Your questions
answered
General questions
How will I feel during hypnosis?
However you feel is right. The key is to let go and focus on the suggestions. Some people find it comes naturally; for others it’s a skill that builds with practice. Either way, there’s nothing to worry about.
Will I be in a trance?
No — it’s a state of focused attention, similar to being completely absorbed in a film or in flow during sport. You stay fully aware and in control throughout.
Is hypnosis safe?
Yes. Clinical hypnosis is evidence-based and used within the NHS and in sports medicine internationally.
Is this talk therapy
Kind of — it’s a listening and supportive space, but we’re not going back to your childhood. We work from now. This is structured skills training: short-term, goal-focused, and evidence-based.
Pain & Movement
Is this suitable if I have a structural problem — like a joint issue, disc problem, or something showing on a scan?
Yes. This work isn’t only for medically unexplained pain. Many people I work with have a clear structural diagnosis. The structure is real, and the pain is real — what we’re working on is the layer on top: nervous system sensitivity, fear around movement, and the bracing and avoidance that amplify what’s already there.
I’ve already done physio and seen a consultant. How is this different?
Physio and medical care address tissue and structure. What they rarely have time for is the psychological side — why you’re still bracing after being cleared, why the alarm won’t switch off. That’s the gap this fills.
Will this work if my pain has been going on for years?
It can. Long-standing pain means there’s more to unpick — but the nervous system can still change. Patterns that have been learned can be unlearned.
Do I have to believe it will work for it to help?
No. Scepticism is reasonable, especially if you’ve tried other things. What helps is a willingness to turn up and practise. Breathwork changes physiology whether you believe in it or not.
What if my pain flares up during the work?
We plan for it. A flare doesn’t mean something’s wrong — it’s information. Part of what changes is that flares start to feel less catastrophic and easier to recover from.
For surgery and medical patients
Can I use these techniques during surgery?
If you’re under general anaesthesia, the preparation beforehand creates a calmer nervous system going in. If your procedure uses local anaesthesia or sedation, yes — you can use breathwork and focused attention during the procedure itself. We rehearse this in advance.
What if my surgery is very soon – is there still time?
Even 1 or 2 sessions can make a difference. We focus on the essentials: calming catastrophic thinking, breathwork, grounding, and mental rehearsal to prepare your nervous system.
Will this interfere with my medical treatment?
No — this complements your care, it doesn’t replace it. Always consult your doctor or surgeon for specific medical concerns.
Can this help with post-operative pain?
Yes. Psychological techniques can influence pain perception. Breathwork, relaxation, imagery, and cognitive techniques help many people experience reduced pain — alongside, not instead of, medication.
For athletes
Can this help me get into flow more often?
Yes — through breath regulation, attention training, and imagery that reduces over-control. Flow isn’t something you force. We train the conditions that make it more available.
Will relaxation make me ‘flat’ on game day?
No. We build calm first, then add activation. You learn to regulate your state depending on what’s needed.
How is this different from sports psychology?
It goes deeper — into the cognitive and physiological processes that shape how your brain predicts, how your body moves, and how you perceive threat versus opportunity. It’s complementary skills training using hypnosis and nervous system regulation, not a replacement for your sports psychologist.
Plus, I’m not replacing your sports psychologist. This is complementary skills training using hypnosis and nervous system regulation – tools many sports psychologists don’t specialise in.
Do I need to be injured to benefit?
No. The skills that support recovery also improve performance: focus, attention control, composure under pressure.
For dental patients
Can this help with my gag reflex?
Yes, if it’s driven by anxiety and tension — which is common. We work on shifting attention, releasing throat tension, and retraining your nervous system’s response, alongside your dentist’s clinical management.
Will I still need sedation?
Probably — but you may need less over time. This builds confidence gradually and can sit alongside sedation, not instead of it.
What if I haven’t been to the dentist in years and I’m ashamed?
You’re not alone, and there’s no judgement here. We focus on moving forward from where you are now, not dwelling on what you should have done.
Practical questions
What happens if I need more sessions than planned?
We work flexibly. If you need more, we discuss it openly. If you’re ready to finish sooner, that’s fine too.
Is this covered by insurance?
It depends on your policy. Some cover clinical hypnotherapy or CBT — worth checking. I can provide receipts for claims.
Do you work with individuals or groups?
Mostly one-to-one, online. For children or young people under 18, a parent or guardian may be present if appropriate. Otherwise, sessions are individual.
Do you prescribe medication?
No. If medication might help, I’ll suggest you speak with your GP.
How do I start?
Book a free 20-minute consultation — no pressure, just a conversation to see if we’re a good fit.