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 drop me a line at denise@joyspacetherapy.com and I will be very glad to offer you an answer.
Hypnosis is a state of focused attention. During hypnosis you focus on a dominant idea and I guide 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, it is natural and safe. However you need to be willing to participate in it and do the work so you can reap the benefits!
Hypnotherapy is a form of psychotherapy. It is a talking therapy that uses hypnosis to help treat conditions or change habits (as described by the NHS). Hypnotherapy utilises the heightened awareness state induced by hypnosis to help you focus on a problem 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.
The simple answer is no. Hypnosis is definitely not a form of mind control, nor am I interested in it. In hypnosis, you cannot be made to do, think or say anything you would not want to. Quite the opposite! You must want to accept the suggested ideas and participate in the process to benefit from it. Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are only helpful for as long as you are willing to participate, practice and put in the work outside of the therapy room.
CBH is an evidence-based, integrated therapeutic approach. It typically incorporates cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approaches, hypnosis and mindfulness. CBH sessions are typically a combination of discussion, practice of new skills, as well as mindfulness and relaxation exercises aimed at helping you with your troubles.
Mindfulness, CBT 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.
Currently all the sessions I can offer you are online, through well-established platforms which have been used with success in therapeutic settings. I am available worldwide. Online hypnotherapy is just as efficient as in person according to recent studies. Unfortunately, I am not available for in-person sessions Please book here.
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 psychoeducation and other practical elements typical of CBT.
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.
The simple answer is no. Even if our online session gets disconnected mid way due to any technical reasons, you will shortly be able to bring yourself back to the room once you no longer hear my voice. Equally, once the hypnosis session ends, you will become once more fully in the here and now. Hypnosis is completely safe and no one has ever been ‘stuck’.
They may seem the same to the untrained eye, but they are different. 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) and you practice how to best respond to that idea.
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.
Absolutely! My integrated therapeutic approach can be beneficial to many other concerns or presenting problems. The best thing to do is to call or 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 specialist, I will always say that too.
Each session lasts for either one hour (60 minutes) or 90 minutes (for the initial consultation) and I usually recommend 6-8 sessions, depending on what your objectives are. I cannot however guarantee that everyone will need so many sessions. Some of my clients needed more while others needed less. We would discuss this in our very first session.
Firstly you need to book an initial call with me (see form below), where we 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 over the phone. I will then send you an email with a link to confirm your appointment, log on details, my privacy policy and our therapeutic contract.
Simply put, 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 and you build your toolkit of new, improved coping skills.
