Therapy by video call
Covid restrictions in 2020 meant that I introduced hypnotherapy by video call. It worked much better than I could have hoped. People feel especially comfortable in their own homes.
Video calls can use whatever software you prefer, for example Skype, FaceTime, Zoom etc.
You'll want to ensure that you're unlikely to be disturbed by anyone, including turning off other phones etc. Then you know that you can fully relax.
Some clients use earbuds, others just use the speakers and microphone from their phone, laptop, PC, iPad etc, or whatever hardware they use for the call. I use earbuds so I block out any other sounds and the person hears a better sound quality.
About half the session is spent talking through what you want to achieve, the second half is the hypnosis itself.
For the hypnosis part, it's best if you have a comfortable chair or sofa where you can recline, put your feet up and your head is supported so you don't get 'head nod' as you relax. It's good to be very comfortable for the hypnosis part so you can really relax. Often people switch locations - they start in a chair or sitting upright on the sofa for the first part of the session, then recline on the sofa for the hypnosis part.
Have a blanket or fleece to hand in case you need extra warmth. When you relax, the body’s temperature can drop a little bit - feeling cold can be a distraction and it’s easier to zone out when you’re warm and comfortable.
You need to be able to position your phone or laptop so that I can still see you when you are in hypnosis. That helps me to tailor the trance state to how relaxed you are.
I have been asked by clients: ‘What happens if I don’t wake when you count me up from 1 to 10?’ Put your mind at rest about this - you won’t be asleep, just deeply relaxed. Everyone ‘wakes up’ fine, even if they needed reminding that it’s time to return to full conscious awareness. People use self-hypnosis at night and they will drift into real sleep after they’ve relaxed in hypnosis. Like sleeping at night, people’s bladders will prompt them that it’s time to wake! The lovely aspect of hypnotherapy is that afterwards you feel refreshed, calm and more in control, having taken positive steps in your unconscious mind to achieve the changes you want.
Video calls work well, people like to hold the sessions in their own home; they feel comfortable being somewhere they know, it saves them travelling time, people in other countries and time zones can see me too and it can feel easier to arrange a session when you’re busy with the rest of your life.
So I'll continue to offer video calls even when people can meet together indoors safely, although people will be able to choose a face-to-face session at that time if they prefer.