Frequently Asked Questions

Cognitive hypnotherapy is a modern approach developed to help people to overcome negative emotions and challenges of life. Cognitive hypnotherapy is a large toolbox that draws from NLP, EFT, CBT, Gestalt and positive Psychology and we cognitive hypnotherapists (Coghyp’s) create an individualised word weaving, the actual hypnosis, based on your very own solutions, to enable and enhance positive changes and make them permanent. Hypnosis is a natural, relaxed state. Cognitive hypnotherapists like myself label such states as ‘trance’. Trance-like states are commonplace. In fact there’s every chance you have already experienced a trance-like state in your life. Maybe, when driving home from work you suddenly became aware that you are in front of your house, with no recollection of how you got there. This is all perfectly normal, though should you roll into your drive and suddenly realise that you’ve never owned a car and don’t even have a driving license, you should really have your doctor give you the once over.

Often we don’t hear someone talking to us because we are so ‘far away’ in our thoughts. This commonplace occurrence is trance too. And because we do this sort of thing all the time, cognitive hypnotherapists believe that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis, and not a state we can force anyone into by staring into their eyes and twisting their arm up their back — that has nothing to do with hypnotherapy!

In our cognitive hypnotherapy sessions, we utilise and combine trance and other tools and techniques, such as neuro-linguistic programming and emotional freedom technique, to take you towards your solutions or help you heal.

Because all hypnosis is self-hypnosis, everyone can be hypnotised. I am trained in advanced techniques that ensure that anyone who wants to be hypnotized and can follow instructions will quickly be able to enter the state of mind that we call trance.

When you are awake, in an aware state, your mind is resistant to change. With hypnosis, you have the opportunity to get below the surface of your conscious thoughts and limiting beliefs and gain access to your unconscious mind. Your unconscious mind will easily accept new ideas and behaviors whilst in trance. You are in essence re-programming yourself to quickly and efficiently meet your goals.

Everyone has far greater potential than they know. They just need help from a trained Hypnosis Professional to help them to unlock the answers within.

Hypnosis is a natural and relaxed state of the mind and can be a little like daydreaming. You may not realise that you are hypnotised because you are completely aware during the session. It’s always fun to start seeing changes happen after your session. They’ll happen ‘without thinking’. That’s the power of your unconscious mind.

Yes! Hypnosis is a natural state of mind. You are always in control and I will ensure that you feel completely comfortable at all times. No-one can get ‘stuck’ in hypnosis because, after a while, your unconscious mind would simply get bored and change back to normal alertness.

Myths about hypnosis, perpetuated by Hollywood movies, urban legends and works of fiction lead people to think all kinds of things about hypnosis, including that it is somehow dangerous. The picture below shows an early hypnotist coercing a hypnotised client into paying four times the agreed consultation fee.

Here are some other beliefs about hypnosis that are equally nonsensical.

The hypnotist can put you into a trance and leave you there until you are old enough to draw your pension
You can enter a trance and not waken up
The hypnotist can make you do things you don’t want to do. Nobody wants to snap back to a normal state to discover they’ve just spent the last 15 minutes doing the Hokey-Cokey with their pants on your head. If this is what’s putting you off, don’t worry, it can’t happen. You are always in control, always able to ‘come back’ to a full waking state anytime you want. The number one job of the subconscious mind is to protect you, and it is always on the job.
The hypnotist will dangle a pocket watch in front of your face and you will instantly keel over, become stiffer than an ironing board, and your tongue will dangle from the side of your month like an Alsatian dog that has just been offered two bones.

Of course, you will want to choose a hypnotherapist that is trustworthy and well trained. Always choose one that gives you confidence. Hypnosis is a safe and beneficial procedure when facilitated by an ethical and trained professional.

Hypnosis is a safe and powerful tool, however, it is not a replacement for any medication or other treatments your doctor has prescribed as crucial. If you are suffering from a psychiatric illness, such as psychosis or major depression, please refrain from talking to me about that. I am bound to act in your best interest and together with your health care provider, will find the most beneficial way for you to receive the help you require.

No-one should be hypnotised when under the influence of alcohol or drugs because your consciousness has already been altered before we start. I will not be able to do any hypnotherapy in these circumstances.

Yes. Hypnosis deals with causes, not just the symptoms. Most people try to make changes by using willpower alone. However, our core beliefs about our capabilities and what we deserve are stored in the subconscious mind. Hypnosis can access the subconscious mind and rid it of any unwanted habits, thoughts or sabotaging beliefs, and replace them with new positive concepts and habits. This ensures permanent results.

Let me guess: you’ve seen a stage show where a hypnotist made people do such crazy things. Or, perhaps you have ideas from Hollywood movies or from TV. The stage hypnotist carefully selects his subjects (watch how many volunteers he has sit down), and chooses people he knows WILL bark like a dog. If he’s really rubbish he may actually pick a dog!

Volunteers are chosen because they are frustrated entertainers — Elvis impersonators in the making for example — latent show offs and the like. And they will do it because, deep down inside, they don’t believe there is anything wrong with randomly gyrating their pelvis in front of a room full of strangers (The photo shows a volunteer with latent Elvis tendencies, desperate to be hypnotised by a stage performer.)

The main thing is that hypnosis can not make you do something that is against your morals or ethics. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, in truth, and no hypnotist can make you do something that you really don’t want to do. That’s why some people can be hypnotised to stop smoking and yet end up a week later smoking three at a time. You have to want the change. You have to agree with the change. And you have to work together with me. Only then does hypnosis become a powerful instrument for helping make that change better, faster, and permanent.

This is another Hollywood myth. You always have control, and you can always hear what’s going on. Hypnosis is nothing but a state of relaxed deep focus. It is a natural state that you enter at least twice a day (while waking up and while falling asleep!), and probably much more often than that. If at any time you are in trance and you wish to be fully awake, you can just open your eyes whenever you like.

I will offer an initial 30 minute free consultation, either via Skype, Zoom or Phone, to make sure all your questions are answered and you are happy with your choice of a therapist. Please also do not hesitate to email me any initial queries you may have to ensure you feel safe and well informed before we start.

To book a session, get in touch via email, text message or phone call. If I am not available, I will always try and get back to you within 24hours.

Mobile: 07895859969
email: myperpetualtrance@gmail.com

Because everyone is different, you will receive a unique treatment plan, tailored to your very own personal situation and goals. I always like to give a bit extra time and don’t think that 1 hour is enough. Therefore, the average length of my session is around 90 minutes, for which I charge £75.

Because everyone is unique, it is difficult to determine how many sessions you might need, but experience has shown that around 3-4 sessions initially is the minimum amount to achieve the changes you want in your life. Therefore, I might ask you to commit to booking 3-4 sessions after our first consultation. I’ll not rush you or put you under pressure, because the mind can’t be rushed and you might risk losing all those beautiful results you might have achieved if you break up too early. I always aim to make the change permanent and I recommend you take your time so that afterward you can live your life as you wish and preferably never have to come back with the same problem. Payment is due after each completed session.

I work part-time as a community mental health practitioner and part-time as a cognitive hypnotherapist. Appointments depend on my availability. Options include face-to-face sessions or via Skype, FaceTime or Zoom. Please get in touch with me to find a mutually convenient time.