FAQs

Yes. Hypnotherapy is a legitimate form of therapy and is recognised by the NHS although treatment on the NHS is rarely available.

They recommend you choose a qualified professional. I have been awarded the General Qualification in Hypnotherapy Practice (GQHP).

Yes. I am a qualified clinical hypnotherapist and have been awarded the General Qualification in Hypnotherapy Practice (GQHP). I can work with you to solve issues that are affecting your life.

The diploma I took involved multiple courses on individual topics such as helping clients to stop smoking, lose weight, stop craving junk food, improve lifestyle, reduce stress or anxiety, deal with grief, increase confidence, reduce phobias, e.g. fear of dogs, cats, spiders, flying and many more. I have also taken additional courses in helping young people.

I first learned about hypnotherapy about ten years ago when I was trying to stop smoking. I had one session and never smoked since. I decided to train as a hypnotherapist initially just to learn more about it, but now I am doing it for a living helping several people a week make positive changes to their lives.

I love helping people and love to see how they develop as a result of my help and that is my main motivation for my career choice.

Most people describe it as deeply relaxing, like being in a daydream. You’re not asleep, but your mind is calm, and your body feels at ease. You’ll be able to hear everything and remember the session.

I have helped many of my clients with a variety of different things which are affecting their lives. Some examples include:

Weight loss

Smoking cessation

Reduce stress, anxiety or depression

Curing a phobia (such as spiders, dogs, cats, enclosed spaces, public speaking, flying)

Improving mental health or self-esteem

Stopping sugar cravings

Reducing alcohol intake

Dealing with grief or bereavement

Dealing with guilt

Dealing with trauma or childhood issues

Dealing with insomnia or improving sleep patterns

Improving sports performance

Helping with workplace issues such as bullying, confidence, stress management

And many more.... unlike medical treatment, hypnotherapy helps to provide a solution to the root of a problem, not the symptoms so the list can be endless. Contact me (see bottom of page) if there is anything else you think I may be able to help you with.

Most people can, as long as they’re open to the process. You don’t need to be highly suggestible or have experience with meditation or relaxation techniques. I’ll guide you through it gently, at your pace.

That’s completely understandable. Hypnotherapy can be a great next step, especially when other approaches haven’t worked long-term. We’ll take the time to understand what’s been difficult before and try a new way forward together.

There are a lot of common myths associated with hypnotherapy!

There are no swinging pocket watches involved.

You will not be asleep or unconscious at any point during the session.

I won’t put you ‘under a spell’.

I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to do. You will be in complete control of your actions and behaviour and will remember almost everything that I say to you during the session. You may have seen or heard of hypnotherapists making people think they are Elvis or making them cluck like a chicken! These are simply not true and hypnosis for entertainment is not conducted by qualified professionals.

I am very focussed on providing a practical problem to a solution. Many hypnotherapists combine their work with yoga, mindfulness treatment or scented candles. Whilst there is a place for this, it is not my own individual style.

Almost certainly, yes. I have helped many young people with issues such as a lack of self-confidence, bullying at school, exam stress, eating disorders and generally helping them find out who they want to be.

I have taken additional courses in learning how to help young people and it is a particular passion of mine.

Please do give me a call and tell me the specific issues and I will make a judgement on how I may be able to help them.

More information about my various hypnotherapy treatments is available on my website.

I also have a PDF Information Sheet which you can download from the Contacts section below.

You can also see some recent testimonials from happy clients.

I will have an initial discussion with you regarding your needs and let you know how I can help. There is no cost for this and you are not obliged to commit.

If you decide to make an appointment, I will prepare a detailed script for you which will be tailored specifically to your needs and use this at your first session. Successful hypnotherapy is a very personal experience and everyone is different. Some hypnotherapists will use the same script regardless of the individuals' needs, but I take a lot of time to ensure that the script is personalised to increase the chances of success.

I conduct the vast majority of sessions from home in Topcliffe.

My location is convenient for Thirsk, York, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Harrogate, Wetherby, north Leeds, Northallerton, Bedale, Yarm, Teesside, Richmond and surrounding areas. I am not far from the A1 so this makes my location very accessible.

First of all, I will talk the process through with you before we start and answer any questions or concerns.

Once you are ready, I will ‘induce’ you into a state of hypnosis before I start using therapy techniques and approaches whilst you are listening to calm and relaxing music. When you are in this trance-like state, you will respond more readily to situations. Hypnotherapy helps you to find the root cause of a problem within your subconscious mind. You will have heightened focus and concentration.

Hypnosis helps you gain control over behaviours you'd like to change. Your conscious mind is affected by learned behaviour and bad habits, but your subconscious mind is more effective at understanding how to change your thinking in a more positive way.

For most people, hypnosis feels very calm and relaxing. It gives you a chance to switch your brain off completely.

Just bring an open mind and I will show you how hypnotherapy can help you be the person you want to be.

Please be on time so I have plenty of time for you before my next session. I understand situations do occur so please let me know as soon as you can if you need to cancel or change your appointment as soon as possible.

Please be prepared to switch off your phone and smart watch. Any notifications you get will interrupt the flow of the session and will almost certainly affect its success.

I would also request you to make payment up front for the first session please.

I conduct the vast majority of my sessions at home. I live at Topcliffe Mill right next to the River Swale. It is a stunning location, perfect for helping you switch off completely and I have a dedicated space where I can control the surroundings and there will be no interruptions from the doorbell or phone. I am on the first floor and there is no lift, so please let me know if there are any access issues.

In some instances under special circumstances, I may be able to travel to you. Please let me know if this is the case and I can make arrangements. Obviously I have less control over the surroundings if I conduct my sessions elsewhere so please bear that in mind.

My address is 4 Topcliffe Mill which is on Catton Lane, just outside the village of Topcliffe. Sat Nav YO7 3RZ.

At the crossroads with the Swan pub on your left, go straight ahead down the hill. It’s a narrow road and looks a bit like a private road, but it isn’t. The Mill is about a third of a mile down the lane on the left.

Parking is on the street or there is a car park opposite the apartments. Press doorbell number 4 firmly until it rings and come in. I'm on the first floor.

No. Hypnotherapy is a relaxed, focused state, not mind control. You’re aware of what’s happening throughout, and you can stop or pause the session at any time.

Absolutely. All sessions are private, and your information is treated with complete confidentiality in line with professional and ethical standards.

To give you a general idea, smoking cessation normally requires two sessions, phobias usually three or four. However, everyone is different.

Hypnotherapy is a very personal experience and everyone responds differently and at varying paces. Some people will not need a follow up session, others will need more depending on their own individual situation. Some people just decide to return for a refresher from time to time. After your first session, I will give you an open and honest assessment of your needs depending on how you respond to treatment.

One thing I can assure you is that I will genuinely not try to persuade you to attend future sessions if I don't think you need them.

Yes, you can follow me on social media for regular updates. I am on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Please do like and share any posts you can to help spread the word about my services.

If you are happy with my services, please feel free to leave me a review on Google.