Does hypnotherapy really work?

Yes. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) is backed by neuroscience and clinical evidence. It is grounded in the understanding of how the brain processes stress and anxiety, and multiple studies support its effectiveness for anxiety, IBS, phobias, and chronic pain. Hypnotherapy for IBS is recommended by NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) in the UK. Most clients at First Step Therapy notice meaningful improvements within 2–4 sessions.

Is hypnotherapy scientifically proven?

Yes. Clinical hypnotherapy — especially Solution Focused Hypnotherapy — is grounded in neuroscience. It works by calming the brain's threat-detection system (the amygdala) and strengthening connections to the prefrontal cortex, which governs rational thought and positive emotion. NICE recommends hypnotherapy for IBS. Research supports its use for anxiety, phobias, sleep disorders, and chronic pain.

Will I lose control during hypnosis?

No. You remain fully aware and in control throughout a hypnotherapy session. Hypnosis is simply a deeply relaxed mental state — similar to the feeling just before you fall asleep, or being absorbed in a book. You will not say or do anything you would not want to. It is nothing like stage hypnosis, which is entertainment. Clinical hypnotherapy is therapy, and your consent and comfort are central to everything.

What is Solution Focused Hypnotherapy?

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) is a modern, evidence-based therapy that combines Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) with clinical hypnosis. Unlike traditional therapy, it does not ask you to revisit painful memories. Instead, it focuses entirely on where you want to be — your goals, your strengths, and your future — and uses deep relaxation to help your subconscious mind absorb those positive changes more effectively. It is typically short-term: most issues resolve within 6–12 sessions.

How is hypnotherapy different from CBT or traditional talking therapy?

Traditional talking therapies, including CBT, often focus on analysing problems, exploring past experiences, and challenging negative thought patterns. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy takes a different approach: sessions are entirely forward-focused, exploring what a better future looks like rather than dwelling on what went wrong. The addition of clinical hypnosis allows the subconscious mind to absorb positive suggestions in a deeply relaxed state, which can accelerate change. Many clients find SFH more positive and less emotionally demanding than traditional therapy.

What happens in a hypnotherapy session?

A session at First Step Therapy lasts approximately 50–60 minutes and has two parts. The first part (around 20–30 minutes) is a structured, forward-focused conversation — you talk about what has felt a little better, what small wins you have noticed, and what a better version of your life looks like. The second part (around 20–25 minutes) is the hypnosis itself: a deeply relaxing experience in which you sit or lie comfortably while Vikki guides you into a relaxed state and offers positive suggestions aligned to your goals.

How many hypnotherapy sessions will I need?

Most clients at First Step Therapy work through between 6 and 12 sessions. For phobias, results can come in as few as 1–3 sessions. For anxiety, depression, or long-standing habits like smoking or weight management, 8–12 sessions is more typical. The exact number depends on the issue, how long you have had it, and how much you engage with the at-home relaxation recording provided between sessions. A free initial consultation with Vikki will give you a realistic sense of what to expect.

What can hypnotherapy help with?

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help with a wide range of issues, including: anxiety and panic attacks, stress and burnout, low confidence and self-esteem, sleep problems and insomnia, depression and low mood, phobias (flying, needles, heights, spiders, social situations), OCD and intrusive thoughts, grief and bereavement, exam nerves and performance anxiety, weight management, stopping smoking and quitting vaping, IBS, chronic pain, anger management, and relationship difficulties.

Can hypnotherapy help with anxiety?

Yes. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people seek hypnotherapy, and it is one of the conditions that responds particularly well to Solution Focused Hypnotherapy. SFH works by calming the amygdala — the brain's threat-detection centre — which becomes overactive in anxiety. The talking part of each session shifts focus from problems to solutions, gradually lowering the baseline anxiety level. Most clients notice meaningful changes within 2–3 sessions. Vikki at First Step Therapy in Hertfordshire specialises in anxiety and has helped many clients reduce or eliminate anxiety symptoms.

Can hypnotherapy help me stop smoking or quit vaping?

Yes. Stop smoking hypnotherapy is one of the most effective ways to quit, because it addresses both the physical habit and the psychological patterns (the rituals, the emotional triggers, the identity of being a smoker) that willpower alone cannot overcome. At First Step Therapy, Vikki uses Solution Focused Hypnotherapy to build a clear, vivid identity as a non-smoker and to strip the emotional charge from triggers. The same approach works for quitting vaping.

Does hypnotherapy work for OCD?

Yes. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can be very effective for OCD and intrusive thoughts. Rather than focusing on the content of the obsessions, SFH works at the neurological level — calming the overactive amygdala response that drives compulsive behaviour. Clients often find that the urgency and anxiety around intrusive thoughts reduces significantly over a course of sessions. Vikki has personal experience with OCD, which informs her empathetic, non-judgemental approach.

Do I have to talk about my past or relive difficult memories?

No. This is one of the most significant differences between Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and traditional therapy. You will never be asked to revisit painful memories or discuss difficult events in detail. Sessions are entirely forward-focused — what you want your life to look like, what small steps you can take, what is already going well. Many people find this a relief, particularly those who have had difficult past experiences they would prefer not to re-examine.

Where is First Step Therapy based, and who does Vikki see?

First Step Therapy is based at 3, The Courtyard, Shrubbs Farm, Hatfield Heath — a peaceful, private setting on the Hertfordshire and Essex border, just a few minutes from Bishop's Stortford. Vikki sees clients from across the area, including Harlow, Sawbridgeworth, Stansted Mountfitchet, Saffron Walden, Epping, Chelmsford, and beyond. A free initial consultation is available with no obligation.

How much does hypnotherapy cost at First Step Therapy?

The initial consultation is free and carries no obligation. Individual sessions are £80. A 6-session package is available for £450, saving £30 compared to paying per session. Most clients start with the 6-session package to give enough time for meaningful progress. You can continue beyond the package if you wish.

How Many Hypnotherapy Sessions Do I Need?

It's one of the first questions most people ask — and it's a completely fair one: how long will this actually take? Unlike some therapies that can run for years, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy tends to be relatively short-term. But the exact number of sessions varies depending on several factors.

The short answer

For most issues, clients at First Step Therapy in Hertfordshire work through between 6 and 12 sessions. Some people feel significant change in as few as 3 or 4; others prefer 12 or more to fully consolidate their progress. There's no fixed number — therapy isn't one-size-fits-all.

What affects how many sessions you'll need?

The issue you're working on — phobias often respond very quickly (sometimes in 1–3 sessions). Anxiety, depression, and long-standing habits like smoking or weight management typically take longer.
How long you've had the problem — something you've struggled with for 20 years generally takes more time to shift than something that developed in the last few months.
How much you engage between sessions — Vikki provides a guided relaxation recording to listen to at home. Clients who use this consistently tend to progress faster.
Your own goals — some people want to feel "fine"; others want to feel genuinely thriving. Both are valid, and both affect how many sessions you might choose.

What does each session involve?

Each session is 50–60 minutes and has two parts: a talking section (a forward-focused conversation about where you want to be) and a hypnosis section (deep relaxation with positive suggestions). You'll leave each session feeling calmer and clearer.

You'll also receive a relaxation audio recording to listen to at home between sessions. This isn't homework in the stressful sense — it's a tool that helps your brain consolidate the changes made in session, and most clients find it genuinely enjoyable.

How much does it cost, and are there packages?

Free initial consultation — no obligation, just a conversation
Individual session: £80
6-session package: £450 (saving £30 vs. paying per session)

Many clients start with the 6-session package, which gives enough time to make meaningful progress while keeping the commitment manageable. You can always continue beyond the package if you'd like to.

How do I know if hypnotherapy is working?

Progress in SFH doesn't always look like a sudden dramatic shift. More often it's gradual — you notice you've been sleeping a little better, that a situation which used to trigger you didn't bother you as much, or that you've been feeling a bit more like yourself. Vikki will check in with you regularly, and you'll always be in charge of the pace and direction of your sessions.

Ready to find out if it's right for you?

The best way to get a feel for how many sessions you might need is to have a free initial consultation with Vikki. It's a no-pressure, no-obligation conversation. If it feels right, you can book your first session. If it doesn't, that's absolutely fine too.

First Step Therapy is based near Bishop's Stortford in Hertfordshire, and serves clients across Harlow, Sawbridgeworth, Saffron Walden, Stansted Mountfitchet, Epping, and beyond.

How Many Hypnotherapy Sessions Will I Need?