Hypnotherapy is a strange and mysterious thing to most people, and clients who come to be hypnotized are often uncertain of what to expect. Some people assume that because they can remember everything, they must not have been hypnotized. Others expect… more »

Another very valuable technique is to ask every client 'Have you ever been hypnotised before?'. People who come to hypnosis often have had hypnosis before and too often have had bad experiences with incompetent hypnotists. more »

Before I start working with a client I always ask 'What are you want from me?'. This ensures that I learn what the client has in their mind that they think they need for the therapy to succeed. Usually the say something simple like 'I just need you to… more »

Another question I usually use with clients  before I start hypnotizing them is to ask them 'What are you expecting?'. This makes sure that the client is not harbouring any unrealistic fears of going into trance, but equaly that they do not have any un… more »

I had the following email conversation. It is perfect example of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing! I am a Hypnotherapy student affiliated to the *** Institute of Hypnosis. My eldest daughter (37 years old) has to have extensive dental work d… more »

How can I help you today? is one of the least useful ways of starting a session.   What would you like to have happen? more »

I was asked how I would deal with a client who had  a  fear of dogs. The usual treatment in hypnotherapy is to use the NLP Magic Cinema technique. This works by getting the person to imagine a scene where they are  about to meet or be threated by a dog… more »

Sometimes the simplest tests are the best. When dealing with smokers another little test that I use with them is to ask one key question to assess their attachment and dependency on smoking. Right at the beginning I say to the smoker "I am going to mak… more »

Many clients have vivid imaginations and are in contact with the metaphors that are used by their own minds. I take advantage of this in therapy sessions to get into their unconscious mind quickly and easily.   I use this where a client uses lots of v… more »

Every smoker is different and every smoker needs a therapy matched to their unique particular needs but knowing which therapy to use can be a problem. I start by using two simple scale questions.    I  ask them to rate themselves on a scale of one to te… more »

I keep meeting people who are in awe of Sigmund Freud. I am not one of them. I have studied Freud at university and the more I learn of his ideas, the more I  dislike them and everything about them. Freud actually worked with very few clients. Most of… more »

How many Ericksonian hypnotherapists does it take to change a light bulb? Answer: Seventeen. One to change the bulb, and sixteen to argue about how Milton would have done it. more »

I have done a lot of past life regression recently. It is a lot of fun. I have now developed a colourful patter to go round the hypnosis and am quite confident about the whole process. I am also now convinced that the whole past life business is a load… more »

I was emailed  a question: how can hypnosis be used to increase height? You cannot increase your height with hypnosis. Some things are genetically determined and just cannot be changed by mental effort. Hypnosis will not be able to make you taller, or… more »