FAQ

What is Hypnotherapy? 

Put most simply, Hypnotherapy is the art of creating your ideal environment for relaxation/focus and having the tools to reframe deeply held beliefs and patterns. It is about relaxing to a point where your internal critical filters, the ones that usually restrict information, are open to suggestion so that old patterns can be exchanged or upgraded to new ones. The vast majority of what is being stored in the mind at any given time is partially obscured by these critical filters and the fundamental nature of your beliefs is often hidden entirely. We call this region of the mind that is obscured, the Sub-conscious Mind. 

The Subconscious Mind makes up over 90% of all mental processing. The more we relax, the more resources are made available and the less ‘noise’ gets in the way of our inquiry. This gives us greater clarity and greater leveraging power when trying to shift deeply-held patters, programs or beliefs. The ‘therapy’ party of Hypnotherapy is really the art of what happens once that state of relaxation and focus is achieved and knowing what to do with what is discovered within the subconscious mind when it arises.

Each therapist has their own process to help people achieve their own version of an ideal state. Mine is more like a multi-faceted toolkit than a process. Each session is tailored to each specific person, every time I run a session. This is because everyone is unique in the way they interpret and express their inner worlds and I want to be present without preconceived ideas about how the session ‘should’ go according to a ‘one size fits all’ recipe. Because of this, and the fact that you too are changing constantly, your experience of hypnotherapy will be unique each time you experience it.

What does Hypnotherapy feel like? 

If you’re feeling a bit in the dark and apprehensive about what to expect, don’t worry. It’s totally natural to have feelings of uncertainty when approaching something for the first time. The easiest way to imagine it is to know that your version of being hypnotised feels basically the same as daydreaming, however you experience it. If you’ve ever found your thoughts drifting off during the day and you’ve become so involved with your imaginings that you really get into the emotion of them, that’s your own version of self-hypnosis. You may have had a conflict with someone in your mind and felt an emotion arise as though you’re actually fighting with them in person. That’s a kind of self-hypnosis. You may have been so focussed on a task that another part of your mind was able to find a creative solution to a problem you’ve been wanting to solve. That’s a kind of self-hypnosis. Whenever you’ve found yourself in a state where you’re not needing to have your resistance or defences up and could therefore access states of consciousness and information that is usually not available to you, that’s been your own, natural state of hypnosis. You are probably already more experienced and much better at it than you realise!

Does Hypnotherapy actually work?

The short answer is yes, very much so. Hypnotherapy can be an extremely effective process for individuals who are committed to deep personal change. Having said that, it is not a magic bullet and should not be treated like a quick fix. Each struggle that we aim to overcome can have multiple layers that need to be worked through at a pace that is acceptable to the mind. That pace will differ from person to person or struggle to struggle. 

Does Hypnotherapy work for everybody?

Everyone can experience their own version of hypnosis. Some people experience it like being in a deep state of relaxation and for some, it is more of a light meditation. Either way, a lot of deep work can me done, no matter what you natural style is. 

Will I lose control or consciousness or be made to do or say things against my will?

The answer is absolutely no. You are in complete control the entire time and can choose what you say and do throughout. If at any point you are needing a beak or want to end the session, you are completely at liberty to do so, just like when daydreaming.  

Can I get stuck in hypnosis?

The same applies here. You can’t get stuck in Hypnotherapy any more than you can get stuck daydreaming. They are essentially one in the same. The major difference is Hypnotherapy and daydreaming is intention. Daydreaming is spontaneous and often without any specific direction and Hypnotherapy is very deliberate and goal-oriented. You can bring yourself out of it at any time. 

Can the Hypnotherapist implant ideas into my mind without my consent? 

No hypnotherapist, no matter how talented they may be, can make you take on information that you do not want to. A healthy mind has very clear and deeply embedded defences against any information that breaches core value sets and will resist. In this case, we don’t want to confuse Hypnotherapy with brainwashing, which is a very different technique and not related to this kind of work. 

Do I have to re-live my past traumas in order to heal?

Re-visiting trauma is not an essential part of Hypnotherapy. There are many ways to help you move on and find peace without re-experiencing what you have been through. Having said that, if you feel ready and willing, there is a safe and controlled approach to addressing intense emotionally-charged memories that can be extremely beneficial. 

Can my old patterns return after they’ve been dealt with?

It is possible but uncommon. The mind is extraordinarily complex and sometimes there are hidden aspects to patterns that have not been uncovered and dealt with completely and they can appear to come back after some time. This is no cause for alarm. It is just a communication that there is more to be done. The journey to freedom from unhelpful  patterns is a process but I am as committed to getting you there as you are, even if it takes a few goes.  

Can Hypnotherapy be used in conjunction with other modalities? 

Yes, it is actually quite complimentary to many other approaches. I am also quite happy to work in conjunction with any other professionals you may be working with to make sure we are all on the same page about the best approach for you. 

Are there any people for whom Hypnotherapy is not a good fit?

The most basic expectation when with working with the mind is that there is a stable and consistent consensus of reality. If an individual is not able to maintain a stable consensus of reality, is on any mind-altering medications or has been diagnosed with conditions that compromise the integrity or safety of the session, it is advised that they are unfortunately not a good fit for this approach at this time. A case by case can be considered in consultation with a treating medical/psychiatric professional but it is important that such cases are well-examined and understood well in advance. 

Others who are not a good fit are those individuals who are seeking an easy fix with zero emotional investment or accountability. This process is very much about taking back control and being accountable to your own highest good – to do the work and to own your internal state again. This sometimes comes with some sacrifice and discomfort along the way and it’s not always the smoothest transition. It requires self-reflection and determination to achieve new states of being. If you’re hoping for a shot in the arm that will take all of that away and just give you easy results, this approach is not for you at this time. 

Is Hypnotherapy covered by health funds?

Many health funds now recognise and rebate Hypnotherapy costs. I am more than happy to send my provider number upon request. 

Is Hypnotherapy expensive?

With this question I want to address the underlying concern that may be present about cost because here we are really taking about value. When we think of ‘cost’ most of us think about it terms of money alone when actually, the ultimate cost is that which takes away from our freedom. It is the cost of locking up years in processes that chew up time and money trying to manage problems rather than just going straight to the source and moving on, once and for all. It’s the limitations placed on relationships, health, opportunities and connection while such problems keep you stuck in unhelpful cycles. 

What I am interested in is an exchange of value, whereby a short amount of time with my unique, personalised, one-on-one approach potentially changes your whole way of being, permanently. It is a high-value exchange and the investment is equal to that.  So is it expensive compared to what you can achieve with it? I’ll leave that up to you. 

For a rough idea you can search ‘how much does Hypnotherapy cost in Australia’ in Google and it will come up with a range: $170 – $250 per session. My sessions are at the higher end because I have enough experience with my process to know the value that people experience. The reason I don’t put the costs in a designated place on this site is that first I want to make sure I understand you and your struggle so I can see if I am a good fit to offer you the greatest value, then, it is important that I provide that value in the most affordable scenario. For example, if your particular situation calls for several sessions, I have packages available to make that more affordable. As mentioned earlier, you may also be eligible for a health fund rebate with certain companies so it’s important for me to make sure you are armed with all of the information before you sign up.