If you’ve never had hypnotherapy before, it’s completely normal to feel a bit unsure about what you’re walking into. Most people’s picture of hypnosis comes from stage shows or television, and a therapy session looks nothing like that.
So here’s what actually happens in a first session with me, from before you arrive to how you might feel afterwards.
Before your first session
We start with a free 20 minute consultation. It can be in person, by phone or on Zoom. You can tell me a little about what’s been happening, ask me anything you like, and then decide whether you want to go ahead. There’s no obligation.
If you do, you can book online or by phone. Sessions take place at Orchard Park, 10 Gardenside Avenue, Carmyle, Glasgow G32 8DR, or online over Zoom.
You don’t need to prepare anything. You don’t need to have worked out why you feel the way you do, or know exactly what to say. That’s something we can work out together.
The first part: talking
A session lasts around an hour, and the first session starts with a conversation.
I’ll want to understand what’s happening for you now. When does it show up? What does it stop you doing? What have you already tried? I’m also listening for patterns, because what people come in with is often only part of the story. The panic, the fear or the habit is real, but it’s usually connected to something else, and noticing that connection can make a big difference.
This isn’t a form filling exercise, and you won’t get a list of standard counselling questions. It’s a conversation. You decide what you share, and we go at a pace that feels right.
We may look at where something came from, when that’s useful. But I’m much more interested in helping you change what’s happening now than in going over every detail of your past.
The second part: hypnosis
For the hypnosis itself, you sit back and get comfortable, and I guide your attention.
Hypnosis is a state of focused attention, and it’s one you already slip into naturally. Think about getting so absorbed in a film that you stop noticing what’s going on around you, or driving a familiar route and realising you barely remember part of the journey. You were awake and in control. Your attention was simply somewhere else.
During the session:
- You won’t be asleep.
- You’ll hear everything I say.
- You can talk to me, move, and open your eyes whenever you want.
- I can’t make you do anything you don’t want to do.
Most people find it very relaxing. Some people expect something dramatic and are surprised by how ordinary it feels. That’s normal, and it doesn’t mean nothing is happening.
Not every session is hypnosis from start to finish. Hypnotherapy is a big part of how I work, but I’m also trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, NLP and other approaches, and I use whatever makes sense for you. Sometimes part of a session is spent looking at something in a different way, because that’s what’s needed.
At the end of the session
We take a few minutes to talk about how it went and what you noticed. Then we talk honestly about whether another session would help.
Most of the people I work with come for between two and four sessions. You pay for each one as you go, and there’s no pressure to book more than you need. If you’d like to know more about prices, I’ve written about how much hypnotherapy costs in Glasgow.
After your session
Many people leave feeling calm and relaxed. Some feel a bit tired, which is normal after focusing on something important for an hour.
Over the next few days, it’s worth paying attention to what feels different. It might be small, like noticing a familiar thought and not reacting to it in the usual way. Whatever you notice, bring it to your next session. It helps us see what’s shifting and what still needs work.
If your first session is online
Online sessions work in the same way and cost the same. All you need is:
- a quiet room where you won’t be interrupted for an hour
- a comfortable chair
- a reliable internet connection, with your camera on
- a pair of headphones if you have them
Common worries
Will I lose control?
No. You stay aware of what’s happening throughout, and you can speak, move or open your eyes at any point.
What if I can’t be hypnotised?
Hypnosis isn’t something that’s done to you. It’s a natural state of focused attention, and I’ll guide you into it gently. If it doesn’t feel how you expected, we talk about that and work with it.
Will I have to talk about things I don’t want to?
No. You decide what you share. Sometimes we can do useful work without going into every detail.
Can children have hypnotherapy?
I work with children from around eight years old upwards. We always have a consultation first, so I can check it’s the right fit.
Book a free consultation
If you’ve been thinking about hypnotherapy but aren’t sure what to expect, the consultation is a good place to start. There’s no pressure and nothing to prepare.
You can read more about hypnotherapy in Glasgow and anxiety therapy, or book your free consultation now. You can also call 0141 340 9870.