I usually start answering this question by explaining what a trance is. A trance is when you essentially zone out - a bit like when you drive a car and you wonder how you just drove the last 10 minutes (incidentally your subconscious mind steps in drives for you). Or even when you are absorbed in a book and seem to not be aware of noises going on around you. This is a trance and can be associated with using your imagination, so you are not consciously present in the here and now.

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So I describe hypnosis as the manual process of formally going into a trance, by whatever process that may be. In reality all hypnosis is Self hypnosis, even if you are seeing a hypnotist - after all, hypnosis is not mind control or magic. This is why you may hear me tell you that you are the one doing the change and not me!

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Often the terms Hypnosis and Trance are used interchangeably but it is recognised that hypnosis is an amplifier to any changework.

Your brain gets programmed over time; either through direct suggestions or through your environment. These programs are very powerful and mould your character, personality and beliefs.

During hypnotherapy you are guided to a trance. Once in a deep trance, your conscious mind is able to step aside and the sub conscious mind is opened up so that new programmes can be instilled. This is why hypnosis is traditionally a very quick form of change work. Hypnosis is seen as an amplifier for change: these changes can be made deeper and quicker.

I get asked this a lot - Can you help me with (fill in the blank)? The answer is more often going to be a yes. The fact is, many, many problems are internalised - they exist inside your own head. This is where hypnosis can help as I can help unlock the cause and resolve the emotions which cause the problem.

An initial chat with me will help me determine if it is something I can help with as I can get an idea of how your problem originated and allow me to gather more details.

Hypnosis is not dangerous. In fact a person goes in and out of a state of hypnosis naturally many times a day (such as reading a book, watching television or even when driving). Hypnosis is not brainwashing or mind control and, while I'm at it, cannot make you do anything you don't want to do under hypnosis. It is also not against the Bible. If it was, then so is television as that's the largest trance inducer in the world!

In short, No!

Meditation is generally the act of sitting down, closing your eyes, controlling your breath, and clearing your thoughts or your mind. This may induce a very light trance but this isn't the intention of meditation. I guess you could see trance as a bi-product of meditation and is developed naturally in the same way driving long distances does.

Hypnosis, however, produces a deeper trance, putting the power of that trance state to work in a much more powerful way and by directing the power of your unconscious mind for incredible and rapid changes.

I get asked this question a lot on assessment calls. The answer is due to many reasons. My theory is that Film and TV portray hypnotists as strange people lurking in the shadows with black capes, talking in silly voices. How can it be taken seriously when this is being sold to people (the reality is very different, I don't even own a cape!)?

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Next, big pharma controls most of the health industry, especially in America. There is too much money in handing out pills. Also, if you go the doctor with a problem, you would probably go for the pills if you though you were better in a few hours. (Remember though, this is dealing with the symptom and not the root cause).

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This question made me look at other people's opinions on the internet. I found loads of examples of people who probably have no experience or knowledge of hypnosis were repeating myths "it's mind control". This will probably never go away unfortunately.

There is hope though - in America, The Mayo clinics use hypnosis in their hospitals, and there are mainly professionals in the health industry now being trained in hypnosis.

Yes you can. You need to listen and follow instructions and you'll be fine. Sometimes clients don't think they're under hypnosis but I'll point out a few things to show that they were. In any case, I have tools to use on the therapy side that will work at any state of trance, so don't get too hung up on this point! Also, don't forget, in an earlier question I made the point that you are in and out of hypnosis all day!

No, you will be able to break trance easily and freely, just like you come round from a day dream. If you were day dreaming and you heard your child screaming, you would almost immediately react. The same is true of hypnosis.

Honestly, It feels like whatever it feels like to you! I say this because everybody feels it differently. Common feelings are a feeling of a total bliss state, with arms or legs feeling really light. Other people may feel their limbs are heavy. Others may feel twitchy, others all tingly. Or may be a mixture of everything. Maybe nothing at all!

Absolutely! It is now the only way I work. The clients I've had find it more convenient as they don't need to leave the house and have to factor in travel cost or time. I also achieve the same results that I used to get when seeing clients face to face.