Frequently Asked Questions

Hypnotherapy: Whilst it does depend on an individuals response, most issues take between 3 – 5 sessions for positive and lasting changes to be made, although of course this does happen much more quickly for some! Fears and phobias for example can be resolved in as little as 1 - 2 sessions.

Short-Term Counselling: For specific, situational issues such as acute stress, a recent life transition, or a particular challenge like decision-making, short-term counselling can be very effective. This typically involves anywhere from 6 to 12 sessions. During this time, you'll work on immediate concerns, develop coping strategies, and gain new perspectives to help you navigate your situation.

Longer-Term Counselling/Psychotherapy: If you are dealing with more complex or deep-seated issues such as chronic anxiety, depression, or past trauma, longer-term counselling might be more appropriate. This could mean weekly sessions over several months or even longer. Longer-term counselling allows for a deeper exploration of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, helping you to understand and address the root causes of your difficulties.

Flexible Approach: It's important to remember that counselling is a very personal journey, and the number of sessions can be adjusted based on your progress and evolving needs. Some people may find significant relief after just a few sessions, while others may benefit from ongoing support. A regular review of your goals and progress will help determine the optimal length of your counselling experience.

Ultimately, the duration of counselling is tailored to fit your unique situation and goals. The most important thing is to take that first step and begin the journey towards greater understanding and emotional well-being.

There is no such thing as a Hypnosis feeling and many people do not feel like they have been hypnotised afterwards. Going into hypnosis is simply a pleasant and relaxing experience of the mind and body.

No you absolutely cannot. It is not possible to get stuck in hypnosis. You will remain in control at all times, regardless of how relaxed you feel. You can bring yourself out of hypnosis at any time if you wish and would simply drift back to full consciousness by yourself if something were to happen to your hypnotherapist while you were in hypnosis.

Anyone can be hypnotised. The depth of the hypnotic state is variable from person to person and different techniques may be required for different people but if you are willing and have a strong sense of need, together with trust and confidence in your hypnotherapist - you can be hypnotised! GP consent may be required for certain illnesses and you should not be hypnotised whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Definitely not! Whilst in hypnosis you are aware of what is going on around you and what is being said, regardless of how deeply you go into hypnosis. You remain in control at all times and your subconscious will not let you do anything which you don’t want to do, or which is against your beliefs. Hypnosis is not something which I do to you. It is a process that we do together. My role is to simply guide and help you to make the changes that you wish to achieve.

Cognitive behavioural therapy is a talking therapy, which aims to help you by encouraging you to challenge your own unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviour, allowing you to make improvements to your life.

Neuro-linguistic programming provides you with practical ways to change the way in which you think and view past events, and enables you to take control of your thoughts, feelings and emotions, in order to approach life differently.

EFT is an alternative treatment which involves tapping the body in order to create a balance in its energy system. This technique can be extremely useful in helping with pain and emotional distress. EFT is also known as Psychological acupuncture or tapping.

Find out more here: www.asensetherapy.co.uk/hypnotherapy-counselling-and-emdr

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing or (EMDR) is an evidence-based, psychotherapy method which focuses on the mind/body connection and aims to address memories of a past trauma, which is still distressing today.

This distressing memory might be triggering an emotional response in the form of intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, hyper-vigilance, nightmares anxiety, intense fear or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, which usually involves eye movements but sometimes tapping or sound is used, depending on a person’s individual needs and preferences. The aim is to reprocess the memories linked to a trauma.

During a traumatic incident, different parts of the brain usually communicate with each other in a way which enables a person to fully process what’s happening and come to terms with the incident. The memory is then stored according to perception of that incident.

Difficulties arise when a particularly intense memory, which is difficult to process gets stuck during the processing and storage procedure. This can result in it being re- awakened, when a present-day problem triggers the past memory and results in a person reliving the trauma again and again.

EMDR aims to reprocess the trauma, so that it no longer produces the same emotional response. EMDR can be used on its own or as an addition to hypnotherapy or talking therapy.

Counselling is generally a shorter-term process that focuses on specific issues and is often geared toward problem-solving and providing practical advice. It's typically used for dealing with immediate challenges, such as stress, relationship issues, or career concerns. Counselling sessions provide a supportive space to explore your feelings, understand your situation, and develop strategies to cope with or resolve the issues at hand. The approach tends to be more focused on the present and immediate future, helping you navigate life's challenges with greater clarity and confidence.

Psychotherapy, on the other hand, tends to be a longer-term treatment that delves deeper into your emotional and psychological history. It aims to uncover the underlying causes of persistent or complex issues, such as chronic anxiety, depression, or trauma. Psychotherapy often explores past experiences and their impact on your current behavior and mental health. This approach seeks to provide a deeper understanding of your thoughts, feelings, and patterns of behaviour, leading to profound personal growth and long-lasting change. Techniques used in psychotherapy can be diverse, including Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, Hypnotherapy and other modalities that address the complexities of the human psyche.

In summary, while both counselling and psychotherapy offer valuable support, counselling is typically more focused on immediate issues and practical solutions, whereas psychotherapy is a deeper, more comprehensive approach to understanding and resolving complex emotional and psychological challenges. Both can be incredibly beneficial, depending on your needs and goals

Asense Therapy complies fully with The General Data Protection Regulations

The GDPR replaces the 1998 Data Protection Act to ensure your personal and sensitive, confidential data is kept private and held securely, being processed in the way that you have agreed to. It is there to protect your rights as a consumer of a service or product that might involve your identifiable data, e.g. your name and address or whether you have a specific condition. It also covers any session records, text messages or emails we exchange.

Full details will be provided at the initial consultation.