Frequently Asked Questions
Like with anything new, I expect you to have some questions. Below, I have tried to answer the most frequent ones I am being asked. If your question is not answered below, please feel free to contact me and I will be very glad to offer you an answer.
Where do therapy and coaching sessions take place?
All JoySpace Therapy sessions I can offer you are online, through secure, well-established platforms which have been used with success in therapeutic settings. I am available worldwide (I am insured to work with people based anywhere in the world). Online therapy is just as efficient for stress and insomnia management, as in person in therapy according to recent studies.
How long is a hypnotherapy session and how many will I need?
The initial consultation is 90 minutes, and all subsequent sessions one hour (60 minutes). Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH) is a solution-focused approach. Most clients see significant progress in managing their sleep, stress or other objectives within 6 to 8 sessions, though the exact timeline is personalised to your specific needs. Some of my clients needed more while others needed less.
I want to work with you. What should I do?
Firstly, you need to express your interest in working together. On our first call we will discuss and understand whether or not we are the right fit for each other. If we decide we are a good fit, we will schedule your first appointment. I will then send you an email with a link to confirm your appointment, log on details, my privacy policy and our therapeutic agreement.
What do I have to do during sessions and in between them?
I believe therapy works for as long as you are interested in actively participating in it. We will go at your own pace, and will take baby steps, as needed. However, you need to take charge of your own development. In between sessions it is advised you practice what you’ve learned in the sessions.
How much do sessions cost?
The initial 90-minute assessment session is £140, and subsequent 60-minute sessions are £90. To ensure commitment to the therapeutic process, all new clients start with a minimum of 3 sessions (£320).
A discounted package of 4 sessions (including the assessment) is available for £385. Fees are payable in advance.
What exactly is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural state of focused attention. It is not a state of unconsciousness. During hypnosis you focus on a dominant idea and I guide you through the process with the suggestions I offer you. It is not something which is done to you, but rather something that you willingly engage in yourself, fully conscious and awake. Hypnosis is something anybody can learn to do. Hypnosis is generally considered safe when used appropriately by a suitably trained practitioner. However you need to be willing to participate in it and do the work so you can reap the benefits!
At JoySpace Therapy, Denise guides you to focus on specific, helpful ideas while you remain fully awake and in control. This process down-regulates the nervous system, allowing high-achieving professionals to practice responding to workplace stress in a calmer, more productive way.
Can I be left 'stuck' in hypnosis during or after the session ends?
No it is not possible to get “stuck” in hypnosis. Hypnosis is a natural process and no one has ever been ‘stuck’. Because hypnosis is simply a state of focused attention, you remain completely aware. If your internet connection drops during an online session, you will naturally bring your attention back to the room once the guidance stops.
Are hypnosis and meditation or mindfulness the same?
While they all aim to promote relaxation, they may seem similar to the untrained eye, but they are not the same and serve different purposes. In meditation, you regulate your attention and similarly to mindfulness, you learn how to watch and observe (thoughts, feelings, etc.) without interfering. In hypnosis, your attention is focused on an idea (with a desired outcome), such as improving sleep or managing burnout, and you practice how to best respond to that idea. Hypnosis in CBH is practising in your imagination for the desired outcome you want to achieve.
Are you going to have control over my mind?
Absolutely not. Hypnosis is definitely not a form of mind control, nor am I interested in controlling anyone’s mind. In hypnosis, you cannot be made to do, think or say anything you would not want to. Quite the opposite! The success of Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH) relies on a collaborative therapeutic alliance. You must actively want to accept the suggested strategies and participate in the process to experience the benefits of better sleep and reduced anxiety. Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are only helpful for as long as you are willing to participate, practice and put in the work inside and outside of the therapy room.
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that combines hypnosis with therapeutic techniques. It is often used to support people with concerns such as sleep difficulties, stress, anxiety and habits, depending on the individual's circumstances. Hypnotherapy utilises the heightened awareness state induced by hypnosis to help you focus on a problem, and its solution, more deeply. Hypnotherapy is a collaborative process and it is often used as an effective technique to help manage conditions such as stress-related illnesses, sleep and others.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH)?
CBH integrates cognitive behavioural (CBT) techniques with hypnosis, mindfulness and relaxation approaches. It can be regarded as an evidence-based, integrative therapeutic approach. CBH sessions are typically a combination of discussion, practice of new skills, as well as hypnosis, mindfulness and relaxation exercises aimed at helping you with your troubles. Hypno-CBT® (HCBT) is the approach of cognitive-behavioural hypnotherapy I have trained in.
What is a typical Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy appointment?
Normally during your hypnotherapy sessions there would be elements of hypnosis aimed at allowing you to better cement the new behaviours, habits and thoughts discussed prior. Depending on the issue at hand, some sessions would consist of mainly hypnosis while others can incorporate psycho-education and practical elements typical of CBT and ACT.
What should I expect from working with a hypnotherapist?
In most instances you should expect a deep state of relaxation induced by hypnosis. During such sessions you may feel like you’re relaxing there, with your eyes closed, almost in a meditative type state. I’d guide you through a psycho-therapeutic process that helps you focus your mind, respond more readily to suggestions and become deeply relaxed.
Do you focus on the past in your therapeutic approach?
Mindfulness, CBT, ACT and CBH are therapies predominantly focusing on the present rather than on the past. While the past cannot be undone, it can inform us of reasonings why things are the way they are. In my practice, I focus on providing you with tools to change the way you respond to the present and how you can improve your future.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
CBT is one of the most researched talking therapies out there and it is focused on helping you manage your problems, by adjusting the way you think and behave. CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts and emotions dictate your behaviour and sometimes these may be unhelpful. CBT helps you find the most helpful route for you and practice it.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi)?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an evidence-based psychological treatment for insomnia and is recommended in clinical guidance for adults with insomnia. My sleep-focused work may incorporate CBTi informed techniques alongside other approaches, depending on your individual needs. CBTi is often times recommended as the first-line treatment for both short and long-term insomnia in adults. CBTi is based on Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy principles, while being tailored to specific interventions proven effective when it comes to improving sleep (both quality and quantity).
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
ACT is a form of psychotherapy or talking therapy. As Steve Hayes described it (the creator of this modality), ACT is a mindfulness-based behavioural therapy that challenges the ground rules of most Western psychology. It utilises a mix of metaphor, paradox, and mindfulness skills, along with a wide range of experiential exercises and values-guided behavioural interventions. It is different from pure mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
I cannot find my problem listed on your services page, can I still call you?
Absolutely! My integrative therapeutic approach can be beneficial to many other concerns or presenting problems. The best thing to do is to email and ask me. I am more than happy to explain things to you and if we can work together, I will gladly say so. Equally, if my professional opinion is that I should refer you onto a different therapist or specialist, I will always say that too.
Can I use therapy in an emergency situation?
Hypnotherapy, psychotherapy or coaching are NOT emergency services.
If there is an immediate risk of harm to you or someone else - Dial 999
Alternatively there are a number of listening services available, such as:
Samaritans - 116 123 and Childline - 0800 1111
Further information for urgent mental health help - see NHS website
How does Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH) help with corporate burnout?
Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH) helps overcome corporate burnout by combining the practical cognitive restructuring of CBT with the deep relaxation of clinical hypnotherapy. At JoySpace Therapy, this evidence-based approach helps high-achieving professionals identify stress triggers, break negative thought loops, and down-regulate an overactive nervous system. This allows for faster and more sustainable recovery from chronic workplace stress than traditional talk therapy alone.
Why do corporate professionals struggle with sleep anxiety, and how can therapy resolve it?
Corporate professionals frequently experience sleep anxiety due to hyperarousal - the brain remains locked in a "fight or flight" stress state long after the workday ends. Denise at JoySpace Therapy uses tailored Hypno-CBT techniques to help transition the mind and body into a "rest and digest" state. By addressing the psychological dread associated with not sleeping, clients find that they can restore healthy sleep architecture and overcome insomnia without relying on medication.
What is the difference between standard CBT and Hypno-CBT for managing stress?
While standard Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) effectively identifies and challenges negative thought patterns on a conscious level, CBH integrates hypnotherapy (focused relaxation and mental rehearsal), as well as mindfulness techniques. By deliberately lowering physiological arousal (the "fight or flight" response), clients are better able to engage with and absorb new cognitive strategies. For analytical corporate clients, this means they aren't just rationally discussing stress-management tools; they are actively practicing and reinforcing them in a calm, receptive state, often accelerating behavioural change.
Is online hypnotherapy effective for overcoming burnout and insomnia?
Yes, online Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy is highly effective and often preferred by busy corporate clients. Participating in sessions from a familiar, safe environment (like your own home) actually enhances the deep relaxation required for hypnotherapy to work best. Denise at JoySpace Therapy conducts secure, virtual therapy sessions that deliver the same clinical outcomes as in-person clinic visits.
