Frequently Asked Questions
I am fully insured, registered with the top professional bodies in the country and fully qualified, having trained at the prestigious Clifton Practice in Plymouth. I have been awarded both the Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy (DHP) and the Hypnotherapy Practitioners Diploma (HPD), regarded to be the gold standard in Hypnotherapy training.
My NHS background continues to influence my practice in terms of my commitment to confidentiality, data protection and ethical practice. I will not offer therapy if I do not believe it can work for you. I am also trained in both child and adult protection.
But above all else, I believe completely in the benefits of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy. I am passionate about what I do and am completely committed to do the very best for the clients I work with, helping them to move forward and achieve the goals and life that they aim for. I have witnessed the benefits of this therapy first hand, having received it both for a specific phobia and when I myself experienced a period of anxiety and depression before my training. I know it works and simply want to share this wonderful therapy with others who need it too.
I trained at the prestigious Clifton Practice, recognised as being a centre of excellence for hypnotherapy. I have been awarded both the Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy (DHP) and the Health Practitioners Diploma (HPD), considered to be the gold standard in hypnotherapy qualifications.
The letters MNCH-reg after my name show that I have undergone a high standard of training and have had my credentials checked, approved and validated by the professional organisations that I have voluntarily registered with. As a member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH), I adhere to a strict Code of Conduct, Ethics and Performance. I also have to provide evidence of ongoing training and professional development as well as supervision.
These qualifications and registrations ensure that I am qualified, insured and adhere to the highest standards of professional conduct.
My registration can be checked by visiting the relevant website:
Solution focused hypnotherapy can help to relieve a wide variety of symptoms including those related to anxiety and depression. It can also be effective for clients experiencing difficulties including insomnia, pain, anger, motivation, irritable bowel syndrome and lack of confidence and self esteem.
Solution focused hypnotherapy can be very effective in supporting clients to stop smoking as well as addressing other addictions. It can also help clients to overcome debilitating phobias. The approach has also proved beneficial in the area of sports performance and business, supporting clients to maximise their performance and meet their potential.
There can never be a 100% guarantee of success and no therapist should ever make such a claim. Success depends on many factors including the client’s desire to commit to therapy and change as well as the skill level of the therapist themselves. I am trained to a high standard, have experience of working with a wide variety of clients and conditions and have achieved a high level of success in doing so, as the testimonials on the site will show. You are always in control of how many sessions you have and each week we will review progress together.
We all go in and out of a Hypnotic state in our everyday lives. Have you ever driven home and not remembered passing several junctions, or been engrossed in a book and not been conscious of time passing? If so, you’ve been in a state of focused attention, not unlike the feeling of being hypnotised. Hypnosis is simply a state of focused attention. In this relaxed state, your mind is more responsive to positive suggestion. During therapy sessions, you will relax either in a reclining chair or on a therapy couch and simply let my voice guide you further into relaxation. My suggestions are designed to be beneficial to help you change unhelpful thought patterns. You will not be required to talk and will reveal no secrets about yourself!
Clients often comment about how “ordinary” Hypnosis feels – it’s not unlike daydreaming – you can often hear everything that is being said whilst in a deeply relaxed state. In fact, you could think of it as guided daydreaming.
Hypnotherapy is a combination of Psychotherapy and Hypnosis. There are many different kinds of Psychotherapy, all of which aim to help people overcome stress or emotional problems. Psychotherapy involves talking together to help clients overcome their difficulties.
This in itself is extremely beneficial and its effects are enhanced by the application of Hypnosis, which enables the subconscious mind to make beneficial changes.
The type of Psychotherapy I practise takes techniques from ‘Solution Focused Therapy ’ and is designed to reduce anxiety and calm the mind. As the name suggests it focuses on solutions for the future, rather than analysing problems of the past. We do not dwell on problems. Instead we acknowledge where you are currently, identify where you want to be, help you to make the necessary changes.
I combine Hypnotherapy and Solution Focused Therapy techniques with ‘Brain Based Therapy’, which allows us to understand how our brains work to create many unwanted symptoms and behaviours, and how we can harness its powers to make lasting and positive changes.
Provided you are willing to make changes to the way you think, the therapy can be highly effective in relieving the symptoms of anxiety and stress.
The type of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy that I practise does not involve analysing painful memories from the past. If you have experienced unpleasant events, we acknowledge that they happened and help you get from where you are now to where you want to be.
No – you will be in complete control throughout the hypnotherapy session. Even if I left the room and didn’t come back, you would still come round in a moment or two. Hypnosis does not involve the therapist taking control of your mind – no one can hypnotise you against your will. Nobody can make you do anything you do not want to – your subconscious mind will simply reject any suggestion that is inappropriate for you. You will not reveal any secrets, in fact you won’t be required to talk at all. There will be no eating of onions, no staring into my eyes, no waving of watches, no jumping about like a monkey and absolutely no clucking like a chicken!
Yes – often people remember what is said to them during hypnosis. It is not unusual for your mind to drift though and some people feel as if they have fallen asleep (this will be explained in the initial consultation) but this is entirely normal and does not mean that the session hasn’t worked.
For therapeutic purposes, even a light trance state is effective and sufficient for most issues. This is achievable by the majority of people. Generally people find the hypnotic state easier to achieve with ongoing practice.
No. The hypnotic state is naturally occurring and we go in and out of it briefly several times an hour,often without noticing. I simply create the conditions required for you to experience it for longer and use it to help you to make beneficial and positive changes in your life.
No. You will be in a safe and secure environment, experiencing a wonderful sense of relaxation.
Many people believe that Hypnotherapy is something that is “done” to them, that they explain their issue to the therapist who then simply hypnotises their problem away, as if by magic.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a much more collaborative process and it is important to understand that change happens because you want it to and because you are prepared to take the necessary steps to allow it to happen.
The initial consultation is designed to assess what you want to achieve, how hypnotherapy can help you and how many sessions you are likely to need. I will take some back ground information from you, explain how our brains work in terms of creating the symptoms you are experiencing, we will discuss if and how this approach can help you and I will answer any of your questions.
Subsequent Hypnotherapy sessions involve much more than Hypnosis. During the first part of each session we’ll talk about the progress you have made and I’ll be encouraging you to express yourself positively, focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on problems.
I’ll help you to imagine your preferred future, a future where you have a more useful perspective on the quality of your life. I’ll then guide you into a relaxed state of Hypnosis so that we can consolidate what we have discussed.
Yes. I have worked with children as young as 8 years old. My previous career as a paediatric Speech and Language Therapist has enabled me to develop excellent communication skills with children and an ability to explain any theory in a child friendly, relaxed and if appropriate, play based way. I am no longer practicing or registered as a Speech and Language therapist but these enhanced communication skills remain with me. During the initial consultation, I will assess whether or not this approach is likely to be of benefit to your child. You will be able to stay in the sessions if that is what you and your child wish.
Absolutely. You will be in complete control during and after the session.
This varies from client to client and according to the issues being addressed. Change can happen quickly, but as a rough guide in addition to the initial consultation, the average number of sessions can be:
• Depression and anxiety disorders 8 to 12 sessions.
• Specific phobias 3 to 4 sessions.
• Stop smoking therapy 1 session lasting 90 mins to 2 hours.
No, unfortunately not. All sessions are carried in my clinic at Banchory Business Centre.
Yes. My room is on the ground floor and is wheel chair accessible. It is a short distance from the front door and there are disabled toilet facilities and disabled parking bays.
Yes – there is ample free parking on site.
Yes, this is not a problem.
I abide by the Code of Conduct, Ethics and Performance policies of the professional bodies that I am registered with (The National Council for Hypnotherapy and The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council). These require me to uphold the highest standards of confidentiality. All information about you is treated with the utmost care and will not be discussed outside of our sessions, unless you give specific permission for me to do so. Issues may be discussed within professional supervision sessions, but all information which could identify you is removed.
A full refund will be given provided that you give more that 24 hours notice.
Payment is by credit / debit card or cash in full at each appointment. Bank transfers on request.
The initial consultation is £75 and includes a free hypnotherapy recording for you to use at home.
Subsequent therapy sessions are £75
A stop smoking session is £165
You can contact me by telephone or email, or by using the contact form here.
Tel: 07584 414715
Email: anne@bonaccordhypnotherapy.com
Evening appointments are available however do tend to book up quickly. My hours are:
Monday – Thursday
9.00 am – 8.00 pm
Friday
9.00 am – 1.00 pm
Weekends
Closed.
Parking Spaces
You can park your car just outside
Payment Options
All major credit & debit cards accepted
Accessibility
We are wheelchair friendly