Counselling and Hypnotherapy

Frequently asked questions

Q: Are counsellors and hypnotherapist regulated in the UK?

A: Counsellors and hypnotherapists in the UK are currently not regulated. However, The Professional Standards Authority (FSA) Accredited register programme was set up by the Department of Health and is administered by the Professional Standards Authority, who are an independent body, accountable to Parliament. The Programme was created to ensure that the public are able to choose safe, ethical and competent professionals for their health and social care needs.

The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society(NCPS) and the National Hypnotherapy Society (NSH) have registers of members and these registers have been accredited by the FSA Accredited Register programme.

To be on an accredited register, a therapist has to be appropriately trained, undertake continued professional development to enhance their knowledge, undertake regular supervision, have insurance and abide by the organisations code f professional ethics.  It is advisable to check that your therapist is registered with one of these organisations. You can ask me for my membership numbers or search for my by name, on these registers.

Q: Have you been trained and are you qualified to help me?

A: I have had extensive training in counselling and hypnotherapy and am a registered member of the BACP and an accredited member of bother the NCPS and the NSH. I am happy to show you my qualification and membership certificates. You can also check my credentials on the BACP’s, NCPS’ and NSH’s websites.

Q: Do you offer a free initial consultation?

A: Yes, I offer a free, no obligation, 15-20 minutes telephone consultation.

Q: Do I have to attend a set number of sessions?

A: No, you can choose to end counselling or hypnotherapy at any time.

Q: Is everything I tell you confidential? Even if I tell you I take illegal drugs?

A: Yes, what you tell me in your sessions is confidential, even if you tell me you take illegal drugs. The only exception to this is if there is a risk of harm to you or others, or if I am ordered to break confidentiality by a court.

Q: Are you easy to get to?

A: Yes. I am in central Eastleigh.

By train or bus:  approximately 10-minute walk from the Eastleigh train station and 8-minute walk from the bus station.

By Car: approximately five-minute drive from both junction 5 of the M27 and junction 13 of the M3 and approximately a 15-minute drive from either Southampton city centre or Winchester.

There is parking close by in the Swan Centre and Hanns way car park, as well as some on street parking in Leigh Road, Market Street and High Street. All approximately 4 mins walk.

Q: Is there parking near by?

A: It is permit parking near me Monday – Saturday 8am -8pm. However, there are some 2 hour bays that you can park in, in my road and surrounding roads. There is paid parking in the Swan Centre and Hanns Way car parks and on the High Street and Market Street. Most paid parking is free from 6pm.  All approximately 4 – 5 minutes walk from me.

Q: Will the hypnotherapist be able to make me do silly things?

A: The short answer is no. You are conscious and in control at all times during hypnosis and can choose to come out of it whenever you wish. Whilst you are more susceptible to suggestion, your mind will reject anything that goes again your personal values. Therefore, you cannot be made to do anything you do not want to do.

Q: What if I can’t be Hypnotised?

A: If you day dream, then you can be hypnotised.

Q: Does everyone respond to hypnotherapy?

A: Hypnosis has the capacity to work for the majority of individuals but some are more susceptible to suggestions than others. The most important thing to remember is that you must be fully committed to the process and feel that you can place your trust in your hypnotherapist. It's also important to keep an open mind, as any scepticism may subconsciously dampen your susceptibility.