Category: Online Hypnotherapy

1. Online hypnotherapy - what do I need?

   Posted on 6:00am Thursday 11th May 2023

   One of the great things about any online therapy is that it's so convenient. There's no travel time, no time spent looking for car parking spaces or walking to your appointment in the cold and rain and no missed appointments because you're traveling for work. You just need a few bits in place to make a hypnotherapy session work for you from virtually anywhere in the world. 

   

   Essentials for an online hypnotherapy appointment 

   A stable internet connection 

   A device with a camera and sound you you can see and hear your therapist.

   Be able to avoid distractions.  To get the most out of your therapy session you'll want to be able to focus on it and feel relaxed. You'll want to start with having a quiet place. Complete silence isn't essential, you'll be surprised how easy it is to ignore general traffic sounds ouside.  However, if you're at home you might find it difficult to ignore conversations happening in the next room  Likewise you'll want to be able to relax, you don't need to create a full zen garden style space but you might find sitting next to a pile of washing that needs sorting or a mountain of paperwork staring at your a distraction.  Try and be somewhere you feel you can focus on your session.

    

   Optional extras for an online hypnotherapy appointment 

   Be comfortable - with talking therapy a basic chair is ok but in hypnotherapy you'll probably want to relax a bit more so make sure you have somewhere comfortable to sit, a sofa, comfortable armchair or even on a bed with pillows to support you are good options.

   A little extra time either side of appointment - Although one of the great things about online therapy is no travel time you might still want to have a bit of time before and after the session. If you work from home you might find you scheduled your hypnotherapy session in the middle of your day.  This isnt a problem at all but if you're coming straight from a work meeting even just five minutes before your therapy session can help east the transition from work to therapy. Afterwards it's useful to take some time to reflect on what was discussed and what insights you gained and just enjoy the feeling of being calm and relaxed after hypnotherapy. 

   A blanket - Not essential but it might make your session more comfortable. You'll be sitting down for an hour so you'll want to make sure you don't get cold.  

   If you're looking to book an online session with me I offer online therapy appointments over Zoom or face to face appointments from my home in Ely in Cambridgeshire.  Head over to my contact page to get in touch.

2. In person therapy versus online therapy

   Posted on 7:00am Friday 28th Apr 2023

   When it comes to therapy, online and in-person options both have their pros and cons so there is no right or wrong. You’ll have the same quality of therapy with me whether it’s online or in person but some people find they have a personal preference for one over the other.  I’m always happy to work in whatever way you prefer, and some clients even like a mix of face-to-face appointments and Zoom appointments.  Whether you’re exploring therapy for the first time or you’ve been in therapy for some time, it might be useful for you to consider the differences between online therapy and in-person therapy. Below I’ve outlined a few considerations so that you can make an informed decision when it comes to your mental health and wellbeing. 

    

   Benefits of face-to-face therapy 

   One of the biggest benefits of in-person therapy is the opportunity to build a strong personal connection with your therapist and some people prefer to do this face to face. Lots of people find swapping your usual work or home space for a specific therapy environment useful as it helps to “switch-off”, relax and prevents distraction.  In-person therapy space is also a safe and relaxing environment which can help you feel more comfortable and open. Lots of people like having travel time before and after therapy to get to and from the session, an hour therapy session can turn into two hours away from your usual life stresses.Againthis allows time to decompress from work or home stresses and allows time after the therapy session to reflect on the content or continue with the feelings of calmness or relaxation from of the session. I offer face-to-face therapy sessions from my home in Elymeaning you won’thave to spend time looking for a carparking space in the city center either.  

   Considerations for face-to-face therapy 

   One of the main drawbacks of in-person therapy is the amount of time it can take up as you will need to factor in travel time to make your appointment (again, this can be a nice benefit for somepeople, so you see each person’s preference is completely unique!) Think about your schedule and what might work for you best.

    

   Benefits of online therapy 

   One of the most significant advantages of online therapy is its accessibility wherever you are in the country or even the world. Provided you have a stable internet connection, you can have therapy sessions from anywhere you want. Hypnotherapy in particular is incredibly relaxing and some clients love that they can be sat in the comfort of their own home, snuggled up in their slippers for a session. Because there are no travel commitments some people find online sessions easier to slot into a busy schedule which means you don'thave to worry about missing work or other commitments. 

   Considerations for online therapy 

   You will need a stable internet connection and if you live in an especially rural area, with temperamental access you’ll need to weigh up if it will be effective enough for you to have a useful therapy session. The internet has come a long way since the days of dial up connections from the early nineties/noughties so for most people this isn’t usually a problem. With hypnotherapy even if our online session gets disconnected mid-way due to any technical reasons, you will be able to bring yourself back to the room once you no longer hear my voice, you’re completely safe. You need to have a space you can speak without being distracted. Although you might be able to go to a different part of the house to other family members or house mates it might be worth considering if you’ll be able to completely disengage with any sounds other people may make in other areas of the around you, or if you’ll find them distracting.  

   In the end, whether you choose in-person or online therapy is up to you. What matters most that you feel safe and supported, so you can get the help you need to achieve greater wellbeing. You’re always welcome to try either method when working with me and even mix and match what you choose to do depending on your scheduling needs that week.