then you are welcome to call, email or text me.
Cancellation policy
If you need to cancel a therapy session for any reason, please give as much notice as you can, this enables me to offer that appointment to someone else. If you cancel within 48 hours of a session, then 50% of the session fee will be due. If less than 24 hours’ notice is given, then full payment for the missed session will be due. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.