About Hypnotherapy

What is Clinical Hypnotherapy?

Clinical hypnotherapy is considered one of the oldest forms of psychotherapy. It is recognised globally as having a role in the treatment of depression, anxiety, psychological trauma, PTSD, insomnia, dissociative illness, functional illness, psychosomatic disorders and mood disorders.

Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy used to readjust the subconscious mind. When in hypnosis, you put your mind and body into a heightened state of learning, making your mind more open to positive suggestion for self-improvement or behaviour modification. The goal is to rebalance the subconscious and conscious mind allowing them to work together in harmony, which in turn helps give you greater control over your behaviour, emotions and physical wellbeing.

Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not a state of deep sleep. It involves the induction of an induced state of deep relaxation. In hypnosis you are acutely aware, concentrated and focused and it is in this state that the conscious mind can relax and stay calm and become more responsive to positive suggestions, ideas, concepts and lifestyle changes.

What does hypnotherapy feel like?

The experience of a hypnotic trance is not altogether unusual. On the contrary, it feels similar to countless other moments in your life where you may have been absorbed in a good book or movie, lost in thought, engrossed in music, driving to your destination and not really remembering quite how you got there or even meditating.

Meditation is actually very close to a trance state without being guided there, as you would be in hypnotherapy.

Once you enter a state of hypnosis, your body will feel calm and relaxed, similar to the way you might feel when meditating. Your therapist will speak to you in a calm and gently assertive voice, and place the suggestions you agreed to in your treatment plan into your subconscious mind.

Who is it good for?

If you want to have hypnotherapy, you are a good candidate for it. Hypnosis is a willing state. If someone is trying to hypnotise you against your will, it simply won’t work. For that reason, if you are extremely sceptical of its efficacy, or if you are frightened of it, it may not work for you.

What is solution focused Hypnotherapy?

Unlike traditional forms of therapy which take many sessions to uncover problems, the paths which led to them and past life events, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy concentrates on finding solutions to your problems in the present time and exploring ways in which to solve your problems in real time. This method takes the approach that you know what you need to do to improve your own life and, with the appropriate coaching and questioning, are capable of finding the best solutions to improve or alleviate your symptoms yourself.

Hypnotherapy is not...

Hypnotherapy is not at all like the performances you see in stage shows, where you might see people barking like a dog or clucking like a chicken. There are no swinging pocket watches and no mind control. In a hypnotherapy session you are in control the entire time. You will hear the suggestions made to you, and you will be able to remember them after the session. Hypnosis cannot do anything that a client resists.

Now let’s dispel a few myths:

You cannot get stuck in hypnosis – this is quite impossible.
You do not become in any way unconscious or semi-conscious.
You cannot, at any time, be made to do things you do not want to do.
You are totally aware of yourself and your surroundings at all times.
You do not go to sleep.
You are not in anyone’s power, and nobody can take control of you.
You can leave the hypnotic state whenever you want.
You cannot lose your mind.
Hypnosis cannot permanently remove memories or thoughts from your mind.
You will not suddenly blurt out your ‘dark’ secrets.
Hypnosis cannot bestow psychic abilities or supernatural powers.
Hypnosis cannot make you act against, or abandon, your moral code.
You do not say or do ‘funny things’ unless you want to.
Hypnosis is a truly natural state of mind and body and is therefore perfectly safe.

Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy

What's the difference?

Learn More

Client Testimonials

"Relaxed atmosphere and really worked! Gail listened and tailored the session to my individual needs. Would highly recommend and have done to two other people."

“Gail is so professional and makes you feel instantly at ease. I can’t believe how life changing it’s been. Thank you Gail!”

“Gail is fantastic. She recently worked wonders on my fear of flying. Having never had hypnotherapy before I was a little nervous, but she made me feel totally at ease and filled me with confidence with her friendly, caring & professional nature. She offered a free pre-consultation over the phone before I chose her & also shared recordings of our sessions as follow up, which were great to listen to in bed and on the plane too. I wholeheartedly recommend her & have in fact already passed her details to a friend!”

“Seeing Gail for my exams is the best thing I have ever done. Walking into an exam room I would be extremely stressed and sometimes I would be sick. My last two exams I have done since seeing Gail, I have walked in feeling relaxed, knowing I could do it and both time come out with amazing marks. I have even improved at work with being asked questions and being put on the spot. Highly recommend Gail.”

“Gail has truly helped me in my hour of need. I've been fighting cancer for several years and through hypnosis she has given me the power to regain control. A true talent!”