Hypnotherapy and NLP

Hypnotherapy is a talking therapy that uses focused relaxation to make it easier to change a habit or a response you have not been able to shift by deciding to. You are awake and in control throughout, you can hear everything, and nobody makes you do anything. Most people find the experience closer to being absorbed in a book than anything they have seen on television.

More information

At Healthflex we use hypnotherapy and neuro linguistic programming most often for stopping smoking, and for the anxiety and stress that has started to affect sleep, work or driving. Sessions are one to one and private, and the first one is largely spent working out what you actually want to be different, because that is what the rest of the work is aimed at.

How many sessions will I need

Stopping smoking is often a single longer session, sometimes with one follow up. Anxiety and stress work usually takes a short course rather than one appointment, because we are building something you can use on your own afterwards. We will give you an honest estimate at the first session and we will not sell you a package you do not need.

Does it actually work

It varies by person and by what you are trying to change, and anybody promising a guaranteed result is overselling. What we can say is what the session involves, what is realistic, and how you will know whether it is working. If you are stopping smoking, it is worth knowing that NHS stop smoking services are free, evidence based and effective, and we are happy for you to use both.

Is it suitable for everyone

Not quite. If you have a diagnosed mental health condition and are under the care of a team, we may ask you to check with them first, and there are situations where we will say that hypnotherapy is not the right treatment and point you elsewhere. Speaking to your GP first is never a bad idea.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does being hypnotised feel like?
Most people describe it as being deeply absorbed and physically relaxed while remaining completely aware of where they are. You can hear everything, you stay in control, and you can end the session at any point. It is much closer to being lost in a book than to anything portrayed in films.
How many sessions does stopping smoking take?
Often a single longer session, sometimes with one follow up. It is worth knowing that NHS stop smoking services are free and evidence based, and using both alongside each other is entirely sensible rather than a contradiction.
Is hypnotherapy suitable for everyone?
Not in every case. If you are under the care of a mental health team we may ask you to check with them before starting, and there are situations where we will tell you that hypnotherapy is not the right approach and suggest where to go instead. Speaking to your GP first is always reasonable.