What is Cognitive Hypnotherapy

Cognitive hypnotherapy brings together hypnosis, modern psychological approaches, therapeutic conversation and practical techniques.

A Flexible and Collaborative Approach

Cognitive hypnotherapy brings together hypnosis, modern psychological approaches, therapeutic conversation and practical techniques.

Rather than applying the same method or script to every person, it explores the individual pattern behind the problem. This may include the way you think, the emotions you experience, beliefs developed through earlier experiences and automatic responses that occur before you have time to consciously intervene.

Two people may both describe themselves as anxious, for example, while experiencing different triggers, thoughts, sensations and fears. Their routes towards change may therefore need to be different.

Cognitive hypnotherapy begins with the person—not simply the label given to the problem.

Working With Conscious and Automatic Responses

Some difficulties continue even when we consciously understand that a reaction is no longer helpful.

You may know that flying is generally safe but still experience fear as soon as you enter an airport. You may want to feel confident but notice an automatic inner voice predicting that you will fail. You may understand that tension and fear can intensify the distress associated with pain while still finding those reactions difficult to interrupt.

Cognitive hypnotherapy explores the relationship between conscious thought and these more automatic patterns. The aim is to help you develop responses that are more flexible, useful and consistent with the way you want to live.

What Is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis can be understood as a state of focused attention. During hypnosis, you may feel calm and absorbed while remaining aware of what is happening.

You are not asleep, unconscious or under somebody else’s control. You cannot be made to reveal information or act against your values. The therapist guides the process, but you remain an active participant and can stop at any time.

What Might a Session Include?

There is no standard script used with every client. Depending on your needs, a session may involve:

Talking through the problem and its effect on your life

Identifying triggers, beliefs and recurring emotional responses

Hypnosis and guided relaxation

Imagery and visualisation

Mental rehearsal of a desired response

Techniques for regulating difficult emotions

Practical exercises to use between sessions

Some people experience useful changes quickly, while others benefit from a longer process. A responsible therapist cannot guarantee a particular outcome or number of sessions.

What Cognitive Hypnotherapy Is Not

It is a collaborative therapeutic process centred on your experiences, choices and goals.

Fees

Sessions are £250 each. Please confirm the session length, cancellation policy and payment arrangements when booking.