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.

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.

What Is Solution Focused Hypnotherapy?

Q: 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.

If you've been looking into therapy options and come across Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH), you might be wondering what it actually involves — and whether it's right for you. This guide covers everything you need to know, from the science behind it to what a real session looks like.

So, what exactly is Solution Focused Hypnotherapy?

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a modern, evidence-based therapy that blends two powerful approaches: Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and clinical hypnosis. Unlike traditional therapy — which often asks you to revisit painful memories or analyse why you feel the way you do — SFH focuses entirely on where you want to be, and helps your mind get there.

The "solution focused" part means sessions are forward-looking. You talk about what a better future looks like for you, not the problems you've faced. The hypnosis part uses a deep state of relaxation to help your subconscious mind absorb those positive changes more effectively.

Is it like stage hypnosis?

No — and this is one of the biggest misconceptions. Stage hypnosis is entertainment. Clinical hypnotherapy is therapy. You will never cluck like a chicken, lose control, or say or do anything you wouldn't want to.

In a hypnotherapy session, you remain fully aware and in control throughout. The "trance" state is simply a deeply relaxed mental state — similar to how you feel just before you drift off to sleep, or when you're so absorbed in a book that you lose track of time. Your therapist uses this state to help your mind focus on positive goals.

What does the science say?

SFH is grounded in neuroscience. During periods of stress and anxiety, the primitive part of our brain — the amygdala — can take over, triggering the fight-or-flight response and making it hard to think clearly. SFH works by calming this response and helping strengthen the connections to the rational, positive-thinking prefrontal cortex.

Multiple studies have shown hypnotherapy to be effective for anxiety, IBS, phobias, and chronic pain. Hypnotherapy for IBS is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK.

What can Solution Focused Hypnotherapy help with?

SFH 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, and more)
OCD and intrusive thoughts
Grief and bereavement
Exam nerves and performance anxiety
Weight management
Stopping smoking

What happens in a session?

A typical session at First Step Therapy — based at Hatfield Heath, near Bishop's Stortford in Hertfordshire — lasts around 50–60 minutes and has two distinct parts.

The talking part (around 20–30 minutes) is a structured, positive conversation focused on where you want to be. You won't be asked to dwell on your problems. Instead, you'll explore what's already working, what small steps you could take, and what a better version of your life looks like to you.

The hypnosis part (around 20–25 minutes) involves sitting or lying comfortably while your therapist guides you into a deeply relaxed state using a process called progressive relaxation. You'll hear gentle suggestions and imagery designed to reinforce the positive focus of your session.

How many sessions does it take?

Most people notice positive changes within the first three or four sessions. A typical course of treatment is between 6 and 12 sessions, depending on the issue and the individual. Some clients feel significantly better after just a few sessions; others prefer to continue longer to consolidate their progress.

At First Step Therapy, sessions are available individually (£80 each) or as a 6-session package (£450, saving £30). There is also a free initial consultation — a no-obligation conversation with Vikki where you can ask any questions and decide if it feels right for you.

Is it right for me?

SFH is suitable for most adults. It is gentle, non-invasive, and doesn't require you to talk about distressing events in detail. Many people find it a welcome alternative to traditional talking therapies because sessions are focused on the positive — on your goals, your strengths, and your future.

If you're in Hertfordshire or Essex — including Bishop's Stortford, Harlow, Sawbridgeworth, Saffron Walden, or the surrounding area — and you're curious about whether hypnotherapy could help you, the best first step is a free initial consultation with Vikki at First Step Therapy.

What Is Solution Focused Hypnotherapy? A Complete Guide