If you’re considering Solution Focused Hypnotherapy for the first time, it’s completely normal to feel a little unsure about what to expect.
You might be wondering:
Will I actually be hypnotised? Will I lose control? What will I have to talk about? What if I can’t relax?
At Illuminating Minds, I understand that taking the first step towards therapy can feel like a big decision. As the sole therapist, I offer a personal, one-to-one approach where we can take the time to understand what you’re experiencing and, most importantly, where you would like to get to.
My aim is to make your first session feel comfortable, relaxed and reassuring, without any pressure or judgement.
Here’s what you can expect.
What is Solution Focused Hypnotherapy?
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy combines solution-focused talking therapy with hypnosis.
Rather than spending a lot of time analysing everything that has happened in the past, we focus on where you are now and where you want to be.
Together, we’ll explore what you’d like to change and what life could look like if the difficulties you’re experiencing were no longer getting in the way.
This might be feeling calmer, sleeping better, becoming more confident, managing anxiety or simply feeling more like yourself again.
Your first session is about you
At Illuminating Minds, I don’t believe that therapy should feel like a one-size-fits-all process.
Your first session gives us the opportunity to talk about what’s brought you to hypnotherapy and what you would like to achieve.
You might already know exactly what you want to change, or you might simply know that something needs to change.
That’s okay.
You don’t need to arrive with everything figured out. I’ll guide you through the process and we can work together to identify what you’d like your future to look like.
We’ll talk about your preferred future
One of the things I love about Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is that we don’t have to spend the entire session focusing on what’s going wrong.
Instead, I may ask questions such as:
“If you woke up tomorrow and things were better, what would you notice?”
Or:
“What would you be doing differently if anxiety wasn’t holding you back?”
These questions can help us identify the small but meaningful changes that could make a difference to your everyday life.
Sometimes the answers can be surprisingly simple.
I’ll explain how your brain works
As part of your first session, I’ll explain some of the ways your brain responds to stress, anxiety and perceived threat.
Understanding what’s happening in your brain can be incredibly reassuring.
For example, if you experience overthinking, anxiety or difficulty switching off, you may have wondered why your mind seems to keep returning to the same thoughts.
Learning about these patterns can help you understand that you’re not “broken” and that there are things you can do to influence how you respond.
I want you to leave your first session feeling that you understand yourself a little better and have some hope about what is possible.
Then we’ll experience hypnosis
After our conversation, I’ll guide you through a relaxing hypnosis session.
You’ll be sitting comfortably while I guide your attention using a calm voice and carefully chosen suggestions.
You don’t have to make anything happen.
There’s no test to pass and no particular sensation you’re supposed to experience.
Some people feel deeply relaxed, while others describe the experience as similar to daydreaming or becoming completely absorbed in a thought, image or feeling.
Everyone is different.
Will I lose control?
No.
This is one of the most common questions I hear from people who have never experienced hypnotherapy.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy isn’t like the hypnosis you may have seen on television or in stage shows.
You remain aware and in control throughout the session.
You won’t be made to say anything you don’t want to say, and you won’t be asked to do anything against your wishes.
My role is to guide you into a relaxed and focused state while you remain completely in control of yourself.
What if I can’t relax?
Don’t worry!
You don’t need to be naturally good at relaxing, and you don’t need to have any previous experience of meditation or hypnosis.
If your mind wanders, that’s completely normal.
You might suddenly think about work, your children, dinner or something you need to remember later.
That’s okay.
I’ll guide you through the process, and there’s no expectation that you have to achieve a particular state of relaxation.
What happens after the hypnosis?
Once the hypnosis part of the session is complete, I’ll gently bring you back to your normal level of awareness.
We’ll have an opportunity to talk about how you found the experience and answer any questions you may have.
Depending on your individual goals, I may also suggest something simple that you can practise between sessions.
This is an important part of the Solution Focused approach. The aim isn’t simply to make you feel better while you’re sitting in my therapy room; it’s about helping you develop skills and awareness that you can take into everyday life.
How long is the first session?
Your first session may be longer than subsequent sessions because we need time to get to know each other, discuss what you’d like help with and explain how Solution Focused Hypnotherapy works.
I’ll always explain the structure and cost of your appointment before we begin, so you know what to expect.
What if I’m nervous?
If you’re feeling nervous, you’re certainly not alone.
Walking into a therapy session for the first time can feel daunting, particularly if you’ve never spoken to a therapist before.
At Illuminating Minds, I want you to feel that you can be yourself.
There’s no judgement, no expectation that you have to have the “right” answers and no pressure to share anything you’re not comfortable discussing.
As an independent therapist, I offer a personal and confidential space where we can work together at a pace that feels appropriate for you.
What can Solution Focused Hypnotherapy help with?
People come to me at Illuminating Minds for many different reasons.
This can include:
– Anxiety and excessive worrying
– Stress and overwhelm
– Low confidence and self-esteem
– Sleep difficulties
– Fears and phobias
– Overthinking
– Confidence around work or public speaking
– Unhelpful habits and behaviours
– Feeling stuck or lacking motivation
– Managing life’s changes and challenges
Everyone’s circumstances are different, so we’ll always start by understanding you, rather than simply treating a label or diagnosis.
You don’t need to have everything figured out
Perhaps you’ve been thinking about trying hypnotherapy for a while but haven’t been sure whether it’s right for you.
You don’t need to know exactly what you need before getting in touch.
Sometimes the first step is simply having a conversation.
I’ll answer your questions, explain how Solution Focused Hypnotherapy works and help you decide whether it feels like the right approach for you.
There is no pressure to commit to anything you’re not comfortable with.
Your first step towards a different future
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, but it can also be the beginning of something positive.
At Illuminating Minds, my approach is about helping you look forward rather than feeling defined by what’s happened in the past.
Through our sessions, we’ll focus on the changes you want to make, recognise the strengths you already have and work towards creating a future that feels more manageable, positive and fulfilling.
You don’t have to change everything at once. Sometimes the first step is simply deciding that you’d like things to be different.
Ready to take the first step?
If you’re considering Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and would like to find out whether it could help you, I’d be happy to have a conversation with you.
Contact Illuminating Minds today to arrange an initial consultation.
Let’s explore what you’d like to change and how we can work towards a brighter future, together.