Common questions, answered
Everything people usually want to know before booking — click a question to expand it.
What happens in my first session?
Your initial consultation lasts around 20–30 minutes and is where I get to know a bit about you and what’s brought you here — you won’t need to go into great depth at this stage. What you can tell me helps us decide together whether BWRT or Hypnotherapy is the better fit, and gives you a realistic idea of how many sessions you’re likely to need, though this can shift once we get going. Some issues, like specific phobias, can be resolved in a single session.
Why do fears and anxieties sometimes last for years?
Often it’s because an event was never fully processed — the emotion was suppressed into the subconscious rather than released, the way grief naturally releases over time. That subconscious “entry” can then be triggered years later by something that only loosely resembles the original event — a sound, a feeling, a situation — even though it makes no obvious sense to your conscious mind. Therapy works by bringing that repressed material into conscious awareness, where it can finally be reframed and released for good.
Can I take medication and still have therapy?
Yes, it’s absolutely safe, and therapy is often more effective alongside medication when symptoms feel overwhelming — a more stable emotional foundation can make it easier to process and resolve the underlying causes. Before starting BWRT or Hypnotherapy, I’ll need confirmation from your doctor that you’re medically fit to proceed. I don’t advise stopping any prescribed medication without consulting your GP first — any changes should be managed safely with your doctor’s guidance.
Are there everyday habits that make anxiety worse?
A few common ones worth being honest with yourself about: too much caffeine, alcohol (which can suppress anxiety short-term but worsen it overall), recreational drugs, smoking, cold and flu medication containing stimulants, and skipping meals — all of these can raise heart rate or trigger the same physical sensations as anxiety. On the flip side, good sleep, exercise, and relaxation all help.
Do I need to know the root cause of my anxiety to get better?
Not necessarily. Therapies like Hypnoanalysis go directly to the root cause, but an educational approach — understanding what’s happening in your mind and body, and what to do when it happens — can also release the emotion behind a repressed memory without ever needing to identify what caused it. Sometimes the root cause surfaces along the way anyway, but it isn’t essential to overcoming anxiety.
What does life look like after therapy?
You won’t become a different person — you’ll simply become more of who you already are, without the anxiety holding you back. Many clients describe things feeling lighter and easier, doing things they used to avoid (like flying or travelling), and finding the confidence to make bigger life decisions based on what’s right rather than what feels safe. Therapy isn’t about changing who you are — it’s about removing what you’re not.