Questions about online hypnotherapy

Yes. Hypnosis depends on your attention and my voice, and neither needs us to share a room. My own experience says the same. I moved online during the lockdowns, it worked so well that I kept going, and online is now the heart of my practice.

I use exactly the same techniques and the same session structure as I always did in my London rooms. What changes is the setting, and in my experience that usually helps. Clients often relax more deeply in their own home, and with headphones on my voice is close and private, right in your ears, which many people find more intimate than sitting across a room from me.

You click the private link I've sent a minute or two before we start. We spend the first few minutes checking we can see and hear each other. Then we talk: how the week has gone and what we're focusing on today. Next comes hypnosis, with your eyes closed, listening through headphones. I bring you back gently, we talk about what you noticed, and we agree what to practise before next time. As a rough guide in an hour: a few minutes on sound and picture, 20 to 25 minutes talking, around 25 minutes of hypnosis and a few minutes to finish.

The first session has more talking. I want to understand your history, what's going on now and what you'd like instead, and then you have a first, gentle experience of hypnosis so you know what it feels like. Later sessions are more focused, with more time spent in hypnosis.

There's no journey, no unfamiliar building and no waiting room. You're in your own space, so there's less sense of being on show, and many people find they talk more openly. It fits around work, school runs and caring, and when we finish you're already somewhere comfortable. Clients who find travel, new places or meeting people face to face difficult tell me online is what finally made starting possible.

Yes. I work with clients around the world. We'll agree a time that suits your time zone, and my booking confirmation will show it in UK time so there's no confusion. Early-morning and evening slots help with the Americas, Asia and Australia. Fees are in pounds sterling (GBP), and paying by card handles the currency conversion for you.

No. Hypnosis is a relaxed, focused state, a bit like being absorbed in a good book or drifting in a daydream. You're aware the whole time, you hear everything, and most people remember the session clearly.

Relaxing isn't a test you can fail, and you don't need a deep trance for the work to be useful. Some people drift off easily; others feel very ordinary and are surprised by what changes afterwards. I adapt my approach to how you respond, and in my experience almost everyone who wants to engage can experience hypnosis.

A laptop, tablet or phone with a camera and microphone; a steady internet connection; headphones; a private room where you won't be interrupted for the hour; a comfortable chair with support for your head if possible; and a glass of water. A blanket is a nice extra, as people can cool down when they're deeply relaxed.

Microsoft Teams or Zoom, whichever you prefer. I send a private link for each session. You can join Zoom from your web browser without creating an account, and Teams also lets you join as a guest from your browser. If you'd rather use the app, it's free to download.

I strongly recommend them. They keep the session private from anyone else in the house, they make my voice clearer and closer, and they make it much easier to stay absorbed. Wired headphones are the most reliable; if you use Bluetooth, charge them fully first. Over-ear or in-ear both work, so pick whatever is comfortable to wear with your head resting back.

Either works. A laptop or tablet is easier to see during the talking part, but a phone is fine as long as it's propped up securely, not handheld, and plugged in or fully charged.

Sit in a comfortable chair or on a sofa rather than lying down. Place your device so I can see your head and shoulders, at roughly eye level, with light in front of you rather than behind. Close the door, put your phone on silent, turn off notifications on the device you're using, and keep pets out if they're likely to want your attention.

Nothing harmful. If the connection breaks while you're in hypnosis, you'll simply come back to normal awareness in your own time and open your eyes, just as you would at the end of any session. Then: 1) rejoin the same link; 2) if we can't reconnect within a couple of minutes, I'll phone you on the number you gave me when booking; 3) if the problem is on my side and we lose meaningful time, we'll finish by phone or rearrange the rest at no extra cost.

Not at all. If you can open a link in an email, you can join. I'll send simple step-by-step instructions, the first few minutes of every session are for checking sound and picture, and if it would help we can do a short test call beforehand.

I prefer video, especially at the start, because seeing you helps me notice how you're responding and adjust as we go. Once we've worked together, a phone session can sometimes be arranged if video isn't possible.

Yes. Teams and Zoom calls are encrypted, every session has its own private link, and I work from a private room where nobody can overhear. Sessions aren't recorded. My notes are kept securely and handled in line with UK GDPR. The privacy policy has the detail.

I don't record sessions unless we've agreed it beforehand, and nothing is recorded without your consent. If a recording would help you between sessions, ask me and we can talk about it.

For most people it's a calm, pleasant experience, and with a trained practitioner it's generally very safe. You stay in control throughout and can open your eyes and stop at any time. Some people feel tired or a little emotional afterwards, which passes. Please tell me about any physical or mental health conditions at the consultation so we can check it's right for you.

No. Nobody gets stuck: if I stopped talking, you would simply drift back to normal awareness or into a short nap. And you can't be made to do anything that goes against your values. That's a stage-show idea, not therapy. Everything we do is agreed with you first.

I won't work with anyone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of a session, or anyone who is driving or needs to stay alert. If you have psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder in an acute phase, epilepsy, or are in crisis, please speak to your GP or care team first and tell me at the consultation, so we can decide together whether it's appropriate. Some conditions are fine to work with alongside your doctor. See is it right for me? for more.

Never stop or change prescribed medication in order to start hypnotherapy; that's always a conversation for your doctor. If you have depression or a diagnosed condition, I'd encourage you to let your GP know you're having hypnotherapy. It works alongside medical care, not instead of it.

Hypnotherapy isn't an emergency service, so please get help straight away. In the UK, call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time of day or night; call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option; or text SHOUT to 85258. If your life or someone else's is at risk, call 999. Outside the UK, call your local emergency number.

Yes, when they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Where I work with a young person, a parent or guardian needs to give consent and stay in the house during online sessions, and I'll talk to them at the free consultation first.

Yes, what you tell me stays between us, and only I see my notes. The only exceptions are the standard ones: if I believed you or someone else was at serious risk of harm, or if the law required me to disclose something. See the privacy policy.

It depends on you and what you want to change. Stopping smoking is one 2-hour session. Most people need around five sessions (7 hours); a specific fear often needs fewer. I'll give you an honest estimate at the free consultation, and most people notice progress as we go.

Sessions are an hour; stop smoking is a 2-hour double session. Leave yourself 10 to 15 minutes afterwards before driving, cooking or jumping on a work call, so the calm has time to settle.

Most people feel calm, relaxed or pleasantly tired. Occasionally someone feels emotional, especially after working on something difficult; that's normal and passes. Have some water, take it easy for a little while, and tell me how you got on at our next session. Serious side effects are rare.

No ethical hypnotherapist can guarantee results, because so much depends on you. What improves your chances is wanting the change, being open with me, and practising what we agree between sessions. I'm not allowed to make guarantees, but I'm very confident that you will make significant progress within 7 hours of hypnotherapy (usually five sessions). If for any reason, further sessions are required or desired for the same issue, fees will be reduced to £97.50/hour (ongoing). See fees.

I'll teach you self-hypnosis and give you simple things to practise, which makes a real difference to how quickly change sticks. You're welcome to let me know how you're getting on between sessions.

I've been training since 2004 and have more than 20 years' experience. I'm an Advanced and Ericksonian Hypnotherapist, a Master Practitioner of NLP trained by its co-founders Richard Bandler and John Grinder, a life and executive coach, and a member of the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR). See about Tim.

£150 per hour for online sessions, and the consultation is free. Stopping smoking is one 2-hour double session, £250. All fees are in pounds sterling. Concessions may be available on request. Full details are on fees.

Yes. It's 15 to 30 minutes by phone or video. You tell me what's going on and what you'd like to change, ask anything you like, and I explain how I'd help and roughly how many sessions to expect. There's no pressure and no obligation to book.

Start by booking your free consultation or calling 07923 495558. If you decide to go ahead, we'll fix a time and I'll send a confirmation with your private session link and a short checklist. You pay 50% of the fee in advance by card or bank transfer, and the other 50% at the end of your first session.

If you need to move a session, please give me at least 24 hours' notice; the terms explain what happens with late changes. If a session can't go ahead because of a problem on my side, including my connection, you won't pay for the lost time and we'll rearrange.