Frequently Asked Questions

Find some information around what hypnotherapy is, how it can help, and what to expect below.

Still have a questions? Please don't hesitate to get in touch!

a flower in the sun with the sun shining through the flowers
a flower in the sun with the sun shining through the flowers

What is hypnosis/hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis is a state of focused attention, heightened suggestibility, and often, deep relaxation. It's a natural and common state that we frequently experience several times the day, such as when reading a good book or those moments in between being asleep and awake. During hypnosis, our minds are more open to suggestions and more receptive to positive changes. Ever been really focused on something so didn’t hear someone saying your name? Or been so involved watching a scary movie you notice your hands sweating or your heart racing? They’re both example of being in hypnosis.

Hypnotherapy is the therapeutic use of hypnosis (in a relaxed, safe way, where you are always in FULL control!) to facilitate changes to beliefs, thoughts or behaviours by tapping into the power of deeper levels of the subconscious mind.

Is hypnotherapy effective?

Hypnotherapy can be a very effective way to make significant changes to your thoughts, feelings and behaviours, provided you're committed to change and open to the process. Studies^ have shown hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for various medical and psychological conditions, including stress, anxiety, chronic pain, sleep disorders, managing addictions, irritable bowel syndrome and more.

^Anxiety https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31251710/
^ Stress http://repository.unp.ac.id/21459/1/1.%20The-Effectiveness-of-Hypnotherapy-in-Reducing6.pdf

How many sessions will I need?

Hypnotherapy can be very effective quickly; some people will notice an instant change in their mood, thoughts and behaviours, others may need longer and several sessions. It will depend on your own individual challenges, circumstances and goals. I recommend a minimum of three sessions and then we can review and discuss what feels right for you.

Others choose to have hypnotherapy regularly as more 'maintenance' for their general health and wellbeing and to keep them on track, or choose to use it regularly to support self exploration and understanding. Feel free to arrange a call to chat more about what you are trying to achieve.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes! I'm always happy to discuss making this support more accessible for you. If you need any help or have any questions on this - please reach out, I'm happy to chat and come up with something that will work for both of us :)

What is group hypnotherapy?

Group sessions are a wonderful opportunity to get access to hypnotherapy, for healing and growth opportunities with likeminded people and also is a more affordable option. There will be opportunities for you to share your experience and challenges if you are comfortable to do so, with the listening ear and community of a small supportive group. For scheduled group sessions - please see the events page.

Why group hypnotherapy? Think of a bit like a fitness class - you may join a group workout for general benefits, it will help you get fitter and you'll feel the motivation and the energy from exercising with a group of people. If you want to refine your technique, have an injury to cater for, or need specific help, a personal training session might be a better option. It's the same for hypnotherapy. You can gain many benefits from attending a group session, but if you have a history of trauma, or struggle to feel safe with guided visualisation or meditations, I'd recommend booking a 1:1 session first to work through this before joining in a group session.

What if I can't find a session time that suits?

For in person sessions, I'm currently available Monday afternoons at Warragul Natural Health, but offer online sessions at other times during the week. Get in touch to chat and we can make a time that suits us both.

How does hypnotherapy differ from talk therapy?

Hypnotherapy differs from traditional talk therapy by working with, and facilitating change directly in your subconscious. Hypnotherapy also gets you out of your logical, conscious critical mind and into your subconscious (and your body), where your innate knowing and deeper programming can be accessed, understood and/or influenced. Hypnotherapy may create longer lasting changes as they've been effected on a much deeper level, and may also be much more efficient, with fewer sessions being required to see results.

Alfred A. Barrios, Ph.D., presented a review in the journal "Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice", where he provided the following recovery rates for different therapies:

  • Hypnotherapy: 93% success rate after an average of 6 sessions

  • Psychoanalysis: 38% success rate after an average of 600 sessions

  • Behavior Therapy: 72% success rate after 22 sessions

These figures suggest that hypnotherapy may be a highly effective and efficient treatment option compared to traditional therapies, according to Barrios' review.

There are also advantages to hypnotherapy when working with trauma, as hypnotherapy can gently support you to work on a subconscious level without you needing to talk about traumatic events. Your subconscious has the power to effect change in your mind with the guidance of a skilled hypnotherapist, without needing to discuss everything and relive your traumas again.

How does it work?

Hypnotherapy involves supporting you to be in a state of concentrated focus (called hypnosis, or a trance, and is usually, although not always, with relaxation), where your conscious critical mind can take a step back and we can gain a deeper connection to your subconscious mind, where the magic happens! ✨

Gaining this deep connection with your subconscious mind enables us to get to the root cause of challenges and behaviours, and we can gain deeper self awareness and/or plant seeds for change. This state is also very beneficial physiologically where it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowers heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and allows all of your muscles to relax. We can also access and allow unprocessed emotions to be released, and make changes to underlying beliefs and patterns for lasting change.

Can anyone be hypnotised?

Everyone spontaneously goes in and out of hypnosis several times throughout the day, as it's a natural state. As long as you're a willing participant, ready to make change and able to follow instructions, yes - you can be hypnotised!