Frequently Asked Questions

Answering your questions about hypnotherapy.

Therapist Lois Dabrowski smiling while sitting on a deep green chair with a rust-coloured cushion

Anyone thinking about hypnosis and hypnotherapy for the first time will usually have a wide range of questions.

Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about hypnosis and hypnotherapy – plus a little about how these could work in a therapy session with me.

Drop me a line at lois@limen-therapy.co.uk if you have any questions not covered by this. I’m happy to answer them.

Hypnosis harnesses the natural power of your mind to create positive change.
Just like when you're absorbed in a vivid memory or lost in a daydream, hypnosis guides you into a state of focused awareness.
In this relaxed state, your mind becomes more receptive to new perspectives and possibilities, allowing you to naturally shift your perceptions and feelings.
It’s a gentle yet powerful approach, bridging between your conscious thoughts and your unconscious mind.
Hypnotherapy is the clinical application of hypnosis.
It is a therapeutic approach that uses hypnosis to help you create change in your life. Whether you're looking to overcome specific challenges or unlock your full potential, hypnotherapy works by accessing your mind's natural ability to transform thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
In a typical session with me, we’d work together to identify your goals and use carefully tailored hypnotic techniques to explore them. This collaborative approach ensures the therapy is always aligned with your personal needs and aspirations.
People describe their feelings of hypnosis differently. There is no right or wrong way.
Typically, people describe hypnosis as an extremely relaxing and uplifting experience. It helps you achieve a very calm mental and physical state of relaxation.
At its simplest, hypnosis is a matter of deep relaxation – allowing your mind to open up, listen and even wander. That’s all part of the process and most people find hypnosis really enjoyable.
Yes, absolutely. If we work with hypnosis, you'll remain fully in control throughout. You'll be able to talk, move, or end the session at any point, and you'll only relax as deeply as feels comfortable for you at that time.
Hypnosis is a therapeutic tool I’ll use alongside talking therapy. We'll always discuss the approach beforehand so you can decide what feels right and you can choose what you share and the pace at which we go.
Choosing a therapist can feel overwhelming, especially if you're not sure what to look for.
While hypnotherapy isn't usually available on the NHS, the NHS does recommend choosing a hypnotherapist registered with an organisation recognised by the Professional Standards Authority (such as the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council).
Beyond registration, look for someone trained at an established institute who keeps their skills current through ongoing professional development and regular supervision. They should be able to explain the code of ethics they follow, be registered with the ICO for data protection, and hold both professional and public liability insurance.
These qualifications matter, but the most important factor is how you feel when you speak with them.
Remember, the choice of who you work with is always yours.

Hypnotherapy can offer real support during life's pivotal moments - times of change, transition, or uncertainty that feel hard to navigate alone.
Clients might seek help with anxiety and stress, low mood, poor sleep, lack of confidence, chronic pain, phobias and fears, unwanted habits, or that persistent sense of being stuck while life moves on around them.
They might feel held back by old patterns that they want to break, struggle with self-doubt, or face a specific challenge like a bereavement, career change, or shifting family role. Maybe they simply need time and space to talk, to be truly heard, and to explore what they are thinking and feeling.
Often, what brings someone through the door - a specific fear, a stubborn habit, trouble sleeping - opens into something else once the work begins.

And that's absolutely fine.

As your therapist, I will go at your pace, addressing what matters most to you, using a blend of hypnotherapy and psychotherapeutic tools tailored specifically to your needs.
The work we do together happens within the safety of our therapeutic relationship, where you can tap into your own inner resources and find new ways forward.
Most people can be hypnotised should they wish to be, although the experience of hypnosis will differ between people.
Over time and with greater exposure to hypnosis, people tend to find it easier to achieve a hypnotic state.
Every client is different which means there is no set number of sessions to work through.
Some clients focus on a specific challenge and learn coping strategies for the short-term. Others want to dig deeper and explore the root causes.
During our first session together, we’ll explore how we might work together and how many sessions you might be willing to commit to. The decision is yours - and you choose where to focus our time together.
There are, of course, real advantages to attending therapy sessions online. No travel is required, and you can choose to be where you are most comfortable. It also means you can work with a therapist outside your geographic area, choosing the ‘best fit’ therapist for you.
I run my sessions via the Zoom platform. You don’t need to have in-depth technical or technological knowledge as I’ll send you a specific, password-protected link for you to click on at the scheduled time.
It’s important to know that no one can enter the session without going through the online Waiting Room, which I solely control.
You might want to wear a headset or earphones for privacy, as well as checking that you won’t be disturbed during the session.
We will also need to consider what to do if the internet connection fails.
We’ll talk about all of this before we meet.
I don't use client testimonials on my website for several reasons:
Professional ethical codes: As a trainee member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and a member of the National Society of Talking Therapies (NSTT), I adhere to their ethical guidelines. The UKCP Code of Ethics prohibits the use of client testimonials in any form of advertising or promotional materials.
Confidentiality concerns: To properly verify testimonials (even anonymous ones) as required by advertising standards, I would need to breach client confidentiality, which goes against core therapeutic principles.

Power dynamics: Asking for reviews from clients might create an unhelpful dynamic where clients feel they need to provide positive feedback.
Therapy is individual: The therapeutic experience differs for each person, so one person’s experience has little similarity to another’s, making a testimonial of little value.
So, instead of testimonials, I focus on being clear about my approach and what to expect, respecting your individuality and creating a therapeutic session just for you.

In-person and online

I offer hypnotherapy online so you don’t need to travel.

I also offer in-person sessions, currently in Camberley, Surrey. I can also offer sessions in other towns across Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire if needed.

You can choose where you feel most comfortable.

Book an introductory call