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Hypnotherapy questions and answers

Hypnotherapists, from Sheffield and all around the world, often get the same questions asked of them. Answering these questions is an opportunity to provide people with accurate information about what hypnosis is and is not.
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There are many misunderstandings, fears and anxieties about what hypnosis is and what is involved in the process of therapy.

Hopefully the answers here on this page will give you what you are looking for. If we have missed out the question you most want to know the answer to please get in touch.

Does hypnosis work?

The evidence from the many people we have helped over the years is undoubtedly YES! Hypnosis has the potential to help you shift unhelpful or unhealthy patterns of behaviour and to replace them with something more up to date.

You have been in a trance thousands of times before – you called it daydreaming, automatic pilot or being off with the faeries. These are all hypnotic states of mind and happen completely naturally to us all.

MRI scans have shown that when people go into trance something specific and distinct does indeed happen.

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a perfectly normal frame of mind that the brain naturally enters many times a day for most people. Hypnosis is frequently associated with a deep sense of relaxation and the focusing of attention on appropriate suggestions made by the therapist.

These suggestions help people make the positive changes within themselves that they desire. In a hypnotherapy session you are always in control and cannot be made to do anything you wouldn’t do normally.

What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis is what happens in a hypnosis stage show. The hypnotic state is used to ‘make’ a person do things that are entertaining for the people in the audience.

A hypnotherapist uses the same hypnotic state but uses it to help the individual to make changes to aspects of how they think, act or feel which are focused on improvement. The actual process of being hypnotised is pretty much the same in both cases.

Can everyone be hypnotised?

The metropolitan population of Sheffield is 1,569,000. How many of those do you think can go into trance? Half? Three quarters? Technically the answer is every single one of them. You go into trance frequently. You call it ‘daydreaming’ or being ‘in the zone’ or ‘automatic pilot’ so you see, you are already an expert at being in a hypnotic state!

Doctor David Speigel from Stanford University School of Medicine did MRI scans on people with high hypnotic susceptibility and people with low hypnotic susceptibility. He claims that about a quarter of people can’t be hypnotised but the research I have read doesn’t show how people were categorised into high and low hypnotic susceptibility groups.

This research combined with the fact that everyone can imagine/daydream/zone out means that everyone can go into trance but some people do it quicker, easier and deeper than others. Even those who have a low hypnotic susceptibility level can still go into a trance and can still potentially benefit from hypnotherapy.

In the past a well known technique commonly used to induce a hypnotic trance was a swinging watch. This worked because it caused the small muscles around the eyes to get tired which lead to a feeling of heaviness in the eye. When this was combined with suggestions like “your eyes are feeling heavy and sleepy” it matched the individual’s experience.

Other hypnotic induction techniques of the past are to use hypnotic spiral. The idea behind this was that it would be something to focus attention on and would have a degree of dizziness and disorientation which we usually want to avoid or minimise. When given a suggestion to “close your eyes and relax” there is a sense of relief which matches in with the command to relax and gets the process off to a great start.

Nowadays a hypnotic state is usually induced in a therapy setting by just talking rather than swinging watches etc. Usually it is just the slow and soothing way that the hypnotherapist speaks, combined with certain linguistic techniques that enables the client to focus their attention, shut out the outside world and in some cases (but not all) to relax. Sometimes the hypnotherapist may also touch the forehead or hands of the client as part of a hypnotic induction, if required, but only with permission.

It varies between individuals and it can take a few sessions for people to identify the feelings. These are often of arms or legs feeling very heavy or light or even feeling rigid. Sometimes clients may also feel like they are floating or spinning or that parts of their body have enlarged or reduced in size. Some people report a feeling of being so deeply relaxed that they are unable to or can’t be bothered to move their body.

The majority of people also feel that time passes quicker, so that a 50 minute session can feel more like 20 minutes. Some people get swirls of colour and light happening behind their closed eyes. Some people drift into pleasant past memories or dreams for the future and hardly hear a word the hypnotherapist says. There is also often a feeling of being re-energised after a session as well as residual feelings of being relaxed.

The word ‘hypnosis’ is based on the Greek word hypnos which means sleep. This means that hypnosis is definitely mis-named! A hypnotic trance is not sleep. They are similar but different. In a hypnotic trance you will probably be very relaxed and peaceful in a similar way to when you are drifting off to sleep but different. It is a bit like almost falling asleep but not quite getting there.

People do sometimes fall asleep while they are in trance but if they do it isn’t usually a problem if they are having a face to face session with a hypnotherapist. The reason for this is that most people change when they go from trance to sleep. One of the most common changes is that people snore. There are also other changes like some people slump over or their eye movements change.

If this happens the hypnotherapist can easily bring the person back from sleep and back into trance and continue with the therapy. Sometimes there is only a small difference between someone who is asleep and that same person in trance. In these cases the hypnotherapist might not notice that the client is asleep. If the hypnotherapist is recording the session then this can act as a kind of safety net and the client can listen again at home.

This is a common worry among people who are considering hypnotherapy. People worry about losing control and doing things or saying things that they would rather not. This is in part down to the traditional way that hypnotists explained their craft when on stage.

They would say things like “You are under my power and will do exactly as I say!” And then the subject does as they are told.

In hypnotherapy this authoritarian approach is used less often. A hypnotherapist will often work using hypnotic techniques to epower the individual to take control of their own life in order to achieve their goals.

So far from taking control of the subject, the hypnotherapist gives the subject more power and more control, not less.

Being in a trance in real life is very different to being in a trance in films. Hypnosis is not a “truth drug” and you can’t be made to do something against your will.

Even if you did divulge a secret it would not go any further because whatever is said in sessions is covered by client/therapist confidentiality.

The jury is out on this one! Many hypnotherapists will reel out the lines they have been told by others that you can never be made to do anything against your will. the reason for this is that it really reassures potential clients but is probably not true.

As a technique hypnosis could be used to make you do something out of character/against your will. The secret is to have the thing you are made to do not register as being against your will. Derren Brown (and a few others) have made a convincing case that hypnosis can be done on people without their knowledge. Then the subject could be conditioned or influenced to do things like kill Steven Fry or rob a security guard.

The question is why would a hypnotherapist have any interest in making you do something illegal or immoral? They have a lot more interest in helping you to change in the way you want to change and the happy by-product of this is that it is also good for their business.

Many people ask “Is hypnosis safe?” The answer is, yes… if it is done by a well-trained therapist. It is important to ensure that your therapist has at least a Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma (HPD) as this is seen as the bare minimum for a professional hypnotherapist.

As well as this they should be insured for public liability and professional indemnity. If the hypnotherapist is a member of a professional body they will usually have to work to a code of conduct and ethics. This makes the process of hypnotherapy safe for you to enjoy.

Hypnosis is usually very safe and for the vast majority of people it brings improvements into their life. There have been media reports over the years about how hypnosis has been dangerous and even been linked to deaths. Much of the media coverage of anything to do with hypnosis is sensationalist and inaccurate. Richard Hennessy has written a blog post on the question of  “Is hypnosis safe?” and you can find more details on this question there.

The proof that hypnosis is a real and distinct mental state is in. So now that it is incontrovertible that it exists people are now asking but HOW does hypnosis work.
That is where things get a little hazy. The short answer is that there are several theories as to how it works but there isn’t a conclusive answer on it… yet!

For a longer explanation on the theories, read Richard Hennessy’s article “How does hypnosis work?”.

Possibly, possibly not. Some people remember ever single word that was said in a session while others have no conscious memory of what was said after the first 5 minutes. For hypnotherapy to be effective you are not required to be able to recall what was said. From Richard Hennessy’s experience, he has had many clients who have said that they have heard each word during trance but have forgotten it after. In this way it is possible to hear what is said AND to forget it as well.

There are two main ‘flavours’ of hypnosis. One is regressive. This means going back into your past to the ‘initial socialising event’ and using techniques that focus on imagining this initial event being different and the effect that this change would have had on your life. They then usually focus on this change carrying forward into the future.

In most cases it is not important if you remember the details of an incident which went on to be a possible root cause of your current issue. Sometimes it is useful or interesting to get the details of the picnic that lead to you being stung by a wasp which then lead to your phobia, for example, but it isn’t vital.

The second ‘flavour’ of hypnosis is solution focused. This skips out the whole regression side of things. This approach says “the past is what it was and is as important as you tell yourself it is.” It focuses on what you can do in the future to make things more how you want them to be and it is my preferred way of working.

In a word, yes. Hypnosis has been shown to improve performance in many areas including : sports, career, memory and concentration, acting, studying, exams, presentations and public speaking skills.

This depends on the type of therapy and the individual. There have been concerns raised regarding epileptics, although there is no evidence that hypnosis can trigger seizures.

Some people say that people with schizophrenia should not be hypnotised but Richard Bandler (the co-creator of NLP and someone who is very skilled at hypnotic techniques) says that he has had considerable success working with schizophrenics.

This depends on the individual and the issue being addressed. To a large degree it is down to the person receiving treatment as to how effective hypnotherapy can be.

Hypnotherapy is intended to be a swift therapy technique and there shouldn’t be any reason to see someone for more than a handful of sessions at the very most although many people will see results much sooner than this. A professional therapist will never keep a client in therapy any longer than is absolutely necessary.

The reviews Richard Hennessy has had from previous clients will attest to the fact that often change can be unexpectedly swift for some people.

This depends on the degree of subconscious change that was initially brought about. The best and most long lasting therapy addresses underlying causes of the behaviour causing concern.
It depends on the individual, but there is always the possibility that a problem can be treated once and never troubles the client ever again. It is also possible that hypnotherapy will be successful but won’t last a lifetime and may need ‘topping up’.

What people mean by “strong minded” when they ask this kind of question is never that clear but technically everyone is capable of going into a trance as it is a perfectly normal frame of mind pretty much every one of us experiences on a daily basis.

As mentioned in a previous question, if you don’t want to be hypnotised then you can’t be. This means that you have every chance of going into a trance and benefiting from this if you are a willing participant.

Pain is a warning signal to let a person know there is a problem within the body and where it is at. This is essential for survival. For example, if you touched an oven that was extremely hot you would instinctively and instantly move your hand away. If you have got the message that pain is being registered, for example while having a tattoo, the pain signal is not needed but can still get in the way in some cases.

It would be really useful to be able to turn off or reduce the pain signal in these circumstances. Hypnotherapy can in some cases help people to achieve exactly this.

Professor William Ray from the Penn State psychology department has said “We have done a variety of EEG studies, one of which suggests that hypnosis removes the emotional experience of pain while allowing the sensory sensation to remain. Thus, you notice you were touched but not that it hurt.”

In 2013 hypnotist Alex Lenki put himself into a hypnotic trance while a surgeon did an operation that involved cutting through Alex’s ankle bone. Alex said “I’m not averse to anaesthetic – it’s just that my pain control is a hell of a lot better than the medical professions and I heal a lot quicker because my body doesn’t have to get rid of all the chemicals. The brain is a very sophisticated computer and if your press the right buttons it will do amazing things – if you press the right buttons it will switch certain things off.”

At the beginning it is usually best to have each treatment session around 7 days apart. This gives the work done in each session the time to sink in and to be processed by the brain and during this time you may begin to notice your thoughts, attitudes or behaviours changing.

Hypnotherapists are usually generalists rather than specialists, though at Focused Hypnosis our hypnotherapists all have something they specialise in. A generalist is like a GP/doctor. They see people for all sorts of different issues and are pretty good at helping most people to some degree. However, if you have a serious health issue and your GP said “I could have a go at treating you but to be honest I have never done this kind of procedure before” it wouldn’t exactly fill you with confidence would it?

Compare that to a specialist who says “The only field I work in is this one and I see people day in and day out with the exact issue you have and I know exactly what I am doing when I treat this.” Who inspires more confidence? The specialist of course!
The downside is that there aren’t many specialist hypnotherapists, which is why we have specialist hypnotherapists at Focused Hypnosis.

Issues hypnotherapists often treat are weight loss, phobias, stopping smoking, and confidence issues (like public speaking – the UK’s #1 phobia).

This is a question which was fuelled in the last few years by a stage hypnotist who supposedly tripped mid show and knocked himself out. It was reported that his subjects were “stuck in trance” and a second hypnotist had to be called in to get the “stuck” subjects out.

This smacks of self publicity and the manipulation of the ignorant media by someone who wanted some national press! It is not possible to get stuck in trance. Think of it as being like going to sleep. When you sleep you might have a 10 minute power nap or you might have a super long 14 hours.

However long you are asleep for there will come a point where you wake up. The same is true for being in a hypnotic trance. You will open your eyes eventually one way or the other.

A person in trance is more suggestible than someone who is not. The clucking like a chicken (or dancing like a chicken is a common variation on this question) is something that you might expect to see during a stage hypnosis show. It would be expected by a participant in this kind of setting as it is done for the entertainment of others at the expense of the subject’s dignity.

In a therapy setting however no hypnotherapist worth their salt would ever do this kind of thing as there is no audience to entertain.

Just out of interest … how DO you dance like a chicken??

This is usually one of the questions most people want to know. You could find a cheap hypnotherapist that charges as little as £40 per session and sometimes for this price you can get someone who is good at what they do. Equally you might be able to find some that charge £90 per session and they might be rubbish at what they do.

We recommend finding a hypnotherapist you want to work with that takes account of their cost but also focuses on other factors like the number and quality of their reviews, the quality of their website, the gut instinct you get from speaking to them and if they work at home out of a back bedroom or if they have a professional clinic.

If they have, great! If not then there is no problem at all. There are a LOT of questions about hypnotherapy and this page answers the main ones. If your question isn’t answered here or if you have something of a more personal nature that you would like to discuss then please book a callback or send us a message.

We are happy to give you all the information you need, for free. This enables you to make an informed and educated decision about working with us.

Get in touch

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We offer a free and friendly call back option so you can book a time that is convenient for you to talk through your issue, find out more about hypnosis and how we could help you change your life.

We would love to help you so whether you have a question, would like some more information about hypnotherapy or how we can help you, please get in touch.

We would love to help you so whether you have a question, would like some more information about hypnotherapy or how we can help you, please get in touch.

Hypnotherapy Services

Focused Hypnosis provides effective relief for a wide range of issues. Whether it’s addressing anxiety, depression, weight loss, phobias or other concerns, hypnotherapy in Sheffield can help you develop new perspectives, healthier coping mechanisms and responses to your struggles.

Our reviews

We know that hypnosis reviews can make a big difference when you want to find a hypnotherapist near you.

We’re genuinely thrilled to be a part of your success stories and it just fuels our passion to keep helping others on their path to a healthier and happier life.

Richard has helped me manage stress, which has in turned helped manage my migraine condition. I'm now medication free and migraine free.

Meet the Focused Hypnosis team

While most hypnotherapists are versatile and capable of addressing a wide range of issues, our team at Focused Hypnosis consists of specialists who excel in specific areas. We have dedicated hypnotherapists who specialise in weight loss, while also offering their expertise in addressing various other concerns. This allows us to provide tailored and effective hypnotherapy services for a range of issues.

Focused Hypnosis - Rich

Focused Hypnosis - Rich

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Focused Hypnosis - Rich
Hi, my name is Rich. I am the owner of Focused Hypnosis and I am here to answer any questions you might have got. Please do ask me anything you want to know about hypnotherapy
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Gunnar Mallon
Gunnar Mallon

left us a 5 star review

I saw Richard during the course of four sessions to help me get my weight under control without going on some magic diet. Richard is a lovely, friendly, and knowledgeable person, who made me feel at ease from the word go. The sessions where highly enjoyable and allowed me to explore the inner knowledge and strength that I already possessed but wasn't aware of, by being nudged in the right direction. I immediately saw a change in my eating habits which have resulted steady loss of around 1 kg per week (16 kg in total so far) without much change in what I eat. Through the sessions, I have learn to regain control of my eating and to allow myself to enjoy food again. If you are serious about losing weight and need someone who you can trust to help you, I can HIGHLY recommend hypnotherapy with Richard! Many thanks :)

*SPEECH THEREPY HYPNOSIS* Richard helped me last year to overcome a BIG fear of mine - delivering a speech at my wedding! I got married in September last year and I knew I wanted to tell a few stories and thank some special people. My determination to do it was there, but my confidence and anxieties about my how I speak and how I might come across, started to make me feel a little overwhelmed. I found Richard Henessy's details online. Just after the first phone call, talking about the techniques and my current situation, I already felt more at ease. At the end of my sessions with Richard, I felt calm and was actually very excited about delivering my speech. Come the big day - I absolutely nailed it and loved every second of speaking. Something I never thought I'd be able to do. Thank you so much Richard! You helped me a great deal, not just for my wedding speech, but being more confident when I speak in general.

My problem was weight loss and not having the motivation to do anything about it. I contacted Richard Hennessy and after one chat and one hypnosis session I was on my way. The actual hypnosis was nothing like I imagined. I thought I would go into a trance like in the movies!! I was totally aware of everything the whole time and at the end felt completely relaxed. Before hypnosis I would eat because it was meal time regardless of whether I was hungry, but after, I only eat when I am hungry and I can leave food on my plate instead of clearing it - a flashback to childhood days when you couldn't leave the table until your plate was clear. I had one more recording from Richard, because I couldn't get to another appointment, and don't feel I need anymore. If I feel as if I am slipping back into old ways I listen to the recording and feel fine again. Richard provides a recording of all sessions to take away with you so its not like he is pressuring you to going back again and again. I would fully recommend him to anyone. Thankyou Richard!!

Why I considered hypnosis: I decided to consider hypnosis to find a way to tackle my problems with public speaking, which have caused panic attacks over many years. These episodes have affected my quality of life, causing general stress and anxiety, loss of self-esteem and mental health issues. My health suffered, from loss of sleep, shortness of breath, poor temper, tension and lack of concentration. At times I felt desperate and unhinged, despite knowing deep down the feelings were unfounded and irrational. I buried the problem for too long, choosing to ignore it and hope the problems would not repeat. After lockdown, I felt tension increasing and problems re-surfacing. So I decided I had to do something about it, and contacted Richard at Sheffield Wellness Centre to seek help. The process: I don’t like being the centre of attention, or talk about my feelings, so was originally concerned the setting might be strange or intimidating. However, I found the Centre welcoming and relaxing; a space to be able to open up and be honest. This was essential for the first session, which was to discuss my past problems. During the hypnotherapy sessions, I didn’t know what to expect, so was initially slightly nervous. But I relaxed into it quickly. The set-up was slightly unnatural - speech was slow and deliberate, and I just listened for 50 minutes. But there was nothing worrying about the situation. I felt in control the whole time, and not brainwashed like you might think from seeing hypnosis on TV. The first part of each session helped me relax and study my breathing, relax my body, be ‘present’ and ignore external distractions. Richard used carefully crafted words to promote positivity, which were specific to the problem, but which were also general enough to apply to other situations. Richard was totally understanding my problems, which showed his intuitive nature, bringing years of practice and experience. At some sessions I felt like I drifted into a trance. And on all occasions, I finished the session feeling totally energised and like I had experienced a factory re-boot, feeling completely relaxed, happy and sociable. The recordings have been really helpful. Having them available to me after the session has enabled me to re-enter the feelings I had in the Centre. They have helped me repeat key parts, or sections I missed the first time. By listening back, I have been able to practice and embed the positive messages in my head. The outcome: I met with Richard 4 months ago. We had 4 sessions in total over 3 months. After the 2nd session, I had to make three public speaking presentations at work. I am delighted that these went really well. Although stressed beforehand, I was able to control my nerves and be clear, coherent and engaging, which I hadn’t been able to do previously. I can’t imagine how disastrous and stress-inducing the presentations might have been without hypnotherapy. This positive experience gave me so much confidence and a real mental lift, and showed how powerful and valuable the process had been. I know that I am not miraculously ‘cured’ – I still need to invest regular time and effort to overcome my issues. Although I am very happy with progress, I will continue to work on what I have learned, and go back over the recordings to keep it up. I am really pleased I chose this path to seek a positive improvement in my wellbeing. Life is short; this issue has affected my health throughout my life, and I am glad I chose to confront it before causing more years of harm. I feel this has been an investment in myself. It has taught me to take things slower and make myself more of a priority; to give myself more downtime and space to recuperate. I would recommend this path to anyone else who feels they are in a similar situation. There is everything to gain and nothing to lose.

I got in contact with Richard because I was struggling with confidence and anxiety around my placement as a student paramedic. I had previously been having CBT sessions, which were okay but not impactful enough for me. Whilst having an occupational health check, I was encouraged to try hypnosis, and a Google search later, I came across Richard. I was a little dubious at first, because I thought that I would not be able to go into trance and that it wouldn't work for me. But Richard had no doubt about the former. He talked me through all my questions and concerns and reassured me that if it wasn't for me, I would get my money back. He also highlighted to me that hypnosis is not a magic wand, it doesn't solve the problem for you; it gives you the tools to help you help yourself. Listening to Richard is like being immersed in honey; his words and the way he speaks makes you feel safe and calm. Being in a trance is like that period before you fall asleep. And it was so easy to get there. I was aware of everything at the time, but now I look back on it, I wouldn't remember the things that Richard was saying to me. If I wanted to move, I could have done, but I was so relaxed that I didn't even want to move my hand to scratch my nose. After every trance, I awoke feeling absolutely amazing and so good about myself. I don't feel like hypnosis particularly helped me when I think about it. However, it must have done, because I have since become a qualified paramedic. My mentor said that the change in my behaviour and confidence was profound. Maybe my conscious mind is unaware of the changes in my subconscious and that's why I don't feel different? I don't know how this stuff works, but I suppose it did! So, thank you Richard, you've helped me open the door to my brand new career. The only reason why Richard doesn't get 5 stars is because he forgot about one of our appointments and turned up 15minutes late, and I wasn't emailed a copy of our second recording session and was therefore unable to listen to it in my free time.

An amazing experience of hypnotherapy, I cannot recommend enough. I am quite sceptical but this actually works and changed my life, so pleased. Thank you!

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Mario Ride
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Emetophobia - a fear of sickness or illness, It had a name and i never knew, but thanks to Richard it is now a name i don't associate with me and it is all down to the power of hypnosis .One session of just talking then 4 sessions of hypnosis and now i feel able to do things without having bad thoughts. Cannot thank Richard enough. I first saw Richard in March 2015 since then I have travelled abroad 6times(3 more to go ) something I wouldn't have thought possible especially as I travelled by coach, at the age of 65 a world of travel is something I really enjoy and as I have said before it's all down to Richard thanx again

I originally found Richard on Twitter (@mr_hypnotherapy) and had never really considered hypnotherapy for my irrational fear of flying so decided to contact him. We did an hour consultation where Richard found out about me and got all the info he needed to tailor the hypnotherapy sessions to my unique requirements. The hypnosis itself was brilliant and one thing I found especially helpful was the fact that Richard taught me how to do self hypnosis, plus both of the hour long hypnotherapy sessions I had were recorded and given to me on a USB stick to take home, so I can listen back to them whenever I want! Safe to say Richard is excellent at what he does. I flew to Holland and back in the same day with ZERO anxiety a couple of months after my sessions. Fast forward 18 months and I've flown to America and back 4 times plus several internal flights whilst on business. I wouldn't have been able to do this before seeing Richard. Thank you so much Richard!

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Natalie Fahy
recommends
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Liam Pond
recommends

Anyone who suffers with anxiety or panic attacks I would really recommend you go for a session or two! Completely changed my life

Richard has helped me manage stress, which has in turned helped manage my migraine condition. I'm now medication free and migraine free.

I met Richard at one of my training events and not only is he a nice person and a knowledgable Hypnotherapist, I discovered he is also an expert on web site and web optimisation (SEO Search Engine Optimisation). I wanted to achieve more with my own web site so engaged the services of Richard. He speaks in an easy to understand language (You know what I mean) and he explained what I should do from my "end" and what he would do from his "end". Richard then did what he does and I have the result I wanted and he made it easy. If you wish to improve your site ranking in web searches then engage Richard, reasonable pricing and great value for money.Thanks Richard, all the best. John Dewar @ John Dewar's School of Hypnotherapy.

The Rooms are so cosy and welcoming. A great place to meet clients

Thank you Richard!! I've smoked for the past year and after a few treatments I haven't smoked in 3 weeks. Small steps but can't see me smoking ever again!

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Fi Hennessy
recommends

Richard may have saved my life! I was smoking 60 cigarettes a day and had no other way to quit. There was not a single thing I wanted to do without smoking and not a single emotion that I didn't associate with smoking. Richard sat with me and talked about all the triggers and issues that I felt, he spent a long time before the session started. Then in the session he made me feel relaxed about everything and confident that we were going to beat the habit. When I came out of the the session, I didn't smoke, and I haven't for over 7 months now. I had tried everything else previously, and he is the only person who has made me feel truly like a non smoker. I hang out with smokers, I go to smokey venues, and I just don't need it myself. He is truly a miracle worker and I am so impressed and grateful for what he did. Thank you Richard, please keep changing people's lives for the better.

Richard was very professional and kind in offering his advice and support for my situation. He is the type of person who would go the extra mile for you. I would recommend his services to anyone.

First off this place is amazing, I went without knowing what I was getting into but Richard is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. I went here for hypnosis sessions due to my anxiety and left with a renewed mindset and tips to help me deal with my problem day to day. For those questioning wether you should go, don't hesitate. Richard knew more about my problem than I did and made me feel incredibly comfortable. Would definitely recommend!

I found the experience here absolutely wonderful. Richard is very professional and brilliant at what he does. My sessions really helped me get over my fear of performing in public and Richard offered me a discounted rate when he realised I wasn't working. I'm still scared when it's a stage with things plugged in but I'm generally OK with small groups of people now and I would happily do some busking and jam sessions now. I'm still using the recordings from our sessions to continue hypnotherapy at home. I really recommend this place, you won't regret it!

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Fay James
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Richard was very helpful in helping me understand what may be causing my recurrent nightmares. Even after the initial consultation on the phone and then in person just by talking about the issue and having his input I felt I could control them more effectively. The hypnotherapy was something that I hadn't tried before and I found relaxing and interesting. It has been helpful to go back over the recordings of the sessions again. Richard also had some very sensible suggestions for improving my work life balance and skills / tips to decrease the things that cause me stress to do with my work. Thank you very much Richard.

WOW.. I'm not sure where to begin.. Richard at Focused Hypnosis has honestly given me a life changing experience. When I initially saw Richard I asked him to help me with x 3 things- insomnia, a habit and the wish for my thoughts to be a reflection of the positivity that a big move to the other end of the country could mean. ..I am now in Cornwall and my journey with Richard was so much more than the above. He also helped me to be more confident in certain social situations and lastly has helped me literally make leaps and bounds in my fear of heights. The latter whereby I would actively avoid ladders, slides, crossing stepping stones across water and would in no way have entertained climbing or coasteering whilst on holiday. Richard seems to have a natural ability to put you at ease. At the same time he demonstrates a real depth of knowledge and passion for his work. I was a little apprehensive about the process of hypnosis but Richards calm, soothing voice and appropriate choice of language allowed me to relax. Everything felt 'heavy'- in a good way and I found the whole process very relaxing. Its difficult to really explain except to say that maybe its that feeling of being somewhere between being awake and asleep- like you're dozing off on the beach! Richard even accommodated my wish to take my fear of heights/ falling into a more practical scenario which I'm sure was invaluable to me. Richard records the sessions for you and there is 'homework' to do- and I like this because it feels like you are an active party in your progress. At the time of writing this I have now moved to the other end of the country with an even more positive and relaxed frame of mind. I now sleep better, can walk into a pub on my own AND I am reflecting on a morning of scrambling and jumping off rocks coasteering around the Cornish Coastline (2 weeks ago I struggled to climb up and down a ladder- there were tears!) If you're having doubts about whether hypnotherapy can help- ring Richard!!! Thank you Richard for all your help and guidance - I wont forget it and I'll keep up the homework! x

I came to focused hypnosis as i'd been suffering with anxiety and was having panic atacks.... I found the actual process of being hypnotised incredibly relaxing and Richard himself was extreptionally supportive and professional...he explained the process very thoroughly and i felt at ease.. Since the process i have seen and felt like the man i wanted to be...my breathing is relaxed,i have a positive focus for the future and, the tools in place to deal with life again.... i cant recommend this process and this company highly enough.. It really is life changing...

During lockdown (Covid 19) I barely used my car. When restrictions were eased I travelled to see friends using the motorway which had suddenly become a very frightening, stressful place for me. Everything seemed so busy with lorries thundering past and I had a complete panic attack whilst on there. I really thought I would never be able to travel on there ever again which limited travel for holidays and social events. I spoke with Richard at length both on the telephone initially and then face to face at the first consultation. He listened carefully to everything I said and was so reassuring. At the first session I was a bit nervous but he soon relaxed me and I listened to his voice, unaware that I was actually in a trance - it didn't feel like I had lost control or anything - it was just like listening to music and relaxing. During the following session he made things personal to me and had clearly spent a lot of time tailoring the session. He gave me useful techniques to practice in between sessions and then it was time to put it all into practice. I did it!! I went on the motorway for one junction and back again. I was calm and in control. I then progressed over a few days to travelling further and overtaking the lorries I had been so freaked about before. I was absolutely buzzing and I cried with relief as I can now get on with my life and visit friends. Richard has taught me how to iron out the daily stressed of my life as well as the issues I was having on the motorway. He has changed my life and I can't thank him enough for it. I went into hypnotherapy with an open mind and I came out a calmer, happier person.

Quality treatment, quality person.

I found Richard online and was eager to find a professionally qualified hypnotherapist. His website gave me all the information regarding his services and MOST importantly his professional qualifications and affiliations. After my free phone conversation with Richard I attended for an initial consultation where we discussed my needs and problems. I wanted additional confidence in the work place and for my hobby of singing and performing at the Lyceum. I have now finished my last session (of 3) and feel a great improvement. After the 1st session I had an audition and instead of being petrified I sailed through and got the part I wanted. At work I have been able to perform a disciplinary procedure without doubting my ability or authority and I perform better under stressful conditions. I even found the deep relaxation helped a very painful back spasm!! All in all a winner. Richard is thoroughly professional and adapts his technique and mannerisms to match the needs of his patients. If you're a skeptic Hypnotherapy may seem a bit "far out" when compared to traditional science and healthcare but it definitely works and proves that it really is mind over matter.

After having tried to loose two stones in weight, with no success, I decided to try hypnotherapy. I found Richard, at Focused Hypnosis, from searching on the internet. I have been amazed at the difference a few sessions has made to me. Not only have a lost 10lbs in a few months but my whole outlook on life is far more positve. The recordings made of the sessions is a very useful tool to take away and replay to help reinforce what you are trying to achieve. I have recently been on two all inclusive holidays and I only put on one pound! By December I aim to loose another 7lbs and I can see that this target is well within my grasp. Getting in touch with Focused Hypnosis has been a turning point in my life.

Brilliant I didn't know what to expect but from the minute I meet Richard I felt at ease.Iwanted help with diet issues I'd been dieting most of my life and I'd had enough of not eating proper food ,counting points felling fed up tierd hungry not even wanting to have food as I'd lost intrest it was boring to me.But not anymore after 4sessions with Richard Ive opened up a new chapter in my life no more points being normal in what I eat were and when it's a great feeling anyone struggling with their diet should try this , Richard makes you feel at ease comfortable and the best bit he dosnt judge you he helps Ive noticed a big difference in myself I'm happy enjoying my life without constantly thinking of my diet Ive really enjoyed my session so a big big Thankyou richard.

I sought help from Richard with regard to anxiety and depression. I was looking for help to clear the 'chatter' in my mind so that I can more easily focus and make progress towards goals that are important to me. I found the deep mindfulness I gained from the sessions helped to clear my mind and give me tools that I can use in everyday situations. I am more able to calm myself for work presentations and better focus on what is needed for my family. I feel like I have tapped into the core of who I am and can now channel my inner energy for postive outcomes for me. The recordings of the sessions were great in helping me continue my practice after my sessions with Richard and his nuturing and assertive style made me feel very comfortable and at ease.

I recently went to Richard for hypnotherapy because I was suffering crippling nerves and anxiety when attending job interviews. It was really affecting my ability to secure jobs at the interview stage because, although I was getting the interviews following what must have been good applications, I was not managing to get the jobs. I had three sessions and found them fantastic. In addition, Richard forwards his recording of the sessions afterwards in case anything has been missed whilst under hypnosis, and also giving time to reflect again and reaffirming what he said during the hypnosis. The interview I attended after the last session went well and I secured the job. I can’t say that I wasn’t still very nervous because I was, but I managed to calm myself using the techniques Richard recommended. I would not hesitate to recommend Richard and his hypnotherapy to anyone. If you are experiencing confidence or anxiety issues, I would say just go for it as you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

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Liz Davis
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So, I'm sat in a bar at the other end of the country- on my OWN, food ordered and Rattlers cider going down nicely. I'll SLEEP well AGAIN tonight and be both RELAXED and at the same time EXCITED about the adventures ahead of me. 2weeks ago I cried at the thought of scaling a ladder; last week I climbed a playground ladder and descended by the slide; TODAY I went scrambling round and jumping off rocks coasteering!! All this I'd say is testament to Richards fantastic work which has helped find more of 'me'. I now say 'I can'!!. Thanks Rich. I'm recommending you to everyone I know! :-D

What a thoroughly friendly, relaxed and professional experience this was! I had never had hypnotherapy before but having heard good things about Focused Hyponosis I booked an appointment with Richard. I had tried other forms of counselling (which were very pricey) but was willing to try something new. After just one session I left feeling more confident, more relaxed and already looking forward to the next session. Richard put me completely at ease and was professional and understanding throughout the session. Open your mind to the possibility of this helping you - it certainly did for me. Highly recommended!

I had suffered from panic attacks regularly in the past due to anxiety, it got to a point where I felt like I couldn't cope anymore. I visited Richard for an initial consultation where he gave me some tips on how to cope until our first session and even that was an unbelievable amount of help. I have had only one session with Richard and I feel as if the anxiety has near enough disappeared from my life. I finally feel like my old self again. Highly recommend, such a lovely man and so easy to get along with, felt like I had known him for years.

After suffering a very severe recurrence of hives (urticaria) which medication wasn’t controlling, I sought Richard’s help to manage my condition. I’ve had one consultation and four hypnosis sessions. The hypnosis, for me, was very deeply relaxing and that has helped me to let go of anxieties I didn’t even realise I was holding on to. Richard has also taught me techniques to re-focus my thoughts and see things from a different perspective. The hives are now significantly reduced and I can now sleep through the night without being constantly woken up with itching, burning skin. I have also managed to halve my medication and I am continuing to gradually reduce this. I returned to Focused Hypnosis for a second time, after struggling with pre-exam nerves in which I hit the 'panic button' and went into overdrive. Through hypnosis, Richard helped me to re-frame my anxieties & provided me with some useful 'tools' to help me manage my nerves. On the day, I was still a bit nervous but not paralysed with fear. I actually found I quite enjoyed both the assessment & receiving the feedback afterwards & I'm pleased to say I passed. For me, hypnosis is a very gentle & deeply relaxing experience in which you learn to tap into your own resources to regain the 'control' you have within yourself & I would highly recommend it.

I found Richard to be very professional and friendly. He helped my feelings of anxiety in just a few meetings. It really made a difference in my life. Many Thanks

I am living a super happy life with Richard's professional and friendly help. I came to Richard when I was confusing about the meaning of life and happiness after some awful things happened. Then I felt I was hurt deeply and I couldn't make it through and I wanted to remove the unpleasant memories using hypnosis. Richard told me that it's impossible to remove the memories but he's able to help me with changing the attitude towards those memories. It really make sense to me and bring the tough me back again. The process of being hypnotized is a sweet dream that can relax me deeply and help me to think about life. Hypnosis is a sweet dream that can impact positively on my life. I do enjoy my sessions with Richard and hope people need help can sort their difficulties out. Please ignore my bad grammar and wrong usage of words and catch my sincere recommendation.

The hypnosis completely turned around my mindset in just one hour - I couldn’t believe how effective it was! I had got very panicky about my driving test and when I broke down in a lesson a couple of weeks before my test, decided to get some help. Richard instilled me with confidence and I left feeling amazing, drove great and went to the test calm and prepared :) He put so much energy into his voice and used how I already think to tailor the session to me. Thanks Richard for helping me pass my test!

I found listening to Richard's free Relaxation download extremely relaxing and soothing. I would recommend that anything one who has 30 minutes spare - to listen to it, and allow the stresses and strains of the day drift away. I felt refreshed, chilled and ready to face the rest of the day. I would imagine it would also be really useful for anyone who has problems getting to sleep. Thank you Richard

Going to see Richard for focused hypnosis was one of the decisions I've made. It has been life changing.