Questions you may have

Here are the answers to some questions you may have. There are also some questions that you may want to ask other therapists if you are planning to contact a few before you decide who you feel most comfortable with. 

How can you claim the session is personalised?
I ask each of my clients to answer some questions is advance of our session. This may be done by email or over the 'phone (free of charge). This gives me a lot of information to help me design the session in advance specifically for you. Many people find this a truly insightful exercise and this in itself can help towards the change that you want. Everyone is an individual and so no two sessions can be the same. I do not charge for this extra time and the preparation that goes into a session. It means that our time together can be used to the greatest effect.

How long is a session?
Typically a session will last up to 1.5 hours. A session to help you stop smoking will last more like 2.5 hours.

What happens in a session?
During the session there will be an initial discussion explaining a bit about the conscious and unconscious parts of our minds and what this means for your issue. We will work together using a variety of techniques, some involving visualisation, which can be surprisingly powerful and effective, and at some times you will experience a light trance state, enabling us to address the unconscious part of the mind directly. This can be a very pleasant experience and can leave you feeling energised and envigorated at the same time as being very relaxed.

At the end of the session you will receive a copy of any techniques that you can use for yourself that we covered in the session and any additional information that may be useful to you..

Will I be in control?
It is important to point out that in hypnosis you can never be made to do or say anything that you do not want to.
We may have an idea, based on stage hypnosis or scare stories in the news, that we might be out of control and do and say things that we don't want to. Thankfully this is not so.
Trance is a very natural state that we go in and out of every day many times, without even noticing. How many times have you driven the same route home, only not remembering the journey once you get there. Have you ever daydreamed through a meeting, so that you didn't hear something that was said? Have you ever watched the weather forecast and ended up with no idea if it is going to rain or not? All these are examples of a natural trance state. It is a state of concentrating inwards and having increased focus. Most people find it a very pleasant experience. To get to the point, you will be totally in contral at all times and may even be aware of, and remember everything that is said.

What did your training involve?
I was fortunate enough to train at the renowned Quest Institute with their acclaimed training Director and author Trevor Silvester. The Quest Institute provides probably the most thorough training out there over a period of 10 months covering  the science behind the techniques and approach that we use,  a great deal of practical hands on experience (In a session we wont do anything that I myself haven't experienced!) all brought together into an approach that puts the client and their solution at the very centre of our work.
Following the 10 month Diploma course, I subsequently trained as an NLP Master Practitioner, also at the Quest Institute, incorporating training as a 'Project You' coach.
I am also a Certified EFT Practitioner with the AMT. In addition I have undergone specialist training in Smoking Cessation, Psoriasis, Tinnitus and Weight Loss.

Are you a member of a Professional Body?
Yes, I am a member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH), a non-profit organisation dedicated to keeping the standards of the profession at the absolute highest level. All practising NCH members must be fully insured and adhere to the strict code of ethics.

How do you keep up to date and fresh?
As members of the National Council for Hypnotherapy, we are obliged to carry out a certain amount of 'Continued Professional Development' activities every year. This can take the form of attendance at Conferences or attending  additional specialist courses. Personally, I love learning, and end up doing far more of this than I am required to! I have had specialist training in Smoking Cessation, treating Psoriasis, treating Tinnitus and weight loss among others.

Members of the NCH are also obliged to have supervision by a qualified supervisor on a regular basis or the first two years of practise. A number of us have chosen to continue this beyond the required time, for as long as we are in practise, as It ensures that we are adhering to the very best approach for our clients. All discussions with a supervisor are in the strictest confidence and individual clients remain completely anonymous.

What should I look for in a therapist?
It is quite possible that you are reading this because you are looking for a therapist who can help you. It is a good thing to look around and spend a bit of time finding someone that you are completely comfortable with. If you are doing this I would urge you to find out what training and experience the therapist has.  Please ensure that they are members of the NCH and that they are fully insured. I think it is also important that they tailor the session for you in some way. this is important because although two people may seem to have the same issue, it will mean very different things to each of them, and this needs to be taken into account. Above all, you need to be completely comfortable.

Flexible appointments available in Noth West London and the City by special arrangement