Hypnotherapy FAQ

1. What exactly is hypnotherapy and how does it work
It is a focused, relaxed state where your mind becomes more open to positive suggestions. You are not asleep, you are not out of control, you are simply calmer and more receptive. Think of it as giving your brain a chance to update its software without the usual background noise.

2. Will I be awake or asleep during hypnosis
You will be awake, aware, and able to hear everything. For most people it is just a lovely relaxed state, not some stage show drama with swinging watches. Although its a myth that you have to be completely relaxed for hypnotherapy to work. The key things are, that you need to want the change you are asking for and you have to participate in the session.

3. Can you make me do something I do not want to do
Absolutely not. If I had that power, trust me, everyone in Heanor & Derby would be drinking more water and going to bed on time. You stay fully in control.

4. What does hypnosis actually feel like
Most people say it feels like daydreaming or that floaty moment before sleep. Comfortable, peaceful, and surprisingly normal.

5. Is hypnotherapy safe
Yes. It is one of the most gentle therapeutic approaches out there. No side effects apart from feeling calmer, generally sleeping better and occasionally questioning why you did not try it sooner.

6. How many sessions will I need
That depends on what we are working on. Some things shift quickly (like stopping smoking & simple phobias), others take a little longer. I will always be honest about it and can usually give you a ball park estimate.

7. Can anyone be hypnotised
If you can follow simple instructions and you want to be there, then yes. People with busy minds are often the best at it once they get going, also anyone who considers themselves, or get called, stubborn minded.

8. What issues can hypnotherapy help with
Anxiety, confidence, stress, sleep, habits, fears, weight loss, self belief, motivation, pain management, and that overwhelming feeling life sometimes throws at us. You name it, there will be a way to help. I specialise in anxiety and anxiety related conditions, such as GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder), Trauma, OCD (Obsessional Compulsive Disorder), Panic attacks & phobias (yes phobias are an anxiety thing!).

9. Is hypnotherapy suitable for anxiety

Completely. It is one of the things I work with most. It helps calm the mind, reduce physical tension, and give you back a sense of control.

10. Can hypnotherapy help with weight loss

Yes. Not by magic, but by changing the thoughts, habits, and emotional triggers behind food choices. You handle the eating, I help you handle the mindset.

11. Will I lose control of my mind
No. You gain more control, not less.

12. What if I cannot relax
Everyone says this, and everyone relaxes anyway. Your mind knows what to do. You do not need to try, you just follow my voice and the rest happens naturally.

13. How quickly will I see results
Some people notice changes straight away, others see gradual shifts over a few sessions. Both are completely normal. Your mind moves at its own pace. We review as we go along and tailor each session specifically.

14. Is online hypnotherapy as effective as in person
Yes. Just as effective. And you don't have to hunt for a parking space.

15. What should I expect in a session
A chat to understand what you want, is the first step. We always set your specific goals in the first session. Then it depends on what is needed, I always discuss with you what we'll be doing in each session. It is always, calm, supportive, and tailored to you.

16. Do you record the sessions so I can listen again
Not normally, no. Occasionally, when I feel that you would benefit from it, then yes. Some sessions come with recordings that reinforce the work. 

17. Will hypnotherapy work if I have ADHD
Yes. In fact, many people with ADHD respond brilliantly because hypnosis does not require stillness or silence, just engagement. And I work with ADHD every day, so you are in safe hands.

18. Does hypnotherapy work for habits like smoking or nail biting
Yes, very well. We target the subconscious patterns behind the habit, not just the habit itself. Most people are surprised by how quickly the urge changes.

19. How long does each session last
Usually around 50 minutes. Although its not the length of the session that matters, its the quality of the work within that session. 

20. What qualifications should a hypnotherapist have
Look for proper training, professional membership, insurance, and experience. If you are coming to me, you already know I tick those boxes. But also, always take up a free or low charge consultation first, take a list of questions so you don't forget them and see if it feels like a good fit. You'll get the most out of hypnotherapy sessions if you feel at ease and comfortable with the therapist.

EMDR FAQ

1. What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a structured psychotherapy approach that helps people process and recover from distressing experiences, traumatic memories, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, low self-esteem and other emotional difficulties.

EMDR helps the brain process experiences that may have become "stuck", allowing them to be stored in a healthier way. Many people find that memories become less distressing and no longer trigger the same emotional reactions.

2. How does EMDR work?

When something overwhelming happens, the brain can sometimes struggle to fully process the experience. This can leave memories feeling raw, emotional and easily triggered.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping or sounds, while focusing on specific memories or feelings. This helps the brain reprocess the information so it feels like something that happened in the past, rather than something that still feels emotionally present today.

3. What can EMDR help with?

EMDR is most well known for treating trauma and PTSD, but it can also help with:

• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Phobias
• Childhood experiences
• Low self-esteem
• Social anxiety
• Health anxiety
• Performance anxiety
• Grief and loss
• Stress and overwhelm
• Relationship difficulties
• Disturbing memories
• Birth trauma
• Medical trauma

Many people are surprised to discover that EMDR can be effective even when they would not describe their experiences as traumatic.

4. Do I have to talk about everything that happened?

No.

Unlike some therapies, EMDR does not require you to describe every detail of a traumatic or upsetting experience. You will need to identify the memory you want to work on, but you do not have to share anything you are uncomfortable discussing.

Many clients appreciate this aspect of EMDR because it can feel less overwhelming than repeatedly talking through difficult events.

5. Will EMDR make me relive the trauma?

No.

You will remember the event, but EMDR is designed to help you process it safely rather than relive it. The goal is for you to be aware of the feelings of the memory without becoming overwhelmed by it.

You remain aware that you are in the therapy room and in control throughout the session.

6. Is EMDR safe?

Yes.

EMDR is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD.

A properly trained EMDR therapist will spend time helping you develop coping skills and emotional stability before beginning any memory processing work.

7. What happens in the first EMDR session?

The first session is usually focused on understanding your difficulties, your history and your goals for therapy.

You may learn techniques to help you feel calm and grounded before any processing work begins. EMDR therapy is not usually started immediately. Preparation is an important part of achieving the best outcomes.

8. How many EMDR sessions will I need?

This varies from person to person.

A single upsetting event may sometimes be resolved in a relatively small number of sessions. More complex difficulties involving multiple experiences, childhood trauma or longstanding patterns may require longer treatment.

Your therapist will discuss a personalised treatment plan with you.

9. What does EMDR feel like?

Everyone experiences EMDR differently.

Some people notice thoughts, images, emotions, memories or body sensations coming and going during processing. Others describe it as feeling surprisingly natural.

Many clients report that memories gradually become less vivid, less emotional and less intrusive as treatment progresses.

10. Can EMDR help if I don't remember everything clearly?

Yes.

EMDR does not require perfect memory. The brain can still process the emotions, beliefs, sensations and fragments of memories connected to an experience.

Many people have incomplete memories, particularly of events from childhood, and can still benefit greatly from EMDR.

11. Can EMDR help with childhood experiences?

Yes.

Many current difficulties such as anxiety, low confidence, people-pleasing, fear of rejection, perfectionism or feeling "not good enough" can be linked to experiences from earlier in life.

EMDR can help process these experiences and reduce their impact on your current thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

12. Will I feel worse before I feel better?

Some people notice temporary increases in thoughts, emotions, dreams or memories between sessions. This is often a sign that the brain is continuing to process information.

Most reactions are short-lived and manageable. Your therapist will provide strategies to help you cope between sessions if needed.

13. Is EMDR hypnosis?

No.

EMDR and hypnotherapy are completely different approaches.

During EMDR you remain fully awake, aware and in control throughout the session. You can stop at any time and are actively involved in the therapeutic process.

14. Can EMDR be done online?

Yes.

Research has shown that EMDR can be delivered effectively online. Specialised online tools can be used for eye movements and other forms of bilateral stimulation.

Many clients appreciate the convenience and comfort of attending sessions from home.

15. How successful is EMDR?

EMDR has one of the strongest evidence bases of any trauma-focused therapy.

Research consistently shows it can significantly reduce symptoms of trauma, PTSD, anxiety and distressing memories. Many clients experience meaningful improvements more quickly than they expected.

As with any therapy, outcomes depend on the individual, the nature of the difficulties and engagement with the therapeutic process.

16. How will I know if EMDR is right for me?

The best way to find out is through an initial consultation.

During your consultation, we can discuss your experiences, your goals and whether EMDR is likely to be an appropriate approach for your situation. If another therapy would be more suitable, this will also be discussed honestly and openly.

17. Can EMDR help if I've already had counselling?

Yes.

Many clients seek EMDR after having counselling, CBT, hypnotherapy or other forms of therapy. Sometimes people understand why they feel the way they do but still find that emotional reactions remain.

EMDR can help process the underlying memories and experiences that may still be driving those reactions.

18. What if I don't have a big trauma?

You do not need to have experienced a major traumatic event to benefit from EMDR.

Many people seek EMDR for experiences that may seem small to others but had a significant emotional impact on them. Repeated criticism, bullying, rejection, relationship difficulties, embarrassment, medical procedures or difficult childhood experiences can all leave lasting effects.

EMDR focuses on how an experience affected you, not on whether it meets someone else's definition of trauma.