What to expect from hypnotherapy
If you are considering hypnotherapy, this article will outline what you can expect, including:
If you are interested and would like to book an initial consultation, or book your first session:
- Initial consultation:
- What happens in your first session?
- The structure of hypnotherapy sessions
- What to expect from hypnosis
- Outside of the sessions
Initial consultation
The initial consultation is an informal chat, usually over the phone or face-to-face. It’s an opportunity for you to ask any questions you have, find out if hypnotherapy is right for you, and if you feel that you could work with me.
I might also use the opportunity to start to get some background details about yourself and your situation. So I can advise you better.
On average, an initial consultation lasts about 20 minutes. There is no obligation to book a session. You can always think about it afterwards and decide later.
Confidentiality
Anything you say to me, any notes I take, is confidential. This means that anything you tell me is not shared or discussed with anyone else. No information is shared with any other companies. More importantly, you only talk about things that you are comfortable talking about. You do not have to answer any questions you don’t want to.
The first session
Location
All sessions are at The Bay Therapy Centre and last for about an hour. Select here for more information: location
Parking
There are a small number of spaces at the front of the centre. I also recommend you park on local residential streets. There are no permit parking restrictions in Lady Bay but please don’t block residents’ driveways or park in front of dropped kerbs. Please give yourself plenty of time on match days.
I can cone off a parking space for clients with mobility difficulties. Please let me know well in advance of your appointment so I can provide this service.
For more information about parking and transport see: The Bay Therapy Centre website
Reception
Please ask for me, Barry langton, at reception when you arrive. You will be asked to take a seat in the waiting room, from where I will meet you and take you to the room.
What happens during your first session?
First, I will take a note of some basic details (contact information, medication etc). Then we will have an informal chat about your situation; which helps me to start to get a picture of what is happening, so that I know how best to help you.
Induction
In the first session, I will introduce you to hypnosis. You can find more information here: what is hypnosis? And information here: why hypnosis is used. The process of going into a hypnotic state is called an induction. I will guide you, step-by-step, at the time. And the first time, I will just be getting an idea of how you respond; how your subconscious and conscious mind reacts.
Control
You are always in control; you will be aware of everything around you. You will not do or say anything you don’t want to. You can stop at any time and you will not reveal any secrets. You always have control. I find solutions that work for you.
After the first hypnosis experience
After hypnosis, we will have a brief chat. I’ll get some feedback about how you experienced it; summarize the session and suggest an initial approach. You can then book your second appointment, or go away and let me know if/when you would like to book again.
Booking
All sessions are paid for in advance. For further details see: Cost
How many sessions will I need?
On average most people have 8-10 sessions to get the results they want. Please get in touch for a more accurate idea.
Sessions generally
Sessions start with a chat to see how you are getting on, gain more information, explain a technique etc. And some of the time we will be using hypnosis.
During hypnosis: we might be talking, using a psychotherapeutic technique, or I could be asking you about specific things.
Sometimes during hypnosis, you will not need to do anything. It doesn’t always matter if your conscious, thinking mind is engaged. Sometimes I just need your subconscious mind to pay attention. This means that you don’t need to listen to me and try and hear and remember and follow everything; it can be very relaxing.
It just depends on what we are doing in that session.
Techniques
Often, I show people techniques that they can go away and use. It is important to make the techniques work for you. If possible, I’ll show you a range of techniques. Try them all, then use the ones that work for you and adapt them so that they work best for you.
Tasks
To help you to create the changes you want, I may suggest that you do some tasks outside of the therapy sessions. Usually simple tasks, for example, practising a new technique for 5 minutes a day.
Email follow-up notes
If we cover new techniques, or I suggest any tasks, then I will write up what you need to remember and send you an email. Anything important I’ll send to you after the session so that you can keep a copy of it.
Control
Whatever we are doing, whether we are talking or using hypnosis, you are always the one in control. At any point, you can always stop.
Working together
Hypnotherapy is us working together. We will find out what works best for you so that I can start giving you practical, effective help.